She pondered the situation, wondering about Grahamâs reaction should the truth come to light.
Yet, part of her hoped Nalaâs confession was a fabrication, a ploy to shoulder all blame herself.
After all, the thought of a young girl harboring such darkness was unsettling to Lucinda.
Noticing Lucindaâs preoccupation and reluctance to delve deeper, Graham refrained from pressing further.
Returning to the matter at hand, Graham queried, âOnce we return, do you still plan for me to receive twenty lashes at the ancestral temple as previously arranged?â
Regaining focus, Lucinda replied, âNo, thatâs no longer necessary.
My aim was to uncover Nalaâs true identity.
Weâve unraveled that mystery.
â
Graham, seated upright on the hospital bed due to his wound, looked at Lucinda with hope.
He hesitated before speaking.
âLucinda, in that moment, I shielded you from harm.
My actions were genuine.
Do you thinkâ¦â He trailed off, hoping for forgiveness.
Lucinda, understanding the unspoken question, replied gently, âFocus on healing now.
Letâs not dwell on the past until youâre better.
â
With a heavy heart, Graham nodded in agreement.
After a couple of hours of observation confirmed his stable condition, Lucinda and Violeta assisted Graham back to Peace Mountain for further recovery.
Later, Lucinda made her way to the National Security Bureau.
Meanwhile, Nathan had been meticulously investigating a case involving a series killer, only to discover inconsistencies pointing to a deliberate hoax in Stastle.
Frustrated by the manipulation, he vowed to uncover the mastermind.
Upon learning of Lucindaâs arrival at the bureau, Nathan, in his crisp military uniform, welcomed her.
âI was told Graham was injured protecting you.
Howâs he faring now?â
âHeâs recovering; thankfully, his injuries werenât life-threatening.
Weâve taken him to Peace Mountain to recuperate.
â Lucinda shared.
Nathan, ever analytical, pondered the situation.
âSomething doesnât add up with Nalaâs actions.
Her approach this time lacked her usual caution.
Moreover, her decisiveness with the gun suggests familiarity.
If her intent was truly to harm you, how did she fail to inflict critical damage on Graham?â
Lucinda pondered Nathanâs insights, giving them considerable thought.
Previously, Nala had approached situations with caution.
However, during their time on the island, it became apparent to Lucinda that Nalaâs preconceived plans didnât match her usual level of detail and depth.
Furthermore, Lucinda agreed with Nathanâs observation about the lack of precision surrounding the shooting incident.
Recalling Nalaâs decisiveness during her shooting attempt, Lucinda noted the wound inflicted on Graham was superficial, not impacting any vital organs-a mere flesh wound, suggesting Nala might have had an ulterior motive.
After mulling it over, she inquired, âHow is everything going with Sonnyâs interrogation?â
âI havenât checked yet.
Since youâre here, letâs review the records together,â Nathan proposed.
Lucinda agreed with a nod.
Hand in hand, Nathan guided her towards the National Security Bureau.