Liza stood by the pool, staring at the calm surface of the water. The moonlight reflected softly on its ripples, but her mind was far from serene. Midnight had already arrived, and her plan had not only failed spectacularly but also left her questioning whether Gavin might have a deeper issue. Her thoughts spiraled as frustration bubbled within her. After everything she had done, it seemed as though all her efforts had been wasted. She clenched her fists, her cheeks flushing with irritation. Meanwhile, Gavin stepped out of the pool, water dripping from his tall frame. He turned to her, his voice soft yet firm. “Let’s go. It’s late, and we should rest.” Liza plastered on a sweet smile, trying her best to appear composed. “Alright.” You wait and see, you heartless man! she fumed inwardly. Gavin caught a flicker of mischief in her eyes but said nothing, only raising an eyebrow in amusement.After they both finished washing up, Liza, still determined, marched straight into Gavin’s room without hesitation. Gavin froze, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion. “You’re staying here tonight?” Liza sighed dramatically, her brows furrowing as she gave him a sympathetic look. “Gavin, don’t feel bad. I won’t judge you for it.” Gavin blinked, utterly baffled. “What are you talking about?” She stepped closer, her tone turning soft and consoling. “If I don’t stay with you, how will you get through such a long, lonely night? I can’t bear to leave you like this.” Gavin tilted his head slightly, trying to decipher her words. Lonely? Painful? What exactly is she going on about? Before he could respond, Liza continued, her voice tinged with melancholy. “People always say you’re distant and indifferent, but I know better. You swam with me tonight, and you even gave me that thoughtful gift. Those gestures show that you care about me.” Gavin’s frown deepened as he began to piece together her train of thought. “I know you have feelings for me, Gavin,” Liza said with a bittersweet smile. “Otherwise, why would you treat me so kindly? But… I also understand how hard this must be for you. Having someone like me, a beautiful woman, right in front of you and not being able to act on it—it must be tormenting.” A flicker of realization dawned on Gavin’s face, though he remained silent. “But don’t worry,” she added earnestly. “I’m not the kind of person who would look down on you for something like this. I’ll stay with you tonight. We won’t do anything; we’ll just hold each other and sleep. I’ll be here to comfort you. You don’t have to feel ashamed.” Gavin’s mouth opened slightly as if to speak, but no words came out. He stared at her, utterly at a loss. Liza, however, was just getting started. “Gavin, we’ve known each other for so many years, and I’ve always cared about you deeply. Even if… even if you can never… you know, I still won’t mind. I married you because I like you, not because of that.” Her gaze softened with sincerity. “You don’t need to feel inferior. And don’t forget, medical technology is so advanced these days! With the right treatment, you’ll definitely recover. I can even help you myself. Trust me, it’s not a big deal at all.If it really can’t be cured, you’ll still be handsome, rich, and better than other men” Gavin’s expression darkened, his gaze sharp and intense. “Liza!” Ignoring his icy tone, Liza quickly climbed into bed and stretched her arms out with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Come here, Senior! Don’t be scared—let me comfort you!” Gavin stood still, utterly speechless. This woman was clearly doing this on purpose! But Liza didn’t care about his reaction. Once her head hit the pillow, she closed her eyes and, within moments, drifted off into a peaceful sleep, leaving Gavin standing by the bed in silent frustration. The room was dimly lit, with just a faint beam of light piercing through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for Gavin to see the vague outlines of his surroundings. His vision, slightly impaired by a faint grayness, forced him to rely on memory as he moved closer to the bed. His hand reached out hesitantly, brushing gently against Liza’s cheek. Her skin was soft and warm, a stark contrast to his cold fingertips. Unable to resist, he leaned down and planted a tender kiss on her lips. Mrs. Stone has been far too mischievous tonight, he thought, his control nearly slipping under the weight of her antics. Settling onto the bed beside her, Gavin let out a quiet sigh. Just as he began to relax, his phone buzzed, the vibrations cutting through the silence. Unlocking it, he was met with Henry’s voice on the other end of the line. “Gavin, there’s an issue. Someone from the Smith Family showed up at the Stone Family’s old mansion… something to do with the heir.” Meanwhile, at the Stone Family’s Old Mansion The night stretched on, yet the lights in the Stone Family’s residence remained bright. A commotion downstairs had startled Henry awake. Groggily, he emerged from his room, only to find unexpected guests in the living room. His first instinct was to retreat back to his room, but before he could slip away, a voice stopped him in his tracks. “Are you Henry?” Henry turned to face the speaker, his brows furrowing in confusion. The man standing before him looked vaguely familiar, though he couldn’t immediately place him. Before Henry could respond, Lady Edna stepped forward, her tone unusually warm. “Henry, come here quickly and say hello. This is Sam.” Sam?It took Henry a moment to connect the name with the face. He remembered hearing about Sam—he was the adopted son of the Smith Family, but there were rumors suggesting he was actually Prudence’s biological child. That made him a blood descendant of the Stone Family. Lady Edna’s enthusiasm felt strange to Henry, almost unsettling. “Sam, can I get you something to drink? Tea? Coffee?” Lady Edna asked with an uncharacteristic eagerness. Sam smiled politely and shook his head. “Thank you, but there’s no need to trouble yourself.” Henry stood frozen, observing the exchange. Something about this scene felt… off. Why does she seem so eager to please him? he wondered. It almost felt as though Lady Edna regarded Sam as her own child—more warmly than she ever treated Gavin.As Henry’s thoughts churned, his gaze shifted to the sofa in the living room, where Mr. Stone, Uncle Levi, sat with an air of authority. Beside him was Lady Edna, both looking unusually smug. Henry couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight’s events were just the beginning of something much bigger—and far more complicated.