However, in the end, I didn't go through with it because I wanted to know what had really happened to Elyse in the Archer household.

The next morning, before dawn, a maid woke me up to get ready.

On the first day when a new bride entered the family, she was always expected to rise early to pay respects to the elders.

Draven kept rubbing his neck as he dressed, his brows furrowed from the moment he woke up.

"What's wrong, honey?"

I lowered my head as I fastened his jade pendant, feigning ignorance.

"I don't know what happened last night. I kept feeling like I couldn't breathe, as if someone was choking me."

My hands paused for a moment, and I looked up, offering him a faint smile.

"Honey, you must be joking. It's surely your old ailment acting up after the drinks last night. I'll get you a medicinal this afternoon."

"Thank you. Let's go."

After Draven finished speaking, he leaned on his cane and headed toward the main hall. The morning wind was chilly, and he coughed every few steps.

"My Quinton Quinton Archer is shrewd, so just show him proper respect. My second brother Carson Archer doesn't care about household matters. He seems aloof but is easy to get along with. As for my third brother Freddy Archer, he's used to spouting nonsense. Just ignore him."

I stopped in my tracks for a moment. Was Draven giving me advice on how to deal with the Archer family?

Would he be that considerate?

Then how could Elyse have drowned with her body covered in bruises?