Bary hung his head low, a pained expression clouding his features. "Morwenna, do you believe me? I swear I had no clue about what happened that day. If I''d known Adide nned to hurt Stuart, I wouldn''t have been part of it."


    Adide had asked him to seek Fletcher''s help for a supposed medical emergency.Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    But it was all a ruse. Adide used her brother''s "surgery" as a diversion, plotting against Stuart while everyone was distracted.


    When the truth hit him, Bary was in disbelief.


    He had trusted Adide implicitly, going above and beyond to support her through the years. Despite Stuart sending Adide abroad for her studies, Bary couldn''t help but offer ndestine assistance. And now, he felt like a fool for being manipted.


    In the aftermath, even his closest mates questioned if he was in on the scheme, conspiring with Adide to target Stuart.


    He found himself at a loss for words, his pastpliance with Adide now haunting him.


    Morwenna nodded solemnly. "I believe you. You might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but you don''t have it in you to harm Stuart."


    Bary was momentarily speechless, unsure if he was beingplimented or insulted.


    Yet, her straightforward belief in him brought a sense of relief.


    With a tone of regret, Bary admitted, "Morwenna, there''s something else I didn''t tell you. Fletcher once mentioned that Jethro''s injuries weren''t caused by me. He suggested that after our fight, someone else must have seriously harmed him. ording to Fletcher, whoever benefited from this ordeal is our prime suspect. The only person... Adide demanded a hefty sum from me aspensation. At the time, I couldn''t believe she was capable of such a thing, so I never mentioned it to you."


    Morwenna pondered this revtion.


    Rushing to exin, Bary added, "I didn''t keep it from you on purpose. I just couldn''t imagine her hurting her own brother."


    To Morwenna''sck of surprise, she


    calmly stated, "If Adide was


    desperate enough, she wouldn''t


    hesitate to harm anyone, not even herself or her brother."


    Morwenna had seen it firsthand when Adide, in a frail state, had leaped into a pond just to see who Stuart would save first.


    Bary noticed Morwenna''s nonchnt demeanor.


    He reflected on Fletcher''s calmness when discussing the matter.


    It seemed everyone knew Adide''s true nature except him, yed for a fool in her schemes.


    Bary''s expression soured.


    Seeing his difort, Morwenna''s eyes widened in rm. "You''re not still nning to help Adide, are you?"


    She remembered overhearing a conversation where Bary''s mother mentioned that all it took was a candy from Adide for Bary to loyally defend her all these years.


    S


    If he was still considering helping Adide, Morwenna was ready to show him the door, sparing herself further frustration.


    Bary firmly shook his head, his


    face stem. "No, not anymore.


    novel


    There''s nothing left between Adide and me. Not even friendship."


    After years of unwavering support only to be exploited, anyone would feel disillusioned.


    Bary''s current turmoil was evident.


    His heart harbored a growing resentment, questioning the goodness in people after being betrayed by someone he deeply trusted.


    Morwenna had sensed Bary''s inner turmoil, which is why she had brought him into her shop, hoping to offer some sce.