?<strong>Chapter 1044:</strong>


    Nova had initially intended to argue her case further, but she quickly recognized that resistance was futile. Adapting swiftly, she shifted her strategy, aligning herself against Barton as though she were his opponent all along.


    Feigning anger, she shook her head in disapproval and directed an usatory re at him. “I trusted you so much. How could you deceive me like this? Deceiving me is one thing, but today you almost seeded in falsely using Ms. rke. If it weren’t for Kinslee stepping in, would you have kept lying without remorse?”


    She painted herself as a wronged victim, her tone and expression convincing.


    Barton, visibly shaken, raised his eyes to meet hers.


    “Mrs. Lloyd, I never…” he stammered, but the words faltered on his lips.


    Despite Nova’s outward appearance of distress, her gaze betrayed her true emotions. Her cold, piercing eyes conveyed an unspoken warning, one Barton couldn’t ignore.


    Allison could now clearly see through their charade. Narrowing her eyes, she addressed Barton with calcted precision. “You’ve made many mistakes, but it’s not toote to make things right,” she said, her voice carrying a subtle menace. “Tell us who’s pulling the strings, and you might spare yourself from worse consequences.”


    Kinslee, quick to catch on, jabbed a finger in Nova’s direction and didn’t hold back. “Allison is right! How could a doctor dare to frame her? Besides, they barely know each other. This has your name written all over it, Nova!”


    used, her voice rising in indignation. “Barton, answer honestly, did Nova instruct you to do this?”


    It was now abundantly clear to Kinslee that Nova and Barton had conspired to frame Allison.


    Yet Nova didn’t flinch. Instead, she adopted an air of wounded innocence, her expression one of heartbreak and helplessness.


    “Kinslee, what would I gain by framing Ms. rke?” Nova said softly, tears pooling in her eyes. Standing close to Brook, she clung to his hand, as though seeking sce.


    Her words weren’t aimed at exining herself but rather at solidifying her hold on Brook’s heart.


    “Brook, you know how I stayed by your side when Kinslee was unwell and you overworked yourself to exhaustion at thepany. I never asked for anything in return. Why would I stoop to framing Ms. rke over something as trivial as a bracelet meant for the heir?”


    For years, Nova had carefully cultivated the image of a selfless woman uninterested in the Lloyd family’s power or fortune.


    That was why even though Brook had numerous affairs with other women, Nova remained the only one capable of bearing his child, a fact that cemented her ce by his side.


    She had skillfully secured her position, ensuring that her influence over him stayed unshaken.


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