Chapter 023: A Dagger

"It's not a matter of liking or disliking; it’s simply that your behavior is baffling. Even though the Pierces are the top family in Sea City, we have always maintained a low profile. Uncle, you've been abroad for twelve years, yet the moment you return, you thrust the family into such a glaring spotlight. As a member of this family, I find that very distasteful."

Seraphina’s argument sounded perfectly logical, but Silas and Sylvia had an inexplicable feeling that her coldness toward them stemmed from something more than just that.

"As for guests showing up without notice, Leo and I did perhaps overreact a bit. Come to think of it, it’s not really a major issue; after all, we cannot hold others to our own standards."

The subtext was clear: the Fosters' lack of manners was a fact.

Such discourtesy was something the Pierces would never dream of, but they shouldn't be too harsh by expecting others to meet their level of refinement.

The words were cutting.

Having said her piece, Seraphina didn't care what expressions Silas and Sylvia wore. "If there’s nothing else, Leo and I are heading upstairs. He has homework to finish, and I need to practice the piano for a while."

Leo, who had just been "assigned" homework: "..."

Since when did he have homework to do?

However, Leo naturally wouldn't say a word at a time like this.

The two turned and went upstairs.

Quentin and Xenia exchanged a look before glancing at Silas and Sylvia.

Finally, Xenia gave a dry cough and said, "Sylvia, don't mind them. Sera and Leo have been spoiled by us; they just have these difficult temperaments."

Spoiled? Difficult temperaments?

Who didn't know that the eldest daughter and son of the Pierce family were the quintessential "perfect children" everyone else was compared to?

Sylvia felt that Xenia’s words, while seemingly scolding her children, were actually a display of triumphant vanity.

"Not at all, Sister-in-law. Why would I mind? Besides, what Sera and Leo said is true; they are just very direct."

"Being direct isn't necessarily a virtue in a family like ours. Ultimately, your elder brother and I have simply indulged them too much."

"Oh well, let's not talk about it. They’re grown now; if we wanted them to change, they wouldn't. Fortunately, the Pierce family has a solid foundation and the children have some wit about them, so they won't easily suffer losses in public. As their mother, I am content with that."

Xenia’s "exasperated" act made Sylvia want to scream.

The key was that while Xenia’s tone sounded resigned, her face bore a faint, proud smile.

Not just Sylvia—even Silas was starting to feel irritated by Xenia.

Xenia didn't care what they thought. She waved her hand dismissively. "You've been on a plane all day; you must be tired. Go and get some rest."

Once upstairs, Seraphina and Leo returned to their respective rooms.

Seraphina didn't wash up or rest immediately. Instead, she took her phone, opened the French doors, and stepped onto the balcony.

She leaned against the railing with her arms crossed, spinning her phone in her right palm while looking up at the pitch-black night sky.

It was truly dark—no moon, no stars.

The Pierce estate was vast and located in the suburbs, far from the bustling city lights. The glow from the skyscrapers couldn't reach the sky here.

Of course, only the sky was dark; the Pierce mansion itself was brightly lit.

She pulled back her gaze and looked down at the illuminated backyard.

The unidentifiable emotion lingering in her heart suddenly dissipated by half.

Ever since her rebirth, whenever she was alone, she found it easy to fall into these moods.

Loneliness, aimlessness, sorrow, hatred...

These weren't new emotions born of her rebirth, but ones she had carried through the twenty years she spent head of the Sterling family in her past life.

She quietly looked away, no longer staring at the dark sky or the bright backyard.

Her eyes fell on her phone.

The screen lit up, she unlocked it, and found her contacts.

She stared at a certain name for a long time. Her finger hovered over it several times to place a call, but each time she pulled back.

After an unknown amount of time, a low sigh escaped her lips on the night balcony.

There were still things she hadn't sorted out.

She believed she remembered everything she knew from her past life clearly. But when she thought about it deeply, she realized some things didn't add up.

For instance, why did Silas have so many girlfriends in her past life, and why did he seem to enjoy the cycle even after being repeatedly betrayed?

She was so familiar with him; she couldn't believe she truly didn't know the reason.

And yet, she didn't.

I'll wait and see,

she thought.

I'll wait until he returns to Sea City.

It seemed she really would have to go and see him.

Guessing at everything without taking action only made her thoughts more convoluted and her mood more complex; it wouldn't achieve much.

Perhaps those things she couldn't figure out would slowly become clear once she made contact with him.

Thinking of this, Seraphina turned to head back inside.

Just then, her phone vibrated.

A message had arrived.

[The item you wanted is finished. I've sent someone to deliver it; it should arrive tomorrow.]

Seraphina arched an eyebrow slightly.

That fast?

Her thoughts drifted back to the second day after her rebirth.

That day, after having breakfast, she saw the fruit and a paring knife on the coffee table. On a whim, she started peeling an apple but found the knife awkward to use.

This led her to think of a certain master craftsman she had known in her past life.

A dagger from that master was far more balanced and sharper than any kitchen knife.

In her previous life, her constant companion—the weapon she found most effective—had been crafted by this master.

She had acquired that dagger the year she and Silas went to the capital.

Silas had sought out the master to forge it for her.

She herself wouldn't have had the influence to persuade a master who had been retired for thirty years to craft a weapon for her.

The master's creations were not just lethal weapons, but incomparable works of art. It was said that a few years ago at an underground auction, one of his early works sold for over a hundred million.

To make a retired master work again required a specific price.

She had used information she stumbled upon in her past life—knowing exactly who had killed the master’s wife and providing the weaknesses of his enemies—to get him to agree.

She replied: [Understood. Thank you.]

[No need. This was a trade.]

Immediately after, another message came: [A dagger isn't worth the information you gave. I owe you a favor.]

Seraphina didn't mind either way.

She didn't reply again.

Putting her phone away, she went back into her room.

Early the next morning.

The moment Seraphina came downstairs, Auntie Du said, "Miss, you have a package. I thought you were in the practice room, so I didn't have it sent up. I left it in the living room."

Auntie Du wasn't assuming Seraphina was still sleeping because she knew her routine well.

Seraphina usually woke up between 6:00 and 6:30. Now it was almost 7:30; she certainly wouldn't still be in bed.

Looking over, Seraphina indeed saw a package on the coffee table.

"I see. Thank you, Auntie Du."

"Sis, did you buy something online?" Leo had just returned from a morning run and overheard the conversation.

It was Sunday, so Leo didn't have school.

He was genuinely curious.

Seraphina wasn't extravagant or decadent, but as the pampered daughter of the Pierce family, her lifestyle involved only the best. To outsiders, the idea of her buying something online was unheard of.

If she needed something and didn't go to the mall herself, she would simply call and have it delivered directly.

"A gift from a friend," Seraphina said calmly.

She walked to the table and opened the package in front of Leo.

She pulled the item out.

Leo leaned in, curious.

"A dagger? Sis, why would your friend send you a dagger for no reason?"

Seraphina gave a faint smile, her expression unblinking. "It's a collector's piece. For my collection."

Leo observed it. The dagger was about thirty centimeters long and looked extremely exquisite.

He couldn't tell what technique had been used for the carving, but the patterns were incredibly detailed, and the sheath was inlaid with several red diamonds.

Though small, his sharp eyes could tell they were real diamonds.

Seraphina unsheathed the blade.

The first thing Leo noticed was the equally intricate patterns on the blade itself.

He didn't know much about steel quality, but one look told him this wasn't made of ordinary iron.

Not to mention the delicate engravings.

It truly was a collector's item.

"Sis, where did your friend get such an exquisite piece?"

He reached out to touch the edge, but Seraphina quickly moved it away.

He looked at her, confused.

"It’s a work of art, but it’s been sharpened. Be careful not to hurt yourself."

Leo was a bit speechless. "Sis, I'm not a child. You think I can't control my strength well enough to touch a blade without cutting myself?"

"It’s rare to see you accept a gift so willingly. You must really like this dagger and don't want me touching it. Just say so, no need to worry about me getting hurt."

"I'm going up to shower. I'm covered in sweat, it's gross."

Seraphina didn't elaborate. As she watched Leo head upstairs, she looked down at an apple on the coffee table.

She lightly rested the blade on the apple. Without applying any pressure, the fruit instantly split in two.

Seraphina was satisfied.

She sheathed the blade and slipped it into her sleeve.

She was wearing a long-sleeved dress today.

Even though it was the latest fashion, it contained some of the classical elements she favored.

Seraphina stayed home all day.

She couldn't avoid seeing Silas and Sylvia, but the two seemed much more composed than the night before. Even Sylvia kept her emotions in check all day.

As long as they remained quiet, Seraphina didn't go looking for trouble.

She had more important things to do.

Dealing with Silas and Sylvia was a priority, but it had to be done right.

There were two reasons she hadn't acted yet.

First, she had only just finished investigating certain details today.

Second, she hadn't had a proper weapon before and wasn't confident in succeeding in one go.

Failure could mean losing her life; she couldn't afford to be reckless.

At dusk, Seraphina headed out.

She was still dressed in her long gown.

Naturally, the dagger was tucked into her sleeve.

Departing with her usual poised, ladylike demeanor, everyone assumed she was going out to meet friends. Even Leo thought so, let alone Silas and Sylvia.

No one suspected a thing.