Subsequently, she fixed her hair before a mirror, hiding the bruised remnants on her face with deft strokes of foundation.
Elegantly slackening her neckline, she pushed open the door and went to find Holden.
Outside the room, she saw Holden sitting alone on the couch.
Silence reigned, with only the two of them present, eliciting excitement within her.
Radiating allure and charm, Sadie walked up and sat beside Holden.
She asked, âWhen do we leave for home?â
Holden remained still, only turning his head and sending a playful gaze her way.
âIâve been apprised of the thing with the surveillance.
â
Panic surged through Sadie, her smile wobbling slightly as she grappled to maintain her composure, barely keeping her facade intact as she stammered, âW-what do you mean?â
Holdenâs chuckle was slow and cold.
The timbre of his voice took on a measured tone as he said, âThe bodyguard has unburdened his conscience.
â
Looking at Sadie, his countenance grew darke
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r.
âWhy, pray tell, did you lie to me?â
Sadieâs discomposure skyrocketed.
Her attempts to mask her apprehension faltered, leaving her mystified as to how Holden had uncovered the ruse of the deck surveillance.
She had believed her tracks were expertly covered.
Words stumbled from Sadieâs mouth helplessly.
Casting a glance at Holden, she sighed deeply, striving to steady her nerves, before retorting with a hint of defensiveness, âIs your trust in me so tenuous? I assured you Iâd handle this affair.
What prompted you to probe into it personally?â
Holden regarded her with a snort tinged with ice.
âAnd you handled it, didnât you? And your mode of handling equated to duping me?â
Seeing his demeanor, Sadieâs thoughts raced, torn between the conviction that Holden couldnât have possibly unraveled the web of surveillance deceit and the apprehension that the pervasive influence of the Fredrick family could indeed have unearthed damaging truths.
As she struggled to mount a defense, Holdenâs words stopped her.
I donât wish for my daughterâs mother to be scheming behind my back.
Before Holden could conclude, Sadieâs vexation erupted.
She interjected with fervor, demanding, âWhat do you mean, Holden? Are you truly prepared to champion the cause of a stranger? Yes, I did administer a slap to that young boy.
And deservedly so! Because of that, are you poised to strip me of my identity as Adeleâs mother?
Are you?â
Holdenâs silence pervaded the room, his gaze icy as it bored into her.
Yet, Sadieâs emotions refused to be quelled, her outburst persisting as she raised her voice.