As she settled into the vehicle, Matthew leaned over to assist her with her seatbelt.


    Concerned, he inquired, “You’ve chatted with Be for so long.


    How is she doing?”


    Ste ryed the truth.


    “She seemed to be doing well today.


    ”


    Then, remembering her encounter with Kristian, she added, “I met her husband today.


    He appears to be kind and genuinely cares for Be.


    Upon hearing about her health concerns, he came right away.


    ”


    Ste couldn’t help but sigh, pondering how he would react if he discovered that Elizabeth might be the cause of Be’s illness.


    As Matthew pondered the middle-aged man who apanied Elizabeth, a faint sense of recognition nagged at him.


    Though the distance prevented a clear view, he couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity.


    Scrutinizing his memory, he struggled to recall where he might have seen the man before.


    Meanwhile, Ste mused aloud, “I can’t understand why someone as elegant as Kristian and someone as gentle as Be would have a daughter as scheming as Elizabeth.


    ”


    Catching the confusion in her tone, Matthew suggested, “Perhaps it’s because she’s their only child, and they’ve spoiled her too much.


    ”


    Ste considered his words, acknowledging their observations of Be’s patience with Elizabeth.


    Yet, she recognized it as a family matter beyond her purview.


    “I just hope Be’s situation isn’t connected to Elizabeth,” she remarked softly.


    Matthew remained silent as he drove off.


    Later that evening, Be, Elizabeth, and Kristian sat down for dinner.


    Elizabeth sensed an unusual tension in the air.


    Normally, their dinners were warm and weing, but tonight felt different.


    The source of the tension seemed to be Be herself.


    Throughout the meal, Elizabeth was preupied, her mind consumed by thoughts of Ste and Be’s conversation earlier in the day.


    How could they chat about work for so long?


    Puzzled, she ventured softly, “Mom, are the dishes not to your Liking? Why aren’t you eating?”


    Be responded nonchntly, “The food is adequate.


    ”


    Detecting her mother’s indifference, Elizabeth grew convinced that Ste had said something to influence Be.


    Thinking for a moment, she remarked, “Today is Dad’s first visit to Seamarsh.


    We haven’t dined together in ages.


    We should be celebrating.


    ”


    Be nced up, lips pressed into a thin line.


    “Fine,” she acquiesced.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Following dinner, Be retired to her room for some rest.


    Meanwhile, Elizabeth summoned Kristian, concern etched on her features.


    “Did you see her just now? I sensed she’s starting to suspect something.


    Her behavior has been oddtely,” she confided, her tone grave.


    “Have you arranged everything for tomorrow? Are you certain there won’t be any issues?”