Serafina managed to escape from her enraged father's presence. Still reeling from her injuries, she stumbled along, searching for a safe place.She eventually found a small apartment in a different part of the city, far from Lord Gideon's territory and the Fire Lion clan's influence. Using a fake identity, she began to disguise herself.Serafina cut her long hair, which had been her signature look, into a shoulder-length bob. Her usual all-black, striking outfits were replaced with a more casual, urban style. She worked hard to blend in with the crowd, so her father wouldn't recognize her.Every night, after applying the herbal remedies she'd concocted to speed up her recovery, Serafina would meditate. She pushed herself to regain her strength, restore her muscles, and heal the bruises on her body.Turns out, Serafina had also stolen and copied her father's sacred ancestral text of the Fire Lion clan. The book contained ancient fighting techniques and internal energy arts, traditional

Isabella was deep in her office on the Weber Group's executive floor, financial reports scattered across her sleek, modern glass desk.A soft ding from her doorbell broke Isabella's concentration. She looked up, a little startled.The clear glass door slid open, and there stood Nicholas in the doorway, holding a lunchbox adorned with a small ribbon. A faint smile played on his lips."Nicholas! Oh my gosh! What are you doing here?" She sprang up from her chair, feeling a little awkward. A few staff members outside seemed to be peeking in, curious. "You really didn't have to go through all this trouble, you know? Just to bring me lunch."Nicholas stepped inside, totally ignoring the stares from a couple of employees passing in the hallway. He carefully placed the lunchbox on Isabella's desk, right amidst the piles of reports. "Trouble? What trouble? Not at all," Nicholas waved his hand dismissively. "I love doing it, for my beautiful, hardworking wife like you."Nicholas gave her a wink

Elsa stormed out of the cafe, her face still red with anger and humiliation. Nicholas, who was yelling after her, was completely tuned out. She just wanted to get away from Nicholas and that embarrassing scene. Gasping for breath, she got into her car and drove straight home.Once she was home, Elsa immediately looked for her mom. She found Sonia sipping tea in the family room."Mom!" Elsa cried, her voice practically dripping with rage. "I can't take it anymore!"Sonia turned, her eyebrows raised at the sight of her disheveled daughter. "What's wrong? Why are you like this?"Elsa threw her purse onto the sofa. "Nicholas! He humiliated me in public! He was practically sobbing in the cafe, saying he had no money, begging me for cash in front of everyone!"Sonia frowned. "Crying? Nicholas? What are you talking about?""I asked him out for coffee, just like you suggested, to see how impressive he really was," Elsa explained, her voice fiery. "Then someone spilled coffee on his shirt. The

Simon stepped out of the Weber Group building, his mind buzzing with business matters. He had just closed his car door when a cold voice greeted him."Long time no see, Simon."Simon turned. Lord Gideon stood next to his car, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. Simon knew this wasn't a man to joke around with. Lord Gideon led one of the most feared assassin clans."Gideon," Simon greeted, trying to keep his cool. "What brings you here?"Lord Gideon gave a faint smile. "I think we need to talk. Coffee?""I don't have time."Lord Gideon looked Simon straight in the eye, then subtly shifted his stance, leaning a hand on Simon's car roof. That small gesture, somehow, made Simon feel the pressure. Lord Gideon then pulled out a pristine white handkerchief and wiped a tiny, barely visible speck from Simon's rearview mirror."Oh, really?" Lord Gideon said softly, without taking his eyes off the now-clean mirror. "I thought you'd have time for some important information about your assets. Including

"Not bad?!" Elsa shrieked, sharp with contempt. She dropped her fork with a loud clang on the plate, drawing everyone's attention at the table. "Good heavens, Nicholas! What were you expecting? Moss soup from the river? Or stale bread from a dumpster?"Isabella glared at Elsa. "Elsa!"Richard gave a cynical laugh, enjoying the spectacle. "Maybe he's just surprised, honey. Food of this caliber must be foreign to his palate.""Of course it's foreign!" Elsa continued, looking at Nicholas with disgust. "He has no taste, Richard! Just look at the way he ate earlier. Like someone who's just seen fancy food for the first time in his life. Fast and gluttonous, with no manners!"Nicholas just stared blankly at Elsa, his expression completely unchanged. This only fueled Elsa's anger further."You really are a true loser, Nicholas!" Elsa sneered, her voice rising an octave. "Isabella bought you expensive clothes, you're being taken to a fancy restaurant, and someone else is even paying! But you