Liza glanced at Gavin, her curiosity piqued. “What exactly are you planning to do?” Gavin’s lips curved into a mysterious smile. “You’ll see. Just make sure to watch the news tomorrow.” Liza blinked, slightly unnerved by his cryptic words. Why does this sound a little ominous? Still, her curiosity won out. “Alright, I’ll check the news tomorrow!” “It’s late. You should rest,” Gavin said gently. Liza nodded, realizing how drained she felt. After facing two confrontations back-to-back, she was utterly exhausted. When she returned to her room, she opened her laptop and logged into her Black Tide account, her fingers poised over the keyboard. Her eyes narrowed with focus as she stared intently at the glowing screen. Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Gavin’s world had turned into a hazy blur of gray. His temples throbbed with a searing pain, and it took all his willpower to stay conscious. His fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms as he forced himself to remain upright. His movements were slow and deliberate as he stumbled toward a drawer, pulling it open with a shaky hand. He retrieved a bottle of pills, tipped a few into his hand, and swallowed them dry, his throat tightening with the effort. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall before the door swung open. George entered, his expression filled with concern. “President, are you alright?” Gavin closed his eyes briefly, his jaw tightening as he fought through the waves of pain. “I’m fine. It’ll pass soon.” George’s brows furrowed with worry. “You ran into the Smith Family at Quechi Pavilion today, didn’t you?” Gavin’s voice was low and steady, despite the obvious strain. “Yes. Take care of it.”For a moment, George hesitated, torn between his concern for Gavin and his duty to handle the matter. But the memory of the Smith Family’s audacity fueled his resolve. With a firm nod, he replied, “Understood.” As George left, Gavin leaned heavily against the sofa, his usually sharp gaze now dull and unfocused. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a faint red line trailing along his arm. The line crept slowly, snaking its way toward his palm. His lips pressed into a thin line as he stared at it, his expression unreadable. . … The following morning, Li City buzzed with breaking news: [Late last night, a woman under the influence of alcohol accidentally drove her car into the river. Thankfully, a passerby managed to rescue her just in time. [According to witnesses, the woman exhibited signs of mental instability and was shouting incoherently throughout the ordeal. Authorities remind families to care for loved ones with mental health conditions and discourage driving under such circumstances.] Liza clicked on the article. Though the image of the woman had been pixelated for privacy, it was unmistakably Madam Fina. Adding fuel to the fire, a passerby had recorded a video and shared it online. The clip showed Madam Fina drenched and looking utterly disheveled after being pulled from the water. Surveillance footage leading up to the incident was also circulating. It revealed Madam Fina slamming on the accelerator before veering off the bridge. Her desperate screams echoed in the audio: “Get away! Aren’t you dead? “You’ve been dead for years, so why are you haunting me? It wasn’t my fault! Dad was the one who wanted to harm you, not me! Go find him instead! Just leave me alone! Ahhh!” Moments later, her car plunged into the river, cutting off the footage.As Liza processed the chaotic news, her phone rang. It was Albert. “Liza, have you seen the news? Madam Fina had some kind of episode while driving last night. She was shouting like a madwoman before crashing into the river.” “I’ve seen it,” Liza replied calmly. “How’s the investigation I asked you to handle coming along?” Albert hesitated briefly, his tone laced with unease. Liza had already pieced together much of Madam Fina’s past through her Black Tide account. She had uncovered secrets that painted a damning picture of Madam Fina and the Smith Family. However, details about Madam Fina’s life after marrying into the Lanier Family remained elusive. The only significant trace left behind was her and President Lanier’s attendance at a banquet five years ago, followed by another visit to the Smith Family’s home. Liza furrowed her brows, convinced there was a missing piece to the puzzle. That was why she enlisted Albert’s help.“You might not fully understand the current state of Madam Fina and President lanier’s relationship,” Albert said cautiously. Liza sneered. “They’re husband and wife. Judging by how smug Madam Fina acts, their relationship must be great. She’s clearly cherishing the man she snatched from someone else.” Her voice carried a hint of anger, and her expression hardened as she continued, “She always pretends to be virtuous, flaunting her happiness in front of Gavin. Imagine the audacity of boasting about a stolen life!” Her frustration stemmed not just from the Smith Family’s hypocrisy but also from the pain she felt for Gavin. Each word was an outlet for her fury. “Did she adopt Sam just to suppress Gavin?” Liza speculated, her tone sharp. “She must know the truth about Gavin’s parentage. Still, she—” “Liza,” Albert interrupted gently, his voice serious. Albert was well aware of the tangled history between the Stone and Smith families. He also knew of Gavin’s connection to Miss Prudence, a fact deeply rooted in family secrets. He understood the fire in Liza’s words and the protective anger behind her tone. But he also believed it was time to reveal the truth. “Did Gavin not tell you?”