“Enough of that,” Matthew intervened, his voice low and resolute.


    “Let’s not dwell on the personal affairs of others.


    You mentioned earlier that you had othermitments, didn’t you? It’s time you were on your way.


    ”


    “Did I?” Confused, Niki met Matthew’s steady gaze and nodded in acknowledgment.


    “You’re right.


    I’ll take my leave now.


    ”


    Ste expressed her gratitude to Niki for his earlier intervention.


    “Thank you for standing up for me today.


    ”


    Niki waved it off casually.


    “It was nothing.


    Besides, I couldn’t just stand by while Bet’s fiancée twisted the truth.


    ”


    With their farewells said, Niki departed, leaving the room a little quieter.


    Ste’s mind lingered on Niki’s revtions.


    After a moment of deep reflection, she regained herposure and turned to Matthew with a curious tilt of her head.


    “By the way, why were you drugged?”


    Matthew sat in silence, reflecting on the events at the party.


    He had received his ss of wine from Lindsay, who took it from a waiter’s tray.


    Everything had unfolded under his supervision, suggesting that nothing untoward should have urred.


    Yet, he suddenly felt unwell after drinking the wine.


    Before he encountered Ste, Lindsay had insisted on taking him upstairs, sparking suspicion in his mind about the coincidence of it all.


    As he pondered, Lindsay entered, carrying a basket of fruits.


    “Matthew, are you okay?” she asked.


    “Why are you here?” Matthew responded, his tone icy.


    Lindsay set the basket down and began to exin, “I’m concerned about you.


    I don’t know how things have ended up like this.


    I saw you were unwell at the party and intended to take you to the lounge before I looked for Ste, but then-“


    Her voice trailed off as she sighed.


    Then, she continued, “I didn’t expect that Joann and Ste would end up misunderstanding each other so severely after I left.


    ”


    Ste, who had previously been swayed by Lindsay’s seemingly genuine demeanor, now doubted her sincerity following the engagement party.


    Despite her reservations, she chose not toplicate matters for the sake of Lucia and Waldo.


    “We’re aware of the situation.


    There’s no need for you to visit the hospital specifically.


    It’ste, and there’s nothing for you to do here.


    You should return home and rest,” Ste advised indifferently.


    However, Lindsay remained, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Ste.


    “Are you upset with me? I swear, I didn’t foresee any of this.


    I was only trying to help Matthew because he seemed ill.


    Can you find it in your heart to forgive us just this once?” she pleaded.


    Ste, slightly annoyed yet masking her irritation, questioned, “What exactly are you asking us to forgive? Are you suggesting we should forgive Joann?”


    Caught off guard by Ste’s blunt manner, Lindsay was momentarily speechless.


    Ste continued sharply, “If you’re asking for forgiveness for Joann, on what grounds? We haven’t even concluded our investigation.


    Are you certai


    n this was all just a coincidence?”


    Lindsay struggled to formte a response, her voice faltering.


    “I-“


    Ste’s demeanor had shifted.


    She no longer spoke with the gentleness Lindsay was ustomed to.


    “We don’t meddle in your friendships, but the rk family has nurtured you for years.


    Considering today’s events nearly harmed Matthew, how can you expect us to simply overlook Joann’s role?”


    Ste’s stern gaze silenced Lindsay, leaving her emotional and speechless.


    Tears welled up in Lindsay’s eyes, hurt by Ste’s stern words, rendering her pitifully tearful.


    Previously, Ste might have hesitated, but now her mind was consumed with images of Lindsay siding with Joann, deliberately pushing her to advocate for Joann with Niki.


    Ste wondered if Lindsay’s delicate demeanor was merely a tactic to elicit sympathy and champion her own agenda.


    With no mercy left to give, Ste was unwilling to engage any further.


    “You can go back now.


    Matthew needs to rest,” Ste said dismissively.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Lindsay, with a subdued nod, exited the room and quietly shut the door behind her.


    As soon as she was alone, her demeanor transformed dramatically.


    The tears vanished, reced by a look of resolute anger and bitterness as she gritted her teeth.


    ming Felix for the day’s chaos, she thought about the near sess of her n to sleep with Matthew.


    “If things had gone as nned, how could Ste dare to be so insolent toward me?” she muttered under her breath.


    Her fists tightened, her eyes shing with resolve.


    Lindsay was determined to dismantle the marriage that she believed should never have been.


    Her n was clear-she would oust Ste from the rk family and reim all that she deemed rightfully hers.