Sitting across from Kael, who was flanked by watchful guards, Colton couldnât help but exhale a heavy sigh. âSo, this is where weâre at, huh? Any regrets?â
Kael gave a wry smile. His hands were tangled in his hair, head bowed, avoiding eye contact. âWhatâs the use of talking about regrets now? Iâve done what Iâve done.â
This nonchalant attitude infuriated the producer, who stood up abruptly, âIs that all youâve got to say?
Do you still fancy yourself some kind of tragic hero, sacrificing it all for love?â
Kael looked up, his eyes bloodshot and weary, âWhat else do you expect me to do now? Tell me!â
Balfour, uninterested in their personal squabbles and growing tired of their bickering, cut to the chase, âWhoâs pulling the strings? Give them up, and you might just lessen your own charges.â
His voice was so cold it sent a shiver through Kael.
âDonât bother playing games with me. If you donât talk, I have other ways to find out about the woman youâre protecting.â
Dianaâs name was on the tip of his tongue, and even without Kael spilling it, Colton and the producer knew that only she could drive Kael to such lengths.
But Kael was stubborn, lips sealed.
He had done so much for Diana; exposing her how would obliterate any last chance for them.
Balfour scoffed at the pitiful sight. What a weak and foolish man, easily twisted around Dianaâs finger.
If he were in Dianaâs shoes, heâd find Kael easy to manipulate too.
No need to offer him anything substantial, heâd faithfully do her bidding. Why not take advantage?
The irony was rich.
Up on the mountain, Kael had been quick to blame Diana, but once caught, he played the martyr, refusing to utter her name.
âDo you really think she cares about you now that youâre locked up?â
Even as he clenched his jaw, refusing to betray her, Diana wouldnât trust him again.
She had ambitions, and sacrificing Kael was a price she was willing to pay. To her, he was nothing more than a stumbling block easily discarded.
Only Kael clung to the hope that Diana might glance back at him.
Despite Balfourâs persuasions, he remained silent.
Balfour nodded, âFine. Be stubborn till the end.â
He wouldnât waste his breath. With a suspect in mind, the rest would be straightforward.
On the day Ivy was nearly drowned, there were too many witnesses on set for Diana to have gone unnoticed. Plus, they had a key witness â Thalia.
Margot accompanied Thalia to the hospital, regretting not pressing her friend sooner when things first seemed amiss.
It was better to drag her into the mess than to let her shoulder the burden alone, which had almost led to disaster at Kaelâs hands.
Fortunately, the doctors found no serious harm-just exhaustion and shock.
It was a blessing that Thalia had encountered Kael and not Diana, who was far more ruthless.
Back on set.
Balfour burst into Dianaâs dressing room.
Ivy had claimed that she was caught in seaweed leading to the incident; it seemed more likely that Diana had used a rope.