Why had Sadie concealed the argument from him? Was she merely afraid he'd discover the cause of Adele's seizure?

After a moment of deep thought, Holden looked up and asked, "Did they find the surveillance footage from the cruise ship?"

"The deck's surveillance footage was deliberately sabotaged," Shawn explained.

“Our contacts backstage are on the case, striving to resurrect the videos. However, it will take time to ascertain the possibility of recovery."

Holden's response was quiet, his expression dark. Suspicion already had cast its net across his thoughts.

The symmetry of events struck an odd chord.

“Furthermore, as per your request, I looked into the woman clad in the Medusa costume," Shawn continued.

"Scrutiny of the guest List yielded no pertinent information about her. It's plausible she came to the banquet in the company of friends. We'll further into it from that point."

Holden nodded.

"I see. You're dismissed."

Sadie bided her time elsewhere, waiting until Adele succumbed to slumber before glaring at her with a pent-up frustration.

Subsequently, she fixed her hair before a mirror, hiding the bruised remnants on her face with deft strokes of foundation. Elegantly slackening her neckline, she pushed open the door and went to find Holden.

Outside the room, she saw Holden sitting alone on the couch. Silence reigned, with only the two of them present, eliciting excitement within her.

Radiating allure and charm, Sadie walked up and sat beside Holden.

She asked, "When do we leave for home?"

Holden remained still, only turning his head and sending a playful gaze her way.

"I've been apprised of the thing with the surveillance."

Panic surged through Sadie, her smile wobbling slightly as she grappled to maintain her composure, barely keeping her facade intact as she stammered, “W-what do you mean?"

Holden's chuckle was slow and cold. The timbre of his voice took on a measured tone as he said, "The bodyguard has unburdened his conscience."

Looking at Sadie, his countenance grew darker.