In the first-floor hall, Sayan sat at the head table with a grim expression. The butler and servants stood by the walls, and the atmosphere was heavy.
When she saw Syfina leading Lin Shu down the stairs, Sayan let out a cold laugh:
“The Tepes family has already given the order—terminate all cooperation with us!”
“Syfina, look at the trouble you’ve caused!”
Her stern voice echoed in the empty hall.
“Don’t be so angry, Aunt,” Syfina said unhurriedly, walking over to the chair and calmly pulling it out to sit down. “What exactly happened?”
Sayan crossed her arms over her chest, looking every bit the accuser: “The Tepes family has already cut off our funding, and all the supply channels have been stopped.”
“Even our shops in the Capital have been attacked!”
“All of them?” Syfina frowned slightly.
“Two taverns were attacked one after the other. It’s clearly deliberate vandalism—they want to shut us down!”
The anger in Sayan’s tone grew stronger:
“All of this is because of your willfulness. Now the entire family’s business is affected.”
She slapped her palm on the table. “You will return this human to the Tepes family at once, and then personally apologize to Lia!”
Lin Shu shrank her neck.
Even though Sayan was doing the scolding, the focus of the topic was still herself.
Syfina was silent for a moment, then spoke up:
“Aunt, don’t you think this is a chance for our family to start over?”
“For so many years, the Drago family has bowed to Tepes. And what have we gained? We’ve always been under their thumb, and now, just like that, we’re discarded.”
“Since they’ve stopped working with us, we can find other partners and try to stand on our own.”
“Easy for you to say. Finding new partners isn’t that simple!” Sayan’s expression was cold.
“Back when the Tepes family expanded, they made plenty of enemies. I don’t believe that, across the whole Demon Territory, there’s no one opposed to the Tepes family.” Syfina smiled.
Sayan snorted coldly. “It’s easy to talk big, but the cost behind those words isn’t so simple.”
Syfina interlaced her fingers and rested her chin on them:
“Let’s put finding new partners aside for now. The urgent matter is dealing with those troublemakers as soon as possible. The shops in the Capital are the Drago family’s face—we can’t let those people ruin them.”
The troublemakers were probably sent by Lia, Lin Shu guessed in her heart.
Knowing her temperament, Syfina’s approach must have been a huge humiliation for her. Last night she was already shouting about revenge—who’d have thought she’d act so quickly.
Lin Shu quietly cleared her throat. Syfina turned toward her and nodded, signaling she could speak.
“Lady Sayan, I can help,” Lin Shu stepped forward, hands neatly placed before her.
“I served the Tepes family for three years. I’m familiar with their people. Besides, I’m now Miss Syfina’s familiar. If you allow it, I can help resolve the trouble at the family’s shops.”
The hall was silent for a moment.
Lin Shu felt every gaze in the room focus on her.
She lifted her head calmly to look at the head of the household, hoping the other would sense her sincerity.
Syfina was right. Since Lia wanted to crush them, this was the perfect chance for the Drago family to become independent.
This was an opportunity to prove her own position to Sayan.
She was the head of the Drago family. Lin Shu needed to show that she was on their side.
More importantly, this action could very well increase Syfina’s wish points.
Syfina’s face lit up with a pleased smile. “See, Aunt, we’re not completely without hope. This might just be the opportunity our family needs to truly rise.”
Sayan’s gaze was probing, as if she still doubted Lin Shu.
She said, “Since it was your mess, Syfina, you’ll clean it up yourself. Take your human familiar and deal with the shop trouble.”
“If things get out of hand and you can’t fix it, then you’ll still do as I said—go apologize to Lia!”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry~ We’ll handle it just fine.”
Syfina was already on her feet, taking Lin Shu by the wrist, and retreated with a bright smile.
*****
The carriage raced through the air, heading for the Capital.
Lin Shu sat by the door, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
She was still wearing that personal maid outfit, and felt helpless about it:
They were clearly heading out for a fight, yet Syfina insisted she didn’t need to change—just go out in this outfit.
…What kind of play is this? It’s not convenient at all!
Syfina leaned her elbow on the carriage window, gazing at the scenery outside as she spoke:
“The servants just brought word—after smashing up the two taverns, those people also attacked the clothing shop in the Capital.”
Her tone shed its usual laziness, replaced by a rare seriousness.
Lin Shu rarely saw her with such an expression—this was indeed the first major event the Drago family had ever encountered.
If things weren’t resolved well, not only would the Drago family lose a great deal, their reputation in the Demon Territory would plummet.
“When we arrive, we’ll assess the scene and drive off those troublemakers.”
“I’ll handle the fighting,” Lin Shu volunteered. “But…”
Lin Shu seemed about to say more, but hesitated.
“Hmm?” Syfina looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
“But if we want the family business to recover, simply driving away the troublemakers isn’t enough.”
“Of course,” Syfina nodded. “Repairing, investing more, and winning back customers are all important too.”
“But the funding has already been cut off…”
Lin Shu muttered, her mind racing to devise follow-up strategies.
Syfina shifted, sitting even closer to Lin Shu. She placed her hand gently over Lin Shu’s.
“Little cutie, this is our first battle together since forming our contract.”
Syfina rested her hand on Lin Shu’s palm, making Lin Shu shiver a bit, but she didn’t pull away.
“I’ll do my best. I won’t let my mistress down,” Lin Shu lowered her head, looking at Syfina’s slender fingers.
To show her loyalty—before, this…
“Hehe~” Syfina laughed, then with one hand lifted Lin Shu’s chin. “I know you will. I just want you to know, little cutie, you don’t need to feel too much pressure.”
“I haven’t really tried out the power our contract gave me. Today might be just the time.”
“So all you have to do is stay by my side and be with me.”
She spoke softly.
A fierce gust whipped past the carriage window, making the ride bump slightly.
The wind poured in, tossing their long hair until the strands intertwined in the air.
Lin Shu gazed at Syfina, now just inches away, meeting her gaze and seeing gentleness and hope in her crimson eyes.
What a strange person…