“You’ve handled this well.


    Thankfully, your foresight prevented anything worse from happening.


    ”


    Matthew acknowledged thepliment with a subtle nod, his expression serious.


    “What about Kristian?” Waldo asked, his toneced with worry.


    “Make sure he can’t cause any more problems.


    ”


    “I’ve taken care of it.


    ”


    Waldo, trusting in his grandson’s judgment, didn’t press further.


    “As long as you know what you’re doing,” he said, his voice reflecting a mix of relief and resignation.


    With the conversation concluded, Matthew excused himself from the study.


    As he closed the door behind him, he noticed Lindsay exiting Lucia’s room.


    Without a word or a nce, he passed by her, his focus elsewhere.


    “Matthew,” Lindsay called out, her voice tinged with urgency as she bit her lip.


    Matthew didn’t stop walking, but Lindsay quickly trotted to catch up and blocked his path, forcing him to halt.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    His frown deepened at her interruption.


    “I’m sorry, Matthew.


    I didn’t mean to let Grandma find out,” Lindsay said, her tone full of apology.


    Matthew’s response was icy.


    “You know perfectly well whether it was intentional or not.


    ”


    He then shifted to a more formal tone, emphasizing his point.


    “If I’m not mistaken, you should be at work now.


    Being at home during working hours without a valid reason is againstpany policy.


    Next time, it will be handled ording to the rules.


    ”


    Lindsay’s expression stiffened as she hurriedly tried to justify her presence.


    “Grandma asked me toe today.


    She said she had questions


    …”


    Matthew, however, was in no mood to linger on the discussion.


    He turned away, resuming his path, dismissing her exnation.


    Behind him, Lindsay’s frustration boiled over.


    She clenched her fists, watching his retreating back.


    With a mix of hurt and defiance in her voice, she said, “Matthew, is it because Ste doesn’t like me that you don’t see me as part of the rk family anymore?”


    Without turning around, Matthew said clearly, “Stay honest and righteous, and you’ll always be Grandma’s adopted granddaughter.


    ”


    After saying this, he walked away.


    Lindsay bit her lower lip, understanding the deeper meaning in Matthew’s words.


    He acknowledged her only as Lucia’s adopted granddaughter, not as a rk family member, and he clearly wanted nothing to do with her.


    Clearly, Matthew was distancing himself from her, and Ste was to me!


    Watching Matthew’s back with hatred, Lindsay’s anger toward Ste grew even stronger.