Elias’ Crimes and Punishments of Romance

“Well, let me clarify things further. When do you plan to tell Elias about what’s going on between you and Symeon?”

Casey’s words left Amanda even more bewildered. She couldn’t comprehend what Casey meant at all.

“I’m genuinely lost here. What’s the deal between Symeon and me? Isn’t it just about the incident when we attempted to steal those bidding documents last time? Besides, I didn’t even succeed. It was, at most, an unsuccessful attempt. Is this matter really that important?”

Casey chuckled, her laughter dripping with sarcasm. “We’ve come this far, and you still want to maintain the act? I was outside the study at that time, and I witnessed it all. What more can you say?”

What did she see? She’s behaving all self-righteous, as if she caught me having an affair.

Amanda couldn’t help finding it somewhat amusing. “What exactly did you see? What’s there between me and Symeon? I can’t stand him, so what’s your suspicion based on?”

Casey remained steadfast. “Do you genuinely want me to spell it out for you? Stop the pretense. When you were waiting for Symeon in the study that day, I was also at Galaxy Bay. I saw him exiting the study with you. You looked disheveled, your clothes in disarray, your hair a mess, and your face flushed. Can you honestly claim that nothing happened inside?”

With those words, Amanda was left stunned for several seconds before erupting in laughter. “So, you believe there’s an affair between Symeon and me, and that’s why you think I’ve betrayed Elias? Is that why you’ve always held a grudge against me?”

“Isn’t it? You can deny it all you want, but I trust only what I saw,” Casey retorted.

“Miss Casey, sometimes what you witness with your eyes isn’t necessarily the truth. I have absolutely no connection with Symeon. When I entered his study that day, it was purely to search for the bidding documents. I scoured the room but couldn’t locate them. Instead, I ended up making a mess of myself. I can’t stand a guy like him, a sick pervert. So, rest assured, I won’t be competing with you for a man. There’s absolutely no link between tis, not even the slightest bit.”

Amanda spoke sincerely, and there was no hint of deception in her tone.

However, Casey was torn about whether to believe her, and her brows furrowed as doubt clouded her thoughts. “Why should I believe your words? If there’s nothing between you and him, then why do you keep going to see him? Can’t you see that he likes you? You also frequently look after Dulcie for him. Is this how you treat someone you claim to dislike?”

Casey couldn’t shake the feeling that Amanda was being hypocritical, concealing the truth and refusing to admit her relationship with Symeon.

to clarify, “I believe you don’t know the full story. I care for Dulcie not because of him but for Dulcie herself. She’s

gazed at the woman before her and seemed to remember something.

Dulcie’s biological mother was the daughter of a renowned domestic jewelry merchant.

her

be Casey Carter.

front of her. “Are you Casey Carter? Are

had no inkling of

recalled, “I remember now. Melissa’s mother said that the child is yours, so you are

taken aback. She hadn’t expected Amanda to be privy to this information.

Why do you know about

was now aware of her

you. No wonder Symeon acted so strangely the first time he saw

Amanda’s understanding deepened.

behind all of this?”

the other side, Elias scanned his surroundings and noticed that Amanda and Casey were engaged in conversation. He furrowed his brows and headed in

up! What’s happening? What’s going on between you two?” Casey approached Amanda in an agitated state, clutching her hand

are you doing? Stop it!”

and positioning himself protectively in front

back, witnessing the anger in the man’s eyes-the kind of

onto Elias and said, “Hold on, she is Dulcie’s birth mother-the woman Symeon has been searching for!”

looked incredulous. He had never thought that Casey was

forgotten? Melissa’s mother said it herself back at

quickly recalled the scene from that time, and it suddenly clicked. “No wonder.. No wonder I always found the name Casey Carter