So, he had known everything all along.

Alaric let out a quiet sigh. “Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t kill you. If I had, you wouldn’t have been there to save Teacher Greene.” His gaze softened, though his voice remained firm. “Griffin, this whole game—I played it with you, brought you into the spotlight—not to destroy you, but to free you from the burden you’ve been carrying. Why do we have to keep fighting? In the end, we’re the same… two men who grew up without fathers.”

Griffin shoved his hand away, his expression hardened. “Alaric, don’t think for a second that I’ll just let this go. The only ending...