Back at the Vanderbilt estate...

Serena found herself seated in her study area, lost in contemplation over the events that unfolded earlier in the day.

With a heavy sigh, she muttered to herself, "It was a very eventful day."

Her thoughts drifted back to the incident in the Omega bathroom. So much had transpired, from Charlie's unexpected defense of the Omegas to her confrontation with Stacy Huang.

As Serena gazed at the faint light emanating from Charlie's room next door, a multitude of questions swirled in her mind.

"Who are you really, Charlie?" she whispered softly. "You're the one who once pushed me into the abyss, yet you were also the first person to stand up for me when I was being bullied. You've managed to stir something within me, something I thought was long dormant. My heart, which has grown so numb, you've made it flutter."

A sense of confusion washed over Serena as she continued to mull over her thoughts. "I don't even know why, but... why do I keep feeling that this time, perhaps you've truly changed? Can I really trust you? I hope you can give me more confidence.”

Serena then leaned her head back on the swivel chair, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, her mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts.

On the other side of the hallway in Charlie’s room…

Charlie sat at her study area, her gaze fixed on the faint glow emanating from Serena's room next door.

“So much has happened today… Are you okay?” she whispered softly, as if speaking to Serena through the quiet of the night.

“You have to endure it, Serena… It won’t be long until you get everything back… I’ll make sure of it,” Charlie continued, her voice filled with determination.

As Charlie reflected on the events of the day, her mind drifted to the manhua and the potential twists and turns in the story.

Recalling the character of Serena's uncle, Charlie struggled to remember his name. After a moment of thought, it came to her.

"Oh yeah… it’s Robert Stuart…" she muttered to herself. Memories from the manhua flooded her mind as she pieced together the details.

"From what I remembered from the story… Robert is a close friend of Harry Sutherland, Serena's father… Harry helped Robert rise through the ranks, investing in his company until it became successful overseas. But after Harry's passing, Robert faced difficulties and couldn't return to the country due to business instability…" Charlie mused aloud.

"But I know that during Serena’s sophomore year, he will return and start planning on how to help Serena take down Cornelius and Celia… So it’s any day now… I have to help Robert meet Serena…" Charlie concluded, her mind already formulating a plan to facilitate their meeting.

As Charlie delved deeper into her thoughts about the manhua, she realized she had nearly forgotten about one of the most pivotal characters in the story — Cato Alderbrandt.

With a wistful sigh, she remembered Cato's description: an S-Class Alpha, strikingly handsome and tall, with blonde hair that framed his emerald eyes perfectly. In the world of the manhua, Serena and Cato were indeed a match made in heaven.

From what she recalled, Cato was depicted as a gentleman who would fall in love with Serena at first sight, drawn to her loneliness and vulnerability— She was his perfect damsel. His arrival at Hastings would mark a turning point, with his presence serving as a shield against any further bullying Serena might face. He would go to great lengths, even leveraging his family's resources, to support Serena in taking down Cornelius Vanderbilt.

‘Then after all that, both of them will live happily ever after… While me? I’ll be dead in the hands of Serena herself… with my glands carved out…’ Charlie sighed

But why did Charlie's heart ache at the thought of Serena finding happiness with someone else? She couldn't deny the twinge of jealousy that surfaced, despite knowing that Serena deserved every ounce of joy and affection.

"Cato is a good guy," Charlie mused to herself, acknowledging his positive attributes. "He treated Serena with kindness and respect in the manhua. She truly deserves to be happy after everything she's been through."

With a sense of resignation, Charlie resolved to prioritize Serena's well-being above her own feelings. "I should be happy for her," she reminded herself. "That's what she deserves — a life filled with happiness and love."

As for herself, Charlie realized she needed to focus on supporting Serena before Cato's arrival. And afterward, she would turn her attention to her own survival and happiness, determined to carve out a future where she could thrive and live a fulfilling life.

Thanksgiving Day had dawned, casting a somber shadow over Serena's heart as she remembered it also marked her mother's birthday. Rising early, she prepared herself to visit her parents' burial place. On her way out, she encountered Charlie in the living room, who noticed her departure with curiosity.

"Are you going out?" Charlie inquired, her interest piqued.

As Serena's blonde hair flowed gracefully and her ocean-blue eyes sparkled, Charlie couldn't help but marvel at how she exuded elegance even in such simple attire. The white mini dress, paired with kitten heels and adorned with a delicate white flower brooch, perfectly complemented Serena's natural beauty, leaving Charlie in awe of her effortless style.

"Yeah, I'll be sweeping graves," Serena replied, her voice carrying a chill that seemed to caress Charlie's ears like a gentle breeze.

"Oh... Then have the driver take you there," Charlie proposed, her concern evident.

"No need," Serena responded tersely.

Charlie's expression shifted, reflecting her inner turmoil as she debated what to do next.

"Aunt Carol!!!! Have the driver take Serena!!!" Charlie's insistence broke the silence, her urgency punctuating the air.

Serena sighed... she didn't have the energy to engage in an argument with Charlie.

Serena arrived at her parents' burial place, a solemn atmosphere enveloping the area. With care, she removed the weeds that had encroached upon their stone grave, her hand brushing gently over the photograph of her parents.

"Mom, Dad... are you okay there? Don’t worry about me… I’m doing okay..." Serena whispered softly, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips as tears welled in her eyes. Memories flooded her mind, reminding her of the hardships she had endured alone, with no one to turn to. But she knew she had to remain strong, carrying on the legacy her parents had left behind.

Her reverie was shattered by a familiar voice behind her.

"Serena, dear... I knew you would be here..." Cornelius' voice cut through the silence, accompanied by the presence of her adopted sister, Celia, who wore a sinister grin.

Serena's anger and disgust towards them bubbled to the surface, but she forced herself to maintain composure, unwilling to give them any satisfaction.

"Hey, sister… miss me? Weren’t you eating well? You look thin…" Celia's words dripped with malice, her tone laced with contempt.

Ignoring her, Serena kept her focus on tending to her parents' resting place.

“Hey, answer me when I’m talking to you.” Celia's aura darkened, irritation evident in her voice.

"What do you want me to say?" Serena's response was cold, devoid of emotion.

“Be good to me… I might give you an allowance…” Celia taunted, her word