"Isn't what I said in the interview enough?" Camilla's voice carried a sharp edge, tinged with frustration. "And if you've done your research, Commander, then you must know that the day I arrived here at the orphanage is the same day Cindy, my mother, returned from Paris. Since then, she's been one of the major donors of this home. What more truth do you need?"
Davin's expression remained calm, unreadable. "If what you say is true, I have no objection. But there is one thing I need to know." He carefully drew out a photograph and placed it in front of her—a picture of the necklace given to Cynthia by the king.
Camilla's eyes widened as they landed on the image. It was the first time she had seen the necklace. Her brows furrowed.
"What… is that?" she asked, a flicker of uncertainty in her voice.
"This is a position—the symbol—that belongs to Cindy's real daughter," Davin said, his tone firm. "And yet, you don't have it. You don't even recognize it."
"I already told you… my mother abandoned me. I have nothing—"
"I know," Davin interrupted, standing abruptly. "Because you are not her child." His eyes locked on hers, unwavering. "I don't know what your plan is, or why you're doing this, but let me tell you—stop it, before anyone gets hurt."
Camilla felt her chest tighten, realization dawning too late. The single photograph had unraveled all her schemes. She was silent as Davin gave a curt nod. "Thank you for speaking with me. I have to go." Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her frozen, stunned by the truth he had revealed.
Moments later, outside the orphanage, a sleek car pulled up. Inside were Paula and Eden, sent on Nancy's orders to speak with the young woman before an official statement and public conference could announce Cindy's true child. Even knowing the truth, they needed to confront her in person.
As the car stopped at the gate, Eden's eyes caught Davin's figure walking away. Something in her chest tightened. She couldn't forget the man who had helped her, whose presence had left an indelible mark.
"Wait!" she called, stepping out and hurrying after him.
Davin didn't seem to hear, striding forward with purpose. "Excuse me, Mister," Eden said again, quickening her pace. She reached him just as he was about to pass through the gate and instinctively placed a hand on his shoulder.
Reflexively, Davin grabbed her hand, turning her to steady her balance—but the movement was too fast. In the twist, she nearly fell, and her glasses slipped from her face, shattering on the ground. His hands immediately went to her waist to keep her from toppling over, and their eyes met in a moment of startled recognition.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stop. The stranger she had followed, the man she could never forget, now looked at her with sharp, questioning eyes. And she, vulnerable and exposed, realized just how dangerously close she had come to being unmasked in more ways than one.
"I'm sorry… are you okay?" Davin asked, his hands steadying her at the waist, his eyes studying her face with concern.
Eden froze for a moment, the warmth of his grip brushing against her. She felt exposed under his calm, scrutinizing gaze, but then his eyes fell on her necklace. The delicate piece shimmered in the light—the volcano with butterfly pendant crowned with a tiny tiara.
Davin's breath caught. He recognized it immediately—it was identical to the necklace shown in the photograph the princes had given him. Without thinking, he reached out and touched the pendant, almost unconsciously.
Eden's eyes widened. Instantly, she straightened, her hands rising to cover the necklace. She pushed his hand away, slipping the pendant back beneath her blouse with a hurried motion.
"I'm… sorry," Davin murmured, sensing the sudden tension. "I didn't mean any harm. I just—your necklace…"
"It was given to me by my mother," Eden said quickly, her tone sharp, defensive. Then, hesitating, she asked, "Do… don't you remember me?"
Davin frowned, confusion crossing his face. "I'm not sure… have we met before?"
Eden's heart sank. The words hit harder than she expected. He didn't remember her. Her cheeks burned crimson, and she instinctively looked down, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole. This was the first time she had approached a boy—no, a man—like this, and now she felt invisible.
"Eden!" Paula's voice called out suddenly, cutting through the silence.
Eden spun toward her godmother, relief flooding her at the familiar voice. She glanced back at Davin, then quickly said, "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else. Excuse me," before hurrying to Paula's side, her small hand clutching her godmother's arm as if it could shield her from embarrassment.
"Was that just a coincidence?" Davin muttered under his breath, watching her retreating figure with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. He held her gaze a moment longer, until she disappeared from sight.
Once inside the car, Eden stayed close to Paula, still fidgeting with the hem of her dress, while Davin's mind raced. He immediately called one of his contacts. He needed to know everything about the people surrounding Cindy—her colleagues, personal acquaintances, anyone who could be connected. The necklace had sparked a curiosity he could not ignore.
Meanwhile, at the orphanage, Camilla's eyes narrowed as she watched the newcomers approach. "Why are so many people coming here today?" she muttered. "First a Commander, now you two."
"Commander?" Eden asked, pausing as recognition flickered across her mind. She remembered the young man she had just passed—the camouflage pants, the dark jacket bearing the Navy logo. Her mouth went slightly dry. What was a Navy Commander doing here, and why was he talking to her?
"I'm Paula, and this is Eden, my assistant," Paula began firmly. "We're from Cindy's company. We're here to get to the truth about—"
"If you're here just to tell me I'm not Cindy's daughter, save your breath. You can leave," the girl snapped, cutting Paula off. Her eyes flashed with defiance. "I won't force you to believe me if you don't want to."
"It's not like that," Paula said, keeping her voice calm but firm. "Cindy is a public figure. Your interview has already affected her, her career. And now we know for certain—you are not her daughter."
The girl's jaw dropped. "I'm not—?"
"Exactly," Paula said, her tone unwavering. "I am Cindy's best friend. We've been together since high school. I know if she has a child or not. I don't know your motives, but whatever you're trying to do is pointless. If that reporter paid you to destroy her reputation, let me tell you—you won't succeed. And whatever promises he made you? Don't believe them. If Cindy had a child, I would know for sure."
The girl opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.
"Even best friends don't know everything," Camilla said suddenly, her voice calm but pointed. "Are you so sure you know everything about her? Her secrets?"
"And your point is?" Paula asked sharply, keeping her gaze fixed on the girl.
"I'm just saying… sometimes, even if we see someone every day, we don't really know them completely," Camilla replied, eyes meeting Eden's briefly before flicking back to the girl.
"Miss… we don't know your intentions, but please, stop this," Eden added, her voice steady despite the girl's glaring stare.
The girl's eyes narrowed. "Who are you? What business is it of yours? Don't tell me what to do just because you're an assistant." Eden's hands clenched tightly at her sides, anger simmering beneath her calm exterior.
"You don't have to speak that way," Paula said, stepping closer. "We came here to warn you. Lying won't get you anywhere, and it certainly won't help you."
"I'm not lying. If you can prove me wrong, fine," the girl shot back, her tone sharp. "Now, if you'll excuse me—" With that, she spun on her heel and hurried away.
"She's far too stubborn," Paula muttered, shaking her head.
"I just wanted to know what she's up to," Eden said quietly, her eyes following the retreating figure.
"I know whatever she's planning… it's nothing good," Paula said, her voice low and resolute.