Chapter 31: The Threat

Watching Xander Ruan’s retreating figure, Mabel Ruan gnashed her teeth in fury.

It was all the fault of that little slut, Seren Thorne! If she hadn't interfered, today's plan might have actually succeeded! With this thought, she turned back and shot Seren a resentful glare.

Seren raised an eyebrow and shook her phone. "What are you staring at? Looking to make the front-page headlines?"

Mabel was instantly silenced. Even though her heart was filled with intense resentment, she could only swallow her anger. Since Seren held leverage over her, and now that her chances with Alaric Vane were ruined, she still had to maintain her reputation if she wanted to marry one of the other Ruan brothers. She couldn't afford to let her name be dragged through the mud.

She stood up from the floor and softened her tone. "Seren, why don't you delete those photos? After all, we've been sisters for a long time..."

Seren said indifferently, "We aren't related by blood. Don't try to claim kinship where there is none."

Mabel choked on her words. She wanted to try again, but Seren spoke first: "I won't delete the photos. However, as long as you don't provoke me, I won't release them either."

Seren didn't intend to move against Mabel just yet. After all, she planned to keep this "troublemaker" around to stir the pot within the Ruan family. As long as Mabel didn't dance in front of her, Seren was happy to watch the Ruans suffer.

Seeing Seren’s unyielding attitude, Mabel knew the photos weren't going anywhere. She could only leave in a huff.

In any case, the eldest Ruan brother had confessed to her before and had been waiting for her for years; she could say yes at any time. At worst, she would go back and marry the eldest, then find a way to eliminate the other two brothers so that he would be the sole heir to the Ruan fortune. Though the Ruan family couldn't compare to the Vanes, the wealth would still be enough for her to squander for a lifetime.

With these thoughts in mind, Mabel finished dressing and left in a taxi.

Not long after the siblings left, Seren was waiting for the elevator when she saw Alaric Vane step out.

He seemed to have already heard about what happened in the office. His gaze swept over her as he said, "I’m late. I was originally hoping to see the scene of you being bullied by those siblings."

The assistant standing behind Alaric silently rolled his eyes. Who was the one worried that the Young Mistress would be bullied because she was outnumbered, and rushed back before even finishing his meal?

Seren curled her lip. "Then you're destined to be disappointed. I wasn't the one being bullied. In fact, you should actually thank me."

Alaric was puzzled. "Thank you for what?"

{For helping you clear the obstacles to your future with the heroine, of course! Without Mabel Ruan acting up in the middle, things between you and the heroine will be much smoother. You might even leapfrog the male lead in her heart and successfully become the "homewrecker" who gets the girl.}

Naturally, Seren wouldn't say that out loud. She simply said, "Nothing. I still have a stall downstairs, I'm leaving."

Just as she was about to go, Alaric grabbed her wrist and said through gritted teeth, "I told you, I don't like Evangeline Frost. Stop trying to link me with her."

Seren: "?"

Who was Evangeline Frost? Seren thought about it carefully before remembering that it was the heroine's name.

{Tsk, and you say you don't like her? You've even memorized her name. It shows you've investigated her in secret. If you don't like her, why go through all that trouble?}

{But...}

"I didn't even mention Evangeline Frost, did I? Why did you suddenly bring that up?"

At this moment, Alaric desperately wanted to state his real reason for investigating Evangeline, but he ultimately held back. He didn't answer Seren’s question, only stating: "In any case, remember this: I don't like Evangeline Frost now, and I won't like her in the future."

On the surface, Seren said, "Oh, got it."

Inwardly: {This dog man’s mouth is harder than a rock in a latrine.}

Alaric’s face darkened. He told himself not to get angry, but his voice still carried a hint of gritted teeth: "You aren't allowed to set up that stall downstairs anymore. Otherwise, I'll report you to the authorities for spreading feudal superstitions!"

Hearing this, Seren’s fur stood on end. "I'm just minding my own business at my stall. I’m not bothering you. On what grounds would you report me?"

Alaric remained expressionless. "You gathered too many people in the lobby, which seriously affected the normal operation of the company. Since it's my company, I naturally have the right to report it."

Seren gnashed her teeth. "Fine, you win!"

She left huffily, deciding that as soon as she got back, she would draw a 'bad luck' talisman and slip it into the man's pocket so he'd have a miserable day. She’d teach him a lesson about how cruel society can be!

Hearing her thoughts, Alaric gave a cold laugh. If this woman really dared to put a bad luck talisman in his pocket, he would put it right back on her and let her see exactly who was lacking a "societal beating."

The assistant, watching the two bicker, couldn't help but be amazed. He used to think President Vane was high and mighty and difficult to approach; he never expected him to have such a childish side. Truly, love lowers one's IQ—even President Vane couldn't escape it.

...

The First Floor Lobby.

It was almost time to resume work, and the crowd that had gathered on the first floor had mostly dispersed. Only Arthur Vane remained, exchanging pleasantries with several company directors. These men had heard that Arthur was at the company and had specifically come over to curry favor.

When Seren arrived downstairs, the atmosphere among them was quite warm as they chatted fervently. Seeing her return, they greeted her enthusiastically.

"This must be Alaric’s wife? She's just as beautiful as the rumors say. Alaric is lucky to have married such a wife."

"Indeed, indeed. And she even knows fortune-telling. She must have helped Alaric a lot behind the scenes, right? Truly impressive."

While they spoke words of flattery, their eyes betrayed a hint of disdain. They usually believed in metaphysics and Feng Shui themselves, but a master as young as Seren was almost unheard of. Consequently, they all felt a bit of contempt, thinking the employees in the group chats were exaggerating her abilities.

They assumed this young lady had simply learned a bit of Feng Shui and face-reading to show off at the company, and those praising her were just sucking up to her for the sake of the Vane family.

Arthur Vane had dealt with these people for many years and knew their temperaments well. One look was all it took to know what they were thinking. Realizing they were doubting his granddaughter-in-law, he immediately felt displeased.

These old men were the earliest shareholders of Vane Corp. Years ago, when he first started the business, they had pooled over five hundred thousand to invest. At that time, Arthur held 60% of the company, while they held 40%. Had they kept their original shares, each of them would be receiving billions in dividends every year now.

Unfortunately, during Vane Corp’s early struggles, they all breached their contracts and withdrew most of their investment, reducing their shareholding to less than 1%. Back then, Vane Corp was already in trouble, and their withdrawal nearly crushed the company. Fortunately, Arthur managed to pull through.

Later, as the company flourished and grew better and better, these men saw the profits and came running back like dogs seeing a bone, wanting to buy back their previous shares. But Vane Corp was no longer short on cash by then, and Arthur refused their investment.

Bitter and unsatisfied, they had been trying for years to hold more shares of Vane Corp. Since the company had reached a top-three national position last year, they were even more dissatisfied with their tens of millions in annual dividends. Whenever they had free time, they would rush to Arthur to flatter him, hoping to fish for some benefits.