Seraphina arched a brow, her gaze wickedly sharp as she spoke. "What? Am I not allowed to come back?" The suddenness of her tone left Linara momentarily speechless. She fumbled for words, her expression shifting into one of anxious grievance as Jasmine stepped into the room. "Seraphina, please don't be angry. I didn't mean it," Linara said. The cold detachment in Seraphina's eyes could have frozen the sun. She stepped closer and leaned in ever so slightly. Her voice dropped to an icy monotone. "Take a sniff. Tell me—what do you smell on me?" Linara was startled. Anger bubbled beneath her surface, and she almost cursed. Seraphina was insane! Even without consciously trying, Linara's nose caught a faint but unmistakable metallic tang. It was blood. Seraphina saw Linara frown, and her lips curled into a ghost of a smile. Her tone was calm but dripping with menace. "What you're smelling is from that person." Linara's eyes widened in shock. That smell—it was blood. And if it belonged to Bryan, then... As comprehension dawned on Linara's face, Seraphina's quiet chuckle sliced through the silence. Swinging her small purse nonchalantly, she brushed past Linara with effortless grace, her figure exuding an aura of untouchable confidence. Linara trembled with fury, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She held herself back from lunging forward and wiping that smug smile off Seraphina's face. Seraphina, I swear, your downfall will come by my hand one day, she seethed internally. Her trembling did not go unnoticed. Nearby, a group of maids exchanged knowing glances, shaking their heads. The night grew still as a luxurious Rolls-Royce cruised down the driveway of Heartlake Island. The vehicle came to a smooth stop before a grand villa.Oliver stepped forward, opened the car door, and stood at attention as Jason emerged. Without pausing, Jason handed off the bag he carried. "Has Evelyn gone to bed yet?" "Miss Evelyn has not retired for the night," the butler replied. Jason nodded and went upstairs. Reaching a door, he knocked once. From within came a muffled voice. "Come in." The bedroom was spacious yet cozy, its centerpiece a round bed surrounded by an army of stuffed toys. On the bed sprawled a figure completely engrossed in an animated video game session, utterly unaware of the storm approaching. "Why aren't you attacking?!" she cried. "Oh, come on! You're so bad at this—ugh, I'm going to die! Healer, heal me already!" "Quick! Move, move, move!" But as her fervent shouting continued, an unfamiliar stillness entered the air. Slowly, she turned her head. When she saw who was behind her, she was so scared that the phone slipped from her hands and fell to the ground. "Uncle? You're back already?" she blurted out. Hastily, she tried to shove the phone under her blanket. How could this be happening? He wasn't supposed to be here. They'd agreed he'd stay in the apartment downtown tonight! This was an ambush. He was shameless! Jason's sharp gaze bore into her as he sank into a nearby couch, crossing one leg over the other. Evelyn shuffled over and stood before him, her head bowed like a repentant child. "Uncle, I'm sorry! I swear this won't happen again," she pleaded, her tone dripping with remorse. "This is the last time," Jason said. Her heart soared with relief. "Yes, yes, absolutely!" Jason's sudden leniency puzzled her. Could it be that he was in a particularly good mood? Had something fortunate happened to him today?Then, Jason asked casually, "What's the name of that classmate of yours? The one from last time?" Evelyn answered automatically. "Seraphina." The moment the name left her lips, she realized something was off. Narrowing her eyes, she scrutinized him with suspicion. "Uncle, what are you planning?" Jason leaned back, his command leaving no room for negotiation. "Bring her back tomorrow."