Chapter 579

The Sterlingny was stunned by the situation.

She stared at Susan Langley in shock, lowering her voice. "Miss Langley, if you don't let her go now, she'll really die!"

A flash of murderous intent crossed Susan's eyes. "So what if she dies? She already confessed!"

The Sterlingny was taken aback. "When did she…"

"Just now. Didn't you hear?" Susan looked at the Sterlingny with a mocking smile. "You and I both heard her confess. We were so shocked we couldn't stop her, and she committed suicide out of guilt!"

The Sterlingny was completely dumbfounded.

She had followed Susan in here simply because she usually disliked Joanna Sterling.

Why did the butler and the Fifth Young Master treat her differently?

Why were they never given any special treatment?

So, she was jealous of Joanna.

That's why, when Susan suggested coming to interrogate her, she had followed on a whim.

But no matter how jealous she was of someone, she couldn't just watch them die!

The Sterlingny swallowed hard, wanting to intervene.

But Susan pressed down on Joanna fiercely, refusing to let go.

Outside the window, knocking continued.

Preston Valentine's voice whispered from outside. "Joanna? Joanna? Why aren't you answering? Are you okay?"

"Joanna, say something. If you don't talk, I'm leaving! I won't come see you again if you have any more problems!"

"...Alright, our family was wrong yesterday. We shouldn't have locked you in here alone. But you have to understand, your suspicion really can't be cleared… everything is just too coincidental. Why did you wash the coffee cup?"

"Joanna? Hey, if you don't talk, I'm leaving!"

Preston knocked on the window again. "I'm serious. If you don't say anything, I'm really leaving!"

Inside the bathroom, the Sterlingny covered her mouth tightly, not daring to make a sound.

She looked at Joanna in the bathtub again…

Joanna was gradually ceasing her struggles.

The feeling of oxygen deprivation made her consciousness grow hazy.

She tried to open her eyes, but could only see the bottom of the bathtub, a blurry white expanse…

She felt her strength and energy being slowly drained away.

Her entire body seemed to grow lighter.

As if she were about to bid farewell to this world at any moment.

In her dazed state, Joanna thought about her life.

She had grown up in an orphanage, without any family.

So she had worked odd jobs since childhood to save up for school fees.

It seemed her life had never really had any family.

No one would care about the death of a small, insignificant orphan.

No, perhaps there was one person.

The Fifth Young Master.

He was so pure and kind.

He would help her, a mere Sterlingny, when she couldn't move a ladder…

He would also follow her around, saying it was no big deal, that he'd help her…

If she died, would the Fifth Young Master shed a single tear for her?

As Joanna thought this, her arm suddenly went limp and fell.

She slowly closed her eyes.

…

Preston had been knocking on the window for a while, but there was still no response from inside the room.

He couldn't help but frown.

Just then, Evelyn Ross, hearing the commotion, walked over.

She had stayed in Mr. Valentine's bedroom all night, watching over him.

Even though the family doctor said the toxin wasn't a problem and wouldn't be life-threatening within seven days.

Evelyn still couldn't bring herself to believe it.

It wasn't until this morning, when she specifically checked Mr. Valentine's pulse.

She found that even in his sleep, his pulse remained strong, and only then did she relax.

She still hadn't figured out how to fool Mr. Castillo.

Nor did she know how to get the antidote from the Castillo family.

Feeling restless, she decided to step outside for some air.

Then she thought of Joanna and walked over.

She saw Preston sneaking around, talking to a closed window.

The guest room window near the corridor could be closed from the inside by drawing the curtains.

Once the curtains were drawn, people outside couldn't see inside.

Preston looked like he was having a secret affair.

He was still coaxing. "Alright, I know you're innocent. I'll talk to my sister, get her to let you out today, okay? Why aren't you talking?"

Evelyn walked over and stood behind him.

Watching Preston crouch down, softly coaxing the person inside the room.

She couldn't help but speak softly. "What are you doing?"

"Ah!"

Preston jumped in fright, as if he'd seen a ghost.

He turned around and saw Evelyn, then let out a sigh of relief. "Sis, why do you walk so quietly? Don't you know you can scare someone to death?"

Evelyn looked toward the guest room and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Preston was startled again.

If his sister knew he was visiting the suspect, would she blame him?

Thinking about it, it really was quite unfilial.

His uncle's life was still hanging in the balance, yet he was here helping the suspect.

His sister would be angry, right?

He scratched his head. "I, I wasn't doing anything. I just came to ask Joanna something, to ask if she's the murderer. Yeah, I was trying to use my charm to get her to tell the truth!"

Evelyn…

She couldn't help but give Preston a once-over.

Her eyes were full of disdain.

Among the Valentine brothers, Preston was the least good-looking…

Just as she thought this, Preston immediately jumped. "What's that look for?"

Evelyn shook her head, about to speak.

Suddenly, she heard something and immediately looked toward the room.

Then she asked, "How long have you been talking to Joanna here? Did she respond to you?"

Preston thought she was mocking him for not being handsome enough, that Joanna ignored him.

So he stubbornly said, "She did respond…"

"Really?"

Evelyn's expression suddenly grew tense. "When did she respond? What did she say?"

Preston spoke up. "No, alright, I admit she didn't actually respond. But it's definitely not because I lack charm. It's just because we had an argument last night…"

Before he could finish, Evelyn rushed to the door and tried to push it open.

But the door was locked from the inside and wouldn't budge.

Evelyn checked the lock on the outside.

She found that the lock the butler had used to confine Joanna yesterday was actually unlocked.

This meant…

Evelyn's pupils contracted. "Something's wrong!"

Preston immediately reacted. "Did Joanna escape?"

"Step back."

Evelyn said, taking two steps back.

Preston also stepped back twice.

Then Evelyn kicked the door open and rushed into the room.

Immediately, she heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom!