When Love Comes Late
Chapter 1962

When Matthew heard this, his brows furrowed tightly.

He knew that Joann was only pretending to be aggrieved.

He said coldly, “Stella is my wife.

How is it possible that she’ll hurt me? Miss Crawford, if you continue taking this against my wife, I’ll take the medicine bottle to the police so they can check the fingerprints on it.

”

Joann’s heart skipped a beat.

She was nervous because Stella had never touched the bottle.

Of course, the police wouldn’t replace Stella’s fingerprints on it.

But she still bit the bullet.

“Mr.

Clark, your wife is so vicious that she can do anything.

Do you still want to defend her in front of so many people?”

Then, an idea occurred to her.

“Stella might have wiped her fingerprints off the bottle.

How could she be so stupid to wait for someone to check them?”

At this moment, Nikolai sneered, “And do you think Stella is so stupid to put the evidence in her bag?”

Nikolai’s comments resonated with many, yet Joann refused to concede any error in front of the gathered crowd.

She countered, “Could it be she was too overwhelmed by the large crowd and lack of time?”

Joann’s ploys were transparent, often unmasked by those who took a moment to reflect.

Nikolai, although initially inclined to save the Lowell family from further disgrace, found Joann’s behavior intolerable.

With a scoff, he accused, “Miss Crawford, it seems you’ve been steering us all toward confusion.

Wasn’t it you who directed us to search for Matthew and then proposed inspecting everyone’s bag, eventually discovering this vial in Stella’s bag? How serendipitous.

Is this not your doing?”

By the time Nikolai concluded, Joann’s anxiety was palpable, her palms glistening with perspiration.

He pressed on without mercy, “Considering the theatrics you orchestrated, and seeing your reaction to Stella earlier, who exactly did you wish to be seen with Matthew?”

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Joann, though agitated, realized any admission would disgrace her before the onlookers and make her Matthew’s enemy.

She retorted defensively, “Your allegiance to Stella is clear, aiding her case.

I have my suspicions and acted on them.

On what grounds do you question my motives?”

Just then, a man who had just entered the crowd interjected, bewildered, “What’s going on here? Everyone’s missing downstairs.

Shouldn’t we be slicing the cake? What are all of you doing up here?”

This was Felix, confused, accompanied by Lindsay.

Joann, taken aback, questioned, “What brings you two together?”

Instead of Matthew, why was Lindsay with Felix?

Unaware of the strained atmosphere, Felix explained without guile, “I saw Lindsay assisting Matthew up the stairs.

Thinking it best not to disturb his rest, I led her away.

What’s the situation here? Why has everyone gathered?”

Unlike Felix, Lindsay perceived the tension reflected in the guests‘ expressions and realized what had transpired unfortunately, Felix remained blissfully unaware of the underlying tensions.

Lindsay wished for Felix to remain silent, yet the suspicious gazes of everyone around had already fixed on her.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, adding to her agitation.

Felix’s comments nearly pushed Joann to the brink of frustration.

At that moment, she felt utterly bewildered, standing helplessly amidst the gathering.

Matthew surveyed the room, his gaze shifting from the various faces to Lindsay with a cold expression, and finally settling on Bennett.

He declared, “This occurred during the Lowell family’s engagement celebration, Take this bottle for testing.

I expect the results today.

”

Bennett gave a slight nod in acknowledgment and responded, “I will have it looked into immediately.

”