Elena's face instantly turned pale. She gritted her teeth and was about to speak when Natalie's voice rang out from outside the door.
"How is Dexter doing?"
Elena's expression brightened immediately. She shot Angela a meaningful glance before stepping outside to greet Natalie.
"You're finally here, Mrs. Bamford Senior," Elena said, supporting Natalie as she walked in. "Dexter is injured. You should go check on him."
Natalie hurried into the hospital room and asked Dexter various questions. When she saw that he didn't seem to be in extreme pain, she finally relaxed a little.
"Aren't you going to ask what exactly happened? Aren't you curious how Dexter ended up like this, Mrs. Bamford Senior?" Elena prompted.
But Natalie didn't go along with Elena's deliberate attempt to steer the conversation in a particular direction. It was as if she already knew the answer.
Instead, she turned to Angela and said, "Are you okay, Angela? Horseback riding is kind of dangerous. Maybe you should try a different activity next time."
Natalie had spoken gently in a negotiating tone.
Angela's eyes grew misty. She nodded and said, "I know."
At that moment, Mia stepped forward to apologize. "Mrs. Bamford Senior, I'm partly to be blamed for this. I—"
Natalie interrupted, "Silly child. The investigation is still ongoing, and there's no final conclusion yet. Why are you so quick to take the blame?"
She flashed Mia a warm smile and continued, "You're friends with Angela, and friends help each other. They wouldn't wish harm upon one another. Besides, you don't look like the kind who would go out of her way to hurt someone else."
Natalie's words made everyone's expressions shift subtly.
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