“Yes, I’m unhappy! You’re such a jerk! Not like you can hear me anyway, so I’ll just keep complaining in my head!” Gavin’s lips curled into a sly smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Mrs. Stone, did you save me using your blood?” Liza froze mid-thought, her practiced smile faltering for a split second. In truth, the loss of a little blood wasn’t a big deal to her. If it could help ease the poison coursing through Gavin’s body, then it was worth it. She owed him as much. After all, back when he went by Miles, he had shown her kindness and care. Now, it was her turn to repay him. “It’s just a small amount of blood,” she thought. “It’s not like I can’t recover. There’s no need for him to know the truth. If Gavin finds out, he’ll refuse to let me do this again when the poison flares up in the future. Better to keep it to myself.” Clearing her throat, Liza feigned nonchalance. “Gavin, you’re overthinking it. How could someone as fragile as me bleed just to save you? That’s absurd!” She offered a light laugh, waving the notion away as if it were ridiculous. “It was just a small scratch,” she continued. “And even if I did bleed, how could my blood possibly detoxify poison? That’s impossible!” Gavin’s gaze softened, a rare warmth flickering in his usually guarded eyes. The weight of her unspoken care pressed on his chest, filling him with a sense of gratitude he hadn’t expected. Without warning, he pulled her into his embrace, holding her close as his heartbeat quickened. She hadn’t told him the truth because she didn’t want him to feel guilt or worry. That thought alone left him speechless. At that moment, Gavin realized he’d give her anything she asked for—even his life—without hesitation. “Alright,” he murmured softly, his arms tightening slightly around her. Liza stiffened in his embrace, unsure of what to say. She wanted to ask him about his plans for dealing with the Smith Family, but the words caught in her throat. Gavin had suffered enough. As the rightful heir of the Stone Family, he had been treated like an outcast for most of his life, unfairly branded as illegitimate and despised by those around him. Even Sam , a mere adopted child, lived in comfort and ease, while Gavin endured unimaginable cruelty. He bore the brunt of both families’ malice, even though he was the one person who had done no wrong. In that moment, Liza realized her own hardships paled in comparison to what Gavin had endured. Her thoughts shifted suddenly, and she frowned slightly. It had been a while since she last saw Serena. That afternoon, Liza’s phone buzzed with a call from Albert. His voice was excited and slightly rushed. “Liza , get over to Fragrance Hotel right away! I’m introducing you to Teacher!”Without a second thought, Liza quickly got ready, grabbed her things, and headed straight for the address Albert mentioned. She was eager to meet her third brother and this mysterious “Teacher.” As she approached the grand entrance of the Fragrance Hotel, her plans came to an abrupt halt. Standing in her path was none other than Henry—the infamous troublemaker and self-proclaimed crown prince of Li City. To Liza, Henry was a prime example of wasted potential—a rich heir with no real sense of direction. Even worse, he was blind to the manipulations of Alora, the cunning woman who had him wrapped around her finger. His naivety grated on her nerves, and she couldn't help but see him as little more than a spoiled brat. Adding fuel to the fire, Henry was Lady Edna ’s biological son. Liza's disdain for Lady Edna naturally extended to him, making any encounter with him even less appealing. Still, she had no time to engage with him now. She was here for Albert, not for petty squabbles. With that thought, she decided to walk past Henry without acknowledging him. However, Henry had other plans. Before she could slip by, he stepped directly into her path, blocking her way like an immovable wall. Liza stopped, raising an eyebrow in irritation. “Henry?” she said, her tone neutral but sharp enough to convey her annoyance. Henry stood tall, his posture exuding arrogance. Clad head to toe in high-end designer wear, he looked every bit the part of a wealthy heir flaunting his status. The crowd around them quickly took notice. This was Henry, the second son of the Stone Family—a man few dared to cross. His reputation as the “crown prince” of Li City preceded him, and anyone who dared offend him often faced severe consequences. But Liza wasn’t intimidated. This was her third brother’s turf, after all. If Henry wanted trouble, she was confident he wouldn’t leave unscathed.“What do you want, Henry?” she asked bluntly, her hands curling into fists as she prepared for the worst. Henry didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he sized her up with a dismissive glance, as if she were an insect beneath his notice. Then, with an exaggerated flourish, he pulled a sleek black bank card from his pocket and held it out to her. “Liza,” he began, his tone dripping with disdain, “this is 200 million. Take the money and leave the Stone Family. For good.” Liza stared at him, stunned into silence for a moment. Was this really happening? This felt like a scene ripped straight out of a cliché novel—the kind where the male lead’s overbearing family member tries to buy off the heroine to separate the couple. The absurdity of it almost made her laugh. “Henry,” she said finally, her voice tinged with sarcasm, “your imagination is quite something.” But Henry wasn’t done. He snorted arrogantly and continued, “Liza, you might be a bit different from the others, but let’s face it—you’re not worthy of Gavin or the position of mistress of the Stone Family. You’d do well to accept reality. Take the money and leave while you can.” “Uh…” Liza tried to interject, but Henry cut her off. “Don’t bother denying it,” he said dismissively. “You married Gavin for money, didn’t you? I’m giving you what you want now. Take it and go.” Liza blinked, momentarily lost for words. She finally forced a stiff smile and asked, “Henry… have you hit your head recently?” Henry ignored her jab entirely. “If 200 million isn’t enough, say so. Since you managed to marry Gavin, I’m sure you’re used to a certain standard of wealth. I can increase the amount if that’s what it takes. Just name your price and leave. Everything is negotiable.” His tone was so pompous that Liza couldn’t decide whether to laugh or roll her eyes. She stood there silently, waiting to see how far his delusions would go.