?


    Christine arched an eyebrow, "That''s the point, isn''t it? He likes me, feels guilty about it, wants to apologize. So, by that logic, he must want to tell me the truth."


    Jane nodded in agreement, "But as things stand, just one person''s word isn''t enough. We need both Nelly and Merritt''s stories to match uppletely before we can confront Nelly."


    "At least we have a direction for our investigation now."


    "That''s true."


    Christine swung her legs off the couch, "Let''s grill them over dinner."


    Jane stood up too, ncing at her phone, "They''ve gone out for drinks."


    Christine just hummed in response, heading out of the bedroom.


    Merritt emerged from the kitchen, greeting them with a sheepish smile, "Sis, Jane, dinner''s ready."


    Jane eyed the table set with a mix of meat and vegetables, appetizing in both appearance and aroma.


    Whispering to Christine, she remarked, "He''s really put effort into this, even if, unfortunately, feelings aren''t something you can control."


    Christine passed her a fork, "We''re here now, might as well give it a try."


    Jane, not particrly hungry, picked at the sd somewhat disinterestedly.


    Christine, famished, went straight for a chicken leg.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Merritt sat opposite them,dling soup into their bowls.


    "To Jane, Chrissy prefers a lighter touch, so I went easy on the salt in the soup. If it''s not to your taste, I''ve got salt here; feel free to add as you like."


    "It''s fine."


    Jane offered a polite smile, "I''ve been eating light since the kids were born, got used to it."


    But Christine found it nd, "Lacks vor."


    Merritt tried to make it up by offering her more veggies, "Then have some more side dishes, sis."


    Christine, not one to beat around the bush, spat out a chicken bone and cut to the chase, "Let''s have it then."


    "I''m giving you this one chance. You might have saved me, but you''ve yed your games too."


    Merritt set his fork down.


    He dide intending to tell Christine the whole truth.


    But with her and Dailey split up, spilling the beans would only entangle them further.


    And with Nelly in the picture, unless Dailey cleared the air, speaking up would only endanger Christine.


    "I need to check on grandma, you two enjoy your meal."


    With that, he stood, walked to the entryway, changed shoes, and left.


    The door shut behind him, leaving Christine and Jane exchanging incredulous looks.


    "He left? Just like that?" Christine couldn''t believe it, the piece of chicken in her mouth suddenly tasteless.


    Jane finished her bowl of chicken soup, "Maybe he got cold feet hearing about you and Dailey breaking up?"


    Christine shook her head, "Not from


    my years of experience. This


    would''ve been the perfect time to


    make a move, telling the truth


    O.UMS


    would''ve been the best y.


    Jane couldn''t offer much insight into men, unlike Christine.


    "If he won''t talk, there''s nothing we can do."


    Christine decided to focus on her


    meal, then remembered someth


    Des Gregory usually call y


    for a


    ride after drinking?"


    Janeughed, resigned, "He''ll probably pretend to be too drunk to drive."


    Christine chuckled, "My bet''s on Lucius picking you up."


    Jane nodded, "Absolutely."


    Christine scooped another spoonful of rice, "Let''s watch a movie then."


    Jane agreed, "Sounds good."


    ...


    At the bar.


    The drinks flowed as soon as they entered the private room.


    Dailey downed one drink after another, barely pausing.


    Gregory, swirling his drink, nudged him, "Even if you end up in the hospital with a bleeding stomach tonight, Christine''s not going toe see you."


    Dailey gave him a cool nce, silent.


    Gregory, mindful of their friendship, searched for somethingforting to say.


    Just then, the room door swung open.


    A cheerful voice rang out.


    "Hey, my brothers."