Seraphina returned home and methodically transferred the files from the USB drive to her computer, one by one. As the contents unfolded on the screen, her eyes widened in amazement. The drive contained internal documents from Spectral Media's executives, scandalous evidence of an affair involving a prominent entertainment star, and an unsettling array of explicit films. The collection was as varied as it was attention-grabbing. Toward the end of the files, she found what she had been seeking—the video from that day, intact and unedited. Its purpose became evident almost immediately: a carefully orchestrated attempt to manipulate the truth for publicity and financial gain. Seraphina reached for the surveillance footage Evelyn had discreetly burned onto a disk.Comparing the two, she scrutinized the angle from which Liam had filmed and quickly spotted him amidst the crowd. Zooming in, she confirmed that he had been recording continuously, right up until the crowd dispersed. Without hesitation, Seraphina saved both the surveillance footage and Liam's recording, encrypting them securely. The files now represented more than just evidence—they were a shield and a weapon. Later that evening, before turning in, she skimmed through the online chatter and the Lewis family's interview video. On the charity platform they had created, donations continued to pour in, the numbers climbing at an astonishing rate. A faint, cold smile curved her lips. Don't mess with me, and you won't suffer. At the hospital, the Lewis family was practically glued to the donation page, their excitement palpable as the total climbed higher and higher. "700,000 already, and it's only been one day?" Coline's voice rose in disbelief, her wide eyes betraying the greed that simmered beneath her shock. "It's still going up," Yvonne replied with a smile, her tone laced with satisfaction. Coline clasped her hands together, barely able to contain her delight. "Oh my! If I'd known it was this easy to make money, I wouldn't have bothered asking Seraphina for a measly 100,000." Landon, clearly unimpressed, rolled his eyes at his mother. "You think this just fell into our laps? If it hadn't gone viral, no one would've donated a dime. In the end, it's all thanks to Seraphina. The more people hate her, the more sympathy we get—and the more they'll donate." Coline's expression shifted, a hint of calculation creeping into her gaze. "Then, we should hand that recording over to the reporters." He shot his mother an exasperated look. "Mom, are you really that dumb? We still need to get money from them for that recording." She fell silent, chastened by her son's sharp words. Her indignation quickly gave way to a thoughtful pause, and the tension in the room hung heavy. Yvonne, who had been watching the exchange with barely concealed disdain, finally broke her silence. "How much do you think we should ask from them?" Her voice was crisp, her tone carrying an air of authority. Landon responded without missing a beat. "A million." Coline leaned forward, her voice soft but insistent. "Landon, don't you think a million is too little? We should demand at least another 200,000 on top of that." Yvonne shot them both a look of utter exasperation, shaking her head. "What are you even thinking? What can we do with just 1.2 million? That wouldn't even cover a decent house in Pyrin. They're clearly desperate, and this recording must mean something significant to the Whitewood family. It should be no less than five million." Her words landed like a thunderclap. Coline and Landon stared at her, their disbelief palpable."Five million?" Coline repeated, her voice tinged with awe. She had never imagined such an astronomical sum, let alone considered it within their reach. But as the reality sank in, she nodded slowly, her expression shifting into one of eager approval. "You're right. You always think ahead." The thought of five million was intoxicating. Coline's lips curled into a smile as she reflected on her earlier fury and the trouble she had stirred up. What had started as a fit of anger had now blossomed into the opportunity of a lifetime. Still lying in the hospital bed, James listened quietly to the conversation. Several times, he opened his mouth to speak, but each time, the staggering figure of five million silenced him before any words could escape. Coline's enthusiasm bubbled over as she turned to Landon. "You should talk to the Whitewood family tomorrow. Find out if they're still interested in the recording and the video. And remember," she added firmly, "five million is the absolute minimum. With that, we can buy you a house, Landon, and you won't have to worry about getting married in the future."