Liza tilted her head, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Tell me what?” Albert paused, hesitating as though unsure of how to proceed. “…” Had Gavin deliberately chosen not to reveal this, or had it simply slipped his mind? After marrying into the Lanier Family, Madam Fina’s life had been far from the picture-perfect story she portrayed. The Lanier Family, with their disdain for her status as an illegitimate daughter, made her existence miserable. Despite the public facade of a wealthy matron, Madam Fina endured a harsh reality. As she aged and lost her youthful charm, President Lanier openly preferred younger women, even bringing them home without regard for her feelings. Her supposed life of luxury had been riddled with humiliation and suffering—a poetic justice for her past deeds. While the world believed Madam Fina was thriving as a rich socialite, the truth painted a different picture. Her misery was her own doing, the result of her choices. And yet, Gavin’s hand in this story couldn’t be ignored. Albert finally broke the silence, his voice low and deliberate. “Gavin orchestrated the incident that sent Madam Fina into the river.” It was no surprise to him. Gavin wasn’t someone who sought pity. He was a force to be reckoned with—a lion who ensured that those who wronged him faced the consequences. The Lanier Family had already paid their price, but this particular event bore Gavin’s mark. “I figured as much,” Liza admitted softly. Her tone carried a mix of understanding and sorrow. “But I still feel for him. The Smith Family continues to tarnish his name, calling him an illegitimate child. He’s the only one who’s truly innocent in all of this. Sometimes, I wish I could end Madam Fina’s life myself—to make her pay for everything Gavin has endured.” Albert: “…” When didLiza become so fiery?Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the house. Liza hastily ended the call and rushed toward the door. “Gavin!” The man walked in, exhaustion evident in his posture as he removed his jacket. “You were behind Madam Fina’s accident, weren’t you?” Liza asked without hesitation, her tone sharp but tinged with concern. “Why didn’t you finish her off?” Gavin glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “She deserved to die,” he replied evenly. “But fate spared her.” He sounded indifferent, as though the outcome didn’t matter. The busy streets near the bridge had made her survival likely, and he’d accepted it without much thought. “Let’s go. It’s time to head to work.” Liza grabbed his hand, her grip firm yet gentle. Her eyes shimmered with sorrow as she whispered, “If you’re hurting, you need to let it out. Don’t push yourself so hard that you fall ill.”For a moment, Gavin froze. Her words stirred something deep within him, an emotion he couldn’t quite name. Liza’s eyes brimmed with sorrow. “Do you remember when we first got to know each other? I trusted you with everything, sharing my thoughts and feelings without hesitation. I wish you’d do the same for me. If you’re ever struggling, you must tell me.” “I…” Gavin began to respond, but his voice faltered as he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes. The words he intended to say dissolved on his tongue. Lowering his gaze, he finally admitted, “At first, it hurt. It really did.” Liza’s heart clenched at his quiet confession. Then, a faint, bitter smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “But I’ve stopped caring. The Smith Family is irrelevant now. Their words hold no power over me. “That once-mighty family, proud of their century-long legacy, is teetering on the edge of ruin. With just a flick of my finger, I could destroy them entirely. To me, they’re nothing more than ants. And really, who pays attention to ants scurrying around?” Gavin had always presented himself as indomitable, yet in front of Liza, his carefully constructed walls seemed to falter. His voice softened, tinged with weariness. “That’s what I’ve told myself all this time… but there are still moments when the sadness creeps in.” Liza’s brow furrowed as her chest tightened, the weight of his pain hitting her like a blow. He was strong, yes, but strength didn’t make him invincible. Beneath his stoic exterior lay a heart that bore the scars of countless wounds. She recalled his past—how the Stone had subjected him to relentless abuse. Only Matriarch had shown him kindness, but her fragile health had prevented her from being there for him as much as he needed. Most of the time, he had been left to face his struggles alone. To Liza, her senior, Miles westbrook, was a figure of invincibility, someone who could conquer any obstacle with ease. But now, seeing Gavin in this light, she realized that even those who seemed unshakable had vulnerabilities buried deep within. Without a second thought, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. “Senior, no matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you.” ‘I had planned to leave after helping Gavin rid his body of poison,’ she thought to herself. But hearing her heartfelt words, Gavin felt a pang in his chest—a mix of pain and solace that he couldn’t quite put into words.