At Hall Corporation, Jacob gripped a document tightly in his hand, his knuckles protruding with intensity. Veins pulsed visibly at his temple, and his breath came in sharp, angry gasps. His secretary, standing quietly nearby, had never seen the president so infuriated. She remained frozen, scarcely daring to breathe. After what felt like an eternity, Jacob released his hold on the paper. A cold smile curled at his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. His gaze, sharp and calculating, was tinged with menace. "Oberon, that old fox, really is something, isn't he?" A scornful thought crossed his mind. The man had always favored sons over daughters, but now, after all these years, he'd suddenly decided to shower affection on a daughter he had only recently acknowledged. Oberon had his reasons—most likely a deliberate effort to fracture their partnership. The profitable project they'd been working on—something that was bound to generate considerable revenue—was not something Oberon would simply abandon without cause. Jacob narrowed his eyes, tapping the pen against the file on his desk. His voice, sharp and precise, broke the silence as he looked up. "River, I need you to investigate what's going on with the land on the west side of town." "Yes, Mr. Hall," River replied, his voice steady. But just before he left, he hesitated, then cautiously asked, "How should we handle the situation with Whitewood Group?" "Delay them," Jacob instructed without missing a beat. "Give it a few days. I'll decide once we have all the facts." However, Oberon wasn't one to let Jacob's plans succeed without a challenge. That very day, he sent d*mning evidence of Hall Corporation's shady dealings—cutting corners on materials, demolishing occupied buildings unlawfully—straight to Jacob's inbox, accompanied by a firm ultimatum. Jacob, still awaiting River's investigation results, opened the email and, after a brief moment of stunned silence, burst into laughter. His anger, barely contained, shifted into something more calculated. Well, well, well... that crafty old man—he's even more ruthless than I thought. If Oberon wanted to sever ties, so be it. Jacob silently vowed to make him pay for this betrayal with interest. Without hesitation, he pressed the intercom and instructed both the legal and business departments to handle the termination of their contracts with Whitewood Group. In a matter of days, the once-solid relationship between the Hall and Whitewood families unraveled, the ties between them snapping with shocking speed. Both sides carefully crafted their narratives, making sure no suspicion arose about the problematic plot of land. Officially, the split was framed as a personal matter—nothing more than a family feud, a battle between fathers defending their children. In the upper echelons of Jacob's world, news of the Whitewood family's bold move caused a ripple of surprise. The wealthy elite were astounded by how Oberon had risked millions in potential losses, all to defend his newly recognized daughter. His actions spoke volumes, making it clear that Seraphina was no ordinary family member—she held far greater significance than anyone had anticipated. Almost overnight, the Whitewood family's social standing soared. One by one, parents instructed their children to cultivate ties with Seraphina—or, at the very least, to avoid crossing her path. Before long, the gossip found its way to the students of Bloomington School, where Seraphina became the latest sensation. Her popularity spread like wildfire, and soon, she was the focal point of nearly every conversation. Linara, once a figure of admiration, found herself fading into the background, her presence slipping into near obscurity. Amidst the whirlwind of attention, Oberon made an announcement: he would host an extravagant celebration for Seraphina's seventeenth birthday. The news only added fuel to the fire of her newfound prominence. "Seraphina, what do you like? I'll make sure to get you something special," a classmate asked eagerly after school, their voice brimming with excitement. "Do you like designer bags, Seraphina? Or perhaps jewelry?" another chimed in. "Seraphina, how are you so good at everything? It's truly amazing!" "You're a genius—college-level calculus, already? That's incredible!" From the doorway of Class Six, Linara and a few of her friends watched the scene unfold. Kelly's lip curled in disdain. "What a bunch of spineless sycophants," she muttered, barely containing her contempt. "Weren't they all following Linara around before?" Abigail added, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Now they're fawning all over her. It's pathetic." Despite their harsh words, the truth was that Kelly and her friends had also been subtly urged by their families to associate with Seraphina. But their pride wouldn't allow them to lower themselves to such a level. To them, it would be nothing short of humiliating.