With a playful glint in her eye, Lucinda clasped her arms around his neck, feigning concern.
âDonât I need to give a statement?â
âNo,â Nathan assured her with a smile.
âAnd evidence of my innocence isnât required?â
âNo need for any of that.
Iâve taken care of everything,â he affirmed.
Their affectionate display drew the attention of the police stationâs staff as they made their way out.
Once outside, Lucinda retrieved her phone, immediately noticing missed calls from Violeta and Jennifer, all placed just before Nathanâs attempts to reach her.
Among the calls, one unregistered number stood out, calling repeatedly.
Though no name was attached, Lucinda recognized it as Grahamâs, a contact she had previously erased.
Her MSN was flooded with unread messages.
Violetaâs message was urgent.
âLucinda, the police are here to take Nala away.
I canât hold them back.
Why arenât you picking up? Please, come back as soon as you get this.
â
Jenniferâs message was succinct.
âLucinda, thereâs a problem.
Where are you?â
As Nathan was about to navigate their car back to the Paynesâ house, Lucinda, her face etched with resolve, turned to him.
âDarling, you can head back to the Paynesâ house first.
I need to make a trip to Peace Mountain.
â
Nathan, ready to support her, offered, âIâll go with you.
â
Lucinda, however, gently refus
ed.
âYou might already know Nalaâs true identity as Valerie.
Iâll handle this.
Meanwhile, your grandfatherâs health scare was due to medication mishap.
He consumed something that negated his medicine.
The Payne familyâs medical team and Hilliard are working to uncover the truth.
I suspect foul play, and I believe you should personally oversee this investigation.
â
With Nathanâs return, the responsibility of addressing the Payne familyâs issues fell upon his shoulders.
Should the inquiry reveal a traitor within, Nathan, as the familyâs patriarch, would deal with the betrayal decisively.
His authority in the Payne family was undisputed, and as his wife, Lucinda understood her place was not to dictate actions for the family.
Similarly, Nathanâs involvement in the Simmons familyâs affairs was not suitable.
Lucinda mulled over the notion that tackling their significant challenges independently was the wiser course of action.
Though she left her thoughts unspoken, Nathan grasped the unvoiced plan between them.
âAlright, Iâll drop you at Peace Mountain and then head back to address the Payne familyâs situation,â he concurred, receiving a nod of agreement from Lucinda.
The journey was enveloped in silence as each lost in thought, reflecting on the recent turmoil that had beset both their families.
Despite the lack of conversation, a solemn yet peaceful atmosphere filled the car.
Upon arriving at Peace Mountain over twenty minutes later, Lucinda exited the limousine at the entrance to the Graham residence.