Standing on the stairs, Sera watched this clumsy, disgusting performance. She clutched her own chest as the pain in her heart flared up in waves, making it almost impossible to stand.

Still, she forced herself to explain: "I didn't push her. She did it herse—"

Before she could finish, she was cut off by Julian’s explosive rage.

"Sera Sterling, haven't you had enough?"

His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at her. Every trace of love and guilt had vanished, replaced by a towering rage and disappointment. Each word felt like it was being squeezed through gritted teeth.

"She’s already in this condition, and you still won't let her go? How can your heart be so vicious?"

Julian’s voice was deafening. He tightened his grip on Bianca as if Sera were some kind of heinous criminal. "I never realized before what a cruel woman you are! You think because your family spoils you, you can do whatever you want? Are you trying to commit murder now?"

Looking at the hatred in his eyes and the way he shielded Bianca, Sera found it both absurd and chilling.

She didn't want to say anything more. She turned to walk away, but Julian shouted sternly: "Stop right there."

"Since you refuse to learn your lesson, I’m going to make sure you remember this one today!"

A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes. He shouted toward the door, "Someone, come here!"

Two bodyguards in black suits immediately rushed in, bowing their heads: "Sir."

"Take her to the courtyard and make her kneel. Let her reflect on what she’s done. She doesn't get up until she figures it out and apologizes!"

The bodyguards stepped forward, reaching for Sera’s arms.

She struggled with all her might, but her thin frame was powerless against them. Her eyes turned red as she shouted, "Let me go! Julian, I told you it wasn't me! What right do you have to do this to me?!"

A servant tried to step in to plead for her, but Julian barked, "What are you standing there for? Call an ambulance!"

He looked down at the woman in his arms, his tone softening instantly into a doting, worried coo: "Don't be afraid, Bianca. I’m here. The doctor will be here soon. Nothing will go wrong. The surgery will be a success. I won't let anyone hurt you."

With that, he carried Bianca out in a hurry. As he passed Sera, he didn't give her a single glance.

Sera was dragged into the courtyard. The midday sun was brutal and blinding, baking the ground until it was hot to the touch.

Just as she tried to brace herself to stand, a bodyguard shoved her back down. Her knees slammed into the hard concrete, sending a jolting pain through her body.

"The boss gave orders. Please be cooperative, ma'am. Don't make this difficult for us."

The bodyguard’s voice was void of warmth.

Sera felt all her strength leave her. The pain in her heart and lungs intertwined with the dull ache in her knees. Sweat slid down her forehead, soaking her hair. Her vision began to darken.

Her life began to flash before her eyes as her consciousness drifted. A familiar metallic taste rose in her throat. She couldn't hold on any longer. The world spun, and she collapsed into total darkness.

Chapter 6

When Sera woke up, she saw the familiar ceiling of her bedroom. The faint scent of medicine hung in the air.

By the bed, Eleanor and Arthur were watching over her with tear-streaked eyes. Seeing her awake, Eleanor immediately took her hand, her voice choked: "Sweetie, you’re finally awake! That bastard Julian... your father and I will never forgive him!"

Arthur’s face was grim. "I’ve already sent people to dig into that woman Bianca's background. I’m going to demand an explanation from Julian! If the Sterling family hadn't backed him years ago, where would he be today? Now that he thinks he has wings, he dares to treat my daughter like this!"

Just as Sera was about to speak, the bedroom door was pushed open. Julian walked in slowly.

The bloodshot streaks in his eyes suggested he hadn't slept either.

"Arthur, Eleanor," he began. "Sera has repeatedly targeted Bianca. She sent people to attack her days ago, and she tried again today. You can protect her, but you can't condone her hurting people. Since you won't discipline her, I have to do it for you."

"Lies!" Eleanor countered immediately. "We know our daughter’s character. It’s clearly that woman Bianca stirring up trouble!"

"Whether it’s trouble-making or not, the security footage and witnesses are all there."

Julian took out his phone and played a grainy clip.

The footage only showed Bianca falling after Sera had turned around; it was impossible to see if there had been any physical contact.

"Bianca is still lying in the hospital. It’s unclear if the surgery can even proceed smoothly." He put the phone away, his gaze turning colder. "In the past, I relied on the Sterlings and gave you respect. But if you insist on standing up for her crimes, don't blame me for disregarding our history."

These words were like a bucket of cold water over Sera’s parents.

They knew that the Julian of today controlled most of the construction and technology resources in Rivercrest. He was no longer the young man who needed to cater to the Sterlings. He truly had the power to oppose them.

Arthur shook with rage, pointing a finger at him: "You... you ungrateful wretch!"

"I am simply protecting the person who needs protecting."

Julian looked at the pale Sera, a flash of complexity in his eyes.

"Until Bianca’s surgery is a success, Sera will stay in this villa to reflect. She is not permitted to leave."

"Arthur, Eleanor, I’ll have someone escort you back to your estate. Rest well and stop interfering."

Eleanor wasn't giving up. She hissed, "If you protect that home-wrecker, we will find a way to make her pay!"

Julian’s eyes turned icy. "If you touch her even once, I will ensure the Sterling Group’s funding is completely cut off."

After her parents were "escorted" back to their estate, the grounds were surrounded by layers of security—ostensibly for protection, but in reality, house arrest.

They couldn't take a single step out of the Sterling estate, and even their calls to Sera were intercepted.

Meanwhile, Sera was locked inside the villa. Bodyguards stood outside her door. Her meals and water were left at the entrance by servants. She was barred from all contact with the outside world.

"Julian, let my parents go!" Sera pounded on the door, her voice so hoarse it was barely recognizable. "Come at me if you want, but leave them out of this!"

Inside his study, Julian spoke coldly into his phone: "Terminate the cooperation on the Sterling Group's west-side land project. Also, the overseas financing they’re negotiating—tell them to pause the audit. Don't be too ruthless; just give them a lesson."

Hanging up, he walked to the master bedroom door and spoke through the wood: "Sera, as long as you stop causing trouble for Bianca, I will naturally release them and help the company through its crisis."

Sera slid down against the door. Her heart felt as if it were being repeatedly sliced by a dull blade. "Julian, do you really have to go this far? Does our decade of history mean nothing to you?"

"You were the one who became unreasonable first."

The voice outside the door carried a hint of fatigue but remained firm. "Reflect well. Let me know when you’ve figured it out."

In the time that followed, every second felt like a year for Sera.

The next day, a servant secretly slipped her a note: "Chairman Sterling collapsed from a heart attack last night. He is in the ICU."

Sera broke down instantly. She pounded the door frantically, tears of despair falling.

"Julian! I beg you, let my parents go! I promise I won't bother Bianca again. I beg you, show some mercy. Let me go see my father!"

Julian’s cold voice came from outside: "Now you know how to beg? Where was this attitude before? Once Bianca’s surgery is successful, I’ll let you see them."

Despair flooded Sera like a tide, but she refused to wait for death.

Today was the day of Bianca’s surgery. After Bianca recovered, Julian would eventually be betrayed by her while he fought the original male lead for her affection, leading to his tragic death.

And today was also the day Sera was supposed to die.

She could not let her own ending bring her innocent parents down with her.

Sera smashed a window with a vase and climbed down the security bars.

But the moment she ran out of the villa gates, she was intercepted by bodyguards who had been waiting.

"Ma'am, the boss gave orders. You cannot leave the villa."

Sera struggled violently, her nails scratching the bodyguard’s arm, but she was held fast.