Victoria having a boyfriend was an unprecedented occurrence, and the servants at Rose Manor gossiped about it everywhere they went.
"Miss Sterling and Master Vance are such a perfect match!"
"That’s right! I feel like Miss Sterling’s temper has softened so much lately—I even see her smiling!"
A pretty young housemaid overheard their conversation nearby, a bitter flash of jealousy crossing her eyes. Her name was Serena. She had originally come from a rival branch of high society, but after her father was ruined in a high-stakes business war, she had been reduced to working as a maid.
She had been lurking inside Rose Manor for months, searching for a chance to strike at Victoria, but the security was always ironclad.
Now, Victoria actually had a man—and she clearly doted on him immensely.
A dark glint flashed in Serena’s eyes. I’m going to steal Victoria Sterling’s man.
Nothing would cause the arrogant, ice-cold Victoria more agonizing pain than seeing the man she treasured secretly intimate with another woman. Just imagining Victoria’s heartbreak made Serena feel a thrill of dark satisfaction.
That evening, Victoria had an urgent international video conference to attend, leaving Julian to stroll through the estate’s vast private gardens alone.
Serena watched Julian from a distance, her heart pounding slightly. I didn’t expect him to be so ridiculously handsome...
She smoothed down her apron with a look of absolute determination. Men were weak to temptation. With her looks and charm, there was no way she couldn’t seduce him.
Serena squatted down on the stone path a short distance ahead of Julian, burying her face in her hands and weeping softly.
Julian walked by. He simply glanced at her, raised an eyebrow, and kept walking.
Serena bit her lower lip in frustration. How could he just ignore a crying woman?
"Sir..." Serena stood up hastily, looking up at Julian with tear-filled eyes, biting her lip pathetically. "Could you... please talk to me for just a moment?"
"What is it?" Julian frowned slightly, keeping a safe distance.
"Today is the anniversary of my parents’ passing," Serena stammered, dabbing at her eyes with a wet tissue.
It actually was the anniversary of her parents’ ruin, and she blamed Victoria Sterling entirely for her family’s downfall.
"I’m in so much pain," Serena pleaded, taking a small step closer. "I just happened to see you walking by... could you please keep me company for a little while?"
Julian didn’t hesitate: "No."
Serena clenched her fists hidden beneath her apron. Damn it. Why is this guy so unapproachable?!
She had given him a perfect chance to play the comforting gentleman, yet he didn’t take the bait at all. It seemed she had no choice but to take a far more direct approach.
Victoria kept a tight leash on him. If she missed this chance tonight, who knew when she’d ever get another opportunity?
Serena took a sudden step back, gasping softly as if only just recognizing him. "Wait... you’re Master Vance, aren’t you?"
"Is there a problem?" Julian asked, his brow furrowing deeper.
"Master Vance..." Serena put on a shy, blushing expression, standing before him like a young girl experiencing her first love. "I... I really like you."
Unknown to both of them, a tall, imposing figure stood on the balcony overlooking the garden path.
Victoria squinted her dark eyes, a terrifying, bone-chilling aura radiating from her body.
Standing half a step behind her, Butler Chen was practically sweating blood. Why does this keep happening?
The moment Miss Sterling finished her video conference, she had come straight out to find Master Vance—only to witness a maid confessing her feelings to him!
Miss Sterling inherited her late mother’s intensely possessive, yandere nature. A woman trying to hit on Master Vance right under her nose was practically asking to ignite a war.
Butler Chen clasped his hands together in silent prayer: Master Vance, please don’t say anything stupid... If Miss Sterling’s dark side explodes, nobody on this earth can save you!
Down on the garden path, Julian could clearly feel the temperature in the air plummeting.
He casually glanced up toward the villa balcony and caught sight of two silhouettes standing in the dim light. One of them was undeniably Victoria.
Julian’s heart skipped a beat. Holy crap!
Victoria was a genuine yandere! If he handled this situation poorly, he’d be locked up in heavy chains by midnight!
Julian turned his gaze back to Serena, his expression turning ice-cold. This random maid had popped out of nowhere to sabotage him—she wasn’t going to drag him down!
"I don’t like you," Julian declared coldly.
"Master Vance," Serena shook her head softly, putting on a pitiful, understanding smile. "It’s okay if you don’t like me right now. I know you were forced to stay by President Sterling’s side. I’m willing to be your secret lover... Don’t worry, I’ll be very careful. Miss Sterling will never find out."
Serena smirked inwardly. No man could resist a attractive woman throwing herself at him, especially when offered a secret, thrill-filled affair with zero strings attached. He was bound to agree.
Julian looked at her as if she had lost her mind. "Who told you she forced me?"
Serena froze. "What?"
"I am staying with her entirely of my own free will," Julian said, his voice ringing loud and clear across the quiet garden. "In this lifetime, I only love Victoria. I wouldn’t even spare a single glance for another woman."
He looked Serena up and down with blatant disgust. "And as for you—if you want to play the manipulative green-tea bitch, don’t try your cheap tricks on me. I’m not falling for it."
Julian knew better than anyone that playing with fire around a yandere was suicide. Since he had chosen to enjoy Victoria’s luxury and affection, he wasn’t about to blow it all for a random maid.
Up on the balcony, the terrifying chill surrounding Victoria instantly vanished, replaced by a radiant, deeply intoxicating smile.
"Julian said he loves me..." Victoria murmured, her voice dripping with pure delight.
Butler Chen stood dumbfounded. Master Vance actually diffuse Miss Sterling’s rage with a single sentence?! Impressive!
Victoria’s dark gaze then shifted down to Serena, dropping back into a deadly, ruthless edge. "Have someone arrest her."
Anyone who dared covet her man was seeking death.
Butler Chen hesitated slightly. "Miss Sterling, isn’t she still connected to the rival investigation..."
Before he could finish, Victoria cut him off coldly: "Do as I say."
"Understood, Miss Sterling. I will have her taken to the basement for interrogation."
"No need for interrogation," Victoria replied softly. "Just lock her up. I will handle her personally."
She added sharply, "And make sure Julian doesn’t see you take her. I don’t want him thinking I’m cruel."
"Yes, Miss Sterling."
Down in the garden, Julian saw the two silhouettes on the balcony turn and leave. He let out a long, relieved sigh. Phew... crisis averted.
Serena stood before him with trembling lips and red eyes, looking completely humiliated. "How could you say such harsh things to me?!"
Julian sneered, "Stop bothering me. If you try a stunt like this again, I’ll have the security team drag you off the property myself."
Without another word, Julian turned on his heel and walked toward the main villa.
Serena stood frozen in place, her body shaking with rage and embarrassment. She didn’t dare chase after him.
Click.
Suddenly, the path lights around the garden dimmed into complete darkness. A sudden, overwhelming sense of dread welled up in Serena’s chest.
Panicking, she turned to run back toward the servants’ quarters—when a gloved hand suddenly reached out from the shadows behind her, clamping tightly over her mouth!
"Mmm-mmmph!"
Serena struggled frantically, but the grip was like iron. Despair filled her eyes as she was silently dragged off into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.