Chapter 59: Playing the victim

“Then, then I just felt my arm hurt so badly, and then, then Mom rushed in… I really don’t know how any of this happened, I really don’t…”

She sobbed uncontrollably, every word sounding truthful, and even her gaze was so steadfast, so clear, as if she truly hadn’t been the one to commit the murder just now.

The other four children stared dumbfounded at this person’s exquisite acting.

They glanced at each other silently, each thinking: Look at her, look at me — all falling into a deep silence. What an act! She’s really good at pretending!

Damn, this one is actually an actress.

Dolosa was astonished by this girl’s shamelessness, while Asterys and Delucia marveled at her acting skills, claiming they were on par with their own.

Illucy was completely stunned by the scene before her, standing awkwardly to the side, unsure of where to put her feet.

Liang Lai was also a bit surprised.

She hadn’t quite reacted earlier. Actually, while treating Dexilensi’s crystallized arm injury, she had been thinking about Dolosa’s words: “Dexilensi wanted to kill me.”

Looking at the knife dropped on the floor, the dagger stuck in the wall, and Dexilensi who had suddenly appeared in Dolosa’s room in the middle of the night… everything seemed very clear. Dolosa wasn’t lying; Dexilensi had indeed come to Dolosa’s room intending to kill her.

But…

Liang Lai looked at Dexilensi, who was crying miserably, and thought of how obedient this child had been these past few days, not at all like a murderer…

Yet, if she had to believe someone, she would still trust Dolosa more because she had been raising this child for over four months and knew Dexilensi’s character well.

“Dexilensi, tell me clearly, do you really know nothing about this?”

Liang Lai gently rubbed Dolosa’s head, comforting her eldest daughter, while frowning and looking at Dexilensi with suspicion in her eyes—but more than suspicion, there was a desperate hope that Dexilensi would tell the truth and clear her name.

Upon seeing Liang Lai’s expression, Dexilensi knew that as long as she kept pretending, kept playing dumb, and let Liang Lai believe she was sleepwalking, there was still room for doubt.

“I really don’t know what I did at that time, really, Mom…” Dexilensi sniffled, wiping tears from her face clumsily, looking pitiful.

She gazed sincerely at everyone—not just Liang Lai but also the others, as if genuinely confused.

“I remember lying in bed, asleep. I don’t know when I got out of bed, when I left the room, or where I got the knife from… It’s all so scary… Could someone be framing me? I don’t remember grabbing the knife…”

This brilliant performance left everyone blinking in surprise, and Liang Lai fell into deep thought.

Seeing Liang Lai soften, Dolosa immediately grew anxious.

“Liang Lai, her eyes were open at that time. How could she not know what she was doing? She even knew to quietly push the door open and then close it! How could she have done all this unconsciously?”

Every word Dolosa said was true. Her tone was resolute as she pointed at Dexilensi.

“I bet she’s lying! When a person is unconscious, or asleep, or sleepwalking, how could their eyes be open?”

Originally, Liang Lai had been considering whether Dexilensi was sleepwalking, but Dolosa’s words swayed her again.

She looked at Dexilensi suspiciously.

“You don’t… like to sleep with your eyes open, do you?”

While some people do like to sleep with their eyes open, it would be quite a coincidence here. Sleepwalking with eyes wide open? That was pretty scary.

Dexilensi was momentarily at a loss but continued wiping her tears naturally.

“I don’t know if I sleep with my eyes open or not. No one’s ever told me… I don’t know if my eyes are open or closed when I sleep… Mom, if you don’t believe me, then, then could you watch me while I sleep? See if my eyes are open or not…”

She neither denied nor confirmed sleeping with her eyes open because she knew very well that no one could be aware of that unless someone told them.

“This one is indeed too cunning,” Asterys whispered to Delucia.

Delucia nodded in agreement.

“Not only cunning, but she lies without any guilt at all. Is she really only sixteen?”

The Twin Sisters’ eyes remained fixed on this doll-like blonde girl.

Dexilensi remained calm and composed, showing no sign of guilt.

Liang Lai also felt this was a viable approach.

“Some people do suffer from sleepwalking, and some really do sleep with their eyes open. If Dexilensi is truly sleepwalking, kicking her out now would be wrong, punishing a good child.” She thought to herself.

“And Dexilensi has seemed to get along well with the other children these days, no quarrels, always yielding to others… no grudges or enemies. How could she suddenly commit murder?”

So… it might be best to accept Dexilensi’s suggestion.

Seeing Liang Lai waver, Dolosa grew anxious again. But before she could open her mouth, a “plop” sound came from behind.

Everyone’s attention was immediately drawn away.

Dexilensi had knelt down on the floor, looking at Liang Lai with eyes full of despair and fear.

“Mom, do you not want me anymore? Mom! Dexilensi really isn’t a bad kid… I don’t know what happened, really!”

Her voice cracked, and she cried until her throat was hoarse.

“If, if Mom keeps doubting me, then, then just tie me up when I sleep! I really don’t know why I ended up in someone else’s room after falling asleep… If, if even that can’t make Mom and my sisters feel better, then, then…!”

She suddenly raised her hand high.

“Smack!”

She slapped her own face hard.

This slap was heavier than the one Dolosa had given her earlier, even causing her soft inner lip to hit her teeth and draw blood.

A trace of blood trickled from the corner of Dexilensi’s mouth, but she was secretly relieved.

Good!

Only being this miserable would soften their hearts.

“Like this? Will this make Mom and my sisters feel better? Although, although I don’t know what happened, but, but if this can stop Mom and my sisters from being angry…”

She clasped her hands together, holding them to her chest.