The air in the detente reter's viciation room reeked of disinfectant mixed with mildew Isa sa metal chair , staring through the glass at Zander in his prison uniform . hair was doll and matted , dark circles heavy beneath his eyes . sence refined face was haggard , though his eyes still held a glimmer of calculation . Tyre I knew you'd come ! " The moment he saw me , he lunged at the glass , palms slapping hard against it with dull thuds . " You still care about our five years together , don't you ? " I said nothing . Just watched him coldly . The man before me bore no resemblance to the Zander who once cooked ramen in our tiny apartment , promising we'd build a future together . " Lyra . I was wrong ! " Seeing my silence , Zander's voice suddenly broke into sobs , tears streaming down his face . " Clover deceived me ! She said you didn't love me - that you were just using me as a pawn . She even forged chat logs between you and other men ... I was confused , that's why I did those things with her ! I love you , truly ! " I finally spoke , my voice ice - cold . " Loving me means drugging me and throwing me into a swamp to be fed on by leeches and poisonous snakes ? Loving me means streaming it on the dark web while I struggled ? Zander , you've made the word ' love ' far too cheap . " His face went ashen , lips trembling I was possessed , bewitched by Clover ... Lyra , for the sake of our five years together , please forgive me this once ? When I get out , I make it up to you properly . I'll never see Clover again ! " I scofled and stood to leave . " The moment you handed me that drugged wine , whatever we had was finished " Zander panicked , suddenly screaming " No ! Don't gut About your father ! I know something about your father ! His death wasn't an accident ! " My steps halted sharply Even breathing became heavy I was only ten when Father died . The doctors said sudden cardiac arrest . And Grandfather locked away all materials related to Father and never spoke of it . 14:04 His Mistress's ' Billionaire Parents ? DEFREAKED Mine ? Landing in That Private Jet Rebind You surprise ! 12.29 Chapter to Over the years , I'd tried countless times to ask , only to be met with Grandfather's silence . How would an outsider like Zander know anything about Father ? I slowly turned back , approaching the glass , eyes sharp as they locked onto him . What did you say ? My father's death wasn't an accident ? What do you know ? " seeing the waver in my eyes , a triumphant smile crossed Zander's face - as though he'd grasped a lifeline . I know the inside story ! But I can't tell you now ! Drop the charges first , get me out , and I'll tell you everything . Who harmed your ather , what evidence there is - I know it all ! " watched the calculation in his eyes , and my doubt evaporated instantly . le didn't know any inside story . le was just making a desperate gamble , trying to trade a phantom secret for freedom . [ he really had information about Father , he would've used it to negotiate long ago - not waited until now . spoke slowly , each word devoid of warmth . Zander , listen carefully . Even if there is something suspicious about my father's death , I'll investigate it myself . I don't need leads rom a liar like you . And you ... " watched despair flood his expression . You can stay in prison and enjoy the consequences you've earned . " No ! You can't do this ! " ander pounded frantically on the glass , his voice hoarse . know the truth ! You have to get me out ! Lyra Lowell , you'll regret this ! " didn't spare him another glance and walked out of the visitation room . ehind me , his hysterical shouts and curses followed - sharp as needles piercing my ears - but they could no longer shake my resolve . tepping outside , the midday sun was blinding , momentarily disorienting . Laverick was waiting at the entrance . eeing me emerge , he hurried over . Lyra , what did he say ? Does he really know something about your father ? " shook my head , tone even . Nothing . He's just making a last - ditch effort , trying to trick me into dropping charges with lies . " Maverick relaxed , though he noticed the tension in my profile . ' But you seem ... like his words got to you ? " Chapon th I was silent for a moment , then looked into the distance . Maverick , do you think there really could be something suspicious about my father's death ? " Maverick paused , then spoke seriously . " I don't know . But if there are doubts , we can investigate . Lowell has the resources . If you want to know , we will uncover what happened back then . " I nodded . The seed of doubt had already been planted quietly in my heart . Perhaps , once I finished dealing with Zander and Clover , it really was time to look into Father's death . Sitting in the car , I leaned back and closed my eyes . Sunlight streamed through the window onto my face , warm - but unable to dispel the chill in my heart . The curtain on revenge had fallen . Zander and Clover would both face the punishment they deserved . But I knew my life wouldn't simply return to normal . The mystery surrounding Father , and the heart frozen by betrayal - both needed time to unravel and thaw . The car slowly pulled away from the detention center . I watched the streetscape recede outside the window and whispered inwardly " Dad , wait for me . Whether your death was an accident or not , I'll find out . I'll give you the truth you deserve . "