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Chapter_1
“Did you hear? Yvette Zeller, the eldest daughter of the Chambers family, is back. This is going to be interesting.”
“Interesting? What difference does it make? Winona Chambers is already a famous socialite in Seacrity. Rumor has it Richard Griffin, the renowned oil painter, wants her as his apprentice. What chance does a country girl have against her?”
“Did you forget about the marriage contract with the Carter family? Yvette was originally engaged to Victor Carter, but when she disappeared, the opportunity shifted to Winona. Now that the original is back… things are bound to get tense between the sisters.”
“I agree. Place your bets! Which Chambers sister will win Victor’s favor?”
“Count me in! I’m betting $150.”
“I’ll double that—$300!”
In a small countryside farmyard, tension simmered as two groups of assassins faced off. The numbers were evenly matched, and the air felt electric, charged with unspoken danger.
At the center of the scene sat a young woman in her early twenties. To call her beautiful would be an understatement—her striking features drew even the coldest killers’ attention. But it was her calm, commanding presence that truly set her apart.
Her head was slightly bowed, her sleeves casually rolled up, revealing delicate wrists. In her hands, she held a potted flower—a Rothschild’s Orchid, rare and coveted by nobles. Setting it aside with indifference, she raised her head. Her eyes, devoid of emotion, swept over the black-clad figures, silencing the yard. Even these seasoned assassins felt a shiver of instinctive dread and shifted defensively.
Then, she chuckled softly, breaking the tension. Rising from her seat, Yvette’s demeanor shifted, her menacing aura vanishing as though it had never existed.
“Tell Joe I’m not getting involved in Ameria’s affairs,” she said casually.
The group on the left exhaled in relief. They had traveled thousands of miles seeking her assurance; failure would have meant severe punishment from their organization. Though battle-hardened operatives, their fates now rested in Yvette’s hands.
The assassins on the right, however, looked as though they’d received a death sentence. Their mission had been the same, and they knew failure would bring similar consequences.
Yvette paused, noticing their despair. After a moment, she added, “Tell your boss that as long as he stays out of my country, I won’t interfere. I have better things to do.”
For Yvette, these quarrels between Afria and Ameria were petty distractions. She was finally on vacation and had no intention of letting their nonsense disrupt her peace.
The tension eased slightly as the assassins on the right processed her words. The leaders of both factions exchanged glances, then nodded in unison. “Thank you, Ms. Zeller.”
Without further delay, they departed.
Though they knew little about her, the fact that their bosses had sent elite operatives spoke volumes. These assassins, accustomed to being predators, had felt like prey under her gaze. Yvette’s aura carried an air of mystery they wouldn’t soon forget.
Once the yard cleared, Yvette packed her belongings into a black backpack. Setting down the food she’d prepared earlier, she sat in the garden and ate unhurriedly. Years of self-reliance had taught her to savor such simple moments.
Her peaceful meal was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps and hushed murmurs. Recognizing the clumsy steps as those of ordinary people, she smirked. “Right on time,” she thought.
Outside the gate, Lucas Buckley and Tina Grant trudged along the winding mountain path, grumbling at the messy trail littered with chicken and duck droppings.
Lucas, a butler for a noble family, was unaccustomed to such hardship. Though not as wealthy as the Chambers, his lifestyle was comfortable. He cursed under his breath, irritated at being dragged into this situation.
Tina, a servant sent to gather information for Winona, saw his frustration as an opportunity. Stirring the pot would certainly cause trouble for Yvette, which aligned perfectly with her own goals.
As Tina prattled on, Lucas froze mid-step, his expression shifting. Following his gaze, Tina gasped.
There, in the courtyard, stood Yvette Zeller. Against the backdrop of misty mountains, she seemed otherworldly—like a fairy who had wandered into the mortal realm. Her ethereal beauty left both visitors awestruck, unable to meet her piercing gaze.
