Chapter 2525
“Grandma was still in the hospital, her fate hanging by a thread, and we couldn’t just sit around doing nothing.”
Ivy’s words snapped Balfour back to reality.
“You’re right, Ivy. Grandma’s always been sturdy as an old oak tree. It just doesn’t add up that she’d take a tumble down the stairs.’
Mara’s heart went out to Balfour as she saw how haggard he looked, like a trapped animal frantically searching for an escape. She’d known him for years and had never seen him this distraught.
She stepped forward, wanting to offer some comfort, but hesitated upon hearing their
conversation.
Finally mustering up the courage, she cautiously offered her perspective, “You know, Alyssa’s not young anymore. Accidents can happen, as hard as that is to accept. But Balfour, you have to face the fact that they’re both getting on in years. I’m not ruling out foul play, I’m just saying, even if she did fall by accident, you can’t beat yourself up over it. She’s lived a long life.”
Mara’s meandering words caught Olivia’s attention. She silently shot her a glance. Ever since she learned of Mara’s dark deed against her own sister, Mara had become a stranger to her, no longer the friend she thought she had known for so many years. Like now, Olivia couldn’t quite grasp what Mara was really thinking.
Normally, Mara had no trouble speaking her mind around Balfour. So why the sudde caution? Deep down, Olivia couldn’t shake the suspicion that Mara was somehow involved in the incident. But after thinking it over, she dismissed the idea as implausi
First, Alyssa was Balfour’s grandma, whom he adored. If Mara had hurt her, Balfour w be inconsolable. She knew Mara couldn’t bear to see Balfour in pain, just as it tore her
inside to see him furrowing his brow in worry now.
Second, it was Alyssa’s birthday party at the Howard estate. Mara would have to be out of her mind to harm Alyssa on such an occasion.
Although Mara had previously threatened Olivia verbally, she had never actually acted on those threats. Until she saw Mara’s true colors, Olivia chose to believe there was still a shred of goodness in her.
Balfour looked up and gave Mara a cold glance.
Even Ivy seemed disapproving. What good did those words do when Balfour was in mourning? It would have been better to help him search for clues to determine whether Alyssa had fallen accidentally or been pushed.
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Ivy couldn’t accept the incident as a mere accident, but she preferred to believe it was one, rather than entertain a more sinister possibility.
“You two should head back. Don’t stay here any longer,” Balfour ordered, effectively showing them the door. This was a family matter, and he didn’t want outsiders privy to their business.
But Mara was reluctant to leave. “With such a terrible incident happening at home today, let me stay and help you. An extra pair of eyes could speed up our search for the truth, right?”
Her gaze was earnest as she tugged at Olivia’s arm, imploring her to join the plea.
She had to stay; she needed to monitor their progress. If there were any overlooked details that might expose her, she’d have to be ready to destroy the evidence immediately.
10:41
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