A sleek black car idled quietly at the street corner. Inside, a couple sat in silence, their gazes fixed on the siblings who lingered outside the hotel. Chloe Kennedy's eyes brimmed with a motherly tenderness as she reached out, gently tugging on her husband's sleeve. Her voice, soft yet pleading, broke the stillness. "Honey, how can you stand by and watch them suffer like this? It's been nearly two weeks of lessons. Surely they've learned from their mistake by now." Oberon, seated beside her with his arms crossed, let out a sharp snort. "If they'd truly realized their wrongdoing," he countered, his tone clipped, "they would've called home by now." Chloe's voice grew gentler, laced with understanding. "You know how Aidan is. He's every bit as stubborn as you are. He won't admit fault so easily." Oberon's expression darkened further. "And you expect me, their father, to grovel to them instead?"Her gaze softened further, her heart clearly aching for her children. "I can't bear to see them like this. For over ten years, they've been the children we cherished. Seeing them reduced to such humiliation..." Her voice trailed off as the memory of the hotel staff escorting them out replayed in her mind. Her chest tightened with pain. Linara and Aidan, her precious children, had never endured such disgrace before. And she knew exactly who to blame. It was all because of Seraphina. That girl, always scheming behind the scenes, had surely incited Oberon's anger to such an extent that he took such drastic measures. But deep down, Chloe sensed that her husband's fury had cooled over the past few days. The storm of his temper had settled into a quiet, grudging regret, though his pride kept him from admitting it outright. This time, Chloe didn't wait for his approval. Without another word, she opened the car door and stepped out.Oberon opened his mouth as if to call her back, but no sound emerged. From the driver's seat, Jack, the family's longtime chauffeur, observed the scene unfold in the rearview mirror. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. So even the mighty Oberon couldn't bear to see his children suffer. It was just his pride holding him back, Jack thought to himself. Seraphina's carefully laid plans to teach the siblings a lesson might not succeed after all. Jack had served the Whitewood family for decades. He knew their strengths and weaknesses like the back of his hand. And in his opinion, Oberon's indulgence toward his eldest son had long been a double-edged sword. A few minutes later, Chloe returned, her hands gently resting on Linara and Aidan's shoulders as she ushered them toward the car. Back at the Whitewood Estate, Seraphina stepped out of the car. She watched it disappear from her gaze before turning around and entering the house.As soon as she stepped inside, the sound of laughter greeted her. "Miss Seraphina," a maid whispered, leaning in close. "Mr. and Mrs. Whitewood brought Mr. Aidan and Miss Linara home today." Seraphina's expression remained calm, betraying no hint of emotion. She quietly changed her shoes before heading toward the living room. There, she found the Whitewood family gathered, their faces alight with joy. Even Oberon, typically so reserved, wore a rare smile. The sight was warm and harmonious—a picture-perfect family moment. But to Seraphina, it was a scene she could never belong to. She stood in the doorway, watching the four of them from the shadows. The joy and laughter seemed to draw a line in the sand, separating her from them. She was an outsider. Once, in another life, the sight might have torn at her heart. She might have felt the sting of sadness or the sharp pang of jealousy. But now, those feelings had been burned away, leaving only cold hatred in their place. Go ahead, laugh while you can. Enjoy this warmth. Savor it. Because soon enough, it will all be gone, Seraphina thought. Linara's gaze shifted toward her, and she waved warmly. "Seraphina! You're back! I made some pastries earlier. Come have a taste!" During her time away, Linara had come to understand a harsh truth: without the title of "Miss Whitewood," she was nothing. And so, she resolved to hold onto that title, no matter what. Seraphina responded curtly, "There's no need." Clutching her purse, she ascended the stairs without another glance. Linara blinked, taken aback by the cold dismissal. Aidan leaned closer, his voice low and consoling. "Don't let her get to you. I'm starving. Let's eat."From the top of the stairs, Seraphina heard the chatter resume, the earlier joy and liveliness quickly filling the space once more. She paused briefly, a faint, icy smile tugging at her lips before she disappeared into the shadows.