Chapter 26: An Unlikely Alliance

Seraphina’s POV

I never imagined a single photograph could cause such a whirlwind of chaos. The image of Eric pinning me against the wall, taken in that moment of clumsiness and unintended intimacy, was now plastered across every media outlet. The headline read: "New 'Miss Vanderwood' Secret Boyfriend Scandal: Fiance of Alpha Austin's Daughter Involved."

As I scrolled through the articles on my phone, my heart sank further with each word. Alfred had tried to suppress the news, but it was too late. The story had spread like wildfire, and there was no stopping it.

That morning, sitting at the breakfast table, the air was thick with tension. I could barely touch my food, my stomach churning with guilt. Alfred was silent, his jaw clenched as he read the news. Garfield, however, seemed unperturbed, sipping his coffee and glancing at the headlines with mild interest as he hummed a delightful tune.

Breakfast at the Vanderwood mansion was a lavish affair. The long oak table was l