Chapter 2

Mr. Davies handed me a tablet.

"Ms. Vance."

"Julian Blackwood is currently making public statements to completely sever all ties with Vance Industries."

"Not only that," he pointed to a news report on the tablet. "Julian Blackwood is preparing a press conference to expose the Vance family's deepest secrets."

My expression remained calm as I watched the screen. A man in a sharp suit gently held a woman's hand, facing the cameras.

"I'm sure you all understand that I have now completely cut myself off from the Vance family."

Julian lifted Seraphina's hand high.

"From this day forward, Ms. Seraphina Thorne will be the love of my life." Seraphina's missing ring finger was starkly visible, and she perfectly conveyed a fragile vulnerability. Julian continued, "Many of you have tried to dig into the Vance family's secrets, but you've always come up empty."

"Since Cassandra Vance is so bloodthirsty and cruel, I'll be the villain, the traitor, and expose the Vance family's secrets myself."

Mr. Davies' voice overlapped with Julian's.

They spoke at once.

"Ms. Vance, how dare he call you a monster!"

"Cassandra Vance is, in fact, a creature of darkness!"

I curved my lips into a smile, listening to Seraphina sob, "It's all because of Cassandra Vance! She personally chopped off my ring finger, out of sheer jealousy. How could I, a mere mortal, fight against a supernatural entity like the head of the Vance family?"

"Now, Julian and I are risking everything."

"We just hope you'll join us in bringing down the Vance family."

On screen.

Julian had someone bring out a vampire corpse, lying lifeless in a coffin, its eyes frozen open in silent accusation. He pointed at the petrified body. "This is Cassandra Vance's lifelong secret. She isn't human; she's a creature of darkness."

The news exploded.

I watched as my name trended, a storm of curses, fear, and conspiracy theories erupted, one after another. Some even vowed to summon elite monster hunters from a legendary order to ensure I had no resting place.

I simply watched the news, listening to Mr. Davies' indignant protests, then saw Seraphina send me a message from Julian's SnapChat.

【How's it feel, Cassandra Vance! Didn't I tell you? Julian, who slaughtered his own kind for me, can just as easily end your life!】

【This is just the appetizer.】

【There's more shocking stuff to come.】

【Just you wait.】

Seraphina sent a voice message. In it, she was whining playfully.

"Julian, when are you going to send that grand gift to make Cassandra Vance suffer?"

Julian's voice was hesitant; he said he was still waiting for the right moment.

But Seraphina wouldn't let it go.

"She chopped off my finger, she separated us for a century!"

"If you don't listen to me."

"I'll find a mortal to spend my life with, and you can search for me in your next life!"

There was a commotion on Seraphina's end. I heard Julian frantically call out to her, "Seraphina! Don't be dramatic!"

"You know how deeply I love you."

"It's just one grand gift. I'll give it!"

I knew I was caught in a storm.

A swirling vortex.

Yet, I remained still. Mr. Davies paced anxiously, asking, "Ms. Vance, are you just going to let them twist the truth like this?"

I looked at Seraphina's message. "The gift is already on its way."

"Ms. Vance, please accept it with a smile."

Then, a servant announced from the doorway, "Ms. Vance, something has arrived."

I had them bring it in. It was a small coffin. I rose from the sofa and walked over to it. The moment the servants pushed open the lid, Mr. Davies steadied me, and tears instantly streamed down my face.

Julian's call came through.