Chapter 30 Targeting Her Finished Estella noticed Bernard's relentless insistence that she drink the coffee . Remembering how he had just tried to drive her away , she immediately suspected that something was wrong with it . Holding the cup , she stood up and walked toward Zayn , who had just helped her . Bernard tensed up and quickly followed . Estella turned to Zayn . " I have reason to believe there's something wrong with this coffee . Could you help me find someone to test it ? " Zayn hesitated briefly but nodded . " Of course . " Behind them , Bernard was drenched in cold sweat . " Ms. Hayes , what are you implying ? I made that coffee myself . Are you suggesting I would harm you ? " L Seeing his obvious distress , Estella's suspicions deepened . " If you did nothing wrong , why are you so nervous ? " Bernard immediately choked on his words . From inside the lounge , Isabelle witnessed their confrontation . Fearing Bernard's scheme would be exposed , she quickly stepped in to defuse the situation . 1500 " Estella ! I didn't expect to see you here for the competition . I need to discuss something with Mr. Bernard . If you don't want the coffee , why not just give it to me ? " As she spoke , she reached for the cup . But Estella refused to give her the chance , taking a few steps back . " Ms. Isabelle , you're awfully eager to take this coffee . Could it be that you already know there's something wrong with it ? " Bernard's face twisted in panic , his eyes nearly bulging out of his head . Isabelle clenched her teeth in frustration . Estella turned back to Zayn . " Looks like I'll have to trouble with this . " you " Estella , stop making a scene . The competition is about to start , must you waste everyone's time ? " Isabelle snapped , her voice laced with irritation . Estella cast her a calm , indifferent glance . " Why are you so agitated , Ms. Isabelle ? Unless you have something to do with this ? " " You ! " Isabelle was rendered speechless . At that moment , Nathaniel arrived . " What's going on here ? " Isabelle immediately clutched his sleeve , adopting a pitiful expression as if she had been wronged . Nathaniel's heart instinctively sided with her . He turned to Estella and scolded , " Estella , why are you making things difficult for Belle ? " Estella knew he never bothered discerning right from wrong when it came to Isabelle , so she didn't waste her breath . She simply said to Zayn , " Ignore them . Just get the coffee tested as soon as possible ." Nathaniel's expression darkened . Feeling slighted , he demanded , " Estella , did you not hear me ? " He stepped forward , reaching out to grab her wrist . Chapter 30 Targeting Her A Finished Fearing he might spill the evidence , Estella lustliictively retreated two steps , only to stumble on something behind her . She lost her balance and tell backward , Her breath caught . She shut her eyes in fear , only to be caught by a pair of strong , steady hands . A familiar scent enveloped her . When she opened her eyes , she found herself in Jonathan's arins . " Mh . Bennett , you didn't leave ? " Jonathan helped her stand upright before releasing her , his expression warm and relaxed . " My client canceled at the last minute , so I had time to come watch your competition " . Watching them interact so naturally , Nathaniel felt an unbearable sting in his chest . He wanted to tell Jonathan to stay away from Estella , but he no longer had the right to , Jonathan glanced around before asking . " What happened ? " Estella recounted the entire situation in detail . Jonathan's gaze flickered toward Bernard , his expression darkening . " Of course , it has to be tested . I happen to know a lab that can run an urgent analysis ." His presence alone put Estella at case . Without hesitation , Jonathan pulled out his phone and instructed his assistant to deliver the coffee to the lab immediately . Isabelle's hands clenched in anxiety . She exchanged a look with Bernard . Bernard nodded subtly . " He knew that once the test results came back , he would have to take full responsibility . Before long , Jonathan received a direct call from the lab director , confirming that the coffee contained a dangerously high concentration of ether . Had Estella consumed it , she wouldn't have been able to compete . Bernard's face paled . He forced an apologetic expression and stammered , " It was an accident . I must have mixed up the sugar with the ether . Ms. Hayes , I'll compensate you however you want ." Zayn frowned . " But there's no ether in the break room ... Estella turned to Bernard , her voice icy . " Why are you targeting me ? " Bernard realized he had no way out . After scrambling for an excuse , he finally settled on one .. " I was trying to get my cousin into the orchestra . But I heard that Mr. Chase admires Ms. Hayes , and I worried he'd give her an advantage . So I ... I wanted to make sure she couldn't compete . " Zayn's expression darkened with disgust . " Mr. Chase has always been fair in his selections . Bernard , you've gone too far ! " Under the weight of everyone's condemning stares , Bernard hung his head in shame . Zayn turned to Estella . " Ms. Hayes , don't worry . I'll report this to Mr. Chase personally . You'll get the justice you deserve . " Estella nodded in gratitude . Isabelle attempted to smooth things over . " Fortunately , Estella , you were sharp enough not to drink it . That's all that matters ." Estella , however , saw straight through her hypocrisy . " The moment I said something was wrong with the coffee , you rushed in , claiming you needed to speak with Mr. Bernard , then immediately tried to take the coffee away . Tell me , Ms. Isabelle , did you already know it was poisoned ? "