Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 74: Ignorance is No Defense

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Ignorance is No Defense

Su Qingnuan was a little dazed. Looking at the packaging, it was clearly something sent to her by Mr. Fu. How could it turn out to be that kind of drug?

No! Impossible!

Su Qingnuan turned to the servant and asked urgently, "Are you sure what you picked up inside is that?"

"Yes!" The servant nodded emphatically. "It’s definitely that, without question."

For a moment, no one spoke. The only sound was Su Qingnuan’s heavy breathing.

After a long silence, Yun Meifeng finally spoke.

"This matter is very serious. We should wait for the old master to return before discussing it further."

"Wait for the old master to return?" Fu Yixing sneered, "Handling her now might still leave her with a life. If the old master finds out, I’m afraid he’ll kill her on the spot."

"Yixing!" Yun Meifeng glanced at him helplessly, lowering her voice. "Don’t talk nonsense."

Fu Yixing let out a cold snort and walked out first.

Seeing this, the others followed him out.

Su Qingnuan’s head was still spinning. Watching the scenes replay over and over in her mind, she was momentarily speechless.

If that truly came from the old master, then Su Qingnuan completely understood his intentions.

But why would Fu Yixing end up drinking that drug?

Could it be...

Su Qingnuan abruptly turned her head and looked in the direction of the departing crowd.

The servant who had been kneeling and begging for mercy earlier was now laughing and chatting with her companion as if nothing was amiss.

After a long silence, Su Qingnuan took out her phone.

Staring at that person’s phone number, Su Qingnuan shut her eyes tightly and pressed the dial button, gritting her teeth.

...

The atmosphere in the living room was extremely heavy. Su Qingnuan sat alone on a sofa, quietly watching the mother and son duo across from her.

Ever since they came out of the surveillance room, the group had been staring at her, stopping her from doing anything but sitting and waiting for the old master to return.

"Calling me back in such a hurry – what’s the matter?"

Mr. Fu’s booming voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.

The old master, carrying his briefcase, headed for the sofa.

Seeing their solemn expressions, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

"Why the long faces? What happened?"

Fu Yixing quickly grabbed the medicine bottle from the table and handed it to the old master.

"Grandpa, look! I nearly took this medicine today!"

The old master took the bottle, examined it carefully, and, without betraying any emotion, gave Su Qingnuan a subtle glance.

"Grandpa, do you know what kind of drug this is?" Fu Yixing asked.

The old master shook his head, replying solemnly: "I don’t. What kind of drug is it?"

"... Aphrodisiac."

"..." The old master quickly put the bottle down, cleared his throat, and said dryly, "Is that so? Why would there be this kind of drug in the house? Did you want to take it?"

"Grandpa!" Fu Yixing broke in anxiously, cutting off the old man’s teasing. He continued seriously, "Do you know what would’ve happened if I had taken this drug?"

"I do." Sitting upright with a serious expression, the old master gave Su Qingnuan another glance. "Why are you sitting here?"

Su Qingnuan straightened her back, ready to speak.

"This drug was found on her."

Stealing her moment, Fu Yixing interjected first. Left with no choice, Su Qingnuan nodded helplessly.

"I accidentally dropped it this morning when I went out."

Mr. Fu looked at her with an inscrutable expression. "Do you know what this is?"

Su Qingnuan quickly shook her head, replying, "I hadn’t even opened the packaging when it fell out."

The old master let out a relieved breath, then slammed his hand on the table, roaring, "Who would use tricks like this to seduce the second young master? This must be investigated thoroughly today!"

"Grandpa!" Fu Yixing snapped angrily, "She says she doesn’t know, and you just believe her? I think she did it on purpose!"

The old master shot him a sharp look, lowering his voice: "She’s your sister-in-law. Do you understand the implications of what you’re saying?"

"Of course I understand!" Fu Yixing’s voice grew louder. "Grandpa, we can’t let someone with questionable morals stay in this family, can we?"

The old master paused, frowning at him. "Are you suspecting she drugged you?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" Fu Yixing frowned back and locked eyes with the old master. "When the drug was found, the cup of water had already been brought to me. If it weren’t for the servant sensing something was wrong and stopping me, then by now..."

His words trailed off as his face grew heavier.

Su Qingnuan glanced at him, calm and composed.

Although there was surveillance footage, his words were riddled with contradictions. Even the old master might not believe him.

"When you put it that way, it does seem suspicious." The old master frowned as he sat down.

Su Qingnuan was momentarily stunned and quickly stood up: "Grandpa, this is really—"

"I know!" The old master interrupted her sharply, his voice firm. "If you didn’t do it, Grandpa will ensure justice is served for you."

"... Alright."

Sitting back down, Su Qingnuan quietly watched the old master.

"Grandpa, what justice? Your grandson almost fell victim to someone’s scheme, and yet you’re still shielding her?" Fu Yixing couldn’t hold back his anger anymore. With his finger pointing at Su Qingnuan, he bellowed, "Are you saying even my words, as your flesh and blood, are questionable to you?"

"... I’m not shielding her." The old master rubbed his hand and stood up. "Here’s what we’ll do: first, let me see the surveillance footage. That water cup – is it still preserved? Have someone analyze it."

"Everything’s been kept. I’ve already sent it for analysis. As for the drug – it came from this bottle, and not just that, the latest fingerprints on the cup belong to me and Su Yuerou!"

At these words, everyone’s gaze fell on Su Qingnuan.

Her face, already pale, appeared even more guilt-ridden now.

"Yuerou." Yun Meifeng sighed lightly, walked to Su Qingnuan’s side, and took her hand. "I know marrying Yihan has been hard on you, but you can’t go behind our backs and do something like this. What were you thinking..."

Her unfinished words, along with her teary, pitiful gaze, perfectly conveyed her victim-like demeanor.

Su Qingnuan withdrew her hand and looked at the old master, saying nothing.

The old master was observing her too, though his once resolute expression now held traces of doubt.

She knew perfectly well that these people had a backup plan ready.

While it was true the drug was given by the old master, once it was in Su Qingnuan’s hands, everything changed. The old master couldn’t be certain of what had happened thereafter, and if someone tampered with details, he might not believe her.

Her guess turned out to be dead on.

"Grandpa, don’t you trust me?"

With hurt in her eyes, Su Qingnuan looked expectantly at the old master.

The old master hesitated before finally speaking, "Then what about the fingerprints? How do you explain those?"

Su Qingnuan gave a bitter laugh. "I don’t understand it either, but I can absolutely guarantee, I didn’t do any of this."

"A mere guarantee is supposed to clear suspicion? Then what do we need the police for?" Fu Yixing sneered. "If you’re truly innocent, then show us the proof. Where was this drug kept before? Do you have surveillance footage?"

The second floor of the Fu house was devoid of surveillance cameras, so even if Su Qingnuan claimed it was upstairs, there was no recorded evidence to back her up.

Her hands felt icy.

Clenching her fists tightly, Su Qingnuan stood.

"Grandpa, I really didn’t do it."