He offered a slight smile, a hint of craftiness in his eyes:

"I simply decided to continue being 'disabled.' This way, I can do what I want, and my sister can realize her ambitions."

"Killing two birds with one stone."

Seraphina was stunned by what she heard.

She had seen too many wealthy families fighting to the death for power; seeing one like the Thorne family that supported each other was truly a first.

Beyond her surprise, a flicker of envy rose in her heart.

She had grown up with very little familial affection and had never experienced the feeling of being cared for, let alone understood the bond between siblings.

Once, she had tried desperately to grab onto something, but now she understood that what is given by relying on others isn't truly one's own.

"William."

A clear female voice came from not far away.

William looked up, a smile appearing in his eyes: "Sister."

Seraphina turned her head to follow his gaze, only to freeze on the spot instantly—

"Senior... sister?"

Chapter 13

"Seraphina."

Winifred Thorne stopped in front of her, a smile touching her eyes. "It’s been a long time."

"Senior... you’re actually a member of the Thorne family?!"

Seraphina could not hide her shock. She never imagined that coming to South Haven would lead to an encounter with an old acquaintance.

Years ago, while studying abroad, she had met Winifred—who was three years her senior—through a chance event. After graduation, Seraphina returned home and immediately fell into the web meticulously woven by Xavier Sterling, losing almost all contact with her past. Aside from Joy Evans, Winifred was one of the few friends she remembered from those somber years.

"Yes," Winifred nodded.

"Then this marriage alliance..."

"From the very beginning, it was prepared for you," Winifred said candidly.

Seraphina’s fingers unconsciously tugged at the hem of her clothes. "Why?"

Why her?

"Actually, at first, I didn't intend to use marriage as an exchange." Winifred took a step closer, her tone gentle. "Seraphina, do you remember that you held a patent for an AI chip when you were abroad?"

"The Thorne family has always wanted to expand into the field of Artificial Intelligence and develop independent technology, but we were consistently blocked at a core stage. That was until I remembered your patent."

"But Senior, if you wanted to collaborate, you could have just come to me directly," Seraphina said, still puzzled. "Given our friendship, I wouldn't have refused."

"I know you wouldn't," Winifred sighed softly. "That’s why my initial plan was to seek a direct partnership."

"But after investigating, I discovered that you had just been cast out by the Vance family as a fake heiress and 'picked up' by Xavier Sterling." Her gaze darkened slightly. "Perhaps to prevent you from discovering the truth, Xavier kept you under extremely strict surveillance."

"You might not have even realized it yourself, but your every move was under his watch."

"We didn't dare approach you recklessly. First, we feared the news of the patent might leak into the wrong hands. Second..."

"In that situation, we couldn't be certain if you were willing, or even able, to cooperate with us."

"So, when the opportunity arose, we immediately extended an olive branch to the Vance family under the guise of 'needing a marriage alliance'."

Winifred looked at her, her eyes filled with apology. "I know you have no affection for the Vance family, and I didn't want to establish a link with you through them. I hoped to work with you as a completely independent individual."

"Forgive me for using this method to 'trick' you into coming to South Haven."

Seraphina remained silent for a moment. "Weren't you afraid I would refuse?"

"If you had refused, it wouldn't have mattered," Winifred smiled. "Once I’ve chosen you, I won't give up easily. If it didn't work this time, there would always be a next time."

"Of course, I have my selfish reasons as well," she admitted honestly. "If you marry into the Thorne family, there is no bond of cooperation more stable than that. And I can guarantee—" She glanced sideways at William. "William will definitely be a good husband."

"However, whether to cooperate or whether to go through with the marriage—the choice has always been in your hands." Winifred’s tone became solemn. "If you are unwilling, I can send you away at any time."

Seraphina did not answer directly but instead looked at William. "Does the second young master... have no objections to the alliance?"

William met her gaze and offered a slight smile. "I trust my sister’s judgment."

"Perhaps we have no emotional foundation for now, but I am willing to cultivate it with you. Even if we truly cannot develop feelings in the future, we can part ways amicably then." His expression was earnest, his voice clear and refreshing. "I currently have no one in my heart, and I am willing to promise that as long as the marriage contract exists, I will never fall for anyone else."

"You will always be my first priority."

Seraphina lowered her eyes in quiet thought. After a long time, she looked up at Winifred. "I am willing to cooperate with the Thorne family."

"As for the specific terms, I trust you won't treat me unfairly, Senior."

"Regarding the marriage..." She paused, her gaze lightly brushing over William. "The engagement can remain for now. But I cannot immediately throw myself into a new relationship. I need time."

She truly wasn't ready for a new beginning. But after meeting William and Winifred, a faint feeling stirred in her heart that this marriage alliance might... be a good choice.

She was willing to give William a chance. And give herself one, too.

Chapter 14

The scandal of the engagement party snowballed, leaving Xavier Sterling exhausted and overwhelmed as he scrambled to deal with the fallout for several days.

Yet, every time he returned to that empty villa, Seraphina’s shadow was everywhere. She had moved out long ago and the rooms were cleared, but the traces of her life were carved into the walls, impossible to erase.

Seraphina had a stubborn, unyielding personality; he had rarely seen her show weakness. Later, for the sake of Sienna, he had deliberately approached her and schemed against her. From the very beginning, he had intended to destroy her.

He had treated her well regardless of the cost, protected her in public, and slowly chipped away at her defenses until he occupied her entire heart—all just to deliver a fatal blow at the end.

He never expected she would see through him in advance.

Xavier closed his eyes, and her raspy question rang in his ears again: "Was there ever... even a single moment where you were sincere with me?"

How could there not have been?

When people were making things difficult for her, when she leaned into his arms and spoke softly, when a shadow crossed her eyes... he couldn't stop himself from wanting to be a little better to her, to get a little closer.

He just never admitted it.

Xavier stumbled back into the sofa, physically and mentally spent. These past few days, he had been spread too thin to even look for her. Since the engagement party, she had vanished into thin air without a trace.

He placed a photo she had left behind in the most prominent spot in the living room. Every day when he returned, he would look at it. It seemed that only this way did this long and chaotic battle feel like it still had a glimmer of hope.

Once he finished cleaning up this mess... he would definitely bring her home.

Ding-dong—

The doorbell rang sharply.

Xavier’s spine stiffened. He jerked his head up, a sudden spark of light igniting in his eyes, as if he wanted to pierce through the door to see the figure he thought of day and night.

He sprang up and practically stumbled to the door, pulling it open.

"Sera..."

His voice cut off abruptly. The smile on his face cooled and peeled away bit by bit, leaving only a frozen sheet of annoyance.

"President Vance." His voice was cold and hard. "What are you doing here?"

Arthur Vance stood outside. In just a few days, he looked as though he had aged ten years, his hair streaked with grey. He had been taken in for investigation for days and had just used his connections to escape, immediately busying himself with extinguishing the fires of the scandal. Only today did he find the time to visit.

"President Sterling, I’m here to discuss the marriage alliance between our families." He managed a forced smile. "The current public opinion is extremely unfavorable to us. I thought... perhaps we could proceed with the marriage to use a happy occasion to suppress the storm."

He took a step forward and lowered his voice. "Also, regarding the construction collapse three years ago... the families of the deceased have somehow obtained evidence and are threatening to sue. Right now, our two families working together to suppress this is the best course of action."