A flash of realization cut through Reina's mind.
Her fingers tightened against the floor.
"…That night," she said slowly, her voice hoarse, "you were the one who tampered with my wine."
Liya didn't hesitate.
A smile spread across her face—pleased, almost indulgent.
"So you did figure it out." She tilted her head. "Yes. That was me."
"Liya, that's enough." Toshiba's voice was low.
Reina swayed as she forced herself upright, one hand braced against the ground.
For a brief moment, Toshiba's gaze flickered toward her—
—but he didn't move.
Liya noticed.
And smiled.
"Why stop me?" she said lightly. "There's nothing left to protect."
Her gaze drifted across the empty hall.
"The old lady is gone. The York family is finished." She looked back at Reina. "Who exactly are you waiting for?"
Reina said nothing.
Silence—heavy, unyielding.
Liya stepped closer, slipping her arm through Toshiba's with quiet familiarity.
"And besides…" she added softly, "he chose me a long time ago."
Toshiba didn't pull away.
Didn't correct her.
Didn't deny it.
Reina's gaze dropped—just for a moment—to their joined hands.
Something inside her stilled.
Completely.
"You were in the way," Liya continued. "So I removed you."
Her tone was calm.
Almost gentle.
Reina's lips parted slightly.
"…So it really was you."
She had known.
But knowing… and hearing it—
were not the same.
"If you weren't the York family's heiress," Liya went on, her voice cooling, "you wouldn't have even qualified to stand here."
A pause.
"Now you have nothing." A faint smile. "So why should anyone keep pretending?"
Reina closed her eyes briefly.
When she opened them again—
they were dry.
"For your sake," Liya added, almost kindly, "I'll tell you one more thing."
She leaned lightly against Toshiba.
"The drug in your wine…" she said, watching closely, "came from your stepfather."
Silence.
Not shock.
Not chaos.
Just… silence.
Everything aligned in Reina's mind with terrifying clarity.
This wasn't betrayal.
It was a transaction.
Liya gained Toshiba.
Her stepfather gained the York Group.
And she—
had been the cost.
Reina didn't look at Liya again.
Her gaze lifted slowly to Toshiba.
"…Is it true?"
Her voice was quiet.
But steady.
"Toshiba… answer me."
He met her eyes.
No hesitation.
No discomfort.
"Yes."
One word.
Clean.
Decisive.
Final.
Reina bit down on her lip.
The taste of blood spread slowly across her tongue.
Sharp.
Grounding.
Liya watched her, satisfaction flickering in her eyes.
She had waited years for this moment—
to see Reina fall.
And now—
she had.
"Toshiba," Liya said suddenly, her tone shifting as she noticed his movement.
He had taken out a cheque.
"One million," he said, holding it out.
Liya's expression tightened—just for a second.
"That's unnecessary," she said quickly, her smile returning a little too fast.
One million wasn't small.
Not even to her.
Reina let out a quiet laugh.
Soft.
Unsteady.
"…What is this?" she asked. "Compensation?"
"Yes."
No pause.
No hesitation.
Reina looked at him.
Really looked.
Then she laughed again—
this time sharper.
Colder.
"Grandfather… Grandmother…" she murmured. "So this was your choice."
Her eyes lifted.
Clear.
Unforgiving.
"He won't bring anyone happiness."
Her gaze locked onto Toshiba.
"Because he doesn't know what that means."
The cheque remained in his hand—
suspended between them.
Unaccepted.
Unwanted.
Meaningless.