“Why, pray tell, did you lie to me?"

Sadie's discomposure skyrocketed. Her attempts to mask her apprehension faltered, leaving her mystified as to how Holden had uncovered the ruse of the deck surveillance. She had believed her tracks were expertly covered.

Words stumbled from Sadie's mouth helplessly. Casting a glance at Holden, she sighed deeply, striving to steady her nerves, before retorting with a hint of defensiveness, “Is your trust in me so tenuous? I assured you I'd handle this affair. What prompted you to probe into it personally?"

Holden regarded her with a snort tinged with ice.

“And you handled it, didn't you? And your mode of handling equated to duping me?"