With a flicker of unease, she shifted the me.


    “Well, I don’t know.


    I was called away by your brother at that time, and onlyter did I learn what had transpired.


    ”


    Unnoticed, she gave Joann a covert nce, a silent plea to keep herposure.


    Then, Lindsay advised, “I understand your distress, Joann, but remember, the keystone of this marriage is Bet’s stance.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    As long as you did nothing wrong, no one can pin this on you.


    ”


    Her implication was clear: denial would shield Joann from me, and even if she begged for Ste’s forgiveness, it couldn’t change Bet’s decision.


    Fortunately, Joann was quick on the uptake.


    Mulling over Lindsay’s words, she realized the wisdom in them.


    Most importantly, she didn’t want to be so humble to Ste.


    Seizing Molly’s arm, she dered, “That’s enough, Mom.


    You might think an apology will free us, but they’re just tightening the noose.


    What can we possibly do against such malice? Let’s leave.


    We shouldn’t be here fueling someone’s ego.


    ”


    With those parting words,ced with arrogance, Joann pulled Molly toward the exit.


    “I didn’t do it.


    Believe what you will.


    ”


    After saying those sarcastic words, she left with her mother.


    Having sessfully dispelled Joann, who posed a constant threat of exposure, Lindsay allowed herself a brief sigh of relief.


    Yet, as she returned to the dining table, she sensed the thick air of solemnity that had settled over the room.


    Waldo, his face etched with concern, broke the silence.


    “What transpired at the engagement party? Why did members of the Crawford family feelpelled to apologize to you?”


    Though Waldo and Lucia held unwavering faith in Ste, curiosity drove their inquiry for the truth.


    Ste and Matthew, keen not to rm the elders, downyed the incident.


    “It’s a minor issue; we’ve managed it well,” Ste assured.


    However, Waldo’s discerning gaze caught the slight falter in her assurance.


    He knew too well that Ste and Matthew w


    ere the kind to shield their troubles while parading their triumphs.


    Getting little from them, he turned his expectant gaze to Lindsay.


    “Lindsay, what do you know?”


    Feigning a casual check of Ste’s reaction, Lindsay responded cautiously, “I’m not entirely sure of the details.


    I heard Ste was pushed into the water and that Matthew was drugged.


    ”


    By saying that, shepletely distanced herself from these matters.


    Unsuspecting, Waldo absorbed her words with a growing fury.


    “Why were we not informed of such grave urrences? If the Crawfords hadn’t shown up today, would you have kept this hidden from us?”


    Seeing Waldo’s genuine anger, Ste hurried to pacify him.


    “We’ve resolved the issues, and both Matthew and I are fine now.


    ”


    Waldo’s anger was not directed at them, but at the Crawfords’ audacity.


    With decades in the business world under his belt, he understood the implications of their hasty apologies.


    Clearly, they were deeply involved in the incidents, or why else would they rush to admit their faults?


    Lucia also felt a surge of indignation.


    “I was too polite to them just now.


    Had I known about this, I would have thrown them out on the spot!”


    Ste quickly soothed her, “Please, don’t be upset.


    I’m okay now.


    Besides, I didn’t let them take advantage of me.


    It’s okay.


    ”


    Matthew, recalling Molly and Joann’s demeanor, clenched his jaw, his expression darkening.