Just as nned, a fire broke out in the mall, though it was contained to our immediate area. Helen put on my outer jacket, while I changed into a different colored outfit and ran in the opposite direction.


    As Helen dashed out first, our pursuers immediately went after her. After making sure the coast was clear, I quickly slipped out of the mall amid the chaos.


    I waited near the boat Helen had arranged until night fell. Just as I was about to board, someone grabbed me from behind out of nowhere and mped a chemical- soaked towel over my mouth. Takenpletely by surprise, I lost consciousness.


    When I woke up, I was already on an airne.


    Opening my eyes, I found a foreign-looking man I didn''t recognize sitting across from me.


    However, his facial features and sharp jawline closely resembled Max''s. Aside from his blue eyes and blond hair, he could have passed for Max''s twin.


    His tall, lean frame was impably dressed in a tailored suit. Just like Max, he had an eye for detail—the diamond cufflinks, thepel pin, the tie clip—every single element mirrored Max''s signature style.


    My immediate thought was, *Is he part of Max''s family?*


    "So, you''re Max''s greatest weakness?"


    He suddenly spoke. Even his voice sounded strikingly simr to Max''s.


    I stayed quiet, waiting to see what he wanted.


    He held a wine ss in one hand, watching the red liquid swirl against the crystal as


    if he were plotting to stir up a massive storm.


    The faint smirk on his lips made him look even more like Max.


    He seemed a bit older, though I didn''t dare guess their exact rtionship.


    He stood up, ced his ss on the table, and walked over to me. Pointing at the electronic ankle monitor mped to my leg, he asked, "Do you like my weing gift?"


    My hands, tied behind my back, instinctively clenched into fists. Thest time I wore one of those monitors was when ude forced it on me.


    "ire Floyd, isn''t it? You''ll have to bear with mypany for the next couple of days."


    I red at him without saying a word.


    He reached out and gently pinched my chin. "No wonder Max was so desperate to


    hide you. He kept you tucked away nicely. Your eyes are exactly like Lenore''s. Truly beautiful."


    Lenore?


    That was my mother''s name.


    And he just referred to her as an older sister.


    My mind was reeling in confusion.


    "My dear nephew refused to return to Serythia after leaving for Crestview Metropolis. I had to do some digging to find out he was staying away for the woman he loved I always thought he would


    V


    ick once he finished his revenge in Crestview Metropolis. I never imagined it was all for you."


    I pressed my lips together and stared at him. This man was dangerous.


    "I did a little more investigating and discovered you discovered you were Lenore''s child. Back then, Lenore insisted on


    marrying yton Floyd-no, waimet


    hack


    yton Williams. She left Serythia and moved to Braventand. She had no idea I was waiting in Serythia for her toe back to me. But she never did. She abandoned me."


    He sounded like a bitter loverining about my mother leaving him behind.


    "We were together since childhood.


    She was six years older than me and made me call her my sister. I called her that, but I swore to myself that she was the only woman I would ever marry. But she walked away without looking back, and then she was murdered. Do you know why Lily was able to kill Harriet so easily? Because Harriet''s mother killed your mother, so I helped Lily get her


    nd tenste


    revenge. Aren''t you thrilled?


    Shouldn''t you be thanking me for


    avenging your mother?"


    The wild excitement in his eyes made it clear he genuinely expected my gratitude.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    I couldn''t let my capture ruin Max''s ns, so my only option was to deny being ire Floyd.