Chapter 025: Preliminary Plans

"Mommy."

Stepping into the courtyard, they saw a little boy of about five walking out from the living room. Under the glow of the indoor lights, his pale complexion was clearly visible.

It was a sickly pallor, and the boy was very thin. His steps were somewhat unsteady as he walked, likely due to his poor health.

Fawn's heart lurched when she saw the child running toward them. she hurried forward to catch him, casting a wary glance at Seraphina. She was worried both that the boy might trip and that Seraphina might harm him.

This was a natural reaction. She had personally witnessed Seraphina’s combat skills, and to her, Seraphina was a total stranger. In their line of work, dealing with strangers was a taboo, for one never knew when a stranger might turn out to be an assassin.

Seeing Seraphina glance indifferently at the child before continuing her leisurely pace into the house, seemingly uninterested in the boy, Fawn finally breathed a sigh of relief. She followed, carrying the child.

Eagle invited Seraphina to sit on the sofa in the living room. Fawn didn't join them immediately. Seeing the boy staring at Seraphina with a curious but fearless gaze, she rubbed his head and said softly, "Daddy and Mommy have things to discuss with our guest. Why don't you go play in your room for a bit, okay?"

She set the boy down. He gave Seraphina one last curious look, then nodded and stumbled back to his room, closing the door behind him.

He was remarkably well-behaved. Children this obedient at such an age were rare.

Seraphina noted this and remarked, "He's a very well-behaved child."

Her casual observation sent a jolt of anxiety through the couple. They feared her intentions were sinister and that she might target the child. However, both were seasoned professionals; though their hearts raced, their faces remained impassive.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Fawn poured a glass of water. "Please, have some water." She sat down on the sofa.

Looking closer, she noticed the girl’s posture was impeccable, her form graceful. Even sitting in this modest living room, she exuded an air of innate elegance. This noble aura, radiating from the very bone, was not something that just any family could cultivate.

Eagle clearly shared Fawn’s thoughts—this girl was certainly not from an ordinary background. However, he didn't linger on that thought and went straight to the point.

"May I ask how to address you, Miss? And what is your purpose in coming here?"

Before Seraphina could answer, he added, "Since you were able to identify us accurately and find this place, I assume you’ve thoroughly investigated our backgrounds."

"I have indeed. There’s no need to be tense. The only reason I found you is that I happened to obtain some information; others won't be able to find this place for the time being."

"Of course, I said

for the time being

."

Their hearts tightened again. They knew she was telling the truth. It was only a matter of time before the Organization tracked them down. They were used to changing residences periodically, but the worry remained. They weren't alone anymore; they had a child. As people who lived by the sword, they had long stopped caring about their own survival, but they couldn't let their son die with them. He was only five, and so sensible.

Seraphina looked at them and said with a faint smile, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Seraphina Pierce. I believe you should be familiar with that name."

It wasn't that her fame was universal, but because of their special status, these two would research the local power distribution wherever they went. Since they had been in Sea City for a while, it was impossible for them not to have heard of the eldest daughter of the Pierce family—the city's premier household.

The two were startled and spoke in unison: "The eldest daughter of the Sea City Pierces?!"

Looking at her now—her temperament, her looks, and her attire—she indeed matched the descriptions of the Pierce heiress perfectly.

So, she was truly Seraphina Pierce? The nationally renowned Konghou performer who had found fame at a young age? The paragon of socialite elegance?

They knew she was talented, but everything they had heard described her as a typical refined young lady. And what was a refined young lady? Gentle, virtuous, peerless in grace, and physically fragile...

But what had they just witnessed? Her skills were something even they—professionals who had taken many lives—dreaded! They had never heard that the Pierce heiress possessed such prowess.

How could they not be shocked?

Suppressing his shock, Eagle asked, "Then, why is the eldest Miss Pierce looking for us?"

Knowing her identity actually put them somewhat at ease. they had no grudge against the Pierce family, let alone Seraphina herself. It was impossible for her to have taken a contract to cause them trouble; she didn't need that kind of blood money. She had no killing intent and sat there calmly identifying herself; she didn't seem to be looking for trouble.

"As I said, I’ve come to discuss a business deal."

"Since you found us, you must be clear about our family’s situation. We can barely protect ourselves; we truly don't know what kind of business we could possibly conduct with you," Fawn said bluntly.

"I can help you break out of your current predicament."

The two snapped their heads up to look at her.

Seraphina continued, "The biggest problems you face right now are your son's medical care and his education. If not for the child, with your abilities, those people would never be able to touch you. In fact, even tracking you down would be difficult for them."

Counting the pregnancy, these two had been in hiding for five or six years, yet they had managed to remain undetected until now. This proved their capabilities were significant. If it weren't for the need to stay in one place long enough for the child’s medical treatment, they would likely be untraceable.

"I’m no doctor, but I can see your son’s condition cannot wait any longer. I can provide him with the best medical facilities and educational environment, and I can guarantee that your enemies won't find him. I can also arrange new identities for you so that you can't be found—at least, not for a while."

"Furthermore, even if you are found, with me backing you, they won't dare cause you trouble easily."

The two fell silent, looking at each other. Even though they knew nothing about her, they inexplicably felt she wasn't boasting. Perhaps it was the arrogance and confidence radiating from her, or the commanding aura of one used to being in power, that made them instinctively believe her.

After a long silence, Eagle asked, "What do you need us to do, Miss Pierce?"

Unquestionably, this was a massive temptation for them. Their son desperately needed better medical care and schooling. Constantly on the run, their son didn't even have a formal identity; they didn't dare seek out famous doctors and couldn't stay with even ordinary ones for long for fear of exposure. Medical care was a problem, let alone finding a good kindergarten. At five years old, their son hadn't spent a single day in school. They felt immense guilt toward him.

"Work for me. For five years."

Five years was enough. She didn't plan on taking them to the capital.

However, having grown weary of the Organization's shackles, their first reaction to working for someone else was a refusal. They didn't want to lose the freedom they had fought so hard to gain. Even if their current "freedom" was hardly freedom at all.

Seraphina saw their expressions and knew what they were thinking.

"Rest assured, I won't ask you to do anything immoral, nor will I make you sign a life contract. It will be a legitimate employment relationship; you will be free. Additionally, besides the conditions I promised earlier, you will receive a monthly salary. I won't treat you unfairly."

After a moment of thought, Fawn said, "To be honest, the conditions are very tempting. But aren't you afraid of bringing trouble upon yourself by keeping us around?"

Seraphina chuckled. "Do you think I’d come looking for you if I were afraid?"

Fawn fell silent. Indeed, Seraphina knew their identities and who their enemies were, yet she had come anyway. She clearly wasn't afraid.

Looking at Fawn, Seraphina said, "However, it surprises me that you would say that. Logically, someone who has taken as many lives as you shouldn't have such a soft heart for a stranger."

Fawn froze, then gave a bitter smile. "I wasn't always this way; in fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call me cold-blooded. I suppose once one becomes a mother, one naturally becomes soft-hearted."

Seraphina smiled but didn't pursue the topic. She simply asked, "So, what is your decision?"

Fawn didn't make the call; she looked at Eagle.

Eagle looked at her, then glanced at the closed bedroom door. Clenching his fist, he said, "We accept!"

"Good. In three days, I will come personally to pick you up and take you to your new residence. I’m sure I don't need to tell you that this place is not safe."

"I will also arrange your new identities, your son’s medical team, and his school. They won't be far; while you won't live with the child, you will be able to visit him occasionally."

Hearing that their son wouldn't be sent abroad in secret and that they could visit him, the two were overjoyed. They said in unison, "Then we shall trouble you, Miss Pierce."

If they had to be separated from their child for a long time, they wouldn't have been able to bear it.