"What plan?" Seraphina tilted her head, her calm and clear eyes resting on Yvonne with an air of indifference. Yvonne gritted her teeth and said, "The day at the school gate, you said it yourself—'When you have no way out, come find me.' Now I'm here, with nowhere else to turn. And why am I in this mess? You know better than anyone." Seraphina's lips curved faintly into a smile. "Naturally, I do." "So, you admit it! I don't know how I never realized before just how conniving you are," she snapped, glaring daggers at the woman seated before her. A soft chuckle escaped Seraphina. "I've spent ten years with your family. It's long enough to know exactly what kind of people you all are. Did you think I wouldn't predict where you'd end up?" "Don't you dare act like some innocent victim! When you approached us back then, it wasn't without ulterior motives. You know what you wanted from us!" Her words struck a nerve. Yes, there had been a purpose. In her previous life, both before and after reuniting with her biological family, everything had revolved around that singular goal. It was something she once yearned for desperately, a dream that had consumed her waking thoughts. To others, it might have seemed trivial and easily attainable, but for an orphan like her, it had been an unattainable luxury. To achieve it, she had made compromises. She had paid a heavy price. But this time, things were different. This life, she had sworn, would not be dictated by such futile desires. She refused to chase after what could never truly be hers. Seraphina said, "So, is this why you came to me today?" Yvonne stayed silent.Without another word, Seraphina stood and turned to leave. "Wait!" stopped mid-step, glancing over her shoulder. She remained silent, her gaze expectant yet unwavering. A battle raged within Yvonne, her pride warring against the crushing weight of her circumstances. Finally, she said, "You said you'd give me another chance. Did you mean it?" Seraphina said, "I did." "Then help me," Yvonne said firmly, her tone teetering on the edge of defiance. "Help the Lewis family." Her words carried a chill, more like a demand than a request. Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "Is this how you ask for help? Or are you commanding me?" "I..." Yvonne faltered, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. She had already swallowed her pride to come here. What more could she possibly give? Rage simmered beneath the surface, but she dared not let it show. Not now. Suppressing the humiliation and resentment swirling inside her, Yvonne softened her gaze, forcing tears to well up in her eyes. Her voice cracked with feigned emotion. "Seraphina, I was wrong. I was foolish back then and easily manipulated by others. That's why I made so many mistakes. Please, forgive me. For the sake of everything we once shared, help me just this once. I promise I'll remember this favor and repay you someday." The silence that followed was deafening. Yvonne's confusion grew as the moments passed. Was that not enough? Finally, Seraphina broke the silence, her voice as calm as ever. "Do you think what you just said sounded sincere?" Empty words wouldn't suffice. Did Yvonne think that Seraphina was still the old her, where she would help Yvonne out unreservedly just because she apologized?Yvonne met Seraphina's cold gaze. In a moment of resolve, she dropped to her knees with a loud thud. "I beg you," she said, her head bowed low, her voice trembling. "Give us another chance." Her face twisted in humiliation, tears streaming down her cheeks. Beneath her submissive facade, however, burned a searing hatred. You'd better wish I don't rise again, Seraphina. The day I have the power, I'll make you pay back every ounce of this humiliation a hundredfold, Yvonne thought. Seraphina took in every detail—Yvonne's trembling shoulders, her stiff, kneeling posture, the resentment hidden behind her tear-streaked face. And then, slowly, a playful smirk curled at the corners of Seraphina's lips. She could guess what Yvonne was thinking. But would she care? Not in the slightest.