Seraphina’s POVThe cheerful atmosphere in the office infected me, and at this moment, I wanted to share my happiness with someone. The first person that came to my mind was Everett.I picked up the phone and dialed Everett’s number.Everett answered after the first ring. "Sera?"A smile tugged at my lips."You remember that half-dead flower you gave me? It’s alive now."His voice on the other end of the line was filled with a cheerful laugh."This is all your doing. You brought it back to life."His words lifted my spirits, and I replied with a half-joking tone, "You're the only one who believes in me enough to leave such a precious plant in my care.""I trust your abilities." Everett's voice paused for a moment on the other end of the line before he spoke again with a smile in his tone. "Just like I trusted you back then, that you could lead CHIHIRO studio through this tough time.""And good news—I’ve signed cooperation with Vanya."My words made Everett fall silent for a moment, th
Dante’s POV:The murmur of voices at the LLC front desk caught my attention as I stepped out of my office.The receptionist, a bright-eyed woman with impeccably styled hair, held an elegantly wrapped package in her hands.Her nails tapped lightly against the pristine white box adorned with golden ribbons and a small, handwritten card affixed to the top.The scent of fresh paper and something vaguely floral hung in the air.Secretary York stood beside her, his crisp navy suit and ever-composed demeanor unwavering.The receptionist arched a brow and smirked.“Secretary York, is this an apology from your girlfriend?” she teased, tilting the package toward him playfully.York let out a short laugh, shaking his head.“I don’t have a girlfriend.”The receptionist looked at York in disbelief."Don't joke around. It clearly says your name on it. Isn't this a gift for you?""Oh? Let me take a look." Just as York was about to take the gift from the receptionist’s hands, I stepped forward and re
Seraphina’s POVThe exhibition hall hummed with a steady flow of voices, a murmur of excitement and anticipation under the bright, cascading lights.CHIHIRO Studio was preparing meticulously for the upcoming showcase.The exhibition in collaboration with Vanya Group will be held in a month. Such a large-scale partnership is not just an opportunity but also a bold and innovative attempt.It is also a crucial chance for CHIHIRO Studio to step onto a bigger stage.Months of planning, late-night revisions, and endless discussions were all for a better performance at this exhibition.As a result, a week before the exhibition began, I arrived at the venue to personally oversee every detail of the setup, striving for a perfect presentation.My heels clicked against the polished floor as I moved through the organized chaos, scanning the booths.Wooden crates were being unpacked, metal structures secured, and designers adjusted the lighting.The air carried the scent of fresh paint and crisp p
Seraphina’s POV"So you're here, Everett. I've been looking for you for a long time."Ms. Jian emerged from the booth, her elegant silk dress swaying slightly .Her dark almond eyes held a knowing glint as they settled on Everett, who stood beside me with an easy yet imposing presence.She extended her hand toward Everett with a smirk."I originally planned to finish the meeting and come here with you to take a look. But then I found you had already disappeared—now I finally know where you went."Everett’s lips curved into a warm, teasing smile."I heard your people roped Sylvaine in as a hard laborer. She hasn’t replied to my messages for a week, so I got a little worried and couldn’t wait to see her."Hearing his words, a hint of embarrassment appeared on my face.Clearly, it was Everett who told her he was busy this week.I turned my gaze toward him, but his expression remained as composed as ever—those piercing ocean blue eyes studying me with an unreadable depth.He continued, ti
Seraphina’s POV “What is this? Expired canned sardines?” Dante’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and accusing.My heart skipped a beat.“Calliope, you’ve been married to me for three years, and you still don’t know I’m allergic to nuts and seafood? Tell me what you are capable to do if you can not even be merely a housewife?”Dante, my husband, dressed in a tailored English suit, sat at the jasmine-covered dining table, looking as commanding as ever. He never allowed anyone to contradict him—not even me, his wife.I froze, my fingers gripping the edge of my apron as if it could shield me from the storm boiling in front of me.“Dante, it was just—a mistake. I'm sorry, I—” I started, my tone careful, almost pleading, but he cut me off before I could explain.“Just a mistake?” he sneered. “No, Calliope, it’s neglect. Carelessness. I come home after a long day, and this is what you serve me?”His voice carried the cold authority of a boss berating an incompetent employee.“It’s not j
Dante’s POVThe boardroom was quiet as we discussed the chairman’s succession of LLC Group. Then my phone chimed.It was an email from Calliope.She never emailed me. Ever.This could be urgent. Frowning, I tapped on it."I don’t even know why I’m doing this. Maybe because it’s the only way you’ll listen to me."I never thought it would be a video. She seemed to have just cried, with red eyes and a trembling voice filling the entire room, appearing very sad and helpless. She wiped her face, but the tears kept coming."You never behaved like my husband, Dante. You treated me like an employee—no, worse. With your employees, you're different—respectful, decent. But with me? I'm just a maid to you, someone who exists only to serve you.""I’ve always cleaned up your messes—your home, your life, your ego—while you barely even looked at me. And when you did? It was only to scold me, to remind me how I was never enough."She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head.For all these years, I ne
Seraphina’s POV I ended the last call with Dante and sat alone on a bench by the bustling street. Cars honked, engines rumbled, and the air carried the scent of roasted chestnuts and expensive perfume.I watched well-dressed people hurry past, immersed in their own conversations and laughter, while my reflection stared back at me from the shop window—disheveled brown hair clinging to my damp cheeks, blue eyes once full of life now rimmed with exhaustion, lips chapped from the wind.I looked as if life had been drained out of me.Flipping through my phone contacts, I suddenly realized that in Blancréaux, I didn’t know anyone except Dante.Finally, I came across Everett’s name.Everett had been my childhood best friend and schoolmate. We grew up together on the streets of Robin Town, Galvoire, before his family moved away. Later, we reunited at Hopkins Illyria University, and he went on to become a finance expert and a skilled stock trader.After some hesitation, I sent him a message—
Seraphina’s POV Rain slammed against the windows, a furious rhythm that echoed the pounding in my chest.I stood frozen in the entryway, fingers still curled around the doorknob, breath shallow.Calliope stood on the porch, her face ghostly pale against the storm, like a demon pulled straight from my nightmares.Then she moved.She reached out and pushed the door open.Her golden dress shimmered under each flash of white lightning, clinging to her figure like a second skin. The neckline plunged. The hem barely reached her thighs, a high slit revealing even more. Her cold blue eyes—empty, unblinking—locked onto mine, chilling me to the core. It was as if she were seeing right through me.I almost didn’t recognize her.Three years.Three years since Calliope disappeared.Three years ago, my sister abandoned us all and plunged our lives into chaos. And now, here she was, standing before me looking like a stranger.“Calliope, what are you—”I didn’t even get to finish. She barged in, sw
Seraphina’s POV"So you're here, Everett. I've been looking for you for a long time."Ms. Jian emerged from the booth, her elegant silk dress swaying slightly .Her dark almond eyes held a knowing glint as they settled on Everett, who stood beside me with an easy yet imposing presence.She extended her hand toward Everett with a smirk."I originally planned to finish the meeting and come here with you to take a look. But then I found you had already disappeared—now I finally know where you went."Everett’s lips curved into a warm, teasing smile."I heard your people roped Sylvaine in as a hard laborer. She hasn’t replied to my messages for a week, so I got a little worried and couldn’t wait to see her."Hearing his words, a hint of embarrassment appeared on my face.Clearly, it was Everett who told her he was busy this week.I turned my gaze toward him, but his expression remained as composed as ever—those piercing ocean blue eyes studying me with an unreadable depth.He continued, ti
Seraphina’s POVThe exhibition hall hummed with a steady flow of voices, a murmur of excitement and anticipation under the bright, cascading lights.CHIHIRO Studio was preparing meticulously for the upcoming showcase.The exhibition in collaboration with Vanya Group will be held in a month. Such a large-scale partnership is not just an opportunity but also a bold and innovative attempt.It is also a crucial chance for CHIHIRO Studio to step onto a bigger stage.Months of planning, late-night revisions, and endless discussions were all for a better performance at this exhibition.As a result, a week before the exhibition began, I arrived at the venue to personally oversee every detail of the setup, striving for a perfect presentation.My heels clicked against the polished floor as I moved through the organized chaos, scanning the booths.Wooden crates were being unpacked, metal structures secured, and designers adjusted the lighting.The air carried the scent of fresh paint and crisp p
Dante’s POV:The murmur of voices at the LLC front desk caught my attention as I stepped out of my office.The receptionist, a bright-eyed woman with impeccably styled hair, held an elegantly wrapped package in her hands.Her nails tapped lightly against the pristine white box adorned with golden ribbons and a small, handwritten card affixed to the top.The scent of fresh paper and something vaguely floral hung in the air.Secretary York stood beside her, his crisp navy suit and ever-composed demeanor unwavering.The receptionist arched a brow and smirked.“Secretary York, is this an apology from your girlfriend?” she teased, tilting the package toward him playfully.York let out a short laugh, shaking his head.“I don’t have a girlfriend.”The receptionist looked at York in disbelief."Don't joke around. It clearly says your name on it. Isn't this a gift for you?""Oh? Let me take a look." Just as York was about to take the gift from the receptionist’s hands, I stepped forward and re
Seraphina’s POVThe cheerful atmosphere in the office infected me, and at this moment, I wanted to share my happiness with someone. The first person that came to my mind was Everett.I picked up the phone and dialed Everett’s number.Everett answered after the first ring. "Sera?"A smile tugged at my lips."You remember that half-dead flower you gave me? It’s alive now."His voice on the other end of the line was filled with a cheerful laugh."This is all your doing. You brought it back to life."His words lifted my spirits, and I replied with a half-joking tone, "You're the only one who believes in me enough to leave such a precious plant in my care.""I trust your abilities." Everett's voice paused for a moment on the other end of the line before he spoke again with a smile in his tone. "Just like I trusted you back then, that you could lead CHIHIRO studio through this tough time.""And good news—I’ve signed cooperation with Vanya."My words made Everett fall silent for a moment, th
Seraphina’s POVThe rain hadn't stopped since dawn.Outside the studio windows, the sky hung heavy and grey, a thick curtain of clouds pressing against the glass like a suffocating shroud. Inside, the atmosphere was no better.CHIHIRO’s usually vibrant office felt muted, voices low, movements mechanical. It was as if the weight of indecision and expectation had drained the color from the walls, leaving only shades of tension.I sat at the head of the long, rectangular conference table, my arms folded over a thin folder, my fingers tapping restlessly against the cold wood."Do you have anything else to report?"My assistant, Lucy, her face composed yet strained, finally broke the dull rhythm."We still haven't heard back from the Vanya’s Group."Her face was pale as she announced the news, which was anything but pleasant.My heart sank along with it."Should we continue waiting, Sylvaine?"A murmur rippled across the room, uncertainty laced in every breath.I inhaled deeply, adjusting
Dante’s POV:The morning sunlight filters through the half-open blinds of my office, its warm rays cutting through the polished desk like sharp blades, leaving cold, hard lines in their wake.In the silent office, my fingers tap silently on the desk, much like Sylvaine's attitude toward me.Silent, indifferent.Mailbox empty.Again.I was rejected.I shifted my gaze to the adjacent screen — York’s account.Four new emails.All from the same person.Sylvaine.I opened the email and my eyes scanned her pleasant and professional response to my secretary.They were having a great conversation, but she had no idea that the person chatting with her through York's email from yesterday until now was me.My tongue pressed against the inside of my cheek, jaw tightening.I refreshed my own inbox one more time, like a fool clinging to the last shred of dignity.Still empty.This made me doubt for a moment whether I had really offended her.In a scene that I don't know about.I leaned back, my cha
Seraphina’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the blinds in thin golden stripes, casting harsh lines across my cluttered desk.I sat in a pale silk blouse and blue jeans, my messy bun barely holding itself together, a lone pen tucked inside it like a forgotten relic.I had just opened the latest production report when the door creaked.Mira, one of our senior finance officers, stepped inside, carrying a thick folder.Too thick.Her face was tight, her lips pressed into a line that spoke of bad news.“Mira?” I straightened.She hesitated at the doorway before closing it behind her.“Sylvaine, we need to talk. It’s about the damages… from the break-in.”She placed the folder on my desk with unsettling care.“The loss report is finalized. Inventory beyond recovery, equipment repairs, halted production timelines… The total loss is substantial—over 100 thousand.”“And the compensation?” I asked, already dreading the answer.She exhaled, almost apologetically.“The police advised us to f
Seraphina’s POVThe sun pierced through the thinning veil of clouds, casting a golden hue over the urban forest .I adjusted the straps on my backpack, feeling the weight of my equipment settle against my shoulders.The morning air was cool, laced with the scent of dew-kissed leaves and damp earth. This was a far cry from the sterile environment of my laboratory, yet something about the chaos of nature always stirred inspiration in me.Everett walked ahead, tall and broad-shouldered, his blonde hair tousled by the gentle wind.He glanced back at me, “Sera, I asked you to come out here to relax, not to bring half your lab with you,” He said, with a hint of helplessness mixed in his tone.He didn't call me Sylvaine like everyone else, but instead, called me Sera, just like before.I laughed, tightening my grip on the strap of my backpack.“Come on, Everett. Since I’m out here, I might as well make it worthwhile. My lab’s running low on raw materials, and who knows? Maybe the forest will
Seraphina’s POVWhen we finished treating the wound and walked out of the rest room, the silence in the office was more severe than any chaos we faced.The aftermath wasn’t just visible in the overturned chairs or shattered glass—it was written across every face, etched deep in the eyes of people who had poured their time, energy, and hearts into this place.I could feel it pressing down on all of us like a weight no one knew how to carry.No one said a word.Some stood frozen near their desks, others tried to straighten what was left of the mess, their movements mechanical—empty.Lucy stepped forward, her voice soft but steady, “Hey… we’re still standing. That counts for something, right?”Her smile was faint, but real.“It’s okay,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear.“After this incident, the studio needs to tidy up again. These days, everyone has been busy preparing for the release of new products for quite some time. I will give everyone three days off. Everyone go back and