Private Pet: My Abstinent Uncle's Assistant Wife

Morning, Sterling Group Building.

The atmosphere in the top-floor CEO's office was low to the extreme. Employees on the entire floor held their breath, even the sound of typing on keyboards was deliberately lowered.

Because "Second Master" Silas Sterling of the Sterling Group was in an extremely bad mood today.

"Can this kind of trash proposal even be handed to me?"

Behind the desk, the man wore a handmade custom black suit, his cold white fingertips tapping on the tabletop, the rhythmic tapping sounding like a countdown. Under his gold-rimmed glasses, those phoenix eyes were deep and cold, exuding an unfeeling ruthlessness.

Several project department managers lowered their heads, cold sweat dripping down their temples, not daring to utter a single word in return.

In New York, who doesn't know Silas Sterling? He is the youngest power-holder of the Sterling family, the second-born, yet possessing business tactics more ruthless than his elder brother's branch. He was like a moving iceberg; wherever he went, the air would freeze a few degrees.

"Redo it." He casually tossed the folder, papers scattering all over the floor. "If I don't see something satisfactory before the end of the day, all of you can pack your bags and leave."

Just as the low pressure in the office was about to become suffocating, the office door was gently pushed open.

A young girl wearing a white professional suit and a fresh ponytail walked in. She looked barely in her early twenties, her skin as white as porcelain, her large eyes exuding a sense of spirit, looking somewhat out of place in this solemn office.

She was Seraphina Su, Silas Sterling's special assistant, and also the "illegitimate" adopted daughter of the Sterling family.

"Uncle, here is the report just sent by the finance department." Seraphina acted as if she didn't sense the gunpowder in the office, walking straight to Silas's side and setting down a document.

Seeing Seraphina, the project managers who were about to faint instantly felt a flicker of "hope."

The savior had arrived.

Silas looked up at Seraphina. His originally cold gaze paused slightly when it touched her clear eyes, but his tone remained very stiff: "Why are you delivering it? Where's Assistant Zhou?"

"Assistant Zhou is in a meeting downstairs; I brought it up in passing." Seraphina answered with poise.

She leaned down, picking up the papers on the floor one by one, her movements elegant and natural.

Silas watched as she leaned over, revealing a section of her swan-like white neck at her collar; his eyes darkened, and his Adam's apple instinctively slid.

That was the little girl he had raised for ten years.

From picking her up on a rainy night at age twelve to now twenty-two, he had watched her change bit by bit from green to radiant, and also watched her walk bit by bit into the net he had personally woven, named "protection" but actually "possession."

"Seraphina, this is none of your business; get out." Silas turned his head, forcefully suppressing that mysterious agitation in his heart.

"Uncle, the finance director just said this report needs your signature urgently, otherwise the investment meeting this afternoon won't be able to proceed." Seraphina acted as if she didn't hear his dismissal, instead walking around the desk to stand behind him.

She reached out with her soft, boneless small hands and began to gently massage the man's temples.

In the entire Sterling Group, only Seraphina dared to do this.

"I see you have quite a temper today; why not rest for five minutes first?" Her voice was soft and sweet, like a feather, teasing the man's tightened nerves.

The project managers who were still standing aside in fear and trepidation, upon seeing this scene, all tactfully and quietly exited the office, closing the door behind them.

In their view, as long as Assistant Su took action, there was no fire Second Master Silas couldn't put out.

Inside the office, the curtains were half-drawn, and the light was somewhat dim.

Silas Sterling leaned back in his expensive leather chair, eyes closed, feeling the cool touch on his temples. That faint, strawberry shampoo scent unique to Seraphina Su calmed him more than any high-end perfume.

"Seraphina, who gave you the courage to even interrupt my meeting?" He remained with his eyes closed, his voice deep and hoarse, but with less ferocity.

"It's the courage Uncle gave me." Seraphina let out a soft laugh, the force of her hands perfectly controlled. "The way you looked just now, the project managers were probably about to have heart attacks from fright. If you truly damage your health with anger, won't I be the one whose heart aches in the end?"

These words carried a clear sense of pulling and acting spoiled.

Silas suddenly opened his eyes, his large hand gripping her wrist and pulling hard.

"Ah—"

Seraphina let out a cry of surprise and fell onto his lap.

The man's aggressive eyes stared deathly at her, the gaze behind his glasses deep as night.

"Heart aches?" He repeated those two words, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Seraphina, in these two years by my side, the thing you've learned fastest is this set of false pretenses."

Seraphina was held tightly in his arms, surrounded by the pheromones of a mature male. Not only did she not run, but she naturally circled his neck, her large eyes blinking as she looked at him.

"Whether it's false pretenses, doesn't Uncle know best?" She leaned close to his ear, her voice kept extremely low. "Last night when you were drunk, you held me and wouldn't let go, calling me 'Seraphina' over and over."

Silas's pupils contracted sharply, and his large palm involuntarily tightened at her waist.

Last night.

That was his most out-of-control night.

He had just returned from a business trip overseas and had been toasted many times during the celebration. When he pushed open the front door and saw Seraphina sitting in the living room in silk pajamas waiting for him, the desire he had suppressed for a whole month almost broke through on the spot.

He indeed held her, even pinning her against the wall in that dark hallway, almost kissing her.

If it hadn't been for that last shred of remaining reason reminding him she was his "niece," the situation now would probably be completely different.

"Seraphina, I see you're too idle." Silas kept a cold face, forcefully pushing her off him, turning around to look back at the computer screen. "Since you like managing my affairs so much, you're coming with me to the multinational meeting this afternoon. If you miss a single word in the meeting minutes, your entire bonus for this month will be deducted."

Seraphina straightened her slightly messy clothes and smiled craftily: "As you command, Mr. Sterling."

She knew Silas was angry from embarrassment.

Whenever he couldn't control his desire for her, he would act exceptionally cold or even somewhat harsh. But as long as she acted spoiled softly, or acted as his "fire extinguisher" at critical moments, a crack would always appear in his perennial iceberg.

This pulling that wandered on the edge of the law and was filled with a sense of taboo made Seraphina feel both dangerous and charming.

When she walked out of the office, Assistant Zhou was rushing over.

"Assistant Su, how is Mr. Sterling now? Has his temper cooled down a bit?"

Seraphina blinked, her smile meaningful: "It has. But Assistant Zhou, in the future when Mr. Sterling loses his temper, remember to let me in first. Otherwise, you all really will be 'wiped out'."

Assistant Zhou wiped his sweat and nodded repeatedly: "Definitely, from now on you are Mr. Sterling's exclusive fire extinguisher."

Seraphina let out a soft laugh, but an undetectable hint of worry flashed in her eyes.

A fire extinguisher?

But if this fire was personally lit by her, how should it be put out?

Silas Sterling had several properties in New York, but after Seraphina Su graduated, he arranged for her to stay in his large penthouse in the city center.

Under the beautiful name of: convenience for work.

In reality, Seraphina knew very well that it was to control her more easily.

That night, Silas returned late again.

Seraphina sat on the sofa, a laptop on her lap, organizing the minutes of the day's meeting. Hearing the sound of the electronic lock at the door, she looked up almost as a reflex.

When Silas entered, his suit jacket was hanging on his arm, his tie already loosened; he looked somewhat weary, yet his gaze remained sharp.

"Not asleep yet?" He saw the living room light still on and frowned slightly.

"Waiting for Uncle." Seraphina put down the computer and stood up to take his jacket at the entrance.

The two crossed paths in the small entrance area, and Seraphina keenly captured a hint of abnormality on him.

Besides the faint smell of alcohol, there was actually a若有若无 (ruò yǒu ruò wú - seemingly non-existent) clear and elegant fragrance.

It wasn't her scent; it was some high-end, feminine perfume.

"Uncle, you didn't come home last night." Seraphina hung up the jacket, her tone flat, but her hand unconsciously clutched her clothes.

Silas's movement of undoing his cufflinks paused, and he turned his head to look at her: "There was a business dinner; it was too late, so I slept at the hotel."

"Is that so?" Seraphina walked to him, looking up, staring almost stubbornly into his eyes. "Assistant Zhou said that at last night's gathering, Miss Miller from the Miller Group was there too. Did you... have a very pleasant conversation?"

Silas's gaze darkened, and the authority belonging to an elder instantly returned: "Seraphina, who gave you the right to pry into my private affairs?"

"I'm your special assistant; knowing your whereabouts is my job." Seraphina retorted stubbornly. "Moreover, Grandpa has been urging you to go on blind dates lately. I'm worried that if one day the Sterling family suddenly has a second aunt, I, the 'adopted daughter,' will be kicked out."

"Nonsense." Silas coldly dropped those words and walked past her toward the bathroom.

Seraphina watched his back, the fire in her heart unable to be suppressed.

In these two years, as Silas reached his thirties, the pressure from the Sterling family to marry grew stronger. And Silas seemed to begin to compromise, frequently appearing in various social settings.

This made Seraphina feel an unprecedented crisis.

Half an hour later, Silas came out after showering and found Seraphina still sitting in the living room, with a cup of freshly made honey water before her.

"Drink it; it's good for your stomach." Seraphina's voice was somewhat muffled.

Silas walked over, picked up the cup, and drank it in one go.

Just as he was about to return to his room, Seraphina suddenly hugged his waist from behind.

The man's body froze on the spot.

"Seraphina, let go." His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a dangerous warning.

"I won't." Seraphina pressed her face against his broad, firm back, feeling the fresh scent on him after showering. "Uncle, are you really going to marry Miss Miller? If that's the case, I'll resign tomorrow and move out."

Silas turned around abruptly, his large hands gripping her shoulders, pinning her against the back of the sofa.

"Move out? Seraphina, what do you think this place is? You come and go as you please?" His eyes were filled with paranoia and rage. "You were raised by the Sterling family; your life is mine. Without my permission, you're not allowed to go anywhere."

"Then why did you bring back another woman's fragrance!" Seraphina finally shouted, tears of grievance welling in her eyes.

Looking at her small face reddened with anger, the rage in Silas's heart miraculously subsided somewhat.

He gave a self-deprecating laugh, leaned down, his thin lips against her ear.

"Seraphina, are you jealous?"

"I..."

"That was just a gift from the Miller Group; it was knocked over at the dinner table." He explained somewhat stiffly, but for someone of his personality, this was already a huge concession. "Don't lose your temper with me over such small matters in the future."

Seraphina was stunned.

Uncle... was explaining to her?

Before she could react, Silas had already let go of her and entered the master bedroom without looking back.

That night, Seraphina had insomnia.

And Silas, in that locked master bedroom, looked at the non-existent ring mark on his ring finger until dawn.

The next day's multinational meeting, because the other company temporarily changed its strategy, left the Sterling Group's legal team caught off guard.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was so oppressive it made one want to escape.

Silas Sterling sat at the head of the table, his face ashen, playing with a Parker gold pen. The tip of the pen tapped rhythmically on the mahogany tabletop, "tap, tap, tap," every sound feeling like it was knocking on everyone's hearts.

"Legal department, is this the contract you've been preparing for a month?" Silas spoke coldly, and wherever his gaze swept, no one dared to look up.

Seraphina Su sat in a position diagonally behind him, focused on recording. Seeing this scene, she lightly pursed her lips.

This was already the third time Silas had lost his temper today.

Mid-meeting break.

Everyone filed out as if granted amnesty, wanting to go to the smoking room or breakroom for a breath of air.

Soon, only Silas and Seraphina were left in the large conference room.

"Uncle, have some water." Seraphina stood up, poured a cup of warm water, and handed it over.

Silas didn't take it, still staring deathly at that problematic contract, the violence in his eyes almost overflowing.

Seeing this, Seraphina let out a soft sigh. She simply walked over, pulled out the chair next to him, and sat down.

"Uncle, don't be angry anymore. There are indeed problems on the legal department's side, but that Jack from the other company clearly came prepared too. I've already sent an email to his competitor abroad; in about ten minutes, his cards will change."

Hearing this, Silas finally stopped his hand tapping the gold pen. He turned his head, looking at Seraphina's confident small face, and the corner of his mouth hooked almost imperceptibly.

"When did you do that?"

"While you were scolding them just now." Seraphina smiled with curved eyes. "I can't really watch you get sick from anger, can I?"

Silas looked at her, his gaze gradually becoming deep, and that ferocity originally directed at the legal department was significantly dissolved by her few words.

The space under the conference table was large, with a long tablecloth hanging all the way to the floor, constructing an absolutely private space.

Seraphina seemed to think of something, her body leaning slightly forward, pretending to pick up a pen that had fallen on the floor.

Under the cover of the tablecloth, her small foot wearing a black stiletto heel carelessly and lightly kicked Silas's straight, long leg.

Silas's whole body stiffened, and his hand holding the Parker gold pen suddenly tightened.

He lowered his eyelids, watching Seraphina straighten her body as if nothing had happened, holding the pen that hadn't actually fallen at all, and even giving him a provocative wink.

"Uncle, cool down your fire, hmm?" she lowered her voice, her tone soft and sweet, carrying a hook only he could hear.

Under the table, she didn't withdraw her foot but instead intensified her actions, her toes crawling up his expensive suit pants bit by bit.

That rubbing through the fabric, carrying the little girl's unique, seemingly non-existent fresh fragrance, made Silas's temples throb.

Just then, the conference room door was pushed open, and the legal director entered tremblingly with several people.

"Mr. Sterling, we've discussed a new plan..."

Silas's expression instantly returned to that cold indifference of a high-altitude flower, as if that moment of stiffness just now were only an illusion.

But his left hand resting on the tabletop was deathly gripping the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Seraphina didn't restrain herself because someone entered; instead, using the cover of the tablecloth, her toes mischievously drew a circle at his knee.

Silas's breathing instantly deepened by several degrees.

"Continue." He was concise, his voice even hoarser than before.

The legal director had no idea what was happening, only feeling that Mr. Sterling's gaze was even more terrifying than when he was scolding people just now, as if he were desperately suppressing some emotion about to explode.

He reported tremblingly, while Seraphina elegantly flipped through her notebook, her expression calm as the most perfect workplace elite.

Only Silas knew how boldly this little girl who grew up under his eyes was now challenging his reason.

His reason was frantically screaming to grab her and punish her fiercely, yet his body was forced to maintain this abstinent, calm CEO image.

"Mr. Sterling, do you think... this plan will work?" The director finished his report, not daring to even breathe.

Silas remained silent for a full three seconds; during those three seconds, Seraphina's toes were restlessly pressing against his inner thigh.

"...Get out," Silas spat out two words.

"Huh?"

"Everyone get out." He suddenly closed his eyes, his voice carrying a tightness suppressed to the extreme. "Assistant Su, stay."

Everyone fled the scene as if granted amnesty.

As soon as the door closed, Silas suddenly reached out, grabbed Seraphina's wrist, and pulled her whole person up from the chair, pinning her against the huge mahogany table in the conference room.

"Seraphina, who gave you the courage?" He leaned down, dark waves churning in his black eyes, his voice incredibly low and hoarse.

Seraphina wasn't afraid at all; she hooked his tie, pulled it down slightly, and smiled like a cat that had successfully caught a fish.

"Uncle, didn't you say... you wanted me to help you 'put out the fire'?"

Silas's pupils contracted sharply, and that layer of disguised restraint between elder and superior was, at this moment, riddled with cracks.

Originally, I thought these days at the Sterling Group would continue with such "undercurrents," until a sudden phone call broke the peace.

Although Seraphina Su was already graduated and working at the Sterling Group, she was still pursuing a part-time master's degree in the Finance Department at New York University.

That afternoon, while Silas Sterling was in a meeting with several executives, Seraphina's phone rang urgently.

She glanced at the caller ID, her face instantly changing, and quietly slipped out of the conference room to answer.

"Hello? Professor Wang?"

"Seraphina Su, your current state is very wrong! The project I gave you, you actually found someone to ghostwrite it? And you plagiarized large sections in your midterm paper! Return to school immediately; we need to discuss your disciplinary action. Also, contact your family; the nature of this matter is very serious!"

Seraphina was stunned.

Plagiarism? Ghostwriting? How could this be possible!

Although she was incredibly busy at the Sterling Group, her studies were always her bottom line; all her papers were ground out word by word through all-nighters.

"Professor, there must be a misunderstanding..."

"Say no more; bring your parents and be at the office punctually at 3:00 PM!"

Hanging up the phone, Seraphina's palms were covered in cold sweat.

Family? Her only family was the Sterling family.

If the uncles and aunts of the Sterling family found out about this, they would definitely take the opportunity to make a big deal out of it, even forcing Silas Sterling to kick her out.

But if she didn't call anyone, once this matter was finalized, her master's degree would be completely ruined.

Seraphina paced outside the conference room for a long time until the meeting ended.

Silas was the first to walk out of the conference room and immediately saw the despondent Seraphina.

"What's wrong?" He dismissed everyone and walked to her, his tone carrying a hint of concern he hadn't even noticed himself.

"Uncle..." As soon as Seraphina saw him, her eyes instantly turned red.

The small special assistant who was incredibly strong outside instantly turned back into that little girl who had suffered a grievance in front of Silas.

"Who bullied you?" Silas's gaze instantly became gloomy, and his entire being exuded a terrifying aura.

Seraphina sobbed as she explained the situation at school.

"You're saying someone framed you for plagiarism and wants to see your parents?" After Silas finished listening, the coldness in his eyes almost froze into ice.

The girl he raised, he knew best. Although Seraphina would occasionally be mischievous, she would never make a mistake on such a matter of principle.

Moreover, with the Sterling family's strength, did she need to plagiarize?

"Let's go." He grabbed Seraphina's wrist and pulled her toward the elevator.

"Where to?" Seraphina followed blankly.

"Back to school." Silas pressed the button for the underground garage, his voice deep and powerful. "I want to see who gave them the courage to dare issue disciplinary action to Silas Sterling's family."

"But Uncle... you still have to sign with the Miller Group this afternoon..."

"Cancel it."

"Huh?"

"I said, cancel it." Silas turned his head, looking at her, his gaze firm. "No matter how important the Miller Group's project is, it's not as important as your future."

At that moment, looking at Silas's cold profile, Seraphina's originally panicked heart miraculously settled down.

She knew that as long as this person was there, the sky would not fall.

New York University, Administration Building.

Inside the Dean's office, Professor Wang sat on a mahogany chair, reviewing the comparison report with a serious expression. Opposite him sat two girls: one was Seraphina Su, and the other was a cousin from a side branch of the Sterling family—Stacy Sterling.

Stacy was currently looking smug, with a hint of coldness in her eyes and brows.

"Professor, I've said it; I saw Seraphina paying someone to write her paper in the dormitory with my own eyes. She's been so busy being a special assistant at the Sterling Group lately; where would she find time to study? This paper has the exact same framework as the one I published in the school journal; if it's not plagiarism, what is it?"

"Seraphina, what else do you have to explain?" Professor Wang sighed, looking at Seraphina with disappointment.

Seraphina bit her lip, standing there with her back straight: "I didn't plagiarize. I have backups of all the drafts, references, and field research data for that paper. On the contrary, Stacy's framework looks more like she took an unfinished version from my computer."

"You're lying! That's my original work!" Stacy screamed. "You're just an orphan girl parasitic on the Sterling family; besides seducing Uncle, what else can you do? Someone like you doesn't deserve to be at NYU!"

"Bang!"

The office door was kicked open violently from the outside, the heavy door hitting the wall with a loud thud.

Everyone turned their heads simultaneously.

A man in a black trench coat strode in. He had an upright figure, and his entire being exuded a terrifying aura of killing intent. Those phoenix eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses were now filled with frost.

"Who did you call a parasite?"

Silas Sterling's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unquestionable dominance.

The originally arrogant Stacy, upon seeing Silas, was so frightened she almost fell off her chair.

"Un... Uncle?" Her teeth were chattering.

Professor Wang and the Dean were also startled by this display, quickly standing up: "May I ask who this is..."

"Silas Sterling."

Two simple words, yet they instantly plunged the entire room into a dead silence.

Second Master Sterling of New York—who didn't know him? This entire teaching building, and even the recently completed experimental center at NYU, were mostly donated by the Sterling Group.

"Mr... Mr. Sterling, why did you come in person?" The Dean wiped away cold sweat, bowing and scraping as he stepped forward.

Silas didn't even look at him, walking straight to Seraphina.

Looking at the little girl's reddened eyes, the coldness in his eyes deepened. He took off his trench coat, draped it over Seraphina's thin shoulders, and naturally pulled her into his arms.

"Suffered a grievance?" His voice was low and gentle, yet it made everyone else present feel a bone-chilling cold.

Seraphina shook her head, her small hand clutching his clothes: "Uncle, she said I plagiarized."

Silas sneered, turning his head to look at Stacy, his gaze as if looking at a corpse.

"Stacy Sterling, the side branch of the Sterling family takes dividends from the Sterling Group every year just so you can slander my special assistant here?"

"I... I didn't... Uncle, it's true, she really plagiarized..." Stacy was still making a final struggle.

Silas raised his hand in a signal, and Assistant Zhou behind him immediately handed over a tablet computer.

"Professor Wang, this is what I brought. Video surveillance of Seraphina working in the office every night, along with the timestamps for every version of her drafts saved. Additionally, we found that Stacy Sterling used illegal means to hack into Seraphina's private computer three days ago; all the IP address records are here."

Silas's voice was calm and decisive: "The child I, Silas Sterling, raised—if she wanted a paper, I could buy the entire academic world. But she doesn't need to, because she has the ability."

Professor Wang took the tablet, and after looking through it carefully, his face instantly became extremely unpleasant.

"Stacy Sterling! You actually dared to commit academic fraud and then falsely accuse someone else!"

"No... it's not like that..."

"Enough." Silas interrupted coldly. "Dean, I need a public explanation for this matter. As for Stacy Sterling, I will have someone follow up on the expulsion notice from NYU. Additionally, the side branch's dividends for next year are canceled."

This one sentence directly cut off Stacy's entire family's livelihood.

Stacy collapsed onto the floor, her face pale as if she had lost her parents.

Silas didn't even give her another glance, holding Seraphina, and strode out of the administration building amidst the awe and amazement of everyone.

It wasn't until she sat in that black Maybach that Seraphina woke up as if from a dream.

"Uncle, you were really fierce just now," she whispered.

Silas was leaning over to help her fasten her seatbelt; hearing this, his movements paused, the distance between them so close their breaths were audible.

"If I weren't a bit fierce, these people would have swallowed you whole." He looked at her close-at-hand red lips, his Adam's apple moving slightly. "Seraphina, remember, as long as I'm here, no one can touch you. Even if that person's last name is Sterling, they still can't."

The ambiguous atmosphere in the car instantly heated up.

Seraphina looked at the man's abstinent and paranoid profile, suddenly feeling that today's "meeting with parents" wasn't so bad after all.

On the way back from school, Seraphina Su remained somewhat silent.

Silas Sterling drove, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the little girl in the passenger seat. She was tightly wrapped in his black overcoat, her small face buried in the collar, like a startled yet well-behaved kitten.

"Still angry?" Silas spoke, breaking the silence.

"No, just thinking... Uncle, you canceled the date with Miss Miller today; will the Miller family be unhappy?" Seraphina turned to look at him, a hint of probing in her eyes.

Silas's hand on the steering wheel tightened, and his tone became somewhat stiff: "I will naturally handle the Miller family. That's not for you to worry about."

"Oh." Seraphina responded dully.

The car stopped downstairs at the apartment.

When getting out, because the movement was too large, the phone in Seraphina's coat slid into the gap of the seat. She leaned down to reach for it, not noticing that Silas also leaned down to help.

"Don't move." The man's voice sounded exceptionally deep in the cramped space.

Seraphina froze on the spot, the tip of her nose almost touching Silas's neck.

This distance allowed her to clearly smell that faint agarwood fragrance on him, mixed with the cool autumn air he had just picked up outside. It was a masculine, powerful scent.

What was even more fatal was that Silas was wearing a white shirt today, with one collar button undone; under Seraphina's gaze, that rolling Adam's apple was clearly visible.

She instinctively sniffed and couldn't help but murmur: "Uncle, you smell so nice."

Silas's body stiffened abruptly.

He turned his head, meeting Seraphina's large eyes, which appeared somewhat dazed due to the close proximity.

The temperature in the car seemed to instantly rise by several degrees.

"Seraphina, do you know what you're saying?" The man's voice was completely hoarse, carrying an extremely restrained suppression.

Seraphina didn't hide; instead, she grew bold, her small hands resting on the edge of the seat, approaching his ear bit by bit.

"I know. I said... Uncle's shirt smells very good."

Her warm breath sprayed on the man's skin, causing waves of tremors.

Silas's reason almost snapped at this moment. His large hand suddenly gripped her waist, pinning her deathly against the backrest of the passenger seat, his gaze ruthless and crazy.

"Seraphina, I warned you not to play with this kind of fire."

His breathing was heavy, his gaze deathly locked onto her moist, red small mouth. If he moved even one centimeter closer, that line named "uncle and niece" would completely collapse.

At this critical moment, Seraphina's phone suddenly vibrated violently.

It was a call from the Sterling Mansion.

The word "Grandpa" on the screen was like a bucket of ice water poured over both of them.

Silas suddenly woke up, let go of her fiercely, sat back in the driver's seat, his chest heaving violently.

"Answer the phone." He instructed coldly, turning his head away, no longer looking at her.

Seraphina also answered the phone in some panic.

"Silas, tomorrow evening, Miss Miller is having a private dinner at the Hyatt; you must take Seraphina with you. Old Mr. Miller said he wants to meet this 'capable' special assistant of our Sterling family."

After hanging up the phone, Seraphina's heart sank.

Miss Miller.

Miss Miller again.

She looked at the street scenes receding rapidly outside the window, suddenly feeling that the kiss that almost happened just now might have been the salvation she truly wanted.

And Silas didn't speak again after that.

Only after Seraphina went upstairs did he smoke half a pack of cigarettes in the car; amidst the swirling smoke, his gaze was even deeper than the night.

His restraint had reached its limit.

Hyatt Regency, private terrace outside the presidential suite.

As the lights came on, the entire New York night scene was in full view. Although tonight's dinner was nominally for the Miller family to celebrate the completion of a project, anyone with eyes knew it was a pre-engagement outpost for Silas Sterling and Elena Miller.

Elena Miller was the only daughter of the Miller Group, possessing both beauty and talent, and was widely recognized in New York as the woman most suitable for Silas Sterling.

Seraphina Su wore an extremely formal, even somewhat stiff, black suit dress tonight. This was how she should look as "Assistant Su."

But even such ordinary formal wear could not hide her graceful figure and lively small face.

"Uncle, Miss Miller is waiting for you over there." Seraphina stood behind Silas, her tone so formulaic that no one could tell her mood.

Silas wore a pure black tuxedo tonight, his gold-rimmed glasses put away, revealing phoenix eyes that flashed with an intimidating cold light under the lamps.

"Seraphina, put away that dead face." He warned in a low voice, his large hand naturally taking her waist and leading her toward the center of the cocktail party.

Seraphina's body stiffened, but she didn't struggle.

"Silas, you've finally come." Elena Miller wore a champagne-colored backless long dress, looking like a noble champagne rose, walking over elegantly.

Her gaze slightly solidified for a second when it fell on Silas's hand around Seraphina's waist, but she quickly regained a proper smile.

"Miss Su is here too; I'm really sorry, there are many people tonight, so I might not be able to look after you." Elena Miller smiled, her tone carrying a hint of condescending superiority.

"Miss Miller is too polite; I am Mr. Sterling's special assistant and don't need to be looked after." Seraphina returned a flawless smile.

After several rounds of drinks.

Silas went to a private room with several Miller family elders to discuss business, leaving Seraphina on the terrace.

"Miss Su, I heard you were adopted by the Sterling family?" Elena Miller, holding a red wine glass, walked slowly to Seraphina's side, her gaze carrying a bit more scrutiny. "For someone of your background to sit in the position of Silas's special assistant, you must have put in quite a lot of effort, right?"

"If Miss Miller has something to say, why not say it directly." Seraphina turned around, looking straight into her eyes.

"It's simple." Elena Miller took a sip of red wine. "After Silas and I marry, there will be a major purge of the Sterling Group's internal personnel. At that time, I will arrange a better place for Miss Su, for example... going to a branch office as a department manager."

This was an obvious attempt to drive her away.

Seraphina let out a soft laugh and suddenly leaned close to Elena Miller, whispering: "Miss Miller, there's one thing you might have gotten wrong. Silas Sterling is not someone who can be 'arranged' by just anyone. Even if you are his future wife, you still can't."

"You!" Elena Miller's face changed.

Just then, Seraphina saw Silas not far away, having finished talking with the elders and walking this way.

A hint of craftiness flashed in her eyes.

"Miss Miller, watch out!"

Seraphina suddenly let out a cry of surprise, and then her whole person seemed to lose balance, falling backward abruptly.

At the same time, she accidentally knocked over a crystal ornament Elena Miller had placed by the table.

"Bang!"

The crystal shattered all over the floor.

"Seraphina!" Silas strode over in a few steps, disregarding any image in public, and caught Seraphina steadily.

"Uncle, I think I've twisted my ankle..." Seraphina huddled in the man's arms, her small face pale, tears welling in her eyes, looking as pitiful as could be.

Elena Miller stood aside, completely stunned.

She hadn't touched Seraphina at all!

"Miss Miller, what is going on?" Silas looked at Elena Miller, his originally smiling eyes instantly becoming bone-chillingly cold.

"I... I didn't push her; she fell down herself!" Elena Miller explained hurriedly.

"Does Miss Miller mean that my special assistant deliberately self-harmed in front of so many celebrities?" Silas sneered and picked Seraphina up horizontally.

"It seems today's dinner cannot continue. Seraphina is startled; I'm taking her back."

Amidst the astonished gazes of everyone, Silas carried Seraphina and left the scene without looking back.

It wasn't until they sat in the car that Seraphina breathed a sigh of relief, her originally "unbearable pain" expression instantly vanishing as she giggled in the man's arms.

"Fun?"

Silas's chilly voice came from above.

Seraphina looked up, meeting the man's half-smiling eyes that seemed to see through everything.

"Uncle... you found out?"

"Seraphina, your acting is really clumsy." Silas gave her waist a punitive pinch. "Remember, don't use this kind of trick again."

Since the dinner at the Hyatt Regency was "messed up," Elena Miller did not give up.

Three days later.

A private itinerary appeared on Silas Sterling's schedule: Lunch with Miss Miller.

Seraphina Su looked at that line of words, her teeth clenching until they creaked.

"Uncle, I know that restaurant Miss Miller chose; their signature dish is foie gras. But I remember you're allergic to animal organs." Seraphina said casually while organizing his shirt.

Silas sat in his chair, resting with his eyes closed: "That was specifically arranged by Old Mr. Miller; I can't decline."

"Oh." Seraphina responded obediently.

1:00 PM, Western restaurant.

Silas and Elena Miller sat opposite each other. The restaurant environment was excellent, with a violinist playing a soothing melody nearby, the atmosphere romantic to the extreme.

"Silas, try this..." Elena Miller was about to introduce a dish when she was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.

The restaurant captain entered with a "delivery person" wearing black-rimmed glasses and a heavy professional suit.

Although the person was covered up tightly, Silas recognized those spirited eyes at a glance.

It was Seraphina.

"Mr. Sterling, sorry to bother you." Seraphina changed her tone, making it sound somewhat coarse. "This is the antidote your 'wife' specifically instructed us to deliver just now."

"Wife? Antidote?" Elena Miller's voice instantly rose.

Silas raised an eyebrow and didn't speak.

Seraphina took out a large bowl of dark, strange-smelling liquid from a thermal container and placed it next to that exquisite plate of foie gras.

"This is a secret recipe specifically for suppressing indigestion caused by 'overwork' like yours. Wife said, if you don't finish it in front of Miss Miller, you're not allowed to enter the house tonight."

Elena Miller's face turned from blue to white, and she turned to look at Silas: "Silas, is what she said true? You've already..."

Silas looked at that bowl of pitch-black liquid, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

What antidote? This was clearly the incredibly bitter herbal tea Seraphina had left over from brewing last night.

But he didn't expose her; instead, he showed a "helpless" yet affectionate expression: "Yeah. The one at home has a big temper; sorry for making you see this joke."

Seraphina was holding back her laughter so hard her stomach hurt.

"Since Mr. Sterling already has a family, then the previous blind dates..." Elena Miller's hand was trembling with anger.

"It was just the elders' intention; Miss Miller doesn't need to take it seriously." Silas responded flatly.

In the end, Elena Miller ran out crying from this meal.

As soon as Elena Miller left, Seraphina immediately took off her glasses and sat giggling in Elena Miller's seat, forking a piece of foie gras and stuffing it into her mouth.

"Mmph, tastes good. Uncle, aren't you eating?"

Silas looked at her, his gaze full of indulgence and helplessness.

"Seraphina, who on earth did you learn this childish way of sabotaging from?"

"Learned it from Uncle." Seraphina swallowed the foie gras and thick-facedly leaned in. "Who told you to always be hot and cold toward me and not let me find other men. I call this returning the favor."

Silas suddenly reached out, his long fingertip wiping a bit of sauce from the corner of her lip.

His gaze gradually became hot, carrying an impulse to dismantle and eat her on the spot.

"If you dare find another man, I'll do more than just sabotage."

Seraphina's heart trembled, and the fork in her hand almost fell to the floor.

She discovered that in front of this man, no matter how she caused trouble, in the end, it seemed she was always the one who lost.

"Uncle... Uncle... I can't do it anymore..."

At eleven o'clock at night, Silas Sterling had just finished processing a multinational email when he heard a weak cry from the living room.

He pushed open the door and saw Seraphina Su curled up on the sofa, her small face ashen, hands tightly clutching her stomach, with fine beads of sweat all over her forehead.

"What's wrong?" Silas strode over, pulling her into his arms, his palm reaching for her forehead.

Not hot.

"Sto... stomach hurts." Seraphina naturally ducked into his arms, her voice as faint as a mosquito's. "Maybe that piece of foie gras this afternoon was too greasy, plus I just drank too much cold water..."

Silas looked at her, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

Seraphina's stomach had always been very good; she was fine even eating spicy hot pot usually, so how could one piece of foie gras make it hurt like this?

But he still didn't dare to be careless, standing up to go to the kitchen to pour a cup of warm water, and brought over the medicine box.

"Take this painkiller first."

Seraphina obediently opened her mouth to take the medicine, but when the man was about to withdraw his hand, she grabbed his sleeve.

"Uncle, don't leave. I'm scared."

"It's just a stomachache; what are you afraid of?" Although Silas said this, his movements softened a lot, and he sat back on the sofa, letting her lean against his leg.

"Scared you're angry. I drove Miss Miller away this afternoon; I know Grandpa will definitely call to scold you." Seraphina looked up, looking as pitiful as could be. "Uncle, will you send me away?"

Silas looked at those eyes filled with misty haze, and the softest part of his heart was hit hard.

He reached out, gently covering her lower abdomen, massaging it rhythmically.

"Don't let your mind wander. You are my special assistant; except for my side, you're not allowed to go anywhere."

Seraphina felt the warmth from the man's palm continuously transferring over, that thick, security-filled power making her originally faked "stomachache" actually ease significantly.

She greedily breathed in the scent on him, her small head nuzzling against his abdominal muscles.

"Uncle, you're so good."

Silas felt the soft body in his arms, and his breathing involuntarily became heavy.

He knew Seraphina was faking it.

Although her acting had improved a bit from before, in front of him, a business world fox, it was still full of loopholes. Her small movements, her occasional peeking gaze, were all betraying her.

But he was willing to cooperate.

Not only did he cooperate, he even enjoyed this feeling of being depended on and "deceived" by her.

"Since your stomach hurts, sleep here tonight; don't go back to your room." Silas's voice was hoarse beyond belief.

"Huh?" Seraphina was stunned.

Before she could react, Silas had already picked her up horizontally and walked toward that master bedroom he never allowed her to enter.

That night, nothing happened between them.

But Seraphina lay in Silas's arms, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling for the first time that she was so close to that "taboo" answer.

And Silas, with his eyes open in the darkness, looked at the ceiling.

He knew he had completely fallen.

The little girl he had raised from childhood had finally become the greatest weakness of his life.

Although the time spent together in the master bedroom last night was pure, Seraphina Su guiltily discovered that Uncle's face when he came to work today was even darker than usual.

"Since your 'stomachache' was so severe last night, you can do an extra copy of today's report review."

Silas Sterling instructed without looking up. He had changed into a cool-toned silver-gray suit today, his whole person exuding a solemnity that kept people a thousand miles away.

Seraphina pursed her lips and resignedly picked up that thick stack of documents.

This was the consequence of faking illness—being "retaliated" against by Uncle in a disguised way.

At 3:00 PM, sunlight filtered through the blinds into the office, leaving streaks of light and shadow on the floor.

Seraphina was busy to the point of dizziness when she suddenly felt a burning gaze. She looked up and found that Silas had at some point put down his work and was staring at her intently.

That look was not like an elder looking at a junior, but more like a predator patrolling its territory.

"Uncle, why are you looking at me like that?" Seraphina shrank her neck nervously.

"Seraphina, do you really think that as long as you act spoiled, I'll truly have no way to deal with you?" Silas stood up, walked around the desk, and approached step by step.

Seraphina instinctively backed away until her back pressed against the cold floor-to-ceiling glass window.

"I... I don't."

Silas rested one hand on the glass behind her, his tall figure completely and tightly enveloping her.

"What were you thinking last night?" He leaned down, his thin lips almost touching the tip of her nose. "Thinking about how to continue sabotaging my blind dates? Or thinking about how to sleep in my room?"

Seraphina's face flushed instantly.

The embarrassment of being exposed mixed with her racing heart, making her speak without thinking: "Doesn't Uncle know best what I'm thinking! I just don't want you to marry anyone else; I just want to possess you, so what!"

The office became terrifyingly quiet for a moment.

Seraphina regretted it as soon as she finished speaking. Who was she talking to? This was Second Master Silas Sterling, who controlled the life and death of countless people!

Silas, however, suddenly let out a low laugh. That laughter was muffled and suppressed, carrying a wildness that made one's heart tremble.

"Very well."

He suddenly freed one hand and lifted her chin.

"Since you want to possess me so much, I'll give you a chance. From today on, except for sleeping, you must stay within my sight every minute and every second. If I find you saying even one more word to another man..."

He paused, his gaze becoming highly aggressive.

"I will exercise my 'family rights' in front of the entire company."

Seraphina was stunned.

This so-called "punishment"—how did it sound... more like a naked declaration of possession?

Before she could react, Silas had already let go of her and turned toward the door.

"Let's go; I'll take you to see an 'acquaintance'."

"Who?"

"Elena Miller's brother, Mark Miller. He happens to be in charge of the interface for our next project."

Seraphina's heart skipped a beat.

Mark Miller? That playboy with an extremely bad reputation in New York, who even had rumors of harassing female subordinates?

Was Uncle going to... perform a sting operation?

The meeting with Mark Miller was arranged in a high-end club private room.

Due to the involvement of the project's core secrets, Seraphina Su, as the special assistant, had to be present to take minutes.

Mark Miller wore a flashy dark purple suit today; as soon as he entered, his gaze was deathly locked onto Seraphina. That look was lecherous and greedy, as if wanting to swallow Seraphina whole on the spot.

"Mr. Sterling, is this the 'omnipotent' Assistant Su rumored in New York? Indeed, seeing is believing; she's truly a beauty." Mark Miller said while trying to grab Seraphina's hand in an extremely frivolous manner.

Seraphina was about to dodge when she found a slender and powerful hand reached out first, fiercely gripping Mark Miller's wrist.

"Mr. Miller, if you don't want your hand anymore, you can say so directly."

Silas Sterling's voice was as cold as ice, and the pressure from someone in power caused the air in the private room to freeze instantly.

Mark Miller was in pain, his face changed, and he resentfully withdrew his hand: "Mr. Sterling is joking; I just wanted to say hello."

During the subsequent conversation, although Mark Miller didn't dare to move his hands again, his eyes never left Seraphina.

Silas's face grew darker and darker, and his hand originally resting on the table clenched tightly into a fist.

Seraphina sat aside, feeling like she was on a bed of needles.

Finally, the talk ended.

Walking out of the private room, Silas walked extremely fast, and Seraphina had to jog to keep up.

"Uncle, walk slower..."

At the corner of the corridor, Silas suddenly stopped, turned around, and abruptly pushed Seraphina into an empty storage room.

"Bang!"

The moment the door was locked, Seraphina was pressed against the door.

"Uncle?"

"Seraphina, who gave you permission to wear this skirt today?" Silas's voice carried a madness that was almost uncontrollable.

Seraphina wore a knee-length narrow pencil skirt today, which indeed outlined her figure's curves to the fullest.

"This is the formal wear required by the company..." Seraphina felt somewhat wronged.

"Formal wear?" Silas sneered, his large hand suddenly lifting her face, forcing her to meet his already reddened eyes. "When he was staring at you just now, do you know what I wanted to do? I wanted to gouge out his eyes!"

Seraphina was frightened by the ferocity in his eyes and instinctively tried to push him away: "Uncle, calm down..."

"I'm not calm!" Silas seemed to be completely stimulated by the word "Uncle"; he lowered his head, his burning breath spraying on her lips.

"Seraphina, I've endured for ten years. Watching you grow up bit by bit, watching you smile at other young boys, watching you play some 'uncle and niece' game with me here... Do you know how much I want to lock you at home so no one can see you?"

He held her waist tightly, with a force as if he wanted to rub her into pieces.

"This restraint... is really driving me crazy."

Seraphina was completely stunned.

She had always thought she was in a one-sided love, always thought she was playing with fire.

She didn't expect that this man, who appeared calm, self-possessed, and unattainable, actually suppressed such terrifying and thick desire deep in his heart.

"Uncle..." She reached out with a trembling hand, gently stroking his burning cheek. "If you're crazy, I'll stay with you."

Silas's body shook violently, and at that moment, the last bit of clarity in his eyes completely vanished.

He lowered his head and fiercely kissed those red lips he had desired for countless days and nights.

It was no longer a punishment from an elder to a junior, but a man's most extreme and crazy declaration of sovereignty over a woman.

That kiss lasted for a long time.

It wasn't until Seraphina Su felt the air in her lungs was about to be drained dry that Silas Sterling let go of her.

But his forehead still rested against hers, his breathing heavy and burning.

"Seraphina, from this moment on, if you dare to regret, I'll break your legs." The man spoke ruthlessly, yet his gaze was incredibly gentle.

Seraphina flushed, panting, her small hand clutching his tie: "Whoever regrets is a puppy."

Walking out of the storage room, Seraphina's lips were excessively swollen, so she could only keep her head down, following Silas step by step.

Back in the car, Silas didn't rush to start the engine but took a tube of ointment from the storage box, carefully applying it to her lips.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

"What do you think?" Seraphina gave him a look. "Is Uncle a dog?"

Silas let out a soft laugh, the gloom in his eyes finally dissipating by more than half.

Just then, Seraphina's phone suddenly rang.

Glancing at the screen, her expression instantly became strange.

"Why not answer?" Silas raised an eyebrow.

"It's... a university senior. He's been helping me find some research materials lately." Seraphina felt somewhat guilty.

Silas didn't speak, directly took her phone, pressed the answer button, and turned on the speakerphone.

"Seraphina, I found that literature you wanted last time; do you have time? I'll treat you to dinner tonight and bring the materials to you in passing." On the other end of the phone, the senior's voice carried an obvious flattering tone.

Before Seraphina could even speak, Silas had already coldly taken over.

"She doesn't have time. Also, from now on, I will have someone specially deliver materials to her. You, stay away from her."

After saying that, he directly hung up the phone and put that number on the blacklist.

"Silas Sterling, what are you doing!" Seraphina grew anxious. "That was official business!"

"Official business?" Silas turned his head, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Seraphina, you just said whoever regrets is a puppy. What, are you already starting to feel bad for your senior?"

"I didn't..."

"You are mine, Seraphina. You were before, you are now, and you will be even more so in the future." Silas leaned over, trapping her between the driver's seat and his body. "Every strand of your hair, every drop of your tears, even every person you think about in your mind, can only be me."

This possessiveness, paranoid to the extreme, might feel suffocating to anyone else.

But Seraphina, looking at his face which appeared somewhat childish due to jealousy, felt a sweetness so thick it was cloying.

"I know, King of Jealousy Sterling." She proactively kissed his face. "About the materials, remember to handle it for me."

"I don't need materials to get you the highest score." Silas started the car, the corner of his mouth hooking into a determined curve.

At this moment, Seraphina was finally certain.

That mask named "Uncle" had finally been personally torn to pieces by them.

That night, the road home seemed exceptionally long.

Silas Sterling drove very slowly, their hands tightly clasped over the gear lever, neither letting go.

"Seraphina." He suddenly called her childhood name in a low voice.

"Hmm?"

"Grandpa is coming over tomorrow; he probably heard about Elena Miller." Silas's gaze looked ahead, his tone calm, yet his grip on her hand tightened a bit. "I will confess our relationship to him."

Seraphina's heart sank abruptly: "Uncle, this is too fast. Grandpa's health isn't good; if he gets angry..."

"This matter can't be hidden, and it shouldn't be hidden." Silas turned his head to glance at her, his gaze deep. "If you still stay by my side as a 'special assistant' or 'adopted daughter,' people like Elena Miller will only increase. I don't want you to suffer any more grievances, and I don't want to waste any more time in these meaningless blind date setups."

Seraphina fell silent.

She knew Silas's character. Once he decided on something, nine oxen couldn't pull him back.

Back at the apartment, the atmosphere in the evening became somewhat subtle.

Seraphina originally wanted to sleep in the guest room, but was blocked at the door by Silas.

"Seraphina, have you forgotten the agreement we just reached this afternoon?"

"What agreement?"

"Every minute and every second, you must be within my sight." Silas pulled her into the master bedroom without allowing any argument, naturally locking the door behind them.

That night, although they lay on the same bed, they did nothing out of line.

Silas just held her tightly, burying his head in her neck, his breathing steady.

"Sleep; after tomorrow, everything will be different."

Seraphina shrank in his arms, listening to the occasional car horns outside the window, her heart both apprehensive and sweet.

She didn't know how violent tomorrow's storm would be, but she knew that as long as this man was still behind her, she would never be alone.

3:00 AM.

In a half-dreaming state, Seraphina felt Silas imprint an extremely gentle, pity-filled kiss on her forehead.

"Seraphina, I'm sorry. For making you wait so long."

The corners of her eyes quietly moistened.

It turned out he had always known her feelings. It turned out that under his cold shell, he had always hidden such a gentle side.

This night was the last time they would spend together under the name of "uncle and niece."

When dawn descended, they would walk together toward that unknown future filled with challenges, yet also filled with hope.

The Sterling Mansion.

Old Mr. Sterling sat in the main seat, his face gloomy, with the complaint letter from the Miller family about "Assistant Su sabotaging the blind date" placed before him.

"Silas, explain to me, what exactly is going on?" The old man slammed the table hard.

Silas Sterling wore a pure black suit today, looking exceptionally cold and hard. He held Seraphina Su's hand, walking step by step to stand before the old man.

Seraphina's heart was drumming, but her back was very straight.

"Dad, this matter has nothing to do with Seraphina; I told her to do it." Silas spoke, his voice calm without a single ripple.

"You told her to do it? Are you crazy?" The old man pointed at him. "The Miller family and our Sterling family are old family friends; how does Elena Miller not match you? You actually indulged a small special assistant to humiliate her in public!"

"She is not just my special assistant."

Silas suddenly increased the force of his grip on Seraphina's hand.

"She is my future wife, the lady of the Sterling family."

The air completely solidified at that moment.

The old man seemed not to have heard clearly, stunned for a long while before tremblingly pointing at the two: "What did you say? Say it again!"

"I said, I love Seraphina." Silas looked directly into the old man's eyes, without a hint of retreat in his gaze. "From the day I brought her home ten years ago, I never considered her a niece. She is my woman; in this life, I will only marry her."

"You beast!" The old man suddenly grabbed the teacup on the table and threw it fiercely at Silas.

Silas didn't dodge.

The scalding tea splashed on his forehead, and a porcelain shard cut his brow bone, blood instantly flowing down.

"Uncle!" Seraphina screamed, wanting to step forward to help him wipe it, but was held back by Silas.

"Dad, this cup counts as my violation of family rules. But this marriage, I am definitely breaking off."

"You... you want to anger me to death, don't you!" The old man clutched his chest, coughing violently. "Seraphina is your junior! This is incest! If this gets out, will the Sterling family's face still be wanted!"

"My last name is Sterling; hers is not." Silas's tone was icy. "Legally, we have no blood relationship. As for face... if I have to sacrifice my lover for so-called face, then this Sterling family is not worth returning to."

"You... you dare to threaten me?"

"It's not a threat; it's a notification." Silas pulled Seraphina and turned to leave.

"Stop!" the old man roared behind them. "Silas Sterling, if you step out of this door today, you give up the position of CEO of the Sterling Group!"

Silas's footsteps paused for a moment.

Seraphina looked at him nervously; she knew what the Sterling Group meant to him. It was the empire he had spent ten years of blood and sweat to build.

Yet she didn't expect Silas to just sneer, take out the seal and door card representing power from his pocket, and casually toss them onto the carpet.

"Assistant Zhou will handle the handover of the remaining matters. From today on, I owe the Sterling family nothing."

He took Seraphina and strode out of the Sterling Mansion.

Until they got into the car, Seraphina was still crying.

"Uncle... are you stupid? The Sterling Group... how could you just say you don't want it..."

Silas wiped the blood from his face while pulling her into his arms, the corner of his mouth hooking into an extremely gentle curve.

"Seraphina, listen clearly. From today on, I'm not some uncle; I'm your man. As for the Sterling Group... do you think your husband has only been working for the family all these years?"

Seraphina was stunned.

She looked at the man's eyes filled with confidence and ambition, suddenly realizing.

This showdown—Silas Sterling had already laid out the plan long ago.

He not only wanted to take her away, but also wanted to take her to build an empire that belonged completely to the two of them.

Three days after leaving the Sterling Group, "Sterling Capital" officially opened in New York's central business district.

Although its scale couldn't temporarily match the giant that was the Sterling Group, all the employees here were trusted aides Silas Sterling had personally promoted over the past few years, and they were his true cards.

Seraphina Su remained his special assistant.

But here, the office's soundproofing was better, and the blinds were more tightly sealed.

"Assistant Su, here is the investment plan for the next quarter." A newly hired intern, Leo, walked in and respectfully set down a document.

Seraphina sat behind the newly added small desk opposite Silas, trying her best to maintain a calm and professional smile: "Good, leave it here."

After Leo left, the office door closed with a click.

Before Seraphina could even breathe a sigh of relief, she felt her ankle being hooked by something warm.

She abruptly looked down and saw that under the desk, Silas's straight, long legs were restlessly invading her territory.

The man was currently sitting in his executive chair, holding a financial report, his expression as serious as if he were thinking about some major matter concerning the company's survival. But under the table, his toes were moving upward from Seraphina's ankle bit by bit.

"Silas Sterling!" Seraphina lowered her voice, glaring at him in shame and anger.

"What did you call me?" Silas looked up slightly, looking at her through his gold-rimmed glasses, a hint of playfulness in his gaze. "Assistant Su, in the company, you should call me Mr. Sterling."

"Take your foot away first!" Seraphina wanted to pull her leg back, but found the man had already precisely gripped the back of her knee; with a slight pull, her chair involuntarily slid toward him.

Because the two desks were very close, Seraphina was almost pulled directly to his thigh.

Silas leaned down, seemingly helping her proofread a document, but actually spraying his warm breath on her earlobe.

"Last night at home, you were calling me 'husband' very happily. How come as soon as you get to the office, you turn your back on me?"

Seraphina's face flushed completely.

Last night.

That was their first night after moving into the new home. Silas, like a madman, forced her to call him that embarrassing name countless times in the bathroom, on the terrace, and finally in bed.

"This is the office!" Seraphina gritted her teeth and kicked him under the table.

Silas not only didn't get angry, but instead naturally brought her two small feet together and tightly clamped them with his own long legs.

"The office is more interesting, isn't it?" He let out a low laugh, signing a flamboyant name on the document on the table. "Assistant Su, help me deliver this document to the legal department. By the way, remember to lock the door when you come back."

"What are you going to do?"

"To 'punish' your disrespect toward your superior under the table just now."

Looking at his serious yet mischievous appearance, Seraphina was both angry and wanted to laugh.

This was the man she fell in love with. Outside, he was a cold, noble business elite; in front of her, he was a paranoid, childish, and extremely sensual King of Jealousy.

This secret romance filled with a sense of taboo, though dangerous, made her unable to stop.

Friday night, there was a grand business cocktail party in New York.

This was Silas Sterling's first public appearance since leaving the Sterling family. Countless eyes were on him, wanting to see how destitute he would be after leaving the Sterling family.

However, when Silas entered the venue holding Seraphina Su's hand, the entire room fell silent instantly.

The man was still that invincible king; even after breaking free from the Sterling family's shackles, the aura of wildness and unruliness on him was even stronger. And Seraphina beside him, wearing a wine-red backless long dress, was so stunning that people couldn't look away.

"Silas, long time no see."

The speaker was the successor of another major family in New York, the Sterling family's rival, Julian Sterling (Note: Use a different name to avoid confusion, let's use Dominic Sterling).

Silas nodded flatly, about to lead Seraphina away.

"Miss Su, may I have this dance?" Dominic Sterling suddenly spoke, his gaze fixed on Seraphina, his eyes full of undisguised amazement and determination.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became somewhat subtle.

Silas's grip on Seraphina's hand suddenly tightened, with a force that made Seraphina frown.

"Mr. Sterling, Seraphina is tired." Silas's voice was icy, his entire being exuding a terrifying ferocity.

"If she's tired, she can rest, but I think Miss Su should also need her own social space." Dominic Sterling was persistent, even taking an exquisite small gift box from his pocket. "Miss Su, actually, I've admired you for a long time. If you're willing to leave Silas Sterling, the position of Vice President of the Sterling Group is always reserved for you."

This was an open attempt to poach someone, even an open confession.

People around were already whispering.

"This Seraphina Su truly has clever methods; after leaving the Sterling family, there's still the Sterling Group to take over."

"Looking so seductive, no wonder Second Master Sterling gave up his empire for her."

Seraphina listened to those harsh words and was about to refuse when she felt the man beside her suddenly move.

Silas directly grabbed the gift box from Dominic Sterling's hand and, in front of everyone, casually tossed it into the nearby fountain.

"Splash!" Water splashed everywhere.

"Silas Sterling! You..." Dominic Sterling was furious.

"First, Seraphina is my person; her social space is decided by me."

Silas walked toward Dominic Sterling step by step, every step carrying a suffocating sense of pressure.

"Second, the position of Vice President of the Sterling Group? Do you think she would care about such trash? She will be my wife in the future; my entire Sterling Capital is property under her name."

Silas directly reached out, cupping the back of Seraphina's head, and in front of everyone, kissed her fiercely.

It was a dominant kiss, filled with possessiveness.

He was announcing to the whole world.

Seraphina was his. Whoever dared to move, died.

At that moment, Seraphina's mind exploded with a buzz. Looking at the man's phoenix eyes close at hand, feeling the racing heart in his chest, her original panic instantly turned into endless palpitation.

This was Silas Sterling.

His love was never subtle; his possessiveness was never hidden.

He would overturn all rules for her.

After the cocktail party ended.

In the returning Maybach, the atmosphere was so heavy that the driver in front, Old Wang, didn't even dare to breathe heavily.

Silas Sterling leaned back in the rear seat, resting with his eyes closed, but Seraphina Su knew he was currently furious to the extreme.

"Uncle, Dominic was deliberately provoking you just now; don't mind him." Seraphina leaned in cautiously, pleadingly tugging at his sleeve.

Silas snapped his eyes open, yanked her into his arms, and deathly gripped her chin with his large hand.

"Dominic Sterling wants to poach you; the position of Vice President of the Sterling Group is very tempting?" When he spoke, there was even a hint of gritted teeth.

"How could I possibly agree! I am Uncle's person in life and Uncle's loyal special assistant in death." Seraphina expressed her loyalty with strong survival instinct.

"Loyal special assistant?" Silas sneered, his large hand moving up from her skirt hem. "Seraphina, have I pampered you too much usually, making you feel you can just go around attracting bees and butterflies?"

"I didn't attract anyone! He came up himself!" Seraphina shouted aggrievedly.

The car suddenly braked hard.

They were home.

Before Seraphina could react, Silas had already opened the car door, directly hoisted her onto his shoulder, and strode upstairs.

"Silas Sterling! Put me down! Old Wang is still watching!" Seraphina was mortified, constantly hitting his back.

Silas acted as if he hadn't heard, entered the door, kicked it shut, and in a few strides was in the bedroom.

"Bang!"

Seraphina was tossed onto the large waterbed.

Before she could sit up, the man had already leaned over, pressing her tightly beneath him.

"Uncle... Uncle, I was wrong..."

"Not allowed to call me Uncle." Silas yanked off his tie, roughly pinning her hands above her head, the fire of jealousy in his eyes almost scorching her. "Call me husband."

"Hus... husband." Seraphina called out with a trembling voice.

Hearing those two words, Silas's originally ferocious gaze softened slightly, but he didn't intend to let her go just like that.

His kisses carried a punitive force, falling on her neck and collarbone, leaving behind ambiguous red marks.

"Seraphina, remember. You are mine. If I ever see another man look at you with that kind of gaze again, I'll make sure you can't get off this bed tomorrow... the day after, or even for the next week."

His voice was hoarse and deep, carrying a sexiness that made one shudder.

That night, Silas Sterling used practical actions to tell Seraphina.

When Second Master Sterling gets jealous, the consequences are truly serious.

In that surging tide of love, Seraphina was like a gardenia flower ravaged by wind and rain, only able to helplessly cling to him, completely sinking in the ultimate pleasure he created.

3:00 AM.

The air in the bedroom still held the sweetness after pleasure.

Silas Sterling looked at Seraphina Su, who had fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion in his arms, and the ferocity in his heart finally settled completely. He stood up, carefully carrying her into the bathroom.

The warm water washed over their bodies.

In a half-asleep state, Seraphina felt someone gently wiping her, the movement as soft as treating some rare treasure.

"Mmph... Uncle." she called out dazed.

Silas stopped his movement, looking at her flushed small face in the dense steam.

"I said not to call me Uncle." His voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of post-coital laziness and extreme indulgence.

He lowered his head, gently kissing the top of her head.

"Seraphina, do you know, when I saw Dominic touching your hand at the cocktail party just now, I really wanted to kill someone."

Seraphina finally woke up a bit more, reaching out her arm to softly circle the man's neck.

"I know. But Uncle, you are no longer the Second Master of the Sterling family; you don't need to work so hard to fight those people for me. I can stop being a special assistant; I can go work somewhere further away..."

"Nonsense." Silas covered her mouth. "I said, wherever you go, I'll be there. Sterling Capital will soon swallow those key projects of the Sterling Group. I want everyone in New York to know that your backer, Seraphina Su, is not just the Sterling family, but me, Silas Sterling."

In this narrow bathroom space, the man's vows were more beautiful than any love words.

He leaned down again, starting another gentle plunder in the flickering water light.

Compared to the ferocity and punishment on the bed just now, he had become extremely patient and gentle. His palms slid over every inch of her porcelain-like skin, causing ripples.

"Seraphina... Seraphina..."

He whispered her name in her ear over and over, as if wanting to carve this name into his bones and blood.

Seraphina felt like a lonely boat, floating and sinking in this deep sea named "Silas Sterling."

That night, they were not just a physical union, but a complete meeting of souls.

Seraphina finally understood.

Why that man, who was cold-blooded and decisive in the business world, had a nearly pathological possessiveness for her alone.

Because she was his life, the only touch of warmth in this cold, wealthy world.

Two months after Silas Sterling left, the Sterling Group's performance showed a clear decline.

Originally, those directors who supported the Sterling family's elder branch began to miss the Second Master Sterling who, though ruthless, could lead them to make money.

Old Mr. Sterling couldn't sit still anymore.

He specifically convened a family meeting, nominally to discuss the strategy for the second half of the year, but actually wanting to find a way to invite Silas back.

However, halfway through the meeting, an uninvited guest burst in.

It was Elena Miller's brother, Mark Miller.

"Grandpa Sterling, uncles. You're here discussing how to invite the Second Master back; I think that's quite unnecessary." Mark Miller tossed a thick stack of photos onto the large round table in the conference room.

On the photos were scenes of Silas and Seraphina Su entering and leaving a private apartment together. There were silhouettes of them going to the supermarket to buy groceries together, the moment Silas leaned down to kiss Seraphina's profile in the parking lot, and even a blurry silhouette of Seraphina wearing Silas's shirt taking in laundry on the balcony.

There was even that scene from the cocktail party where Silas publicly and fiercely kissed Seraphina.

The entire venue was in an uproar.

"This... this is outrageous!"

"Silas actually got together with that adopted daughter?"

Old Mr. Sterling looked at those photos, his hands trembling violently, his face turning from blue to white, and finally, he was so angry he directly swept the nameplates off the table.

"Silas Sterling! He actually dared! He actually dared to do such a thing that offends public decency!"

"Grandpa Sterling, not only that." Mark Miller continued to add fuel to the fire. "I've checked; that so-called 'Sterling Capital' of Second Master Sterling has recently been frantically acquiring the retail shares of the Sterling Group. He not only wants to steal the woman, but he also wants to come back and swallow the entire Sterling Group!"

As soon as these words came out, the directors who originally wanted to be peacemakers couldn't sit still either.

"What? He wants to swallow the Sterling Group?"

"What an ungrateful wolf! The Sterling family raised him for so many years, and he actually wants to bite back for a woman?"

Old Mr. Sterling took a deep breath, his gaze gradually becoming ruthless.

"Go, find out for me where that Seraphina Su is now. Since Silas won't listen, we'll solve the problem at the source."

He looked at the people present, his tone icy: "The Sterling family does not need an incestuous head, and even more so, it does not need a traitor who bites the hand that feeds him. Since Seraphina Su likes seducing elders so much, let her go where she should go."

A huge conspiracy targeted at Seraphina was quietly taking shape in the darkness.

And at this moment, Seraphina, far away in the Sterling Capital office, was sitting in Silas's arms, happily sharing the high-score notice she had just received for her part-time master's degree.

She had no idea that danger was already close at hand.

The day Silas Sterling went to another city for a business trip, Seraphina Su was taken away.

It wasn't a kidnapping, but several black sedans with Sterling family license plates parked directly outside the gates of Sterling Capital.

"Miss Su, the old man wants to see you."

The leader was the Sterling family's old butler; his gaze toward Seraphina held no warmth, only the coldness of official business.

Seraphina knew this day would come sooner or later.

She didn't struggle, nor did she even call Silas. She was very clear that with Old Mr. Sterling's character, if she resisted, it would only cause greater obstacles to Silas's career in the other city.

The Sterling Mansion, a dungeon-like side hall.

Seraphina knelt on the cold bluestone floor. Old Mr. Sterling sat at the head, with elders from various branches of the Sterling family on both sides.

"Seraphina Su, the Sterling family has raised you for ten years, provided you with food and clothes, and sent you to the best schools." Old Mr. Sterling spoke in a deep voice, his tone exuding a bone-chilling aura of killing intent. "And this is how you repay the Sterling family? Seducing Silas, ruining his reputation, and even helping him deal with the Sterling family?"

"I didn't seduce him." Seraphina looked up, her gaze clear and firm. "I love him. Legally, we have no blood relationship. Us being together does not violate any law."

"Law?" Old Mr. Sterling sneered. "In the Sterling family, I am the law! Do you think Silas will truly give up everything for you? Once that project he's negotiating in the other city is successful, he will return to the Sterling Group. At that time, do you think he will still want you, this stain?"

Seraphina's heart trembled, yet she still gritted her teeth and said: "I believe in him."

"Believe? Fine, then I'll let you see how much your 'belief' is worth."

The old man waved his hand, and several bodyguards stepped forward, roughly seizing Seraphina's phone.

"Lock her in the ancestral hall. Within three days, do not give her any food. I want her to wake up and see who is the sky in this city."

Seraphina was locked into that cold, dark Sterling family ancestral hall.

All around were densely packed spirit tablets. In such an environment, the sense of fear would be infinitely magnified. But Seraphina hugged her knees tightly, her mind filled with Silas's gentle kiss before he left.

"Seraphina, when I come back, we'll go get the certificate."

The words he said in her ear became her only support.

And at this moment in the other city.

Silas was raising a glass with investors at a dinner party, his originally smiling eyes instantly becoming gloomy when they touched the string of disappearing GPS signals on his phone.

He dialed Seraphina's number; the prompt said it was turned off.

He then dialed the company security's number.

"Mr. Sterling... Assistant Su was taken away by the old man's people."

"Bang!"

The goblet in Silas's hand shattered.

"Prepare the car. Back to New York." He gritted his teeth, every word sounding as if squeezed from between them. "If Seraphina loses a single strand of hair, I want the entire Sterling family to be buried with her!"

When Silas Sterling returned to New York, it was already 2:00 AM.

He didn't go directly to the Sterling Mansion but instead led his people to directly blockade the Sterling Group's headquarters building.

"Mr. Sterling, what are you doing?" the security manager asked tremblingly.

"From now on, all servers of the Sterling Group are to be physically disconnected. All ongoing overseas transactions are to be suspended." Silas's voice was as cold as ice. "Tell Old Mr. Sterling, if I don't see Seraphina Su by 8:00 AM tomorrow, the Sterling Group's stock price will hit the floor after opening, and I guarantee it will never recover."

Silas held the Sterling Group's most core technical patents and overseas channels. All these years, he hadn't just been working for the Sterling family; he had also laid his own fuses at the very foundation of this Sterling family edifice.

An hour later, Old Mr. Sterling's call came in.

"Silas Sterling! You're crazy! Do you want to let three generations of ancestral foundations be destroyed in your hands?" the old man roared frantically on the other end of the phone.

"How much is an ancestral foundation worth?" Silas sneered, lighting a cigarette, the smoke drifting over his cold face. "Where is Seraphina?"

"She's reflecting in the ancestral hall! You get back here right now and restore the system!"

"I'll say it one last time. Seraphina, where is she?" Silas's voice already carried intense killing intent. "Dad, you know my character. I can lift the Sterling family onto an altar, and I can personally send it to hell. One Seraphina for one Sterling family; you choose."

The other end of the phone fell into a deathly silence.

Old Mr. Sterling realized for the first time that this second son of his, who had always been obedient and excellent, had completely broken free from his control.

He was not just a wolf, but a hungry wolf that had already grown up and could even bite back at its master.

"Fine... Fine! You're ruthless!" The old man hung up the phone in a fit of rage.

At dawn.

The door to the Sterling family ancestral hall was kicked open violently from the outside.

Seraphina had originally been dazed from hunger, thirst, and fear, but when she saw the man entering against the light, she instantly burst into tears.

"Uncle..."

Silas strode over in a few steps, regardless of the dust on her, and pressed her fiercely into his arms.

"I'm sorry... I came back late."

He felt her cold, trembling body, and his heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife.

He picked her up horizontally, and as he walked out of the ancestral hall door, he happened to run into Old Mr. Sterling and the people from the elder branch who had rushed over.

"Silas! Stop right there!"

Silas stopped his footsteps, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"From today on, I am no longer a member of the Sterling family. I will transfer all my shares in the Sterling Group to Sterling Capital. If you want that empty shell, take it."

He lowered his head and kissed the forehead of the little girl in his arms.

"Let's go. Back to our home."

At that moment, the morning light shone on the two of them. Seraphina shrank in the man's arms, watching that century-old Sterling Mansion gradually blur in her sight; she knew that the most correct decision of her life was falling in love with this man who would overturn the world for her.

After being rescued, Seraphina Su stayed in the hospital for a week.

Silas Sterling did not leave the ward for a full seven days. He pushed away all meetings, and even important signings for Sterling Capital were changed to video calls.

"Uncle, the company will have problems if you do this." Seraphina looked at the dark circles under the man's eyes, heart-wrenchingly pulling his hand.

"If the company is gone, it can be reopened; there is only one of you." Silas took her hand and imprinted a warm kiss on her palm.

Just then, Assistant Zhou pushed the door open and entered, his expression somewhat strange.

"Mr. Sterling... the old man is hospitalized."

Silas's eyes moved slightly, but he didn't speak.

"I heard he had a stroke from anger. The elder branch is in a mess right now; several partners, seeing you've left the Sterling Group, have requested to withdraw their investments. The Sterling Group's stock price... has hit the floor for three consecutive days."

"They brought this on themselves." Silas's voice was calm without a single ripple.

Seraphina looked at him and asked softly: "Uncle, are you really not going back to see?"

Silas remained silent for a long time, turning his head to look out the window, in the direction of the Sterling Mansion.

"When they took you away, did they ever think I was their relative?" He turned his head, looking at Seraphina with gentle eyes. "Seraphina, that home no longer has anything worth my lingering. If you want to go see, I can accompany you. But I guarantee that will be the last time we have any connection with that surname."

Seraphina shook her head.

"I don't want to go back. I want to go with you, anywhere is fine."

Silas smiled.

It was the most brilliant and relaxed smile Seraphina had ever seen.

Three days later.

Silas Sterling officially submitted a statement to the court, announcing his renunciation of all Sterling family inheritance rights and selling his Sterling Group shares to Sterling Capital's parent company at an extremely low price.

This move completely cut off the last bit of hope for the Sterling family's elder branch.

And he, taking Seraphina, quietly left New York.

They went to a coastal city where they had long ago bought a small villa.

Without the halo of Second Master Sterling, without the identity of Assistant Su.

By that deep blue sea, Silas held Seraphina's hand, strolling on the beach.

"Seraphina, from now on, you don't need to call me Uncle, nor do you need to call me Mr. Sterling."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Mr. Silas. Your Mr. Silas."

Seraphina flushed and, under the witness of the sea, shouted loudly: "Mr. Silas! I love you!"

The sound of the waves drowned out all the disturbance.

At this moment, they finally crossed all boundaries, no longer uncle and niece, no longer master and subordinate.

They were just each other's only lovers for this lifetime.

However, those people in the Sterling family did not let it go because of Silas Sterling's withdrawal.

The Sterling family's elder branch uncle, George Sterling, due to the large deficit in the Sterling Group, actually colluded with Dominic Sterling, wanting to force Silas to hand over Sterling Capital's core technology by kidnapping Seraphina Su.

That was their last life-saving straw.

Seaside villa.

On a stormy night, Seraphina was organizing materials in the study when she suddenly heard a chaotic sound of footsteps downstairs.

Before she could react, several masked men had already rushed in.

"What are you doing!"

Seraphina was about to call for help but was covered over the mouth and nose with a handkerchief. That familiar smell of anesthetic made her lose consciousness instantly.

When she woke up again, she found herself locked in a dark and damp abandoned factory.

Sitting before her were George Sterling and Dominic Sterling.

"Seraphina, don't blame us. If you want to blame someone, blame Silas Sterling for being too greedy." George's old face looked extremely distorted in the dim light. "He stole things that originally belonged to us; now, we're taking them back."

Seraphina looked at him coldly: "Uncle gave you chances. It's you who were too stupid and ruined the Sterling Group."

"Slap!"

Dominic Sterling gave Seraphina a backhanded slap, making the corner of her mouth bleed.

"Bitch! Do you think Silas Sterling can really cover the sky with one hand? Everyone within a ten-mile radius is our person. If he dares to come over, today will be the day he dies!"

Just then, the factory's main gate was directly blown open with explosives from the outside.

"Bang!" A huge sound.

Amidst the swirling smoke, a man's silhouette slowly walked in.

Silas Sterling held a black folding knife, his gaze as cold as a Shura from hell.

"Dominic Sterling, whichever hand you moved against her, I will cripple that hand of yours."

His voice was calm, yet exuded a hair-raising madness.

"Silas Sterling! Don't move! There's a bomb tied around her neck!" Dominic screamed, his hand tightly clutching the remote control.

Silas sneered, his footsteps not stopping.

"Why do you think I've been able to sit steadily in the position of the Sterling family head all these years?"

As soon as he finished speaking, several bodyguards behind Dominic suddenly fell to the ground together. A tiny anesthetic needle was stuck in the back of each of their heads.

And the remote control in Dominic's hand was directly shattered by a precise bullet.

"Ah—!"

Dominic screamed, looking at his bloody palm.

Silas strode to Seraphina in a few steps, quickly untying the ropes on her and that fake bomb device.

He held the trembling Seraphina tightly in his arms, turning to look at George Sterling.

"Uncle, this play was well-acted."

The sound of dense police sirens came from outside.

Assistant Zhou led the police and Sterling Capital's security to surround the factory.

"George Sterling, Dominic Sterling. Suspected of illegal detention, intentional injury, and multiple commercial frauds. Spend the rest of your lives in prison."

A second before being taken away by the police, George Sterling still roared unwillingly: "Silas Sterling! You madman! For this woman, you really don't care about a single bit of family affection anymore!"

Silas didn't look back, only coldly dropping one sentence.

"Family affection? The moment you moved against her, I had no more relatives."

He carried Seraphina out of the factory; the heavy rain outside had stopped, and the dawn light was leaping over the horizon bit by bit.

That was the light of their new life.

The dust settled.

George Sterling and Dominic Sterling were imprisoned, and the Sterling family's elder branch was completely destroyed.

Although Old Mr. Sterling kept his life, due to the stroke, he could only spend the rest of his days in a nursing home. Before leaving, he wanted to see Silas Sterling once, but was refused.

"Some people are better left unseen," Silas said to the old butler over the phone.

A month later, Seraphina Su's master's degree courses were also successfully completed.

To celebrate, Silas rented out a private island in the Seychelles.

That was the place where they officially began their new life.

Sunlight, beach, coconut trees.

Seraphina wore a white Bohemian long dress, walking barefoot on the beach. Silas wore a casual linen shirt; the once invincible, ferocity-filled Second Master Sterling now had eyes full of tenderness.

"Seraphina, look over there."

Following the direction Silas pointed, Seraphina saw that yacht docked at the shore, covered with colorful balloons, and on the deck, a white piano was leisurely playing.

"Wow! So beautiful!" Seraphina ran over like a child.

Silas walked to the piano, sat down, his long fingers leaping on the keys.

It was an extremely gentle "For Seraphina."

The song ended.

The man walked to her, knelt on one knee, and took a red velvet box from his pocket.

Inside was a ten-carat pink diamond, perfectly cut, like a beating heart.

"Seraphina Su. I once gave you an 'Uncle' identity, making you suffer for ten years." Silas looked up, his gaze filled with unprecedented sincerity. "Now, I want to give you a 'Mrs. Sterling' identity. I want to kiss you in the sunlight, I want to love you under the protection of the law. Are you willing?"

Seraphina's tears burst forth.

This moment, she had waited for too, too long.

From that little girl hiding in the closet peeking at him, to that special assistant helping him put out fires at the desk, to now this woman he regarded as his life.

She had crossed ten years of time and finally arrived by his side.

"I am willing!"

Seraphina threw herself into his arms, nodding vigorously.

Silas slipped the ring onto her ring finger, stood up, and against the backdrop of the sea and sky, gave her a most sacred kiss.

Without the Sterling family's shackles, without the eyes of the world.

At this moment, they were just Silas Sterling and Seraphina Su.

The most indispensable half of each other's lives.

"Let's go, Mrs. Sterling. Our new life has just begun."

Silas held her hand, walking toward that villa of theirs, which would never know cold.

(End of the first half; the following chapters will open the sweet extras of married life and cute babies)

Three to five years later.

The business landscape of New York had undergone earth-shattering changes. The once-near-bankrupt Foster Group, under the capital injection and restructuring of Foster Capital, had long since experienced a second spring and was officially renamed "Foster Holdings."

The headquarters of this company, which controlled the city's economic lifeline, was still located on the top floor of that familiar building.

9:00 AM.

Julian Foster stepped out of the elevator. Time didn't seem to have left many marks on his face, only making his eyes deeper and more restrained. The aura of a superior had reached a point where it could be controlled at will.

"Good morning, Mr. Foster."

"Good morning, sir."

Employees greeted him respectfully.

Behind him followed a woman wearing a well-tailored champagne-colored suit with her hair tied in a sleek ponytail.

It was Seraphina Su.

Now, she was no longer the little assistant who needed Julian's protection at every turn. Instead, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Foster Holdings and a well-known "investment devil" in the industry.

"Ms. Su, here is the contract to be signed later."

Seraphina took the document, flipping through it expertly, her brow furrowing slightly. "There's an issue with this point. Have the planning department take it back and redo it."

That decisive and capable manner was almost identical to Julian's.

Entering the office, the door closed.

The "investment devil" from a moment ago instantly vanished. She tossed the document onto the desk and slumped into Julian's large leather chair.

"Julian, I'm really exhausted. When are you going to let me retire and be a full-time wife?"

Julian walked up behind her, expertly massaging her shoulders, a doting smile on his lips. "Who was it that said they wanted to become a woman who could stand side-by-side with me? Ms. Su, your achievements are almost surpassing mine now."

"That's because you pushed me," Seraphina turned around, naturally sitting on his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I didn't sleep well last night because I was reviewing that merger case. Look, do I have dark circles?"

Julian leaned down and kissed her porcelain-white eyelid gently.

"Not at all. My Seraphina is always the most beautiful."

Just then, the office intercom rang.

"Mr. Foster, the third uncle from the main branch of the Foster family is downstairs. He says he wants to see you to discuss the renovation of the ancestral mansion..."

Julian's gaze turned cold.

Three to five years had passed, and those so-called "elders" of the Foster family, seeing Julian's current success, were always trying to find ways to cling to him.

Seraphina felt the change in the man's mood. She took his hand and spoke softly, "If you don't want to see him, don't. We have nothing to do with that family anymore anyway."

Julian squeezed her hand back, looking at the wedding ring shimmering on her ring finger, his gaze instantly softening.

"Yeah, I won't see him. I have something more important to do."

"What's that?"

"Picking up our 'little ancestor' from school."

Seraphina burst out laughing.

Who would have thought that the man who was once ruthless and cold-hearted in New York, the second master of the Foster family, had now become a standard "daughter's slave"?

Because their departure three years ago had been in a hurry, Julian Foster always felt he owed Seraphina Su a formal, world-renowned wedding.

Finally, on Seraphina's twenty-fifth birthday, this grand wedding, delayed for three years, was officially held at the Marriott Estate in New York.

This time, Julian didn't keep a low profile.

He invited almost half of the business world's giants and even invited several mainstream media outlets for broadcasting. He wanted the whole world to know that Seraphina was his legitimate wife, loved to the bone.

The Marriott Estate was decorated into a sea of white, with tens of thousands of white gardenias flown in, emitting a faint, elegant fragrance.

Seraphina wore a wedding dress designed by a top Parisian master. The train was six meters long, and every inch of velvet shimmered with a dreamlike luster.

Backstage.

Seraphina looked at herself in the mirror, still feeling a bit nervous.

"Mom, do you think my makeup is a bit too heavy?"

The person helping her arrange her hair accessories was Seraphina's long-lost biological mother, whom Julian had found. Although they hadn't known each other for long, the blood-thicker-than-water bond filled the last regret in Seraphina's heart.

"It's not heavy, it's beautiful. My daughter is the most beautiful bride in the world." Her mother's eyes shimmered with tears.

"Knock, knock."

The door was pushed open, and Julian Foster walked in.

Today, he wore a pure white formal tailcoat. His gold-rimmed glasses were tucked away, and his handsome face, illuminated by the lights, was so handsome it felt unreal.

"Julian! Who let you in! The groom and bride aren't supposed to see each other before the wedding!" Seraphina chided with a smile.

Julian didn't speak. He just walked over in a few steps, gently wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and resting his chin on her rounded shoulder.

"Seraphina, I've waited for this moment for thirteen whole years."

From when he brought her home at twelve to now, at thirty-five.

Half of his life had been intertwined with this name.

"I know." Seraphina took his hand, turned around, and looked up at the man who had shielded her from the wind and rain and overturned the world for her. "So have I."

The wedding began.

To the sacred "Wedding March," Seraphina took her mother's hand and walked step by step toward the man at the end of the red carpet.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, bathing them in light.

Julian took Seraphina's hand from his mother-in-law, the heat in his gaze almost melting her.

"Julian Foster, do you take Seraphina Su to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

"I do. Not just in this life, but for all lifetimes, I only want her." Julian's voice was hoarse and firm.

"Seraphina Su, do you take..."

"I do." Before the priest could finish, Seraphina spoke up eagerly.

A ripple of kind laughter broke out in the hall.

Amidst the applause, Julian lifted her veil and gave her a deep kiss that lasted for a full minute.

In this moment, all the waiting, all the taboos, and all the hardships were transformed into this ultimate sweetness.

They were finally.

Legitimate, and would grow old together.

After the wedding.

The noise faded away, leaving only the newlywed couple in the presidential suite of the Marriott Estate.

The room was filled with the scent of gardenia incense, Seraphina's favorite, and a bottle of unfinished nuptial wine sat on the table.

Seraphina sat on the edge of the large bed, struggling to unzip the complex zipper on the back of her wedding dress.

"Let me."

Julian's deep voice sounded behind her.

He had already taken off his coat, the collar of his white shirt unbuttoned by two, and his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing strong, powerful lines.

The man walked up behind her, his cool fingertips touching her heated back, causing Seraphina to tremble slightly.

"Sss—"

The zipper slowly slid down, revealing a large expanse of Seraphina's snow-white, jade-like skin.

Julian's gaze instantly became deep, and his breathing grew heavy. He wasn't in a hurry for the next step. Instead, he leaned down and gently pressed a kiss onto her shoulder blade.

"Seraphina, you are truly beautiful today."

"Smooth talker." Seraphina turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck with a bit of shyness. "Mr. Foster, you performed well tonight. What reward do you want?"

Julian took the opportunity to push her down onto the soft red silk bedding, his hands propped up beside her, his eyes full of intense desire.

"You know what I want."

He leaned down and dominantly sealed her lips.

Compared to any previous time, Julian was exceptionally aggressive tonight, yet he carried a sense of devotion he had never shown before.

He whispered in her ear over and over again.

"Seraphina, call my name."

"Jul... Julian." Seraphina gasped, her small hands leaving shallow scratch marks on his back.

"Louder." He kissed her neck, his voice incredibly hoarse. "Don't call me Uncle, don't call me husband... call my name. I want you to remember that I am Julian Foster, a man who loves you more than life itself."

That night, the temperature in the room didn't dissipate for a long time.

Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating two figures tightly intertwined.

Seraphina felt like a rose blooming in the middle of the night, thoroughly watered by this man's ultimate tenderness and madness.

He left his unique, eternal mark on her.

On the edge of blurred consciousness, Seraphina heard the man's vow in her ear.

"Seraphina, in this life, and the next, don't even think about escaping my grasp."

She smiled, tightly hugging his back.

"I won't escape. I'm not going anywhere."

In this long night, they finally possessed each other completely.

No more worries, no more constraints.

Only love, only each other.

Three years later.

Mornings at the Foster villa usually began with a burst of childish crying.

"Wah—Daddy! Mommy! Little Seraphina stole my Legos!"

Three-year-old boy, Liam Foster, stood in the middle of the living room, pointing at the little girl next to him who was holding onto a pink Lego castle and wouldn't let go.

The little girl was named Luna Foster, the apple of Julian and Seraphina's eye. She was born ten minutes after her brother, but she was as bossy as a little queen of the house.

"I won't give it back! Daddy gave this to me!" Luna stuck out her tongue, her big eyes looking exactly like Seraphina's.

Seraphina, wearing an apron and frying eggs in the kitchen, poked her head out helplessly when she heard the commotion. "Julian! Control your daughter!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the door to the second-floor study opened.

Julian Foster walked down wearing loungewear, the expression on his face instantly softening so much it could drip water the moment he saw his younger daughter.

He walked over and scooped Luna into his arms, his movements so practiced it was astonishing.

"Luna, be good. Give the Legos back to your brother. Daddy will take you to buy the biggest set in all of New York later."

"Really?" The little girl's eyes lit up.

"Really." Julian dotingly scraped her nose.

Seraphina walked over, hands on her hips. "Julian, you're going to spoil her! Look at Liam, he's the older brother. You can't always be biased."

Julian walked up to Seraphina, holding his daughter in one arm and wrapping the other around his wife's waist, kissing Seraphina's forehead.

"Liam is a boy; he needs to learn to stand on his own two feet. Luna is our little princess. If we don't spoil her, who will?"

"You..." Seraphina really couldn't do anything with him.

Who would have thought that the man who once made everyone in New York tremble with fear, the second master of the Foster family, was now willingly being a "house husband" and "doting dad" at home?

He had not only learned how to change diapers and mix formula but could even take two children to the amusement park by himself when Seraphina worked overtime.

After breakfast.

Julian drove Seraphina to the office.

In the car.

"Julian, do you really plan on having Liam inherit Foster Holdings later?" Seraphina was a bit worried. "He's only three. Are you thinking too far ahead?"

"Of course not just inheriting it. I want him to learn to manage the company early so we can dump the whole thing on him sooner and I can take you to travel the world."

Julian took Seraphina's hand, the same paranoia from years ago shimmering in his eyes.

"Seraphina, I don't want to give the rest of my life to the company or the children. I only want to leave it all to you."

Seraphina's heart warmed, and she leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"I know, Mr. Jealous. You're a father now, and you're still competing with the kids for time."

Julian chuckled and, at the long red light, returned the kiss deeply.

Life was ordinary yet happy.

This was the fulfillment they had finally exchanged thirteen years for.

Ten years later.

Late autumn in New York, golden ginkgo leaves covered the square in front of Foster Tower.

Seraphina Su sat in the revolving restaurant on the top floor, looking at the city's night view outside the window, with a yellowed photograph in front of her.

It was the first photo Julian Foster took of her, holding her hand when she first entered the Foster mansion at the age of twelve. In the photo, the man was cold and aloof, and the little girl was timid and green.

"What are you looking at?"

Julian walked up behind her quietly, wrapping a thick shawl around her shoulders.

"Looking at our past." Seraphina turned back and gave him a gentle smile. "Julian, have you ever regretted it? Giving up the Foster family and the peaceful life you could have had for me."

Julian sat down opposite her, took her hand, and rubbed it repeatedly against his lips.

"My biggest regret is not telling you I loved you sooner."

He looked at her, his gaze as focused as ever.

"If I could choose again, I would still take you away. Even if there's an abyss ahead, even if I have to bear the infamy for a lifetime."

Seraphina's eyes warmed, and she responded softly, "I don't regret it either. Without you, I might have just been an unnoticed shadow in the Foster mansion. You gave me my name, gave me light, and gave me the most complete love in this world."

Just then, both of their phones rang simultaneously.

It was a video call from Liam Foster, who was studying in the UK.

"Daddy! Mommy! Luna got into trouble here in London. She crashed the sports car of the Shaw family's younger son..."

On the other end of the phone, Luna Foster grabbed the phone with an innocent face. "Daddy, he was the one who spoke ill of you first! I was just giving him a lesson!"

Julian rubbed his brow helplessly, originally wanting to give a few words of admonition, but when he saw his daughter's eyes, which looked so much like Seraphina's, his heart softened instantly.

"It's okay, Luna. Let your brother handle the compensation. As long as you're not hurt."

"Julian Foster!" Seraphina couldn't help but roar from the side.

Hanging up the phone, the two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

"It seems our retirement plan will have to be delayed again," Seraphina sighed.

"No delay." Julian stood up, took Seraphina's hand, and walked toward the terrace. "Assistant Mark has already booked the flight tickets. Tonight, we're leaving for Iceland. We're not taking anyone, just the two of us."

"Really?"

"Really."

Under the moonlight, their shadows were stretched long.

In this life.

They had experienced the shackles of identity, the prejudices of the world, and the tests of life and death.

But in the end, they kept that initial heartbeat.

Julian used his paranoia and deep affection to build an eternal paradise for Seraphina.

And Seraphina used her agility and persistence to heal all the desolation deep within Julian's heart.

In this bustling world, being able to meet someone to spend the rest of one's life with, someone to entrust one's life and death to, is already the greatest luxury.

"Seraphina."

"Yeah?"

"I love you. Not just in this life, but for all lifetimes."

"I love you too, Mr. Foster."

The night breeze blew gently.

The lights of New York were still brilliant, and their story would never have an end.

(The End)