Derrick nodded slowly at Dora's words before slightly lifting his glass."I hope so," he murmured. The exhaustion beneath his voice remained obvious.The warm garden lights reflected softly against the crystal cup in his hand while conversations and laughter continued to drift across the garden in smooth waves. Somewhere farther across the garden, violin strings blended quite beautifully with low jazz, creating and atmosphere luxurious enough to make the entire evening feel almost unreal.Frederick leaned backward comfortably in his chair. "By the way," he said, glancing between Ivy and Derrick, "does anyone here actually know the woman Mr. Dominic Santiago was recently spotted with?"Ivy blinked."Wait," she said with genuine surprise. "Dominic has a girl?"She turned to Derrick but he looked away at once, reaching for his drink instead and pretending sudden interest in the people moving around the nearby fountain.Ivy narrowed her eyes suspiciously."Derrick?" she muttered. "Is the

Derrick almost gasped aloud.The moment he realized Pa Lorenzo staring directly toward the oak tree, instinct slammed through his body violently enough to almost freeze his heartbeat.He quickly pulled back behind the thick trunk, pressing himself harder against the rough bark while shutting his eyes tightly.For several seconds, he remained rigid.The distant music from the garden suddenly felt just too loud against the terrifying silence near the gates. Derrick focused entirely on the listening.The he heard slow footsteps coming closer. A fresh wave of panic surged through him instantly.If Pa Lorenzo found him here, everything would become all too complicated. Not just for him, but for Ivy too. The old man clearly wasn't as harmless as the Lorenzos believed. Derrick had just heard him discussing murder with frightening ease.And now he was right here hiding like some spy beneath a goddamn tree.His jaw tightened, and for one reckless second, he actually considered climbing the tre