Inside the study of the master of the Tepes estate.
Liya sat in the center of the room, surrounded by several maids who were applying medicine to the wound on her left shoulder.
The wound had been inflicted by Eve during the ball. Although it had already self-healed, leaving only a faint pink mark on her skin, Liya’s father had still ordered his staff to treat it to ensure a swift recovery.
“Alright, that’s enough!” Liya was not used to being served so closely by other maids and shooed them away.
“Yes, Eldest Miss.”
The maids filed out of the room, leaving only Liya and her father alone.
Liya’s father stared at her intently for a long moment before finally speaking. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused this time?”
Liya lowered her head and remained silent.
“At the ball, you made the fact that your familiar was snatched away known to everyone!”
“Furthermore, you are the dignified eldest daughter of a vampire family, yet you acted subserviently in front of a human. You didn’t just invite her to dance; you even wanted to give her gifts!”
“I warned you long ago not to cause trouble. Now, where am I supposed to put the face of the Tepes family!”
Liya’s father nearly lost his breath. He leaned back against his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose to steady himself.
“Father, this is all because of the Drago family.”
Liya’s face darkened. Recalling the way Saphina had stood in front of Lin Shu, she couldn’t help but clench her fists.
“Do not mention the Dragos. Although I didn’t mind when you unilaterally cut off our cooperation with them before, it looks like they are about to make a comeback now!”
“I already have a plan. This time, I can definitely—”
“Enough, say no more. You have always been my pride, but this time, you will go back and stay in confinement for three days to reflect on your actions.”
Liya pushed the door open and walked out indignantly, only to see the butler standing outside.
Because the butler had helped her collect materials for the gifts, he had also been unable to escape a lecture.
“Butler, I need you to do something for me,” Liya told him.
The butler shook his head. “Eldest Miss, I have already advised you that this will not work. It is just a familiar; there is no need for you to go to such lengths.”
“Consider this the last time I ask you. This time, I can surely…”
At the ball, Eve’s words had been stinging her heart.
She had long been wondering why Saphina would take an interest in Lin Shu, why she was so obsessed with him that she would even let her family fall into difficult straits.
If she treated Lin Shu as some kind of special replacement, then it would all make sense.
But Lin Shu’s attitude toward her…
Liya’s nose tickled with a sudden sting.
She once clearly possessed Lin Shu’s sincere affection, but she hadn’t cherished it at the time.
Liya’s eyes rimmed with red, and she hurriedly lowered her head.
‘I’m sorry, Lin Shu. It was I who failed to cherish you, which led you to the side of such a person.’
Seeing her in this state, the butler couldn’t bear it. He let out a sigh. “Tell me what it is, Eldest Miss.”
Liya took a deep breath. “Help me investigate whether the Drago family ever had a human maid in the past.”
“I want all relevant information. Anything will do.”
If what that stuttering girl in the wheelchair said was true, she would absolutely go tell Lin Shu.
Once Lin Shu realized he was just a replacement, would he still stay by Saphina’s side?
The answer was obvious.
***
On the other side, Eve, the stuttering girl in the wheelchair, had successfully reached an agreement with Saphina and moved into the Drago castle.
The vacant fourth floor of the castle was put to use. Aside from the corner room, all other rooms were now for Eve’s use.
Lin Shu followed Saphina to Eve’s workshop.
A soft carpet had already been laid out in the spacious room. Eve sat slumped on the carpet, her two slender legs tucked to her side.
“Ah, welcome.” Noticing the visit from Lin Shu and Saphina, Eve set down the work in her hands.
She was surrounded by piles of doll limbs. The parts for the arms and legs were similar to human skin, appearing pale and delicate.
Lin Shu nearly did a double-take when he entered the room. Even though he knew they were just parts, seeing them piled together like that was quite a blow to his sanity…
Eve manipulated the doll, Ella, to pick her up from the floor and place her gently onto a nearby chair.
“Eve, can your legs not be cured?” Lin Shu asked curiously, seeing that she had to rely on a doll to move.
“Mm.” Eve nodded in response. “Battlefield injury. Cannot be cured.”
“But since you can make dolls, can’t you give yourself a new pair of legs?”
Eve’s expression was exceptionally serious. “Original… is best.”
She looked at the somewhat damaged dolls lined up neatly against the wall and said, “Thank you. My dolls… have a place to stay.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you as well for helping me stop Liya at the ball. You were very impressive,” Saphina responded with a smile.
Eve stole several glances at Lin Shu, then lowered her head guiltily, fiddling with the silk threads in her hands.
She was worried about whether she had said something wrong to Liya.
“Speaking of which, we previously planned to have Eve’s dolls stationed in the capital shops as security, but there hasn’t been any movement?”
Lin Shu picked up his notebook, which recorded the details of the family affairs.
Lin Shu had begun to meticulously note down small details to do his part for Saphina.
“The dolls… are already… finished.” Eve pointed to a row of tall dolls behind her.
At the sound of her voice, the row of dolls stepped forward in unison, clenching their fists over their chests and shouting, “Loyalty! Integrity!”
*Whoa, Eve, just what kind of ideology did you stuff into them…*
Saphina’s smile held a touch of helplessness. “The Family Head feels that they are too strange. She’s worried about drawing unnecessary attention.”
“Although she is satisfied that we were able to recruit ‘The Deft Hand,’ she is still sticking to her own views.”
“Hmm… what is the Family Head worried about?” Lin Shu couldn’t help but complain.
They had plenty of manpower now, and it consisted of dolls that were guaranteed to be obedient. It was clearly something that would strengthen the family’s power, yet Cyan’s hesitation was causing many things to progress slowly.
Furthermore, her views were different from Saphina’s. Last time, an argument had even broken out because of him.
It was likely because she had relied too much on the Tepes family in the past, making her even more indecisive when she suddenly had to make independent decisions.
Currently, whether it was funding or decision-making power, everything was stuck at the level of the Family Head.
As Lin Shu thought about this, he unconsciously tapped his pen against the words “Family Head Cyan” in his notebook.
Actually… with Saphina’s ability and courage, she was perfectly capable of holding the position of Family Head…
“Little cutie, are you thinking about this?” Saphina suddenly leaned in and took the pen from Lin Shu’s hand.
To the bottom right of the words “Family Head Cyan” in Lin Shu’s notebook, she drew a small “X”.
Eh?!
Lin Shu turned his head and met Saphina’s smiling eyes.
How did she see through him? And… ‘Is this something that can be said? This business of a coup…’
“Actually, I also feel that Auntie is a bit of a nuisance.” Saphina’s smile held a deep meaning.
Lin Shu glanced around the room to ensure no one else was nearby before lowering his voice. “If Master has decided, then I have a few suggestions.”
Eve looked at them blankly. “Need… a doll?”
Incorrect pronouns for Lin Shu