Ch. 216..220: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 216-220

Chapter 216: A Citrus-Themed Dress

Aurora was also asked about her relationship with her stepmother, Stella, to understand where that hatred had come from. She answered the questions by narrating the tale of her growing up.

More questions were thrown and Aurora did her best to answer them with accuracy.

"Mrs. Scott, do you believe your stepmother would go as far as killing you for the purpose you presented?" the detective questioned.

This question is actually very simple. Since Aurora was the main target in the first place, the detective was asking if she believed that her stepmother actually tried to kill her which in the process resulted in her father’s death.

Having understood the question, Aurora nodded and reminded him about her claim earlier.

The man sitting next to the detective wrote something down on his notebook before lifting his head.

After two more questions, Aurora was allowed to leave, but not without Xander and the lawyer shaking hands with the two detectives.

"Are you okay?" Xander asked Aurora once they stepped outside the building. "Of course, I am," Aurora replied, flashing him a smile.

Her father had been dead and cremated for the past few months. There was nothing to cry about again except for justice.

Although Aurora seemed to no longer feel much emotion for her father, Adam, she still very much loved him, even with the bitter truth he left her with.

Nothing has changed about how she viewed him.

Xander draped his arm across the length of Aurora’s shoulder and squeezed the end in a comforting manner as they walked towards their car.

---

Xander’s Private Residence.

Half an hour later, Aurora and Xander arrived at their home and walked in together, only to see Asher sitting in the living room with a leg crossed over the other as he read a fashion magazine.

"Bro?" Xander called as he walked in together with Aurora.

Hearing that familiar voice, Asher snapped the magazine close and rose to his feet with a smile.

"Hello, Aurora! I see you both took your time returning home," he said as his gaze moved from Xander to Aurora and then back to Xander’s face again. "My team and I have been waiting for quite some time."

It took a moment for Xander to finally understand what Asher was talking about. He had totally forgotten about the dress he asked him to make for Aurora’s launch party.

As soon as Aurora finished responding to Asher’s greetings, Xander quickly informed her about the dress.

"I asked him to make you a dress for your second champagne dress. I hope I didn’t overstep?"

"Really?" Aurora asked him, her eyes lighting up like fireworks before turning to Asher in a heartbeat. "Where is it?"

"In your dressing room on the ground floor," Asher answered, and almost immediately, Aurora snapped her gaze back to Xander. "See you in a bit."

Then, Xander watched her run away. He shoved his hands inside his pants pockets and slowly turned his gaze on his best friend.

"How long will the fitting take?"

Asher could tell Xander had plans with Aurora but pretended to sink into a deep thought. Five seconds later, he cast his gaze on him.

"Ten to twenty minutes max," he finally replied.

Xander nodded and immediately led the way out. Asher followed him, and together, they went into the dressing room to catch Aurora admiring the dress on the mannequin set in the middle of the room.

Asher had designed a high-tide dress featuring the theme of citrus, and he got it right. Although this dress wasn’t dazzling like the champagne dress from before, it did justice to the theme and made sure that Aurora was going to be the centre of attraction.

Quickly, Asher urged Aurora to get into the dress for her first fitting. A minute later, Aurora stepped out from behind the curtain with two of Asher’s staff, who helped her secure the gown on her body.

Aurora stood in front of the full-length mirror and admired the dress as the two men approached her from behind.

"Is there any spot that seems out of place?" Asher asked as his gaze slowly dragged across Aurora’s body. He even proceeded to check a few spots on the gown with her permission.

"I think my chest is a little tight," Aurora said. "I’m struggling to breathe."

Hearing that, Asher threw a meaningful glance at Xander who felt his gaze on him and quickly turned to meet it.

Asher lifted a brow, and Xander narrowed his.

This secret eye communication didn’t go unnoticed by Aurora, who was watching them from the mirror with doubts tinged in her brows.

"Guys, what’s going on?"

At her question, the men broke their glances and refocused their attention on her.

Asher called one of his staff to bring a measuring tape. He took it and glanced at it with all seriousness. When everyone thought he was going to take measurements by himself, he passed the tape back to the attendant and asked her to do it.

"Mrs. Scott, this is your time to indicate if there is any place you feel uncomfortable. Also, if you don’t like any design in the dress, let me know and everything will be fixed up by tomorrow morning," Asher said to Aurora.

Aurora examined herself in the mirror as the lady wrapped the measuring tape around her bust to take the right numbers down.

"There are some spots of orange on this dress. Why don’t you make me a beautiful headpiece in orange?" she suggested.

"Sounds like a good idea." Asher snapped his fingers, grasping the concept.

Five minutes later, Asher took his team and left with the dress, promising to send it the following morning.

Now left alone, Aurora and Xander went to their bedroom to shower before getting ready in a burgundy evening dress and navy blue suit.

Aurora had clean, sharp makeup done and used some perfume on her wrist and the back of her neck before taking Xander’s hand. And together, they stepped out of the house and got into their Aston Martin.

Chapter 217: Completely Lost Herself

It was a Friday night, so how could Aurora and Xander hold back on a day like today?

After dinner at the private restaurant, they visited an exclusive casino to watch and play some games.

"I feel like getting drunk today," Aurora said, eyeing Xander’s glass of whiskey.

Xander followed her gaze to the glass in front of him and smiled. Then he leaned in to whisper to her ear, "Sweetheart, stay away from alcohol tonight. Remember, we are preparing to have a baby, and your Champagne launch is in two days. You’re going to be clinking a lot of glasses."

At that reminder, Aurora let out an exasperated sigh. "You didn’t have to remind me. But why are you drinking tonight? I’m not the only one preparing to have our baby." She eyed him warily.

"That’s why I’ve been drinking only a glass since our arrival." Xander winked before leaning in to share a hot, steamy kiss with her, not minding the presence of a few others in the room.

---

Swift Family’s Residence.

The next day, Olivia, for the first time since she was out on house arrest yesterday, expressed her excitement over the reopening of her father’s murder case.

She heard it from Stephanie at the breakfast table as they were going to the police station for another round of questions.

"Aunt, how long before the police finally catch this culprit?" Olivia asked, fixing her gaze on Stephanie after figuring out that her mother wasn’t the right person to ask those questions.

"It depends. Maybe a month or two since there are fundamental pieces of evidence in the police’s hands," Stephanie answered.

Almost immediately, Stella grabbed her response and stored it in her mind. She was working on some strategies, and with this new information, she had to re-center her plans around it.

’This means I have to leave in less than a month,’ she thought to herself, completely lost.

As soon as breakfast was over, the three women left for the police station with their bodyguards.

On arrival, they found their lawyer waiting for them, and together, they went into the station.

Olivia was the first person to go in for questioning. As she sat across the detective with her lawyer, she was reminded of the first time she sat in that room. She was demoralised and depressed. But this time, she felt different.

If not anything, she was energised and hopeful.

Soon, the rounds of questioning started. Olivia was first asked about the kind of relationship her mother and father had, and she didn’t give a reasonable response.

What kind of person answers, ’just there’ to an important question?

The second detective noted Olivia’s response and body language in his notebook as the main detective in charge of the case went on to ask another question.

"What kind of relationship do you think your mother has with your stepsister?" he asked, pinning his gaze on her.

Olivia furrowed her brows before answering, "There is no relationship." She seemed a bit confused at first before laughing out loud. "I know you’re testing me with this question after the drama at our company made rounds on social media."

The two detectives watched Olivia laughing hysterically without any emotion on their faces. As for the lawyer, he was uncomfortable and had to call Olivia’s attention.

"Miss Swift?"

As soon as Olivia heard that title, her laughter died down. She faced the detective who threw that question at her and said, "Did you hear him call me Miss Swift? That’s right. My marriage to Owen Scott has ended. Everyone knows I stole him from my sister. And with these hints, what kind of relationship do you think I had with my sister?"

Olivia threw the question back to him and leaned back into her seat to watch him.

"Miss. Swift, I’m the one doing the questioning here, not you. So, you better answer my questions clearly," the detective said without mincing his words. He was done playing nice, especially with her purposely trying to piss him off.

Olivia shrugged without a care. "I don’t have any comments."

Instantly, silence swept across the room as the four people sitting around the square metal table met each other’s gazes.

The lawyer tried to mend the situation, but the detective stopped him and continued his questions.

"Miss. Swift, what kind of relationship did your mother have with your stepsister, Mrs. Aurora Scott?"

Olivia scoffed as she felt something like a sharp knife plunge deep into her chest. "I can’t believe you will address her as Mrs. Scott right in front of me and only call me Miss Swift. Am I still not married to Owen Scott?"

"Didn’t you just inform us that your marriage to Mr. Owen had crashed?" The detective inquired, surprised at her madness. "How else do you want to be addressed."

Olivia leaned into the table. "Until the court dissolves my marriage to that man, I will be addressed as Mrs. Scott."

The lawyer sitting beside Olivia shut his eyes in shame while the two detectives exchanged quiet glances. They all felt that she was mentally unstable and wondered if that would affect her statement.

Unknown to Olivia, who was still living in delusion, the three men in the room had already concluded her mental state and had decided to treat her as such.

"Mrs. Scott, please go on and answer the question," the detective urged.

Finally, Olivia smiled once again and leaned away, pleased at the respect she was shown. Next, she proceeded to answer his question obediently.

"The relationship between my mum and Aurora is neutral. I mean, if they can both exist in the same room at the same time without the ground shaking, then it’s humorous."

The detective let out a sigh and brushed the stubble around his jaw. Olivia was about to make him a total mess with her roundabout response so he made her explain.

"My mum and I do not have a good relationship with Aurora. I know you’re already aware of this, so why the questions? Also, isn’t this interrogation supposed to pertain to my dad’s murder? Why are you poking around our personal relationships here?"

Olivia’s twisting brows didn’t look good on her. It had probably been a while since she had her last Botox injection and fillers.

She was losing herself all round. Unfortunately, she was in the dark.

Chapter 218: Stephanie Finds Out the Heartbreaking Truth

"Mrs. Scott, thank you for your time today. Have a good day," the detective said to Olivia.

And just like that, Olivia was sent away without giving further explanation.

Stephanie was next to walk into the room, giving Stella the opportunity to interrogate Olivia and find out the kind of questions she was asked.

"It’s just some stupid questions about the kind of relationship I had with Aurora. I think that slut must have complained about me," Olivia grumbled, whisking her phone out from her bag to text her friends, not giving her mother a chance to ask any more questions. "I need a drink tonight."

Almost immediately, Stella grabbed her hand. "Olivia, you’re not leaving this house tonight. And you are not getting any drink either," she commanded through gritted teeth.

"Who said I can’t invite my friends over since I’m not allowed to leave the house?" Olivia snatched her hand back and continued with her texting, leaving her mother fuming beside her.

---

Meanwhile, in the interrogation room, Stephanie was also asked about Aurora and Stella’s relationship, and she answered truthfully.

More sensitive questions are thrown at Stephanie before she finally realises the hint pointing towards Stella.

"Excuse me, Mr. Detective," Stephanie called his attention with a deep frown perched on her face. "If I may ask, this interrogation is all for my deceased brother, to find his murderer. Then why are the questions all centred around his wife, Stella?"

As soon as she asked that question, both detectives exchanged gazes before the one in charge glanced back at her, intertwining his fingers.

"One of our key witnesses to this case, the waiter’s wife, has a voice recording of her husband confessing to being paid by Mrs. Swift to take out her stepdaughter Aurora on the night of Miss Olivia’s wedding. The waiter also..."

The detective was yet to finish his statement when Stephanie directly cut him off. "Can I listen to the voice record?"

A few minutes later, the pen recorder was placed on the table before Stephanie and played.

Then for the next few minutes, her face changed into different shades of dark. Finally, when the voice record finished playing, her gaze followed the detective as he took the pen back.

"Are you trying to tell me that my sister-in-law hired an assassin to kill her stepdaughter on the night of her own daughter’s wedding, but he ended up killing my brother in the process?" Stephanie asked as calmly as she could muster while meeting the detective’s gaze.

"I’m afraid so. But without deeper investigation and confirmation of this since the waiter is dead, we can’t conclude that Stella Swift is the perpetrator in this case," the detective answered.

A few seconds later, Stephanie felt a sharp pain in her heart and in her mind. This truth was too shocking for her to bear.

She couldn’t believe that not only did Stella dare to bring a fake child into the Swift family, camouflaging it as her brother’s daughter, but she also dared to hire an assassin who took him out.

Stephanie clenched her fists as her face squeezed in pain. Listening to the detective mention the motive behind Stella’s actions punched her guts.

"Mr. Detective, it is clear that Stella is behind this case, so why are you not arresting her this instant? What kind of other evidence are you waiting for?!" Stephanie questioned as she pounded her fist on the table angrily.

Both pain and anger were visible in her eyes. Clearly, she wasn’t taking the news well.

"Mrs. Coker, according to the waiter about his deal with Mrs. Swift, she sent money to his wife through an offshore account. Thankfully, his wife kept the receipt, and we have been using the details to trace the account and find out if it belongs to Mrs. Scott," the detective said and went on to explain further, giving more references.

Stephanie clutched her heart as her breath ragged. She felt her wind-pipe was blocked and kept beating her chest as tears gathered in her eyes.

"Ma’am, are you okay?" the detective asked, rising to his feet and rushing to Stephanie’s side. And since Stephanie had refused to come in with the family lawyer, she was alone with the two detectives.

Fifteen minutes later, Stephanie left the small room and returned to the waiting room where Stella and Olivia were sitting.

It was hard for her to pretend like she was still clueless about the truth she just learnt even when she so badly wanted to take a swipe at Stella right there and then.

But remembering what the detectives told her in the last moments she spent in the interrogation room, she held her peace even though her heart still hurt.

From the time Stephanie walked in until she sat down on one of the seats, Stella’s gaze never left her.

From her sitting position, Stella could tell her face didn’t look good, but no matter how badly curious she was about her question and answer session, she didn’t dare probe about it.

Stella was scared even to find out what Stephanie knew about Adam’s murder.

Soon, one of the police officers came to call Stella and escort her into the interrogation room and just like Stephanie, she refused the lawyer’s presence and went in alone.

About five minutes into the questioning, when Stella didn’t feel like there was any incriminating evidence against her, the detective asked her a difficult question.

"Mrs. Swift, why will you want your stepdaughter dead?"

As soon as that question reached Stella’s ears, her heart rate increased as her heart raced in her chest.

"Excuse me," she blinked, with confusion etched on her brows. "What sort of question is that and what do you mean?"

Though Stella wasn’t confident, she had to appear as that to save herself from further implications.

’Maybe I should have brought my lawyer with me,’ she thought regretfully since guilt was the reason she wanted to walk in alone.

She had been afraid that the lawyer would spill what he knew to Stephanie, so she dropped him off.

Chapter 219: Drilling Questions

"Why will I want my stepdaughter killed?" Stella asked, appearing confused as she leaned out of her seat.

If she wanted to get out of this measly trap, she had to wear her confidence and maintain her poise otherwise, she would be used as duck food.

On the other hand, the detective refused to fall for her trick and looked past her facade.

"There are a handful of reasons for that, and if you’d like, I can list them out for you," he said, piercing his gaze through hers. Then, without waiting for her response or reaction, he added. "One, you’ve never had a reason to like her. It’s not like she is your husband’s biological daughter."

Instantly, a gasp escaped Stella’s lips. She couldn’t believe the police already knew this truth. There was only one person who could have told them, and it was definitely not Olivia or Stephanie.

Ignoring her reaction, the detective continued, "You must have hated the fact that she was doing so much better than your own daughter in business and would replace her one day. Secondly, you knew the identity of her biological daughter and didn’t want her finding that out."

At this point, a belly-roll of laughter escaped Stella’s lips as she dipped the back of her head. Her actions seemed to be insulting the intelligence of the detective questioning her.

On the other brand, the detective exchanged glances with the other one before shifting his gaze back to her. He released a soft sigh and patiently waited until she was done laughing and ready to continue with the interrogation.

"Did Aurora tell you all of that?" Stella asked with laughter in her eyes as she finally looked the detective properly in the eye. "You both can start a screenplay school. Your creativity is unmatched."

Stella clapped her hands to signify her support and encouragement towards her suggestion, but that only fuelled the detective’s anger.

"Mrs. Swift, are you trying to play down on our intelligence?" he asked, narrowing his eyes into splints. He really wasn’t taking her insults easy. Thankfully, he didn’t overstep his boundaries.

But it seemed like his question kind of provoked Stella because almost immediately, every sign of a smile disappeared from her face.

She leaned into the table and said word for word, "You just called me Mrs. Swift. And I believe that you will be careful to stop with the accusations before you lose your badge. You know, I can make that happen with a snap of my finger."

The detective smirked and leaned back in his seat. "Mrs. Swift, I think this is a chance to bring in your lawyer because you will be spending some hours inside this room with us. And once we start again with the questions, you won’t be allowed access to your lawyer again. You have a minute to make your choice, so, what would it be?"

Stella didn’t like the sound of this. She interrogated the detective, asking why he would hold her in that filthy room for hours when she was clean and he didn’t treat the others (Olivia and Stephanie) the same.

The detective ignored her question and kept keeping count for her until the one-minute opportunity he gave her expired. Only then did he answer her question.

"Because right now, Mrs. Scott, you are a prime suspect in your stepdaughter’s attempted murder and your husband’s murder. We haven’t even added the same waiter’s assassination yet, and the crime is already this massive. If you’re found guilty of all these crimes, you won’t get anything less than life imprisonment."

The more the detective spoke with more confidence, the more Stella lost hers. For a split second, she forgot to mask her shock and revealed her weakness through the crack in her facial expression, plus the glint of fear in her eyes.

"And let’s just hope, Mrs. Scott." The detective leaned into the table. "That you don’t end up receiving the harshest punishment. Getting hanged wouldn’t be a befitting end for a woman. Like you."

As soon as he made the last statement, Stella jumped out of her seat and slapped the table, seething in rage. In mere seconds, her eyes had already turned bloodshot.

"What is your name?" She asked, glaring daggers at him.

"Why? You want to report me to my superiors and have me dismissed from my position?" the detective asked and immediately, he pointed at the small glass shield behind her on the upper part of the wall. "They are watching us already. So, sit tight for a few more hours, and you might put me in trouble enough to have your wish redeemed."

A tremor wrecked Stella’s jaw as her hands trembled in anger. Slowly, she turned and followed his finger to where it was pointed. Then she scoffed, seeing the glass, having realised that there were people watching them all this time.

On the other hand, the detective received a warning through the speaker in the room from one of his superiors watching the interrogation from the other room.

With that note of warning, the detective’s mood changed. His gaze turned serious just as Stella sat back down in her seat.

Meanwhile, outside this room, Stephanie was impatient from waiting and checked her wristwatch for the time a few times. Finally, when she couldn’t wait anymore, she picked up her brown leather handbag and turned her gaze to Olivia, who was busy with her phone.

"We’ve been here for over two hours. I have other things to do, so, I’m leaving first. Are you going to your mother, or are you coming with me?"

Hearing the question directed at her, Olivia grabbed her pink shoulder bag and stood to her feet. "I will come with you," she said, locking gaze with her. "I have a small party at home this evening. My friends are coming over since I’m not allowed out of the house. And I hope you aren’t going to say ’no’ to me."

Stephanie stood to her feet and turned her gaze away as she started to walk out of the room. Immediately, Olivia followed her. "I supposed that’s a ’yes’ then."

Stephanie didn’t respond to her. A few minutes later, they got into the backseat of the same car and asked the chauffeur to take them home.

Chapter 220: Cornering Stella

As soon as the car hit the road, Olivia stirred restlessly in her seat, prompting Stephanie to glance at her.

Catching it, she smiled and immediately turned her attention to her. "Aunt, you are not so bad."

Stephanie glared at her. "I am aware you are mentally unstable and can’t think properly. And until you recover, don’t bother trying to get close to me. I won’t let you back into Vintage Cellar until you have a proof for me."

"I wasn’t even thinking about the company." Olivia pouted, pretending to be hurt by her words. "I just couldn’t help feeling so grateful to you for caring for me."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. She didn’t trust that mentally disabled patient for one bit. Maybe if she cared a bit more about Olivia, she could invite a doctor home to check on her.

"If you don’t want to be thrown out of my car in the middle of this journey, you will shut your mouth and mind your business," Stephanie warned, obviously not in the mood to entertain nonsense.

In the end, Olivia shrugged and turned her face away in annoyance.

---

The Police Station.

Back at the police station, Stella was uneasy, but she just did something beneficial for herself.

She leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms, fixing a straight gaze on the detective. But no matter what questions he asked, she said, "No comment."

Even when she was told that the waiter had confessed before his death in a voice recording which was now in his wife’s possession, Stella didn’t even blink. She shrugged.

Stella’s actions were deliberate. Since the detective wanted to punish her by keeping her there for hours, she decided to waste his time.

Suddenly, in the middle of the interrogation, she said to him, "You know, you might think I don’t know my rights because I don’t have my lawyer next to me. But I’m going to prove something to you."

Stella whipped her phone out and made a call right in front of them. She phoned the inspector general of police and filed a complaint against them about how they were holding her illegally for hours without the presence of her lawyer.

As soon as she dropped the call, the telephone in the observation room rang, and one of the detectives’ superiors answered it. Ten seconds later, his voice spoke through the speakers in the interrogation room.

"Detective Woods, release Mrs. Swift immediately and walk her to her car."

The instruction was loud and clear, but without warning, the speaker disconnected.

Stella smirked as she grabbed her bag from the table and got off her chair. Then, her gaze dropped on the two detectives in front of her. "Which one of you is walking me to my car?"

---

Outside the station, Detective Woods stopped in front of a black car as Stella got inside. Just when he turned to leave, she called his attention.

"Mr. Woods," she said, completely discarding his hard-earned title like it was meaningless. She went for it without batting an eye since she wanted to disrespect him so openly and belittle him. "I will be your nightmare soon."

Hearing that, the detective turned around to meet her gaze. "Well, Stella," he said, dropping her respectful title without fear. "The next time we meet, which shouldn’t be far from now, I will be personally cuffing your wrists after getting an arrest warrant for the three big crimes you committed."

Having said his piece, Detective Woods turned his back to her and walked away in quick steps, leaving Stella seething in rage as a mix of fear and anger collided in her heart.

As the chauffeur drove off from the Police premises, she couldn’t help but note, "He sounds very confident."

At that thought, a chill ran down her spine. She didn’t need to think any more to know that there was indeed incriminating evidence against her in the case.

It was too late even to locate the waiter’s wife and force her to withdraw her complaints and change her testament.

"What do I do?" Stella’s forehead creased in worry as her fingers restlessly tapped the car door.

---

Swift Family Residence.

Meanwhile, after Stephanie and Olivia returned home, they both went their separate ways.

Stephanie became incredulously busy because of tomorrow’s event, and she didn’t have much time to dwell on the tough reality weighing down in her mind. But after messing up some paperwork thanks to the distraction, she had no choice but to confront the truth.

She grabbed her phone from the table and went straight to Aurora’s contact and dialled it.

As soon as the call connected and she accepted Aurora’s greeting, she fired her first question.

"Aurora, is Stella behind your father’s death?"

At the other end, Aurora paused on hearing that question. She just remembered that the rest of the family had to go in for questioning today.

And from her Aunt’s reaction, she could tell that she must have learnt something from the police, but it was not for her to confirm.

"Aunt, all evidence is pointing at her. But until the court’s ruling, I can’t say for sure."

Aurora didn’t want to openly admit the truth for a good reason, so, she let her Aunt who is an adult and had massive knowledge about the case to judge by herself.

"It’s okay," Stephanie said and ended the call. The next minute after dropping the call, she swept everything on the table to the floor.

"That bitch!" she screamed, as she leaned on the table for support as her breaths came out rashly.

She was certain now that Stella killed her brother and tried to wipe her records clean.

"And she dared to mourn him with us!" Stephanie clenched her fists as bitterness sprang from her belly, her eyes blazing with fire.

---

Some minutes later, Stella returned home, but the second she stepped into the living room, Stephanie appeared swiftly from the corner and pushed her to the wall, slamming her back.

And in a heartbeat, she put her arm on Stella’s throat, holding her back as a yelp escaped her lips.