Curtis narrowed his eyes."Father, I am a member of the Holly family. I want to be the most useful person to our family, you know that," Seraphine said, meeting Curtis' gaze.Curtis was well aware of her cunning nature. The most useful person to the Holly family? More like, she was worried about losing everything in Simeria."Lord Malcolm is my final gift to you. Like I said previously… from now on, it's up to you," Curtis stated plainly.In other words, he was rejecting her now.Seraphine hadn't expected Curtis' rejection to be so straightforward. Her already strained expression grew even stiffer."Father," she began."We don't need anyone useful in the Holly family right now," Curtis cut in.Unlike his ambitious wife, he didn't care about such things anymore. If he could have his daughter by his side, what did fame and fortune matter? Why chase after worldly desires?Seraphine fell silent. Curtis' words were embarrassing and uncomfortable for her to hear. But his attitude ma
Warmth enveloped Curtis' weathered eyes as his lips curled into a fond smile."Don't worry, everything's fine."Despite his assurance, emergencies leading to hospital visits didn't bode well for his health."You still need to watch your diet in the future," Bianca advised."Sure, I'll listen to you."Those words sounded odd to Bianca, but she didn't argue.The meal was consumed in silence, yet it carried a comforting atmosphere. The whole time they were eating, Curtis kept placing food on Bianca’s plate, offering her every dish until the end."I can't eat anymore," Bianca protested."You're too thin. Have some more soup," Curtis said with concern.He felt that Bianca hadn’t been eating well. If she ate better, she wouldn't be so thin, right?Bianca didn't have a big appetite, but she drank the soup Curtis served her anyway. When she was done, she glanced at her watch to check the time.Knowing she was busy, Curtis said, "I'll head back now."There were no more words, no mor
When faced with Natalie's icy smirk, Bianca couldn't help but feel a pang of unease."I know you hate him, but it would be best if he disappeared from Simeria altogether," said Bianca.In any case, Bianca wasn't keen on further entanglement. Just like with Malcolm. She had once harbored so much hatred and anger towards him. But ever since she left Simeria, all those thoughts ceased."Bia, don't you see? He's relentless," Natalie replied with a sigh.Bianca paused, considering.Relentless? Indeed!Reflecting on Cedric's relentless pursuit of Natalie in the past, Bianca recognized his unyielding nature.Despite Luna's return and the apparent conclusion of events, who knew what reasons Cedric might have to seek out Natalie again in the future? What if his next step at achieving vengeance was even worse than what he had done this time?"Since he's relentless, then..." Natalie trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished.Sensing the intensity in her friend's eyes, Bianca involuntar
When Natalie saw Kyle, she put forth an icy demeanor. Obviously, being one of Cedric's associates didn't earn him any favors from her."Madam, please stop," Kyle said, his tone tense.Despite his efforts, Cedric was unable to leave Simeria. This highlighted just how formidable Natalie's methods were.As Kyle urged her to stop, Natalie's lips curled into a smirk.She lifted the tea cup in front of her and took a sip, then said, "Kyle, I don't understand what kind of spell he’s cast on you. Even though you've witnessed all the evil deeds he's committed, you still stand by him. Do you pity him?"Indeed, those close to Cedric probably saw him as pitiful now. Once a king at the pinnacle, he was now trapped in Simeria like a cornered beast. But what had they felt when he was committing all those evil deeds? Had they thought their master was mighty?"What a loyal dog!" Natalie remarked when Kyle remained silent, setting down her tea cup.Kyle's face turned pale again.A dog? Such word
Bianca could tell that Malcolm was really stressed out about the situation with Seraphine.But no matter how hard he tried to contain it, the public opinion in Simeria was like a burst dam—impossible to hold back. After several attempts, it seemed like Malcolm was on the verge of losing his patience entirely."How do you feel about him, Bia? If this isn't the outcome you want, I'll help you change it," Curtis said, his tone filled with indulgence.Clearly, with Malcolm continuously visiting Bianca these past few days, Curtis was worried about his daughter's feelings towards that man. That’s why he had been trying to forcefully tie Malcolm and Seraphine together, but it wasn't going well.When Bianca heard Malcolm's name, she looked at Curtis and said, "Seraphine is the right person for him. I genuinely wish the best for them."There was no need for any more changes. Bianca was now hoping that man would just stay far away from her."You don't like him, Bia?" Curtis asked.Bianca
When Malcolm arrived, Bianca was still seated in the dining room. His face darkened at the sight of the extra tableware."Who's been here?" he demanded.He turned to the servants with a cold glare, as if he were the master of the house and everyone had to report to him.Matilda hesitated at Malcolm's question, instinctively glancing at Bianca."What, do I need to report to you about who comes to see me?" Bianca retorted, her temper already flaring.Seeing Malcolm only fueled her irritation further.Since Curtis left, her mind was filled with scenes from her time in Weiss Town, where she had desperately tried to help Nancy. Who would have thought that Nancy had also been manipulated?These damn people from the Entes family!Malcolm approached, pulling out a chair and sitting down. He glanced at the table filled with dishes Bianca liked."Was your father here?" he asked.Bianca fell silent, then suddenly fixed Malcolm with a fierce glare. There was a heavy resentment in her eye
Bianca rose directly and headed upstairs. Clearly, she had no intention of dealing with Malcolm any further.Seeing Bianca's attitude, Malcolm felt uneasy. He couldn't spare a moment to say anything to her and promptly left.-Back at the villa, Seraphine was preparing afternoon tea when she saw Malcolm return. She instinctively moved to greet him. However, the hostility in Malcolm's eyes stopped her in her tracks.Horatio followed closely behind him, and the two went to the study. Even after the footsteps upstairs ceased, Seraphine remained rooted to the spot, still in a daze.Noticing her distress, Crystal approached. "Miss.""He definitely went to see that woman again," Seraphine said, her emotions surging uncontrollably.During their time in Weiss Town, Seraphine had witnessed how Bianca drove Malcolm to madness time and time again. Was it only when facing her that his emotions spiraled out of control like this?With that thought, it felt as though someone had torn a gaping
In the Holly family's residence, Crystal had been waiting for a while. When she saw Carol, a flash of jealousy flickered in her eyes. But it quickly vanished, thanks to the many lessons she'd learned over the years. Despite being away for so long, Carol still looked vibrant, while Crystal felt like an aging granny."It's been many years, and you've changed a lot," Carol said, looking down on Crystal, who used to be her subordinate in the Holly family.Crystal always wanted to surpass Carol, but Curtis and Eleanor always trusted Carol. Plus, she was always by their adopted daughter's side. So, naturally, Crystal felt inferior in front of Carol, despite her efforts to elevate Seraphine's status in the family to gain more for herself. However, she never expected to be kicked out of the Holly family in the end."I can never compare to you!" Crystal couldn't hide her resentment as she looked at Carol.Carol didn't bother arguing with her and simply said, "Let's go. He wants to see you."
Bianca was still pondering how to reject Malcolm. Undoubtedly, even when she sought him out a week ago and proposed they get married, she hadn't truly wanted to marry him. As she contemplated things now, she even anticipated how crazed Malcolm might become when she presented her decision.Her phone buzzed with a call from Malcolm. In the past, Bianca would have ignored it outright, but now... she wasn't one to burn bridges."Hello?""I'll be there in ten minutes. Come down.""It's quite late."Just like before, whenever this man wanted to talk to her, especially about meeting up, she couldn't muster a pleasant expression.The man on the other end of the line simply stated, "I want to see you."Bianca’s heart clenched at those words. She was accustomed to Malcolm's cold, domineering demeanor. Even when he desired a woman, he maintained that haughty attitude. So, hearing such tender words from him was beyond her expectations."Hmph.""Come down, okay? I have a surprise for you."
As Zane reached halfway up the hill, he noticed a familiar car parked outside. Neil, the butler, was waiting outside, and upon seeing Zane return, he approached respectfully."Lord Zane.""Who's here?" Zane frowned, glancing at the brightly lit villa.What was going on? Usually, this place was dim in the evenings, but today, everything was unexpectedly bright."Ms. Stewart has returned," Neil replied.Zane's mind went blank for a moment. He stared stiffly at the butler, his pupils rapidly constricting."Ms. Stewart arrived this afternoon."Yvette!The familiar name flashed through Zane's mind like a gust of wind. How many times had he wanted to hold onto her? But in the end, for various reasons, he had to let her go bit by bit.And now, Yvette was back!Where had she been all this time?Since leaving Simeria, it was like she was a bird that had escaped its cage and soared into the sky, never to return. Zane had asked the Stewart family about her once, but even they didn't kn
"Maybe something happened," said Bianca.Natalie felt her eyelids twitch in response. What kind of terrifying situation was this?"When I say 'something happened,' I don't mean anything bad, but..."But what?In that moment, Bianca's gaze toward Natalie deepened, and she understood what her friend meant."You mean...?" asked Natalie.Bianca nodded silently.Natalie fell quiet as she pondered the situation.What if that was really the case?Natalie couldn't help but admit that if it truly was, it would naturally be a favorable outcome for her."Don't forget, if he can come, he can also leave. He can't change anything here, so it's better for him to return to the world he belongs to," Bianca explained.During this time, Natalie had transformed Simeria into a fortress. But even in such circumstances, Cedric had mysteriously vanished. Up until now, there hadn't been any clues. Even Kyle had been through so much, yet hadn't uttered any useful information.So, it had to be said t
Bianca’s calmness and composure, despite her young age, spoke volumes about how her experiences and wisdom had shaped her thoughts.Curtis, initially worried about her, felt somewhat relieved seeing the tranquility and maturity in his daughter’s eyes.He nodded slowly. "Hmm."In the end, he agreed.After all, she was his daughter. Despite not being raised by him since childhood, Curtis could see it clearly. Like her mother, Bianca would stick to her decisions, impervious to outside interference.Seeing Curtis finally eating, Bianca felt a sense of relief. After lunch, she considerately accompanied her father for a stroll before allowing him to rest.When Carol emerged from Curtis' room, she saw Bianca waiting nearby and hurried over respectfully."Miss.""How is he?" Bianca inquired."Sir is still worried about you, miss," Carol replied sincerely.Having been by Curtis' side for many years, Carol naturally understood Bianca's significance in his heart.Bianca sighed. "It wil
As she spoke, Seraphine felt the already dangerous aura around the man grow even darker, sending her heart racing. She tried to speak, but found herself speechless."Hmph, you useless thing!" Zane cursed menacingly.Cold sweat soaked Seraphine's back completely."There must be a way," she choked out, her tone tense.At that moment, Seraphine recalled what Zane had said to her before she came back to Simeria.He had told her that he never kept useless individuals around him. To gain his protection, one had to be useful. And now, Seraphine's only use—her engagement to Malcolm—had been effortlessly annulled."Heh," Zane sneered disdainfully.For Seraphine, this disdain was not only humiliating, but also starkly different from her experiences with Eleanor. In Eleanor's presence, she had never faced such disrespect. But now, it seemed like anyone could trample on her.In the past, even members of the Entes family wouldn't openly show contempt towards her, but now… Those past comfort
Seraphine had always harbored resentment towards Bianca. But Bianca had always been a rather composed individual, rarely resorting to such actions.So, what was she doing now?"You..." Seraphine's initial fury had been turned to speechlessness by Bianca's aggression.When Seraphine glanced at Bianca, she caught a glimpse of malice in the other woman's eyes.Before Seraphine could utter a word, Bianca bluntly asked, "You know, don't you?"Seraphine stayed silent.Know what?"You knew that Lord Malcolm and Lord Zane are half brothers You also knew why Lord Zane sought you out and took your side, right?" Bianca continued.Seraphine's face drained of color in an instant. And every subtle change in her expression was noticed by Bianca, whose eyes were filled with icy mockery.Stepping forward, Bianca gripped Seraphine's delicate chin. Seraphine instinctively tried to evade, but Bianca's hold was firm."You still dare claim this is your home?" Bianca scoffed."This has always been
When would the cycle of revenge end?While Bianca hadn't decided what to do about Eleanor's actions, Zane had already shown his claws.When would it end?If someone kept chasing after a person, what could they do?"Bia…"Curtis wanted to say something to his daughter, but was met with her unwavering gaze. Clearly, she wouldn't back down this time, just like her mother never did when faced with such situations. Both women faced things head-on, without flinching."Don't worry, okay?" Bianca reassured Curtis.There was another reason she was insisting on staying in Simeria—Bianca knew Curtis wouldn't leave with her. So, she wouldn't leave either.-Bianca and Curtis talked for a long time.Curtis still wanted to send her abroad, but her resolute attitude left him powerless. Moreover, from various pieces of information gathered earlier, it was clear that Bianca was a strong-willed child.No matter what problems she faced, she had her own opinions. So, asking her to leave was s
When Bianca returned to the Holly family’s residence, she found Curtis staring gravely at some documents. When he started coughing violently, his face turning as pale as a sheet, Carol hurried over to check on him."Sir, let Ms. Bianca handle these documents. Please don't strain yourself," Carol said, her tone full of concern."I see now," Curtis muttered heavily, as if he had just realized something crucial.Not understanding what he meant, Carol simply urged, "Your health can't handle this strain. Don't tire yourself out. You must trust Ms. Bianca."Curtis fell silent.Trust?He had always trusted Bianca, but now he regretted bringing her back. If he had never found her, would things be different now?"Where did she go?" Curtis asked."Ms. Bianca went out, but she'll be back soon," Carol reassured him, gently taking the documents from his hands.Ever since Bianca told the older woman about Curtis' health problems, Carol had been extra vigilant, making sure he avoided anythin
Bianca stared at the dangerous man, memories of their harmonious past flashing through her mind. Those moments had once seemed so genuine, yet now felt laughably absurd."Haha, how ridiculous!" Bianca scoffed, her laughter bitter."Bianca!" Zane's voice was sharp, cutting through her mirth."Zane, what if I reveal your true intentions to everyone? What will they think then?""Who would believe you?" Zane interrupted coldly, not letting her finish.Bianca's smile froze on her lips. He was right.Who would believe her? Curtis might, and so would Natalie. But was their trust enough?Clearly, it wasn't.But did it matter?"It's not your concern who believes me. I have never needed anyone's belief to stand strong," said Bianca.Many had doubted her before, but none had ever managed to break her spirit. The dangers she faced now might be greater, but for Bianca, they were just another set of challenges.She had overcome every hardship she encountered. This time would be no differe