It wasn''t until L returned to Evergreen Heights—a familiar ce and stood in the garden that she felt alive again.


    "Kieran." She tugged at his sleeve. Her voice sounded hoarse, perhaps from the cold night or because she hadn''t spoken in a while.


    When Kieran looked at her, she added, "There might be more behind my parents'' death. I have been..."


    Her voice trailed off as she struggled to continue. Investigating the truth behind her parents'' death would certainly get the Morgans involved. What would she do if the Morgans were culpable?


    But the truth was more important than anything to L. If there was a culprit behind her parents'' death, she could not let them go scot-free.


    Kieran stared squarely at her with eyes that hinted that he knew everything. "I know you''ve been looking into the truth."


    L put on a shocked expression, but soon, she quietlyughed. Given how sharp he was, she wouldn''t be surprised that he knew.


    He held her fingers-slightly cold to the touch—and advised her, "Let''s talk inside. It''s freezing out here."


    L shook her head. She would struggle to get certain things off her chest in a warm and cozy environment.


    "L, I have been looking into the matter as well. You''ve seen the materials in my study, haven''t you?"


    She pursed her lips for a moment. Then, she admitted, "Yeah, but I didn''t do it on purpose."


    "I know."


    Silence filled the gap between them. All that was left were the sounds of branches squeaking in the winter breeze.


    "L, in the worst-case scenario..." Kieran began. "Will you give up on the Morgan family and me?"


    She clenched her fist for a while before replying, "I''m grateful to the Morgan family for raising me, and I know the bond between us is real."


    Shaking her head, a conflicted expression crossed her eyes. "I don''t know what I should do if I found out that some of the elders were responsible for my parents'' death. I really don''t."


    Her expression shifted again. "But Kieran, without me in your life, you could date the woman you love."


    Herst remark caused his t expression to turn into a frown. "The woman I love?"


    She nodded, sensing his gaze on her face. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she exined, "Everything remains a hypothesis for now. I''ve lived under the roof of the Morgan family for years, and I know very well the character of the people here, including Grandpa, Granéma, and Uncle Alfredo.


    "I am aware of the tight rtionship between Dad and Uncle Alfredo. And Uncle Alfredo is no traitor.


    "But Kieran, I need to know the truth."


    Her voice took on a chilling edge in the cold of the night. She looked determined and resolute.


    At the same time, she dared not look Kieran in the eye, but she sensed him caressing the top of her head.


    Looking up in disbelief, she found him staring at her with tenderness. He promised, "Of course. I''ll look into the matter for you."


    His deep, guttural voice was music to the ears, making her heart race.


    She looked away, grabbed his hand, and entered Evergreen Heights. "It''ste. Time to rest."


    It wasn''t until they stepped foot in the living room that she realized her action was rather suggestive. She frantically released his hand. Words stumbled out of her mouth. Il take a shower now. Good night.


    L enjoyed a deep sleep that night. as though making up for the sleep deprivation during the flight. Perhaps, the fact that sheid everything out made her rx and


    fall asleep peacefully.


    Many had taken leave from work over the Christmas holidays, but some of L''s acquaintances became busier around this time.


    After resting for a day, L made her way to the Morgan residence. She had wanted to ask Frances about the past, but she was caught off guard when she saw Ruby in the living room.