he next morning dawned clear and crisp as Bet made his way to Prosper Bay, his visage marked by a weighty sense of guilt.


    Addressing Ste, he said, “The investigation has borne fruit.


    I’m here to furnish you both with a thorough briefing.


    ”


    He Locked eyes with Ste, his voice heavy with regret.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    “I’m deeply sorry, Mrs.


    rk.


    Unfortunately, the surveince footage from the swimming pool has beenpromised.


    On the day of the engagement, we had many temporary staff members, which makes it hard to determine who was near the pool.


    ”


    Ste’s expression grew thoughtful.


    “It seems whoever did this nned very carefully,” she noted.


    Bet nodded, feeling the weight of the situation.


    “And the medicine bottle?” Ste asked.


    Bet’s face darkened.


    “We found fingerprints on the bottle that belong only to Joann.


    I never thought she would stoop to such deceit.


    I’m ready to end our engagement, and I apologize for the distress this has caused.


    ”


    Matthew remained calm, his gaze firm.


    “It’s not your fault.


    I only need the conclusion of the investigation.


    As for the marriage, that’s your choice to make, not mine to discuss.


    ”


    His tone was cold, leaving Bet at a loss for words.


    The room filled with tension.


    Noticing Bet’s difort, Ste intervened, pushing the fruit tter across the coffee table toward him.


    “Please, Mr.


    Lowell, help yourself to some fruit,” she offered kindly.


    Bet muttered a thank you but refrained from partaking.


    After a moment of contemtion, he looked up at Matthew and said, “Actually, there’s another matter I wished to discuss with you today.


    Ourpany has a promising project in the pipeline, and I believe a coboration between ourpanies would be mutually beneficial.


    ”


    Matthew’s face remained expressionless, his to


    ne cool and detached.


    “Today, my focus is on family matters.


    I’d prefer we leave business discussions for another time.


    ”


    He knew Bet wasn’t to me for the events at the engagement party, yet the memory of Ste’s near-drowning and the trap he had narrowly escaped made it impossible for him to show any warmth.


    He kept his distance, his demeanor frostily detached.


    Recognizing the clear boundary Matthew had drawn, Bet, ever the astute businessman, opted not to push the matter further.


    With a resigned sigh, he acknowledged, saying, “Sorry for the inconsideration.


    I won’t press the issue today.


    ”


    Not long after, citing urgent business at the office as his reason, Bet excused himself, leaving the room charged with a palpable, unresolved tension.


    As they watched Bet depart, Ste and Matthew made their way back inside the house.


    Matthew broke the silence, his toneced with caution.


    “Though we’ve been friends with the Lowell family for years, our paths seem to have diverged recently.


    Keep your guard up around Bet from now on.


    ”


    Ste nodded, fully grasping his concerns.


    Yet, as they walked, Ste found herself wrestling with a nagging question: why hadn’t she outright rejected Bet’s presence?


    Shortly after Bet’s departure, Ste’s phone buzzed with a call from Alissa.


    “Ste, are you free now? How about bringing Be over for a meal?”


    Ste hesitated before responding, “Let me check with Be first.


    I’ll get back to you.


    ”