"And this," Elara continued, pulling out a document Dimitri hadn't known existed, "is a signed confession from your warehouse supervisor. Obtained by the Shadow Guild two hours ago."
She unfolded it and read aloud: "'On the fifteenth day of this month, Merchant Lord Carver personally instructed me to add a prepared substance to specific spice containers destined for the Fourth Princess's establishment. He provided the substance in a sealed vial and specified exact mixing ratios. He stated the mixture would cause illness but not death, and that I was to tell no one.'"
Silence.
Carver's face had gone pale. "That's... I don't know what you think you have, but—"
"Your supervisor is currently in custody," Elara said. Her tone didn't change—still flat, clinical. "Along with your personal assistant and two delivery workers. All four have provided detailed testimony about your direct involvement in poisoning my customers."
