"If he wants to withdraw his investment, let him. But I highly doubt he's willing to pay the penalties," Oberon muttered, disbelief in his voice. He couldn't fathom the idea of losing billions just for a young girl. No one in their right mind would make such a reckless decision. However, dealing with the Hall family wasn't a simple matter. Oberon had come up against a brick wall in his attempts to pull his investment without facing consequences. They were far from the type to let things slide. What frustrated him most was the thought of parting with such a significant amount—he refused to pay a single cent. For the past two days, the mounting pressure had left Oberon agitated, his temper flaring more with each passing hour. There was a soft knock at the study door, followed by its gentle opening. Seraphina entered, carrying a delicate porcelain teapot, its fragrance of tea filling the air."Here, have some tea. It should help you cool down. Dad, are you troubled by the penalty?" she asked, her voice calm yet perceptive, her gaze steady. Her words struck a chord, and his irritation began to dissipate as he looked up. His eyes brightened, and he moved to sit across from her, eager to hear what she might say. "Do you have a solution, Seraphina?" he asked, his tone filled with a mix of curiosity and hope. Seraphina took her time, pouring him a cup of tea, her movements graceful and deliberate. After a moment of silence, she began to speak, her voice measured. "I heard an interesting story from Jason recently. It's a bit of a tale, but it's quite relevant. Here's how it goes: "Back in the last century, two companies joined forces to open a textile mill. At some point, one company realized that its partner was cutting corners, using substandard materials, and violating their original agreement. The company decided it had no choice but to dissolve the partnership. "The resistant partner fought against it, but the other had solid evidence and took the matter to court. Fearing the damage to its reputation and the scandal that would follow, the partner finally gave in—not only agreeing to dissolve the partnership but also paying a substantial sum in damages." The simplicity of the story belied its significance. Oberon chuckled, the tension in his brow easing away like mist. "Ha, that's a good one!" he laughed, the weight of his worries momentarily lifted. Seraphina rose gracefully from her seat, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Drink more tea to calm your temper. It's getting late, and I should head to bed," she said softly. "Yes, yes, go rest early," Oberon replied warmly, his gaze lingering on her with an unexpected tenderness. When the door to the study clicked softly behind her, Seraphina's smile deepened into something more unsettling. As she hummed a quiet tune, her footsteps light and unhurried, a sudden stillness settled over her. She paused and turned sharply. Her eyes locked onto a figure peeking from around the corner.Linara froze, her heart skipping a beat. She had barely processed the eerie smile that had just disappeared from Seraphina's lips when she felt the full weight of the dark, hellish gaze now directed at her. The malevolence in those eyes sent a violent shiver through her, her entire body trembling under its intense scrutiny. Seraphina tilted her head slightly, her smile returning—a cold, almost predatory grin that spoke of unspoken threats. She stared at Linara, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling finality, as though looking at someone already marked for death. Terror surged within Linara, gripping her heart like an icy fist. Her scalp prickled, her instincts screaming as she tried to turn and flee. "Aah!" she screamed, spinning on her heel and darting back to her room. She slammed the door shut behind her, but the rapid pounding of her heart echoed so loudly in her ears, that it drowned out everything else. Seraphina is a demon.Meanwhile, in the hallway, Seraphina lowered her gaze, her smile lingering for a moment longer. She continued her walk, her steps deliberate and unfazed. As she entered her room, she closed the door behind her with a quiet click. Walking toward her dresser, she pulled open the lowest drawer and revealed a hidden compartment. From within, she carefully retrieved a glass jar, its surface glistening faintly in the dim light. Inside the jar were thin, sinewy objects—animal tails, some withered and dry, others still sticky and half-preserved. She reached for a small box beside her and pulled out another tail, its blood still fresh, not yet fully dried. With careful hands, she added it to the jar, her gaze lingering on the growing collection inside. A serene, almost angelic smile spread across her face, its purity jarring against the macabre scene. Her eyes softened as she observed the jar now slightly heavier than before. It was almost time. Once the jar was full, the Hall family would understand. They would feel every ounce of the suffering she had endured. They would experience firsthand what it was like to have rats gnawing at their flesh. Now, what would the next game be? Ah, yes. Her birthday was fast approaching. In her past life, it had been a day marked by opulence—a grand celebration meant to cement her place among the high society of Whitewood. She remembered it vividly, particularly the humiliation Linara had orchestrated for her. On that day, she had been turned into nothing more than a laughingstock before the social elite. "A birthday, huh? I can hardly wait," Seraphina murmured, her voice low and chilling. It echoed faintly in the quiet room, lingering long after the words had left her lips.