My Farewell Note Said We're Even

But the next moment, he picked up his knife and fork, cut the rest of his steak, and placed it on Davina's plate. "If you like it, have some more," he said, his voice dripping with affection.

Suddenly, the food in my mouth turned to ash.

The formal dress I wore hung loosely on me. My wrists were thin, my knuckles sharp.

A bitter taste rose in my throat, and I raised my glass, downing the red wine in one gulp.

As if the alcohol could numb the hollowness in my chest.

After the dinner, Derrick took a velvet box from his pocket.

"Davina, I have a gift for you."

Davina, wearing the brooch I had given her, broke into a brilliant smile the moment she opened the box.

"Wow, it's the sapphire necklace Mother left behind. Derrick, this must be very expensive."

Derrick put it on her with his own hands and smiled.

"Don't worry, it's a token of peace. In the future, the Griffin family will give you much more."

My hand holding the wine glass froze, and I almost dropped the crystal glass on the floor.

So the necklace... it wasn't for me.

Derrick must have noticed the look on my face, because his voice turned exceptionally cold.

"Vivian, are you really going to make a scene just because I'm being kind to our guest?"

A sharp pain lanced through my chest.

So he'd forgotten. He'd completely forgotten the promise he made five years ago.

I blinked hard, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.

"No. I was just running the turf war back through my head."

Derrick snorted coldly and said no more.

When I finished the post-banquet cleanup and returned to the study, Derrick was peeling an apple by the light of his desk lamp. Davina had already returned to her room to rest.

After much hesitation, I decided to tell him about the intelligence I had intercepted.

"Derrick, I intercepted..."

He cut me off before I could finish.

"I've told you before, the family's intelligence network is your full responsibility."

"Lately, Davina has been saying she feels insecure, that someone is targeting her. I've decided you two will co-manage the intelligence network."

"Just wait a little longer. When the time is right, I'll give you something more important..."

Knowing I had to forge my own path, my refusal was instinctive.

"She's not capable."

His eyes narrowed. He thought this was about power.

"You don't have to be spiteful. There will be opportunities for higher positions later."

"Maybe it's just a fleeting interest for her. She'll probably lose interest in a few days, and the intelligence network will be yours again."

I looked at him seriously.

"I really don't think she's suitable."

"You've made up your mind. Fine."

Then, as if remembering something, a sarcastic smile twisted his lips.

"I knew you still couldn't tolerate Davina. It must have been exhausting, putting on an act all night."

He threw the fruit knife on the table and turned to leave.

He left me frozen to the spot.

The room was heated, but I felt a chill run down my spine.

After returning to my room, I began to clean my gun, preparing for my trip to New York City.

My luggage was sparse, just a few changes of clothes and my weapons.

And the Beretta that Derrick had used to teach me how to fire my first shot.