Gravely Wounded, Strategizing for the Future

After Kean's ignominious retreat, Jeremy turned his gaze towards the three individuals standing behind him.

At this moment, the expression on Ella's face carried a subtle hint of awkwardness. 

As Kean's fiancée, she shared an undeniably close relationship with him. With a touch of resignation, she spoke to Jeremy.

"I had no idea this would happen. If I had known, I would have done everything in my power to stop Kean."

Jeremy offered no response to Ella.

He was well aware of the prior discord between them. Although he wasn't certain whether Ella had colluded with Kean, exercising caution around her was, in his view, a prudent course of action.

"Jeremy, I don't think you should blame Ella. She truly did her best. Both Benjamin and I can vouch that she made considerable efforts to prevent Kean's actions."

At this juncture, Howard decided to break the silence and speak up.