?Chapter 261:


    Marissa nced at the figure concealed behind the pir but remainedposed. She turned to Daryl and Shaun with a smile, saying, “Uncle Daryl, Shaun, why don’t you head back first? There’s something I need to attend to.”


    Daryl’s concern was palpable. “Tiffany, we’ve just offended Remy. It’s not safe for you to be alone. You shoulde with us.”


    Shaun nodded in agreement. “Absolutely, Tiffany. We can’t risk anything happening to you.”


    Marissa reassured them with a smile. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be alright. I’ll join you at home soon.”


    Seeing that she was resolute in her decision, Daryl and Shaun reluctantly departed. Once they were gone, Marissa addressed the figure behind the pir. “You cane out now, Derek.”


    Don’t miss fresh updates at g?lnσν??ls?c?m


    Derek hesitated before emerging, his demeanor noticeably subduedpared to before. His expression held a hint of uncertainty as he met Marissa’s gaze


    Observing his change in demeanor, Marissa inquired, “Are you here to see me?”


    Derek nodded solemnly. “Yes.”


    Marissa’s brow furrowed. “If you wanted to see me, you should have approached openly. Why did you sneak around like a thief?”


    Derek remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Marissa


    “If you have something to say, say it quickly. Otherwise, I’m leaving,” Marissa dered, turning to leave


    “Wait!” Derek called out urgently. “I need to ask you something.”


    Marissa turned back, her patience waning. “Make it fast. I don’t have time to spare.”


    Derek tentatively opened his palm and asked, “Can you tell me where you got this?”


    Marissa’s eyes darted to Derek’s outstretched palm, where a small circr de, unmistakably belonging to the ck Snake, rested. She had strategically left the circr de at the engagement party to throw Aelfric off track. She knew his meticulous nature would lead him to discover it eventually


    Now that Derek possessed the de, it suggested that Neil had already discussed it with Aelfric. She could anticipate Derek’s thoughts. No wonder he appeared so wary around her now, treading carefully. Perhaps he suspected she was the ck Snake and felt scared!


    But revealing the truth to him held no appeal; he wasn’t deserving. With a yful nce, she remarked, “Oh, this thing? I just picked it up off the ground in the vi’s garden that day.”


    “Picked it up?” Derek’s eyes sparked with relief. “So, it’s not yours? You stumbled upon it?”


    “Yes,” Marissa affirmed with a hint of amusement


    Derek visibly rxed, his tense posture easing as his confidence returned. Since she wasn’t the ck Snake, he felt no need for caution


    Observing his demeanor shift, Marissa couldn’t help but find his reaction amusing. “Anything else?”


    Derek recalled Aelfric’s suspicion regarding Riss and posed a direct question. “Are you Riss?”


    Marissa took a moment to consider. Given Derek’s limited intellect, he likely couldn’t have deduced her identity as Riss. His direct question suggested Aelfric’s suspicions. She had anticipated that her public rescue of Trenton wouldplicate keeping her identity as Riss concealed, especially from someone as sharp as Aelfric. While having one of her identities found out was one thing, admitting it outright was another matter entirely. She had no intention of confessing anything to Derek. Instead, she was curious to see how long it would take his slow mind to connect the dots


    With a subtle smile, she responded, “Riss is someone I admire.”


    Derek appeared utterly perplexed, staring at her in bewilderment. After a prolonged silence, realization seemed to dawn on him. “So, you’re not Riss?”


    .


    .


    .