Finn gazed at me and whispered, "Before Byron faced his execution, he left a message for Beatrice."

"A message... for Beatrice?" I was taken aback. "Just before the execution?"

Shocked, I turned to Finn, then involuntarily glanced toward the hall. An inexplicable chill creeped up my spine.

"Yes. Her assistant gave it to me, and it felt serious. I thought it would be best for you to have it," Finn said, extending the USB drive to me once more.

I hesitated as I accepted it. It was a plain black USB drive, but it burned in my hand.

It seemed Byron had been desperate to convey something to Beatrice, despite her rejection.

The law had its protocols, and they would have fulfilled his requests before execution. Whether that was a blessing or a curse, I couldn't say.

But as I met Finn's eyes, I murmured, "Who did he think he was to leave a message for Beatrice?”

Though I said it, I also understood the desperation of a dying man.

After all, he was her father.

But for Beatrice, it woul