Poppy’s breath quickened as she met Finn’s calm, assessing gaze. 

A moment ago, when she’d lashed out at Evangeline, every shred of her attention was locked on Soren and Evangeline–she hadn’t spared a thought for anyone else nearby. 

She had no idea when Finn had appeared, or if his story was even true. 

She couldn’t admit she’d nearly drowned Evangeline, but if she denied it, and Finn actually had proof, Soren’s trust in her would crumble even further. 

Damn it. 

Who exactly was this Finn, anyway? 

Why did he care about Evangeline? 

Poppy clenched her jaw. 

After a few seconds, she hid her anxiety behind a smile, ignoring Finn’s question. Her gaze flicked lazily between the two of them before she drawled, “Evangeline certainly has her admirers. I had no idea so many people were eager to help her.” 

“But really, whether I touched her or not–isn’t it a bit too convenient for someone to have evidence right at that moment?” 

Evangeline understood at once. 

Poppy was accusing her of making things up–her favorite trick, one she used without tiring. 

Evangeline felt someone’s eyes on her. She glanced up and caught Soren watching her, his dark gaze shifting from Finn back to her. 

His expression was icy, unreadable in the night’s shadows. 

She didn’t need to guess–he was doubting her, just as he always had. 

A bitter, silent laugh twisted inside her. She was about to speak when 

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08:52 

Chapter 196 

Finn beat her to it. 

“Miss Yates, let’s not change the subject,” Finn said, his tone light but implacable. “The Lockridges have always marched to the beat of their own drum. We don’t take orders from anyone.” 

“I only stepped in tonight because I can’t stand seeing a lady treated unfairly.” 

“But you, Miss Yates–you’re dodging the question. Is that because you can’t own up to what you did?” 

“Should we just skip to the answer?” 

With a casual flourish, Finn pulled out his phone. As he unlocked the screen, he muttered to himself, “Huh, looks like this recording has been running for quite a while. Even caught the bit where someone dove in to save her.” 

“Let’s see if Miss Yates makes a cameo, shall we?” 

He scrolled through the video, putting on an air of exaggerated interest. Poppy’s palms broke out in sweat; her heart hammered in her chest. 

Instinctively, she looked to Soren for help. 

But Soren’s eyes were fixed on Evangeline, lost in thought, as if he hadn’t even heard her silent plea. 

Just as Poppy scrambled to figure out her next move, Finn lifted an eyebrow and stepped forward, holding his phone out toward. Evangeline. For a split second, Poppy caught the shock in Evangeline’s eyes–surprise that Finn had really done it. 

Poppy’s heart lurched. 

“Mr. Fawkes, care to take a look?” Finn offered, turning to Soren. 

As Finn approached, Poppy leapt between them, desperation in her voice. “I–I can’t swim, you know that. People who can’t swim panic. Evangeline happened to be next to me–if I accidentally brushed against her while struggling, well, that’s just what happens.” 

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08:52 

Chapter 196 

Finn raised his brows. “So you admit you realized you hit someone, but then pretended like nothing happened? Didn’t care if she lived or died?” 

Poppy’s face went crimson. “It was all a blur–I was terrified. I don’t even remember if I actually bumped into her.” 

“But you remember Evangeline was beside you. Seems your memory is pretty selective,” Finn pressed, easily picking apart her story, each question tightening the net. 

Poppy’s composure crumbled. She couldn’t get the upper hand with Finn at all. 

Meanwhile, Soren finally snapped out of his trance. Finn’s relentless questioning hardly fazed him, but something else had caught his attention: the whole time since Evangeline had come ashore, she’d been standing behind Finn, as though there was an invisible river between them. 

He was on one side–Evangeline, on the other. 

A dull ache pressed at Soren’s chest. He couldn’t say why, but the distance stung. 

“The party’s about to start. Let’s leave it at that,” Soren said, his voice quiet but firm. 

With that, he crossed the invisible gulf in two strides, took Evangeline’s hand, and said, “Come on. Let’s get you changed for the reception.” 

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