Serena’s confidence swelled as Brandon’s silence seemed to confirm her story. Lowering her voice to sound gentle and considerate, she said, “It’s true that my sister acted inappropriately, but Brandon cares for me deeply, so her efforts were in vain. I was upset with her actions, but she’s still my sister. That’s why I’ve kept it quiet. Uncle Butler, please don’t tell anyone about this. If word spreads, it could make her life even more difficult.” The butler raised his eyebrows in feigned surprise. “So, it’s true? Liza tried to interfere in your relationship with Young Master Brandon? Well, well. People truly can be deceptive. I would never have guessed. I even saw Liza walking with Young Master Brandon once and assumed they were a couple. How shocking.” Feigning innocence, Serena tilted her head slightly and replied with a touch of grievance, “Sister often sought Brandon’s company when I wasn’t around, hoping to exploit the opportunity.” The butler nodded knowingly. “Ah, I see. She wanted to take him away from you.” Serena beamed internally at the butler’s reaction, though she maintained a delicate demeanor. “Exactly. My sister was the third party, but I’m the one Brandon is engaged to,” she said, her voice rising slightly, ensuring the nearby servants could hear every word. The butler, catching on, offered a polite smile. “Understood. It all makes sense now. Our young master has been curious to meet Brandon’s fiancée, which is why he extended today’s invitation. Please, come in. Young Master is expecting you.” Serena’s heart raced with a mixture of excitement and ambition. From the moment she entered this lavish villa, she had vowed to claim it as her own. Becoming the mistress of this house and securing her place in Gavin’s life was her ultimate goal. The butler was already under her sway; all that remained was winning over Gavin. Suppressing her eagerness, she adjusted her skirt and stepped gracefully into the main hall. However, her confidence faltered when she noticed a woman lounging on the sofa. The stranger wore oversized sunglasses that obscured most of her features, yet her striking beauty was unmistakable. Serena’s heart sank. Why was there another woman here? Wasn’t Gavin known for his aversion to women? What gave this woman the audacity to sit so casually in his home? Panic bubbled within her as her mind raced. This woman was no mere guest—she had to be a rival, and possibly a significant one. Brandon, too, was taken aback by the unexpected presence of a woman. Unlike Serena, however, his thoughts were more cautious than jealous. Anyone who could sit comfortably in Gavin’s villa had to be someone of great importance, someone who commanded respect and deference. Crossing her was not an option. Brandon was about to disregard the woman’s presence and focus on addressing Gavin when Serena suddenly spoke up, her tone laced with surprise. “Huh? Why is there someone else here? Didn’t Uncle Butler say the head of the family invited only us today?” Her words drew everyone’s attention, the room now heavy with an awkward silence. Oblivious to the tension she had caused, Serena continued with an almost innocent tone, “Miss, may I know who you are? Why are you here? If you weren’t invited, you should leave immediately. The owner of this villa doesn’t appreciate uninvited guests, especially women.” Though her words were framed as a polite reminder, her tone carried a possessive undertone, as if she already considered herself the mistress of the house. Liza, sitting unbothered on the sofa, smirked inwardly. Her half-sister’s arrogance and self-importance were as predictable as ever. Serena expected her pointed remarks to elicit a reaction from the mysterious woman. However, the woman remained seated, calm and composed, showing no intention of leaving. Her unshaken demeanor only fueled Serena’s insecurity, making her feel increasingly threatened. Her gaze narrowed, and malicious thoughts crept into her mind. This woman must be a shameless opportunist who barged in uninvited to throw herself at Gavin, she thought. Gavin despises women who act this way. If I help him get rid of her, he’ll surely appreciate me more.Feigning concern, Serena sighed dramatically and adopted a patronizing tone. “Miss, let me give you some advice for your own good. This is Longwan Residential—a place that demands decorum. The owner of this villa dislikes women who are too forward. Even if you’re desperate to gain his favor, you should know better than to show up uninvited.” Liza arched a brow slightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Her subtle, confident movements exuded an effortless allure that further fueled Serena’s envy. Internally seething, Serena clenched her fists to suppress her jealousy. The woman’s confident poise and sensual aura were infuriating to her. In Serena’s mind, this woman was nothing more than a seductress relying on her appearance to attract attention—a stark contrast to her own self-perceived elegance and sophistication. With renewed determination, Serena straightened her posture and addressed the woman more assertively. “Miss, I’m saying this for your benefit. Leave now, while the master of the house is away. I’ll even make sure the servants keep this incident to themselves. You wouldn’t want him to find out you were here, would you?” Liza’s amused expression deepened. It was almost laughable how Serena assumed she had the authority to dictate terms in Gavin’s home. The villa’s staff were highly trained professionals who took orders only from their master. Any attempts by Serena to command them were doomed to fail. Liza let the moment stretch, her silence speaking volumes, as if daring Serena to dig herself deeper into her delusions of control. The air was charged with tension, and it was clear that the balance of power in the room was about to shift.