As the bodyguards prepared to leave, the leader suddenly paused, his sharp gaze turning back to Serena. With a wry smirk, he said, “Miss Serena , I’d advise you to stop spreading tales about Mrs. Liza wanting to kill you. If you keep lying, one day, it might just turn into reality. And when that day comes, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” His words were laced with veiled menace, but they were also a stark reminder. He was aware that if Liza’s fiercely protective Brothers ever learned of Serena’s schemes against her, they wouldn’t hesitate to take matters into their own hands. The consequences for Serena would be far more severe than a mere warning. Once Liza disappeared from sight, Serena’s legs gave out beneath her, and she crumpled to the floor. Her face had drained of color, leaving her pale and visibly shaken. She muttered weakly, “Who were those men…? What has happened to Sister? How does she even know such dangerous people…” Brandon stood in stunned silence, his expression dark and contemplative. The leader of the bodyguards had addressed Liza as “Mrs. Stone” with a level of respect and familiarity that left him uneasy. How had Liza, someone he thought he understood completely, come to associate with men who carried such an air of authority—and firearms, no less? Lucy, still trembling, blurted out with venom, “Liza must have sold herself! How else could she have gained the favor of so many powerful men? She’s so shameless, it’s revolting! I feel sick just thinking about how many of them she’s probably slept with.” Though her words were crude and spiteful, Brandon did not contradict her. He frowned but remained silent, the seed of doubt planted. He couldn’t fathom how else Liza could command the loyalty of such intimidating men, let alone have them risk so much for her. Meanwhile, Liza had followed the leader of the bodyguards to the rooftop of the building. The crisp air swirled around them as she casually walked a circle around the man, studying him with curiosity. “Third Brother, what brought you here so early?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.The man chuckled, his demeanor warm yet teasing. “When did you figure out it was me?” Liza leaned against the railing, smirking. “You called me Miss Liza. Who else would be so bold? Now, spill it—why are you in Li City ahead of schedule? Even if it’s for me, there wasn’t any need to rush, was there?” His smile faded slightly as he explained, “I received news that the ‘big shot’ we’ve been hunting might have recently appeared in Li City. Since you needed my assistance as well, I decided to come early. But frustratingly enough, as soon as I arrived, I lost all traces of the target.” Liza didn’t respond immediately. She knew exactly who her Brother was talking about. That mysterious figure had been a topic of interest for her brothers for some time. They had been scouring every corner for leads, but nothing concrete had emerged. Even Liza, despite her prowess as a top-tier hacker known in certain circles as "Black Tide," had found no trace of this elusive person. She folded her arms, her expression thoughtful. Either this individual possesses unparalleled skill and power, or they’re a hacker just as formidable as I am, someone who knows how to stay hidden. Liza’s Brother shifted the conversation to a lighter topic, his expression softening. “Let’s not dwell on that for now. , I heard a rumor… Is it true you’re married?” Liza froze, her face betraying a flicker of unease. The topic of marriage wasn’t exactly one she could handle casually. Her thoughts wandered to an old agreement involving her master and an enigmatic figure—a verbal engagement that had always felt more like a distant myth than reality. Over the years, neither she nor the so-called "big shot" had taken it seriously. However, her master seemed to hold the promise close to heart, often mentioning that when the big shot returned, he intended to arrange their union. The thought was absurd. Marrying a complete stranger made even Gavin seem like the more sensible choice. At least she knew a great deal about Gavin, whereas this mystery man remained an enigma. All she knew was that he was an old friend of her master, which likely meant he was around her grandfather’s age. Her Third Brother chuckled, shaking his head as though reading her mind. “Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word about your marriage to Master. Honestly, in this day and age, arranged marriages feel so outdated. Sure, that big shot might be powerful, but he’s been vanishing into thin air for years. What if he turns out to be a wasteful playboy? What then?” He continued with a teasing tone, “Besides, if that man were serious about the engagement, he’d have come to find Master by now. Why would we be wasting time trying to track him down? Let’s face it—he’s clearly not interested in fulfilling any promises.” Liza eagerly nodded. “Exactly! That’s why this whole arranged marriage idea doesn’t hold water anymore.” Outside the room, Gavin leaned casually against the wall, listening in. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he heard their conversation. Not valid anymore? he thought with amusement. Let’s see how that works out.After their chat, her Brother reminded her he had business to attend to in Li City and prepared to leave. Liza, long accustomed to her seniors’ unpredictable comings and goings, didn’t linger either. Once he was gone, she brushed the dust off her pants and made her way back to class. The day passed uneventfully, and soon, classes were over. As Liza was preparing to head home, the sound of commotion outside Li City University caught her attention.