[Private Photos of the Vance Family’s Fake Heiress Leaked! Shocking Content!]

Chapter 7

A loud ringing filled Seraphina’s head. With trembling fingers, she tapped on the notification.

Vile, private photographs instantly flooded the screen.

The background of every shot was the master bedroom of Xavier Sterling’s villa. The angles were suggestive, and the images were graphic. She forced herself to stay calm, telling herself repeatedly that they might be faked, but when her eyes fell upon the faint peach-blossom birthmark on her back in one of the photos, all hope shattered instantly.

That birthmark was in a hidden location; no one had ever seen it except for herself and Xavier.

Who else but him could have taken these—and who else hated her enough to leak them?

She had been completely defenseless against him during their three years together. She never imagined that those moments of late-night tenderness would become the knives used to stab her. Just yesterday, Sienna had suffered at her hands, and today this scandal erupted; it was clearly his way of getting revenge for Sienna, intent on utterly destroying Seraphina's reputation.

Hatred tightened around her heart like poisonous vines.

Seraphina grabbed her coat and rushed out, hailing a taxi straight to the Sterling Group. She stormed past the front desk, pushed aside the secretaries trying to block her, and burst into the office, slamming her phone down violently in front of Xavier.

"You did this."

Xavier waved his hand, dismissing the secretary. Only when the door clicked shut did he lift his eyes to glance at the screen. He remained expressionless. "Yes."

"To get revenge for Sienna?"

Seraphina’s voice trembled, her eyes burning red.

"Yes," he answered bluntly, not even bothering to hide it. "You laid a hand on Sienna. You have to pay the price."

Seraphina shook with rage. She raised her hand to slap him, but he caught her wrist in a tight grip.

"You're shameless!"

"Sera," Xavier watched her reddened eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Go apologize to Sienna. I’ll withdraw all the photos immediately and act as if this never happened."

"She doesn't deserve it."

Seraphina sneered, her eyes full of disdain. "Xavier Sterling, you think you can force me to bow my head with such pathetic, low-life tactics? You’ve vastly underestimated me."

She turned to leave.

"Don't think about using that recording to turn the tables," Xavier called out coldly, stopping her in her tracks. "I’ve already settled things with every media outlet in North Shore. No one would dare offend both the Vance and Sterling families for your sake."

Seraphina paused. She looked back at him, her gaze icy.

"You can threaten me once, but there won't be a second time."

"You’d better pray these things can keep me down forever."

With that, she left without looking back. Xavier stared at her receding figure, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing his palm.

Once outside the Sterling building, Seraphina was about to contact Joy when she discovered that the scandal, which had been everywhere just moments ago, had vanished completely. Every tag and mention had been scrubbed as if they had never existed.

She froze.

Xavier would never let this go so easily. Who was helping her behind the scenes?

As she was pondering, her phone rang. Joy’s anxious voice came through the second she picked up:

"Sera! The marriage between the Vance and Sterling families isn't for a partnership at all! It’s to cover up a scandal from three years ago!"

Seraphina’s heart sank. Three years ago—that was exactly when she was kicked out of the Vance house and "saved" by Xavier.

"That collapsed construction project in the suburbs where seven workers died... it was hushed up back then. I suspect both families were involved. The marriage is meant to bind them together as a community of interests to prevent anyone from turning on the others!"

Everything became clear to Seraphina instantly.

If not for the "True and Fake Heiress" drama, she was the one who was originally supposed to be part of that marriage alliance. Xavier forging the DNA results and ruining her reputation wasn't just for Sienna; it was to replace her legitimately while ensuring she could never reopen the case. As for Arthur Vance, he chose Sienna simply because she was more obedient and easier to control.

"Also, Sienna Vance isn't as simple as she looks," Joy lowered her voice. "She went through several boyfriends abroad and was even involved in academic fraud. I’ve sent you the files."

A cold arc formed on Seraphina’s lips. This was an unexpected windfall.

"By the way, Joy... those photos online. Did you handle them?"

Joy was taken aback. "It wasn't me. I was just about to contact PR when I found out they were all gone." She paused, speculating, "I think it might have been the Thorne family. You’re about to marry into their house; they wouldn't let a scandal affect the alliance or their own reputation."

Seraphina remained silent.

The Thorne family... the legendary crippled second son had actually intervened in the shadows?

"Joy, can you get me the contact information for the second Thorne son?"

Regardless of whether it was to say thank you or for her future plans, she had to meet this "fiancé."

"Ten minutes."

Joy was efficient.

After hanging up, Seraphina went back to her hotel. No sooner had she sat down than she received a number via WeChat.

[William Thorne’s private WeChat. I heard he has a fairly gentle personality. Try talking to him first.]

Seraphina stared at the string of digits. Her finger hovered for a moment before she finally sent the friend request.

The verification was accepted almost instantly.

She weighed her words for a moment and typed out a line:

[Hello, Mr. Thorne. This is Seraphina Vance. Thank you for your help today.]

Chapter 8

After the message was sent, her fingertips felt slightly cold as she waited with bated breath.

Not long after, the screen lit up. He replied quickly, with just a single, concise line:

[It was no trouble at all. We are about to be husband and wife; it is only right that we look after each other.]

Seraphina stared at those words for a long time, and her tensed nerves finally relaxed. She replied with a "Thank you," set the phone aside, and leaned back into the mattress.

This second Thorne son’s thoughtfulness and sense of propriety gave her a glimmer of hope for this marriage born of mutual interest.

For the next two days, Seraphina did not leave her room. She spent her time organizing the materials Joy had sent, meticulously refining her revenge plan, while occasionally exchanging a few words with William Thorne. His responses were always gentle and appropriate, never overstepping to pry into her past.

In the blink of an eye, the day of Xavier and Sienna’s engagement party arrived.

Seraphina finished getting ready and called a car to the venue ahead of schedule. She was going to personally deliver a "grand gift" that would ensure that man and woman would never forget this day for as long as they lived.

The banquet was held in the grand hall of North Shore’s top hotel.

Seraphina walked into the splendor dressed in a black gown. She seemed out of place, yet her unique, cold elegance drew many eyes. Just as she stepped into the hall, a voice laced with sarcasm drifted over:

"Oh, isn't this Seraphina Vance? You showed up wearing that?"

Seraphina looked up. Sienna was standing nearby, clutching Xavier’s arm. Sienna wore a dazzling diamond-encrusted white mermaid gown, while Xavier looked sharp in a black suit. They stood side by side, looking very much like a perfect couple.

Sienna glided over, her gaze sweeping over Seraphina. She suddenly covered her mouth, feigning surprise:

"Don't tell me you couldn't even afford a decent gown and chose to dress like this just to make Xavier feel sorry for you?"

She leaned in half a step closer, her voice low and filled with boastfulness:

"Too bad, though. Xavier only has eyes for me. Today is our big day; no matter how much you struggle, you can't steal my spotlight."

Seraphina watched her gloating face quietly, finding it pathetic. Once, she might have cared about Xavier’s opinion, but ever since she learned the whole truth, that man was no different from trash in her eyes.

She offered a faint smile, her voice sounding sincere:

"I wish the two of you stay locked together for the rest of your lives. Please, never break up."

The words were like a needle stabbing into Xavier’s heart. He felt a sudden, inexplicable surge of frustration. He stepped forward, pulling Sienna into his embrace, and gave Seraphina a cold, warning look:

"Today is the engagement party for Sienna and me. You’d better behave and stop making a fool of yourself here."

Seraphina met his gaze, her eyes like a still pond:

"Don't worry. I’m not only going to give you my best wishes—I’ve also prepared a gift that the two of you will never forget."