Before, Davin had contacted Elliana and claimed to be her mother’s protégé. Once they met up, he had handed her the Medical Codex and earned her trust. Amid their meeting, he had gleaned a few secrets from her.

Now, Elliana finally realized that it had all been a ruse. Davin was Maxine’s man, and every move he’d made had been under her orders.

If fate hadn’t taken Maxine so suddenly, if a twist of fate hadn’t made Elliana the new leader of the Griffiths family, how long would Davin have kept the charade alive?

The thought still burned. Elliana had always been proud of her cautiousness—ever since childhood, no one had managed to deceive her so thoroughly. Yet Davin had. Was it his skill or her own lapse in judgment? She couldn’t tell.

Sensing Elliana’s gaze, Davin quickly bowed his head. But her eyes were sharp, and the weight of them made his stomach twist. He had a faint idea of what was on her mind, and fear crept in like ice. He had never imagined that his secret would unravel so soon—or that the woman he deceived would one day sit on the Griffiths throne. Life, it seemed, had its cruel turns. Would she punish him now?

As panic began to rise within him, Elliana’s voice broke the silence.

“You’re quite the actor, Davin.”

His heart lurched. He couldn’t tell if she was furious or merely mocking him. He forced a nervous smile, unsure how to answer.

Elliana wasn’t one to dwell on grudges. Davin had only obeyed Maxine’s commands, after all. Her remark was more a sigh than a strike—just a way to release the sting that lingered. With that, she let it go. She had bigger matters to attend to—and a new task waiting for him.

“Davin, I understand you’ve managed ceremonial matters for the Griffiths family before—weddings, funerals, that sort of thing?” Elliana asked.

Seeing Elliana shift topics so smoothly, Davin recognized the gesture for what it was: she wasn’t going to punish him for his earlier deception. Relief washed through him, quiet but unmistakable. He arranged his features into a professional smile.

“Yes. How may I assist you?”

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“I need you to oversee Maxine’s funeral,” Elliana said, her voice carrying the unmistakable weight of command.

“I’m not a Griffiths by blood, and I wasn’t raised in your traditions. There are still customs I don’t understand. As the new head of this family, I want Maxine laid to rest with proper dignity—exactly as tradition demands. I’m placing these arrangements in your hands.”

Davin inclined his head.

“Consider it done. I’ll give this matter my complete attention.”

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