CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 2: SEE YOU AT THE CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU AT 8 A.M. TOMORROW

Marry?!

Cough—

Seraphina almost choked on her own saliva.

She had thought Ethan Sterling would want to take revenge on her, to humiliate her.

Maybe even demand she become a lover, a companion in bed.

But she never expected that the condition Ethan proposed was marriage.

"But..."

"You’re unwilling?"

"No, it’s just... if you marry me, it’s a loss for you."

He’s none other than the renowned capital mogul LION on Vexler Street.

Not to mention the Sterling Family, his own assets are already considerable.

In wealthy and powerful families, marriage is always about benefits first.

Even at its peak, the Thorne Family was not on the same level as the Sterling Family.

Besides, she’s now penniless, burdened with debt.

Seraphina wasn’t delusional enough to think he’d marry her for her looks.

Moreover, even if it’s just about looks.

With Ethan Sterling’s looks, if he wanted to marry, the willing girls could line up all the way to the hotel door.

"Only by marrying you can we become a community of interests; only then can I trust it’s not a trap, and..."

Ethan Sterling lifted his right hand, brushing the lipstick off the corner of his lips with the pad of his thumb.

The corners of his lips curved slightly, smiling both roguishly and charmingly.

"I like your lipstick color!"

Seraphina’s heart raced fiercely.

How does this man seamlessly switch between rogue and gentleman?

Buzz—

The phone vibrated.

Seraphina snapped back to reality, picked up the handbag that had fallen to the ground, and grabbed her phone.

On the screen, it displayed a call from Uncle Alden, the driver.

"Miss, you need to come back quickly."

"What happened?"

"People from the bank are here, they’re going to seize the house."

"I’ll be right back."

Hanging up the call, Seraphina looked up meeting Ethan Sterling’s eyes.

"I need to think about it."

Ethan walked over, picked up her fallen coat from the ground, and draped it over her shoulders.

He helped her button up, covering the chest exposed after he had pulled her sweater loose.

With two fingers holding a business card, he slipped it into her coat pocket.

Ethan stepped back two paces, leaning lazily on the desk with long legs.

"I’ll give you twenty-four hours."

Seraphina turned and hurriedly walked out of the guest room door.

Upon returning to The Thorne Estate, Seraphina entered the living room and indeed saw several bank staff members.

The leader was someone she knew, Manager Morrison from the Bank of Varden.

Previously, he was a frequent guest at home, always bringing gifts during festivals.

In the past, he would always greet her with a smile.

Now he wore a stern face, with an air of superiority.

"Miss Thorne, we’re just doing official business."

"According to the court’s verdict, there are still three days left before the final repayment deadline. Even if you’re seizing the house, please come back in three days."

"Miss Thorne!" Manager Morrison sneered, "Even if I give you thirty more days, even if you sold yourself, it’s impossible to come up with the fifty million. Why bother?"

Smack—

Seraphina raised her hand and slapped his chubby face fiercely.

"Get out of my house!"

"You dare to hit me?"

Manager Morrison wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, ready to retaliate.

Driver Uncle Alden rushed over to protect Seraphina.

"Let’s see who dares to touch Miss!"

"Trying to start a fight?"

"Can’t even deal with you!"

...

Several bank staff formed a semi-circle around.

Seraphina grabbed Uncle Alden’s arm, trying to pull him behind her.

"Stop!"

A stern voice came from the door.

Hearing that familiar voice, Seraphina frowned with disgust.

There was no need to turn around; she already knew who it was.

A light gray suit, gold-rimmed glasses...

Adrian Chamberlain walked into the living room, maintaining his usual gentlemanly demeanor.

He strode over, his handsome face darkening slightly.

"Manager Morrison, aren’t you giving me any face?"

Seeing Adrian Chamberlain, Manager Morrison put away his arrogance and flashed a smile.

"Mr. Chamberlain, we’re just doing official business. Alright, we’ll extend it a few more days for your sake. In three days, if the money isn’t repaid, don’t blame me for turning hostile."

The group left, slamming the door behind them.

Adrian turned his face, reaching out to support Seraphina’s arm.

"Seraphina, are you alright?"

Seraphina stepped back, avoiding his hand.

"Get out!"

"Seraphina, I know you’re still mad at me, but I had no choice..."

No choice?

"Blaming all the faults on my brother, was that your ’no choice’?"

"Seraphina, these matters were indeed done by your brother. I couldn’t lie to the police, could I? Seraphina, I am serious about you. As long as you hand over the Zenith Shares, I can plead on your behalf to my parents and the board..."

Serious about her, yet causing her family to be ruined?

"Enough!" Seraphina interrupted coldly, "Adrian Chamberlain, even if I die, I won’t let Zenith Group fall into your hands."

"Seraphina..."

Seraphina grabbed an ashtray and hurled it over.

"Get out—"

Adrian stepped back, the ashtray grazing his forehead, crashing heavily to the floor.

"I know you’re angry now, and won’t listen to anything I say. Once you calm down, I’ll talk to you again." Adrian Chamberlain raised his hand to his grazed forehead and put the paper bag he was holding on the coffee table, "I brought you something to eat, have it while it’s hot."

He placed the paper bag on the coffee table and turned to leave.

Seraphina scoffed coldly, "Take your trash with you!"

Adrian glanced at her, frowning as he walked out the door.

"Miss, ignore those bastards, come... sit down first."

Driver Uncle Alden supported Seraphina’s arm, guiding her to sit on the sofa, his eyes full of pity.

In just a month, her chin had thinned noticeably.

She was already slender, now it seemed like a gust of wind could blow her over.

"You must be hungry, I’ll make you something to eat."

Seraphina shook her head, "No need, Uncle Alden."

Right now, she had no appetite for food.

"As long as there’s life, there’s hope," Uncle Alden softly comforted, "No matter what, you need to eat. At this time, you cannot collapse. I’ll warm you a glass of milk."

Sighing, Uncle Alden turned and went into the kitchen.

Standing up from the sofa, Seraphina went upstairs, took off her coat and walked into the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face.

The bank people wouldn’t come seize the house in the dead of night.

Coincidentally, Adrian Chamberlain appeared just then.

This coincidence was too obvious.

What Adrian Chamberlain wanted was nothing more than to force her to hand over the Zenith Group shares in her possession.

Pulling a towel, Seraphina forcefully wiped her face.

In the mirror, her face reflected with a swath of rose-colored kiss marks on her neck.

Remembering the ambiguous entanglement with Ethan Sterling in the guest room just now, Seraphina’s pale face involuntarily warmed up a bit.

In high school, all three were at Jadeston First High.

At that time, Seraphina was in the middle school section, and Ethan Sterling and Adrian Chamberlain were in high school.

Then, Ethan Sterling and Adrian Chamberlain were already archenemies.

Before the college entrance exams, the two had a fight on the playground.

Because of that fight, Adrian Chamberlain broke two ribs and was hospitalized for three months.

Ethan Sterling was expelled from school, missing the college entrance exams, and went abroad to study and develop.

Suffice it to say, he has plenty of reason to seek revenge on Adrian Chamberlain.

Though enemies may not be friends, they could at least become temporary allies.

The Thorne Family has fallen, and everyone sides with the Chamberlain Family.

With her strength alone, she can’t fight Adrian Chamberlain.

Right now, she needs an ally—

A powerful ally.

Determined, Seraphina walked out of the bathroom.

She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out Ethan Sterling’s business card.

Staring at the string of numbers for a moment, Seraphina took out her phone and dialed them one by one.

"I agree with you, but... the term is one year."

On the other end of the call, Ethan Sterling’s voice was calm, without a hint of emotion.

"See you at the Civil Affairs Bureau at eight tomorrow morning."