The Villainess With White Roses

Chapter 6 - Beneath The Façade

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THIRD PERSON POV

For Charlotte, seeing Lady Andrelise offers a glimmer of hope. Maybe her lady won't believe Hannah's lies. But that moment quickly shifts. Andrelise doesn't even glance at Hannah; instead, she moves directly to her father. Charlotte's heart tightens as Andrelise speaks.

"Father," she says, her voice smooth and steady, "did Charlotte really steal from me?"

The question feels like a knife. Charlotte's breath catches, and dread washes over her.

The Marquis looks at Andrelise but remains silent. Before anyone can respond, Hannah jumps in, eager to seize the moment.

"Yes, Lady Andrelise!" she exclaims, her voice dripping with false anger. "Charlotte betrayed your trust! She's a thief. She stole your jewels and deserves punishment—maybe even jail time! Or worse!" She pauses for dramatic effect, her voice laced with cruelty. "Perhaps we should cut off her hands for such betrayal."

Charlotte flinches, her stomach churning. How can she defend herself against such well-crafted lies? She opens her mouth to plead for a chance to explain, but Hannah's words drown her out.

Finally, Andrelise turns her cold, calculating gaze to Hannah. "Do you have proof?" she asks, her tone neutral.

Hannah beams, confident that she has Andrelise's support. "Of course, my lady," she replies, walking over to the Marquis's desk and gesturing to the forged documents and stolen jewels. "It's all here, the evidence of Charlotte's betrayal."

Andrelise looks at over to the papers expression remains unreadable, heightening Charlotte's anxiety. The silence stretches, and Hannah's triumph grows with each passing moment, convinced that Andrelise is on her side.

The butler returns with two guards, their presence heavy with foreboding. Charlotte's heart sinks; they're here to take her away. She'll be branded a thief- an embzeller, and her life will be ruined the moment the Marquis signals them. But then Andrelise steps closer to Charlotte with a questioning look.

"Charlotte," she says softly, her voice calm yet tinged with something, "Did you really steal from me?"

Charlotte's heart stops. Confusion swirls in her mind. Is Andrelise truly accusing her? She can't accept it. There's something in Andrelise's eyes—a sharpness no one else seems to notice.

"I didn't," Charlotte whispers, desperation coloring her words. She meets Andrelise's gaze, pleading for some sign that this isn't real.

"Please believe me," she says quietly, vulnerability seeping through. Andrelise's gaze softens slightly as she studies Charlotte.

"See, my lady? She can't even defend herself properly! She knows what she's done!" Hannah interjects eagerly.

But Andrelise shifts her focus back to Hannah, her expression icy. "How did you find those, again?" she asks, almost lazily, as if she's bored.

Hannah's confidence surges. "I went to her quarters myself, of course," she responds with a sickly sweet smile that is almost nauseating.

"I'm loyal to this family and couldn't stand by while someone tried to harm it. I did what was necessary to protect you, Lady Andrelise."

Andrelise nods, pretending to ponder Hannah's words. She looks back at the documents and approaches the Marquis. "Father, may I?"

—-
CHARLOTTE

"Hannah," Lady Andrelise begins, her voice sweet and deceptively calm, "could you tell me how you found those documents that supposedly incriminate Charlotte?"