After Linara's return to the household, she underwent a noticeable transformation. She had become remarkably obedient, her actions laced with an almost desperate need to please Oberon and Chloe. Every gesture, every word seemed calculated to win their approval, as though she was determined to portray the perfect, caring older sister. To those observing from the outside, it appeared as though the bonds between them had grown deeper, their familial ties stronger than ever. One morning, Linara approached Seraphina with a neatly wrapped box in her hands. "Seraphina, I made these cookies last night," she said. Seraphina didn't reach out to take it. Instead, she merely fixed her gaze on Linara, her eyes glinting with a smile that didn't quite reach her lips. The silence that stretched between them spoke volumes, every unspoken word slicing through Linara's carefully constructed facade.An inexplicable wave of anger surged within Linara. The quiet scrutiny made her feel exposed, as if she were a mere performer in a play. Her discomfort was so intense, she briefly entertained the idea of clawing out Seraphina's eyes just to escape that gaze. "If you don't want them, just forget it," she snapped, her tone sharp as she pulled the box back toward herself. But before Linara could retreat fully, Seraphina reached out and plucked the box from her hands before walking away. As she watched Seraphina's retreating figure, Linara smirked. Not long after, Seraphina crossed paths with Dora, who was brimming with curiosity. "Seraphina, what delicious treat did you bring today?" she asked. Seraphina said, "It's not mine." The two continued walking, their conversation shifting to other topics until they passed the school's basketball court. Seraphina's attention, however, was drawn to the court itself. Her gaze settled on one of the players—a young man with striking features, his skin glistening with sweat as he played with unrestrained vigor. The boys on the court soon noticed her presence. One by one, their eyes flickered toward her. Among them, Zack nudged his friend Caleb, his voice low with amusement. "Hey, Caleb, look at that. Seraphina's got her eyes on Theron." Caleb followed Zack's line of sight until it landed squarely on Theron. "Seriously?" he muttered, raising an eyebrow. "What is it with girls and that guy? He's such a sissy." "Keep it down," Zack whispered urgently. "You don't want him to hear you, do you?" Caleb scoffed, shaking his head. "Like I care." "She's coming over here," Zack hissed. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Seraphina stepped onto the court. Dora frowned in confusion. "Seraphina," she called out hesitantly, "what are you doing?" Surely, Seraphina wasn't about to do what she thought she was. Without answering, Seraphina walked straight up to Theron. The court, once alive with movement and sound, fell eerily silent as she extended the box toward him. Theron froze. Around them, the crowd seemed to collectively hold its breath, their expressions a mix of shock and fascination. Theron wasn't a stranger to public gestures of affection. Over the years, countless girls had approached him with confessions or small gifts. He was used to it, even bored by it. But this was different. Standing before him was Seraphina, and her presence carried a weight unlike any he had felt before. He felt an undeniable surge of vanity under the envious stares of his peers. This was unlike anything he had experienced, even when the former school beauty had confessed to him. For the first time, he felt truly exalted. His family's long-standing desire for him to get closer to Seraphina suddenly didn't seem so burdensome. Perhaps it was worth reconsidering. The thought of having her by his side, her presence elevating his status, was appealing in ways he hadn't anticipated. As Theron hesitated, the commotion caught the attention of players on the adjacent basketball court. A ripple of murmurs swept through the onlookers as more heads turned. "Boss, look over there! That girl is giving something to Theron," one of the players exclaimed. Another player snorted. "You've got to be kidding. Miss Seraphina likes him? Our boss is way better looking than that scrawny kid. Are all the girls blind?" The remarks stirred a wave of animated discussion among the group. Meanwhile, Shane, standing at the edge of the court, cut through the chatter with a single glance. His sharp eyes locked onto Seraphina, narrowing slightly as he observed her actions.