Chapter 12: Alaric's Aunt

Mrs.Gable had finished laying the carpet and was doing some cleaning. Hearing Seren’s question, her old face flushed slightly. She coughed and said, "Old Master Arthur lives right next door to you."

Seren: "?"

"Is there a cause-and-effect relationship here?"

Seeing that she didn't understand, Mrs.Gable had to be blunt: "You two made quite a bit of noise last night. I could hear it even from the maid’s quarters downstairs.

"Old Master said your floor was thumping all night, so he told me to lay down carpets to reduce the vibration and provide some soundproofing."

After saying that, Mrs.Gable couldn't help but offer a reminder: "Young Master, Madam, I know you are young and full of energy, but please try to exercise some control.

"Going for several hours at a time can easily lead to fatigue and injury. For your health, it would be best to shorten the duration appropriately."

Hearing this, Seren’s cheeks burned hot.

Fortunately, the old man heard "thumping" and not "clapping."

"I understand. Thank you, Mrs.Gable."

Despite her words, Seren didn't take Mrs.Gable’s advice to heart.

One had to remember that Alaric Vane was a character in a novel. Although he was just a powerful villain, in which CEO novel was the main lead not a tireless stallion capable of seven rounds a night?

Three hours last night was just a drop in the bucket for a big shot like him—probably just "novice difficulty."

On the contrary, she was the one who felt a bit worn out.

After seeing Mrs.Gable off, Seren remembered something and immediately went online to order contraceptive pills.

Last night was the first time for both her and Alaric, so the house wasn't stocked with any family planning supplies, and they hadn't used any protection.

She had forgotten to take medicine this morning, so she had to make up for it now.

Alaric caught sight of what she was ordering, his brow furrowing slightly. "What are you buying that for?"

Seren gave him a look as if he were an idiot. "For birth control, obviously."

Alaric’s frown deepened. "Control what? I’ve heard those things have major side effects. Don't take them.

"We are a legally married couple. If you get pregnant, we’ll have the baby. I can afford to raise it."

Seren replied, "I don't want children for the time being."

{I'm still waiting for the divorce so I can run away. Who wants to give you a cub?}

Hearing this, Alaric’s face darkened. He wanted to snatch Seren’s phone and cancel the order.

But Seren’s body belonged to herself; even if he wanted a child, he didn't seem to have the standing to forcibly interfere with her choices.

Alaric’s thin lips compressed into a straight line as he said, "The pills on the market have significant side effects. Don't take them.

"I’ll get you some new medicine tomorrow that won't harm your body."

The Vane Group had a specialized pharmaceutical company, and one of their R&D projects was a contraceptive pill with almost zero side effects. The drug had already been successfully developed and had completed clinical trials, but it was still awaiting follow-up approvals. It would likely take a year to hit the market.

Seren looked at him suspiciously. "You won't secretly swap my medicine, will you?"

Alaric gave a cold snort. "Why would I swap your medicine? You don't actually think I’m dying to have a child with you, do you?

"If you hadn't given me something I shouldn't have drunk last night, I wouldn't have touched you in this lifetime."

Seren also felt that Alaric wouldn't want her to carry his child, so she agreed and turned into the bathroom to wash up.

Alaric called his subordinates to have the medicine ready for delivery tomorrow, and told them to buy several boxes of "little umbrellas" while they were at it.

Although he didn't think he would feel an impulse toward Seren again, what if that woman craved his body again and fed him more blue pills?

Better safe than sorry.

...

The next day was the weekend.

Alaric’s assistant delivered the medicine as promised.

After Seren took it, she indeed had no adverse reactions—not even a hint of nausea. The quality was truly excellent.

When she saw the assistant had also delivered several boxes of little umbrellas, she couldn't help but frown and ask Alaric, "You aren't harboring any ill intentions toward me, are you?"

Otherwise, why would the "dog man" buy so many umbrellas?

Alaric sneered. "Rest assured, I have no interest in you.

"I’m only doing this to prevent you from forcing yourself on me again."

This woman’s head was filled with his eight-pack abs and "thermal flask" all day. Who knew if she would lose control and pounce on him again?

Seren wanted to argue that she had no improper thoughts about him, but remembering how the original host had drugged Alaric, the words wouldn't come out.

With a criminal record like that, Alaric indeed had to protect himself from her.

Even though it wasn't her who did the drugging...

But she was the one who ended up enjoying it in the end.

Sigh.

"Fine then."

Seren didn't dwell on it for long. She lay on the balcony scrolling through videos.

In her past life, she was so poor she couldn't even afford a phone. Now, she not only had a phone but also free Wi-Fi; she was going to fully enjoy the lifestyle of a shut-in.

At lunch.

Seren heard from Arthur that Rick had been beaten into a coma by Dominic and was currently hospitalized.

Word was that his "equipment" was completely ruined and one of his legs was broken; his life was likely over.

Vivienne Vane had also been sued by Dominic. Not only would all the assets be recovered, but she would spend the rest of her life in prison.

As for Jasper Vane, Dominic was already looking for ways to "fix" his brain. Whether he could return to his former top-student level depended on fate.

Seren felt no sympathy for them; they got exactly what they deserved.

However...

"Grandpa, Second Uncle crippled Rick. Won't he get into trouble?"

Arthur said casually, "Don't worry, Alaric will settle it."

Seren remembered how Alaric committed so many atrocities later in the novel to snatch the heroine and was never caught. She instantly felt relieved.

{With the big villain's power, no one would dare arrest him for murder or arson, let alone his uncle just crippling a lover.}

Alaric frowned slightly.

Was he such an irredeemable figure in Seren’s mind?

"I have never killed anyone, and my company has always operated legally."

He spoke so abruptly that Seren was stunned for a moment before nodding. "I know."

{You only start going crazy after you fall for the heroine later. For now, you're still barely normal.}

Alaric’s face went black.

What did she mean by "barely normal"?

He was perfectly normal, okay?

As the family was talking, the butler entered the dining room.

"Master, the fourth young lady has returned. Shall I have her come see you?"

Arthur had three sons and one daughter.

The eldest son, Alaric’s father, had passed away over a decade ago. Now only the second and third sons remained, along with the youngest, the fourth daughter.

The children all had their own families and careers and usually lived elsewhere, returning only for holidays.

Arthur wondered why his youngest daughter had suddenly returned. "Have her come in."

The butler nodded and quickly withdrew.

When he returned, two people followed him.

Aside from Alaric’s aunt, Lana Vane, there was an unfamiliar man in his early twenties.

Lana was thirty-five this year and had perfectly inherited the Vane family’s excellent genes, possessing striking looks.

Combined with her well-maintained appearance, she looked as young and beautiful as a girl in her early twenties, making her look quite a match for the young and handsome "fresh meat" beside her.