As Ronan and Alex walked toward the front gate of Alex's house, a bus rumbled behind them. The college bus rolled to a stop, and students began stepping off. Ronan's gaze sharpened when Serina appeared, her expression weary, with her hair swaying lightly in the breeze.

Ronan raised a teasing eyebrow at Alex, a mischievous grin forming. "So, Serina's sticking around, huh?"

Alex groaned, rolling his eyes. "Shut the hell up. Let's just go inside."

They stepped into the house, and Ronan sat on the sofa with a relaxed stretch, waiting for Alex to bring his mom. As his eyes wandered, a flicker of movement caught his attention. Serina stood on the upper floor, watching him cautiously.

When their eyes met, she stiffened, fear flashing across her face. She hurried back behind the wall when she was surprised by his gaze.

Ronan leaned back, smirking to himself. fearing me, huh?

Soon, Alex returned with Mrs. William. She entered the room with the same composed grace Ronan remembered from their previous encounters.

"Ronan," Mrs. William greeted warmly. "It's good to see you again."

Ronan stood, his expression polite but amused. "Good to see you too, Mrs. William. It's been a while."

She gave a slight nod, her tone warm yet firm. "Alex mentioned you'd be stopping by today. How have you been?"

"Well enough," Ronan replied, shooting a quick glance at Alex, whose subtle look warned against any smart remarks.

Ronan grinned but kept it respectful. "You know Alex—he wouldn't let me stay away for too long."

Mrs. William chuckled, the sound light and familiar. "That sounds about right."

Ronan adjusted in his seat, a glint of seriousness entering his eyes. "Auntie, I need to talk to you about something important."

Mrs. William with a reassuring smile. "Alright, Ronan. Let's sit down and discuss it."

They settled into the seating area. Mrs. William clasped her hands on her lap, her calm demeanor unwavering.

Ronan leaned forward slightly, his expression direct."I hope you don't mind my investigation, but I'll get straight to the point—who is this Serina?"

Mrs. William's laughter faded for a moment before she regained her composure.

"She's... a friend who needs a place to stay," Mrs. William said, her tone finally cautious.

Ronan's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more beneath the surface. But he stayed silent, giving her space to continue if she chose.

Mrs. William's gaze softened, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. "I had a dear friend… she just died the other day. She was incredibly rich, and as she lay there dying, her greatest fear wasn't death—it was what her family could do for the legacy she left behind for her daughter ."

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Ronan's expression remained nonchalant, but his sharp eyes took in every detail of Mrs. William's words.

"She asked me for help," Mrs. William continued, her voice thick with emotion. "To protect her daughter and her inheritance, I arranged for her to get engaged to Alex."

Ronan leaned back slightly, absorbing the information. "Will the marriage be fake or… something real?"

Mrs. William's eyes darkened with resolve. "That girl comes from a powerful family. That makes things dangerous. My friend was important to me—like family. The marriage must be real, not just a façade for protection."

Ronan gave a slow nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see."

He then glanced toward the upper floor, where he knew Serina was still lingering. With a calm yet firm voice, he called out, "Ms. Serina, please come down. I'd like to talk to you."

He waited a moment, then added, "I know you've been listening, so come down Miss."

A deep silence followed, full of anticipation.

As the tension in the room increased, Serena descended the stairs, her steps hesitant. When she entered the living room, the situation changed. Her every emotion screamed for her to stop as Ronan stood tall, his impressive figure casting a long shadow over him.

Fear danced in Serina's eyes as she looks at Ronan's face, his reputation for cruelty echoing in her mind. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding as she met his gaze, unsure of what he might do to her.

"Ms. Serina," Ronan began, his voice calm yet laced with an edge. "Are you okay with this?"

Serina's voice trembled as she replied, "Sir, I know what situation I'm in, and I am already thankful for—"

Ronan cut her off, annoyance flashing across his face. "One word. Yes or no."

Serina trembled at his interruption, and his gaze weighed on her. She hesitated, fear in her stomach, but forced herself to tell the truth. "No."

A monosyllable that hangs in the air heavy and defiant. Ronan's expression darkened, his irritation palpable as he assessed her response.

Ronan's brow furrowed at Serina's refusal, a mix of annoyance and intrigue swirling within him. "Ah fine, looks like I've got work to do. Here's the deal: tell me which family I need to clear out for you."

Before Serina could respond, Mrs. William interjected, her voice firm and filled with concern. "Don't, Ronan. You shouldn't do that. That family is powerful."

Ronan turned to Mrs. William, his expression unwavering. "Aunty, let the girl make her choice. There's no one more powerful than me. You've seen the live news, right? The world fears Alpha, and that Alpha is me."

He fixed his gaze back on Serina, his tone growing more intense. "So, Ms. Serina, one last chance for this deal: which family?"

Serina's face went through a wave of emotions, torn between the fear of repercussions and her pride. She knew that naming a family could bring danger, potentially hurting the Williams in the process. But the weight of her decision pressed down on her.

Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "The Hayes family."

Ronan leaned back, a cool smirk playing on his lips. "Done. I'll clear it for you. By tomorrow, you'll be announced as the next head of the very family that threatens you. You'll be their princess from tomorrow. Just watch the live broadcast."

Alex's eyes widened in realization, understanding the implications of Ronan's words. "Ronan, don't do it again. This isn't like the last time with Country B or the entire black market. You can't keep escalating like this."

Ronan waved a dismissive hand, his confidence unwavering. "There's no need for violence, Alex. They'll do exactly what I want without me lifting a finger. They always do."

The room fell silent as the weight of Ronan's promise hung in the air, the tension palpable. Serina glanced between them, uncertainty etched on her face.

Alex opened his mouth to protest again but hesitated, sensing the steel determination in Ronan's gaze. "You're playing a dangerous game," he finally said, his voice low.

Ronan met his gaze, an enigmatic smile on his face. "I know. But it's a game I intend to win."

As Ronan exited the mansion, a voice crackled in his earpiece, cutting through the tension in the room. "Warning: a call is being connected to the celestial realm," Z, his AI, announced calmly.

Ronan's brow furrowed in annoyance. "Who is it?"

"Gerald and Celia," Z replied.

"Damn it! Why won't they just fucking listen to me?" Ronan snapped, frustration boiling over.

He took a deep breath, shifting his focus as he felt the weight of the impending conflict pressing down on him. "Suit me up, Z. Bring my weapon. Looks like I've got a fight ahead."