Fernando looked to Matthew, awaiting his decision.


    “Mr.


    rk, how shall we proceed?”


    Despite her special connection to the rk family, the responsibility for the incident clearly rested on Lindsay.


    Fernando waited silently, his lips pressed tightly together.


    Lucia, though she treated Lindsay like a granddaughter, was upromising in her principles.


    She confronted Lindsay directly.


    “What were you thinking? If Ste really had been pregnant, what then?”


    Her voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging heavy in the air.


    Lindsay, feigning shock and innocence, quickly responded, “Grandma, I really didn’t know.


    It was just a gentle shake.


    I didn’t realize it would cause such a problem.


    ”


    She tried to maintain her innocent facade.


    But before she could borate further, Ste, ovee with emotion and frustration at Lindsay’s cavalier attitude, pped her.


    As the shock of the p reverberated through the corridor, Lindsay’s face registered sheer disbelief.


    She couldn’t fathom that Ste, typically reserved and diplomatic, would confront her so publicly.


    Ste, her voice steady and imbued with a cold resolve, addressed Lindsay.


    “I’ve known about your disdain for me for a long time, but out of respect for Lucia, I’ve kept my distance.


    Yet, you continue to provoke me.


    ”


    Lindsay tried to mask her growing resentment with an innocent tone.


    “Ste, what are you talking about? I really don’t understand.


    ”


    But Ste was unmoved, her gaze piercing as she continued, “At the Lowell family’s party, I had my suspicions about you, and now you’ve made your intentions clear in front of everyone.


    ”


    Feeling cornered, Lindsay scrambled to deflect the me.


    “Ste, you’re misunderstanding something.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    I had nothing to do with what happened before.


    And today… it was an ident, truly.


    You have to believe me…”


    “Stop ying the innocent!” Ste cut her off sharply.


    “You weren’t so naive at the Lowell family’s party.


    If you dislike me, we don’t have to interact, but today, you went too far.


    You tried to harm me, even though at the time you knew I was pregnant.


    What have I ever done to you to deserve this?”


    Resolved, Ste stood firm, her decision clear in her eyes and posture, ready to end the facade once and for all in front of Lucia and Waldo.


    “Ste, I really don’t know what you are talking about.


    ” Lindsay’s denial came rapidly, her voice fraught with desperation as she gripped Lucia’s hand.


    “Grandma, please believe me.


    I’m not capable of cruelty.


    I’ve never even hurt a fly as a child.


    How could I possibly hurt another person?”


    Her tears gave her the appearance of being deeply wronged.


    Lucia’s face was a portrait of turmoil.


    Having raised Lindsay, the sight of her crying tugged at her heartstrings, stirring feelings ofpassion.


    Ste remained steadfast, unaffected by Lindsay’s emotional plea.


    “The surveince footage is clear about what happened.


    How can you deny it?” she challenged, her tone unwavering.