?<strong>Chapter 1034:</strong>


    “Since you’re here, tell the truth, not some fabricated story.”


    Barton’s hands shook slightly, almost imperceptibly, but he quickly steadied himself, forcing his nerves under control.


    Slowly, he pulled out his phone and showed the edited footage, a shoddy splice of events.


    “I got this from the nursing home. The surveince cameras never lie,” he said, his voice faltering as he spoke the words that weren’t his own. Of course, the footage had been doctored, carefully edited to frame Allison.


    Despite the pressure from Ken, Barton remembered Nova’s promises and forced himself to continue. With determination, he said, “That night, I saw Ms. rke stealing!”


    Barton passed the phone to Brook, his hand trembling slightly.


    “Ms. rke was found lurking around Mrs. Kinslee Lloyd’s bedside at that hour. Not long after, Mr. Ken Lloyd mentioned he’d investigate her background. Shortly after that, I learned her identity. However, Mr. Ken Lloyd seemed to lose interest in pursuing the matter.”


    Barton’s throat tightened as he swallowed.


    The air felt suffocating under the oppressive weight of Ken’s presence.


    Without needing to nce up, Barton could sense Ken’s cutting gaze fixed on him like a de poised to strike.


    The phone’s screen illuminated, and surveince footage began to y.


    “From this angle, Ms. rke does look rather suspicious. But considering her circumstances, a divorced woman with no family to rely on, it’s understandable that life might be exceptionally tough for her. So maybe that’s why she resorted to stealing,” Nova remarked.


    Brook’s expression had turned extremely unpleasant.


    He held the phone aloft, allowing the damning footage to cast its judgment as he addressed Allison. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”


    Though filmed at night, the surveince camera had clearly captured Allison’s profile.


    The evidence was unarguable.


    “Yes, that’s me. But I haven’t stolen a thing,” Allison replied evenly, her toneposed.


    Her calm demeanor dismissed Brook’s usations as if they carried no weight.


    Meanwhile, Ken’s eyes remained locked on Barton, his stare so ferocious that it felt capable of tearing the man apart.


    His tone was filled with murderous intent. “If you’re lying to me, I’ll have someone break your legs and toss you out this instant.”


    Barton’s legs were already trembling uncontrobly.


    But he stood his ground and insisted, “I’m not lying! I saw Ms. rke steal something with my own eyes!”


    His lie had taken root, and there was no retreating now.


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