Her mother had died while investigating Saint Corp, Wendy, and the Redemption organization lurking in the shadows. To avenge her and uncover the truth of the past, Eliza was determined to see this through, no matter the cost. For her, the word "mother" had always felt distant. Growing up with the Rivers family, she had never known a mother’s warmth. Now that she knew her mother had truly loved her, Eliza was willing to finish what she started. It felt as though they were working together across different timelines to complete a shared mission. Tristan understood her resolve. He offered a faint smile and said, "You’ve grown up and have your own way of thinking, Eliza. Just know that we are always behind you as your strongest support. If you encounter difficulties out there, do not try to carry the burden alone. Remember that we are your family." "I understand. Thank you." Eliza was genuinely grateful to Tristan. Without him, she might never have experienced the true warmth of a family. Meanwhile, at the Hayes residence in Westbrook. Elaine looked over the dinner prepared by the young apprentice and nodded in satisfaction. She tucked a stack of cash into his hand. "I knew you were a bright boy. Consider this a reward for your hard work. Keep this up, and there will be plenty more where that came from." "Thank you, ma'am!" The apprentice had never seen so much money in his life. Back when he worked under the head chefs, they only let him do the menial prep work. He looked up at Elaine with eyes full of gratitude and admiration. If she hadn't kept him on, he might not have even been allowed to touch a pan. "Remember, as far as anyone else is concerned, I made this meal. You know what to say if someone asks, right?" "Don't worry, my lips are sealed." Satisfied, Elaine nodded. She then carried the dishes Tyson liked to the dining table. Tyson had initially intended to make things difficult for Elaine; he never actually expected her to cook for him. Even if she did, he doubted he would enjoy it. To his surprise, she laid out several of his favorite dishes, and they looked and smelled impeccable. Julio, standing nearby, furrowed his brow. He had no idea when Elaine had learned to cook, yet her skills appeared to rival those of the head chef.Dressed in a white apron, Elaine stood to the side, looking every bit the picture of a devoted wife. Intrigued by the transformation, Tyson picked up his fork. After a few bites, he realized the flavors were different from the former chef's style, but they weren't bad—in fact, they were a pleasant surprise. "I didn't realize you spent your time at home learning to cook, Elaine." "I went to a lot of trouble back then to try and get Nolan to like me, so I picked up a few skills. I hope they are to your liking, Mr. Hayes?" Elaine’s words were a blend of truth and lies. She knew lying to Tyson was a dangerous game, so she offered half-truths that were harder to pick apart. She had indeed studied cooking for Nolan’s sake, but only simple, home-style meals. The dishes Tyson preferred were Michelin-star quality—complex, tedious, and easy to ruin. She wasn't foolish enough to go learn them from a five-star chef herself. As long as she could keep Tyson convinced for this one month, her goal would be achieved. "Tell me, what is the reason for all this sudden flattery?" "I’ve already told you. The people I hate most in this world are Nolan and Eliza. We are on the same side, aren't we?" Across the ocean, Eliza woke up in her bed. Perhaps because she was finally home, she had slept deeply and peacefully. She instinctively reached for her phone to see if Nolan had messaged her, but instead, she found a text from Elaine. Elaine: "I've moved into Tyson’s house. What’s the next move?" When they had spoken briefly at the Hayes ancestral home, Eliza hadn't expected Elaine to be this efficient. It took her only a few days to get inside Tyson’s private residence. It seemed a woman’s intelligence truly peaked the moment she stopped being blinded by love.