In comparison, Cameron remained calm. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "You're finally admitting it?"

"No! No, she was just blabbering nonsense," Maria cried, pulling on Rhea's arm. "Cameron, don't take her seriously! You know how stubborn Rhea can be. She's just angry at her father! How could she have poisoned Anastasia? There must be a misunderstanding..."

But Maria's confidence faltered. Could it be those herbal plants? Is that why Anastasia moved them and said she gifted them to someone else? She seemed wary of us afterward.

With that thought, she looked at Anastasia. "Tasia, who told you you were poisoned by the herbal plants? Was it Lily?" Maria suspected as much, given Anastasia's recent contact with Lily. "I've told you she's a bad influence. How could you listen to her? It might not have been the herbal plants. If she's right, why were you the only one poisoned? Your father is fine, isn't he?"

"My father isn't home often. You know that, Aunt Maria," Anastasia replied lightly.

"What about the servants...?"

Before Maria finished, Anastasia interjected, "The servants haven't worked here long; five years is the longest tenure. Plus, I was young and weaker than adults. That's why I was more sensitive to the toxins. Rhea likely researched and planned to send me specific herbal plants to achieve the desired effect."

She looked at Rhea, her voice soft. "I'm sure you put a lot of effort into this, Rhea."

Rhea sneered, offering no denial.

Maria's heart sank. Everything she said felt like an excuse. She turned to Rhea, trying to make her kneel. "Ree, apologize to Uncle Cameron. Tell him you were young and didn't know what you were doing. Tell him you were an immature teenager! Apologize quickly!" She knelt, struggling to bring Rhea down, but Rhea remained defiant.

Cameron's irritation boiled over. "Enough! Don't use her age as an excuse. Tasia suffers from chronic poisoning! It's because of something Rhea has done repeatedly over the years, not just once or twice! Fine, she was a teenager then, but what about now? Is she still immature? She's vicious!" He pointed at Rhea. Fabian knelt, pale and shaken, finally understanding the gravity of the situation. "Cameron, it's my fault for not teaching her properly, but please forgive her? She's my late sister's only niece. Prison would ruin her life!" He pleaded, hands clasped.

Maria seized on this. "Yes! Cameron, Rhea can't go to prison! It would end her life! Forgive her! I've cared for Anastasia for years, and I've worked hard to cure her. Forgive her for my sake!" She begged, hands clasped.

Cameron frowned. Rhea stood beside them, impassive.

"If Rhea hadn't poisoned Tasia, you wouldn't need to find a miracle doctor. Are you saying I should thank you both?" Cameron scoffed, seeing no reason for gratitude.