He presented a beautiful box, and the deep, fragrant aroma of fresh coffee drifted through the air.

Davin promptly stepped forward, accepted the gift from Charles, and set it gently on the desk in front of Elliana.

Davin handled the task so smoothly and naturally that it was clear he had settled perfectly into his new position as attendant to the family’s leader.

Cutler, knowing full well that Elliana now led the Griffiths family, hesitated for a moment. To address her formally would be to accept his lingering ties to the Griffiths family, a past he wished to leave behind.

Still, his respect for Elliana was immense, and he wanted to show her the respect she deserved. After all, she was not only the Henderson family’s benefactor but also his own. Without her help, he could only imagine the fate that awaited him within the Griffiths family, likely a tragic ending, never knowing his true roots. His gratitude to her was immeasurable.

Torn between old wounds and new loyalties, Cutler kept silent. Just like Katrina, he gave Elliana the most respectful bow of ancient tradition, a silent gesture reserved for utmost reverence in the Griffiths line.

Elliana instantly recognized the meaning and offered a gentle smile. “Cutler, you don’t have to stand on ceremony.” She lifted the lid of the box, examined the glossy beans inside, and turned to Charles. “These are lovely. Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

Seeing her delight, Charles felt genuinely pleased and smiled warmly in return.

At that moment, Katrina moved closer to Cutler, her head tilted as she studied him curiously.

Cutler knew well that Katrina’s mind was stuck in her childhood. Before, the two of them had been fierce rivals, always squabbling, sometimes even fighting outright. Now, though, he found her presence oddly comforting. With her memories stopping at age ten, this softer side of Katrina was something he didn’t mind at all.

Before Maxine had shaped Katrina into someone cold and proud, Katrina had once been gentle, a girl who spoke kindly and treated others well. In those days, she and Cutler had actually gotten along. Being close in age, they had even managed to build a genuine friendship before either of them turned ten.

?: ν?

Now, as Katrina studied Cutler, her eyes were bright and innocent, just like when they were kids.

Growing a bit uneasy under her steady gaze, Cutler asked, “What are you staring at?”

Gone was the sharpness that once colored his voice; his words carried the easy simplicity of youth.

With no hint of hostility, Katrina’s curiosity only grew. “What’s your name?”

“Cutler Henderson,” he answered.

Katrina’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “That’s odd. You look so much like my friend Jules, just older. Are you sure you don’t know him?”

Every part of Cutler rejected that name. The memories attached to Jules, those years under the Griffiths family roof, were ones he never wanted to revisit. So he shook his head. “No, I don’t know him.”

Katrina paused and then turned toward Elliana. “You mentioned I’d be seeing an old friend today. Who did you mean?”

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