Chapter 6

“The Viacera,” the audience mumbled as they retreated to make room for the Viacera Clan, who were clearly upset about the situation. I was relieved to see that my great-grandfather and grandfather weren’t here.

“Oh! Shianna? You’ve returned!” One of my cousins, Livi, waved at me. My aunts and uncles raised their eyebrows as she approached. Meanwhile, my cousins stood around casually, taking in their surroundings. The women were stiff and stolid, their arms folded, while the men stood emotionless, watching what was going on. Some plainly enjoyed the chaos they observed. They enjoyed the excitement, didn’t they?

“Oh?” Cassie approached us. She turned to face the enraged woman beside me. She narrowed her eyes and snapped her tongue.

“Wow. I’d leave Shianna if I were you because I don’t want to go directly to hell. Do you realize that being physically powerful is in our blood? We’d be martial arts masters if we weren’t so wealthy.” Cassie folded her arms and laughed gently. She then stared at the woman for a long time, and when she realized she wasn’t going to let go of me, her brows met.

“Cassandra!” When Aunt Midel noticed Cassie approaching the girl, she scolded her. Some of my relatives simply whistled.

“Hey.” Cassie abruptly pushed the girl away from me, causing her to freeze. When my cousin observed the woman trembling in terror, she immediately grinned. “I told you to let Shianna go. Only we… have the authority to keep her. You have no right since you lack authority.” Her grasp on the woman's wrist tightened as the latter cried out in terror. “Know what you’re up against, girl.”

“E-excuse me, let me go!” Cassie let go of the crying girl. My cousin turned to face me and the infant I was holding. I gave her the child as she stretched her arms. Cassie gently scooped up the child and gazed at her.

“What happened, Shianna?” Her brow furrowed. “Ah… Never mind.” She then turned away from me and returned to where my clan stood. I made the youngsters, including Ashy, follow them so they could join them in their departure. After the Viacera Clan vanished, Vincent arrived just in time, clearly amused by what was going on.

 Oh, another demon had arrived.

Cayer and Nash were following Vincent. I inhaled deeply and approached Vincent. I gripped his hand firmly and turned to face Cayer before pulling Vincent away.

“Come with me. But first, get Ashy.” I drew Vincent away from Cayer when he nodded. We entered an elevator, and when it closed, I roughly slammed him into the elevator’s wall.

“Tell me, Vincent.” With his steely eyes, he met my outraged stare. I almost froze as I noticed the rapid shift in his emotions.

“What happened after I fled? What exactly occurred to Ms. Ybanez? “Was she your former secretary?”

“She’s dead.” When Vincent seized both of my arms, I exclaimed. “She assisted you in escaping from me. Do you think I’ll just leave her alone?”

“Speak the truth to me! I’m sure she’s still alive!”

“If you still believe she’s alive, then the situation isn’t the same for me. Shianna, you know who I am.” I locked my gaze on his dark eyes. “I will not forgive a traitor.”

For a while, I remained mute and turned away. “You’re very cruel.”

“I am and always will be.” He drew in closer with a sinister smirk. When his soft lips touched my ear, I almost gasped. “And I’m ready to be more violent when it comes to you.”

A deafening quiet fell. Sweat beads began to form on my brow. My knees gradually became weaker as Vincent and I got closer. The elevator, thankfully, opened. Vincent came out immediately as I rested weakly against the lift’s wall. I was exhaling heavily when I exited the elevator. Cayer approached me, and Ashy was staring at me. Nash approached me and grabbed my dress.

“M… Mommy,” Ashy whispered gently as she tried to reach me. My eyes widened as I watched Cayer. I snatched Ashy away from him and carried my precious daughter. I took Nash’s small hand in mine, and we walked away together. I came to a halt and glared aggressively at Cayer. His expression was stiff, but I could see he was inwardly hating himself.

I locked my gaze on him. “We’ll talk after we get home.” I clenched my teeth and moved away from my children.

This night will live with me forever.