IN TORI'S PAST LIFE, she had a knack for copying signatures. She didn't expect that she'd get to use her hobby in her new life.

"I swear, Your Grace. I didn't know. I only add the spinach because of Lady Sabina's order."

Show them. Destroy her last defense.

"Sabina?" The Duke's voice faltered like he didn't want to believe that his favored daughter was behind, the heir apparent, Victoria's suffering.

Tori could hear audible gasps from different people inside the room. She bet they came from the servants.

"Give me that," The Duke's voice was gruff. He certainly meant the small piece of parchment from the chef.

"Here it is, Your Grace."

The Duke didn't need to affirm if the parchment came from Sabina since everyone heard her earlier when she told Tori that she prepared it for her entrance exam.

Aah. I can only imagine the faces of those three. This is the downside of my plan. Is that wench close to lashing out? Poke her more than everyone, remember I almost died.

"Sabina, can you explain this?" The Duke was torn between his love for his favored child and the guilt he had for his injured heir.

"I—I didn't know! I swear, father!" Sabina's voice was cracking. She's finally using her crocodile tears.

Hah! So you're using that now, huh? Well, you bring out the competitive side of me, sister.

Tori acted like she was in deep pain while gaining consciousness. She acted as if she was catching her breath. "Father, please. Please stop the pain!" Tori sobbed while her eyes were half-open.

"Lady Tori!"

"Lady Victoria!"

"Victoria!"

Tori's father immediately cradled her upper body and supported her. She was now leaning on her father's sturdy body. "Do something, doctor!"

"I have already administered a hefty amount of medicine to Lady Victoria, Your Grace. If I added more, it could burden her body more. I am sorry, but the young lady must endure the pain." Tori's act also fooled the doctor. But because of her acting stint, she was able to partially open her to meet Sabina's frantic eyes.

The pain from earlier is worth it. Just a small nudge and she'll lash out. I can't wait.

Tori sobbed on the Duke's chest but she slightly glanced at Sabina. An exchange between the two took place when Sabina glared at her, which was answered by Tori's smug grin. Tori's ruby eyes taunted her half-sister with mischief.

"Your sister didn't mean to cause you this." The Duke's voice was soft, but doubt laced upon it.

So in the end, you still sided with her, huh? I guess it was the right decision for me to take a precautionary measure in case you reacted like this.

The captain of the Rozenreff knights arrived, a bit late considering the Duke called for them earlier.

And it is because of me.

She made Lily pick up the poison bottle after Mia used it. Lily, later on, placed the poison bottle inside Mia's things. When she collapsed, after administering the medicine to Tori, Lily then came to seek the captain of the Rozenreff Knights to give him the order to investigate the entire estate.

"Your Grace, we found something in the servant's quarters. There is a poison's bottle being kept."

Tori knew the Duke would dismiss them to protect Sabina, "Investigate all the dishes on that table. They almost killed me inside my home, I must set an example." Tori interrupted the Duke from speaking.

If the Duke would not agree, the Rozenreff Duchy's name would appear in every gossip in high society and tarnish the Duke's credibility. The Duke looked at her, which she returned with a serious face who didn't take bullshit from anyone.

From here on, it will be a battle between us Duke Luwen Rozenreff. You will bend to my will at the end of this game. I can't let you ruin my plans just because of your filial love for Sabina.

TRIFECTA ACADEMY was in the lush eastern part of the capital, where the high walls of the academy secured its privacy under the scrutinizing eyes of the people. And she was going there after her scheduled tea party today.

A day after the allergic reaction incident, Tori got her health back, though she acted all weak to keep up with the show. She didn't leave her room, and she didn't let anyone in besides Lily, Rowan, and her father. Rowan became in full knight mode after learning what transpired behind her closed doors. He didn't leave her room, especially when the doctor came in to check on her. When he was not inside her room, he guarded her outside her room.

Lily was worse than Rowan. Every time Tori had to drink or eat something, Lily had to taste it in front of her just to check that there would be no more attempts on poisoning her. It was both sweet and cute for Lily.

Everything was fine on Tori's end, but that was the complete opposite for Sabina. Tori heard from Rowan and Lily that like her, Sabina was not leaving her room. Although the Duke showed everyone that she cared for Tori, the Duke was secretly visiting Sabina at night to check on her when everyone was awake. Tori didn't know if the Duke caught on to her trap, but she didn't care. Whether the Duke learned about her trap, the fact that Mia attempted to poison Tori was irrefutable. Tori also knew about the rumors that Sabina's benevolence saved her, although it resulted in her allergic reactions because of Sabina's lacking knowledge. Either way, Tori was the victim and all the sympathies in the Rozenref Estate belonged to her. The Duke or Sabina could not deny the fact that the unyielding support of the servants belonged to Victoria Rozenref.

The poor chef compensated by bringing her meals that were all Tori's favorite. The other servants were taking time to check on her through Rowan or Lily. All in all, Tori got an excellent result from her plans.

The captain of the knights reported to her in front of her father. It was her request to be involved in the investigation. Although she only did it to make sure that Mia would get the death sentence, which the latter did.

And now, she would leave for Trifecta Academy this afternoon. To show that there were no ill wills between her and Sabina, Tori arranged for tea time together with her father and the House Zoliel's couple. She didn't intend to invite them, but Marchioness Susana of House Zoliel requested an audience. After all, Tori and the Marchioness grew quite closer after many tea parties they attended together. Tori used this chance to spread something to talk about in the high society.

They were all seated inside the late Duchess' greenhouse. The Marquess and Marchioness just arrived.

"Blessings to the Marquess and Marchioness of House Zoliel, I welcome you all as the host of this tea party today." Tori showed flawless courtesy in front of the two.

A pair of delicate hands engulfed Tori, which still surprised the latter even if she knew how touchy and clingy the Marchioness was. "You didn't have to exert yourself, Lady Tori."

"I can't help it, Marchioness Susana. It's been a while since we have tea together."

"You don't know how my wife worried like a mother hen when she heard that you almost died. She wanted to visit you right away, but thankfully I managed to pursue her that you might still feel under the weather." Marquess Zoliel nonchalantly told them that earned him a playful swat from his pouting wife.

Aah, you two looked so in love. Your chemistry can fool anyone. You two can be popular actors in my past life. What a joke.

"Has the culprit been trialed, Duke Luwen?" Marchioness Susana asked Tori's father, who's been silent all the time. Sabina on the other was practically avoiding everyone's eyes.

Is that wench finally losing her sanity? Wow, what a disappointment.

"Yes. She's now in the capital's prison cell and is waiting for her execution day."

Marquess Zoliel's forehead creased, "With her grave offense, she shouldn't have lived a day. Why is it being stalled?"

Tori butted in, but while answering the Marquess' question, she was intently looking at Sabina, who was squirming under her gaze. "I asked Father for it, Marquess Zoliel."

"Why?" the couple asked in chorus, clearly wondering why she wanted that for the person who tried to kill her.

You see, the original Victoria and Mia have a long history together. I have to settle an old score for this body's original owner. So I wanted Mia to see my smiling face before the sharp blades cut into her neck.

Tori hugged herself as if she was scared, "I wanted them to wait until I came back from Trifecta Academy. I wanted to see them execute her to assure myself that I won't be able to harm me anymore."

Marchioness Susana reached out for her hand and squeezed it, which she squeezed back. "We'll make sure that she'll regret it. I'll go to that holding cell later on." Her voice was full of conviction, which alerted Sabina.

"You don't have to do that, Marchioness Susana. It's not like I got poisoned, I had an allergic reaction."

Yes, the one who almost killed me should be Sabina and not Mia. The Duke may manipulate the facts in this estate, but he can't stop the rumor mill in the high society when Marchioness Susana starts to talk.

Marchioness Susana and the Marquess instinctively glance at Sabina who was not meeting their eyes and was particularly interested in her teacup.

"Y-yes, I heard you ate spinach, which you're severely allergic to." Marquess Zoliel answered with awkward tension.

"I already left all of it to the past. I am only looking at the good side. My sister Sabina prepared that food in consideration for me. That's what I'm focusing on now. Right, Sister Sabina?"

Sabina immediately smiled sweetly, "Yes, but I am still bothered that you suffered from my lacking knowledge." Her voice reflected sorrow and pain which highly matched with her glistening sapphire eyes.

Bitch please, you know how to save your ass.

"No need to fret about it, sister. After all, it's not like you intend to kill me. I believe that the animosity between us was long gone since we reconciled." Tori's equally sickening sweet voice replied to Sabina. She handed her embroidered handkerchief to her sister, which the latter accepted.

Oops! I can practically imagine hearing the breaking of a glass.