In front of the Campbell family castle, a young woman stood under a black umbrella and knocked on the door.

Soon, a middle-aged man with a troubled expression hurriedly opened it.

"The family is occupied today. We are not receiving guests."

"I'm here to see Arno."

Her voice was cold—so cold that it felt like ice, even in the peak of summer.

The Campbell family’s butler was momentarily stunned before his expression turned displeased. With the current status of the master of the house, who would dare to call him by name so directly? And in such an impolite manner?

But the moment he took a proper look at her, he was utterly shocked.

Half-shrouded beneath the black umbrella, the young woman was dressed in a form-fitting gown, her figure graceful and ethereal, like mist or a celestial being—distant and chilling.

The butler had met countless nobles and dignitaries in the Campbell household, yet he had never encountered anyone with such an aura.

A mere glance sent a shiver down his spine.

"May I ask who you are?" He adjusted his tone.

Her voice remained as frigid as before.

"An old acquaintance of his."

The butler: “…”

Old acquaintance? My master is already ninety-two years old!

If this were the past, informing him of a visitor wouldn't have been an issue. But now…

The master of the house had been bedridden for days, teetering on the edge of death. By all estimates, today would be his last.

Every descendant of the Campbell family had returned, the doors were shut to visitors, and the family was solely focused on accompanying him in his final moments.

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Yet, this girl was clearly no ordinary person. If he refused to report her arrival…

As the butler's mind raced, the girl spoke again, her voice light yet chilling.

"If he doesn’t see me, he won’t take his last breath."

"If you wish for him to be freed sooner, step aside."

The butler's head snapped up, his eyes filled with utter disbelief.

How did she know?!

The master had been terminally ill for months, clinging to life well beyond the doctors' expectations. They had predicted he wouldn’t last more than three days—yet he had endured for three months.

His devoted children and grandchildren had initially been relieved by his resilience.

But the reality was far from comforting.

The master neither ate nor drank. Even the intravenous nutrients did little to sustain him.

He had wasted away to nothing but skin and bones, enduring unbearable agony every single day.

And now, he still held onto his last breath.

That breath, which had lingered for three agonizing months, refused to be exhaled.

The butler no longer dared to be negligent.

Yet, he still could not act recklessly. After careful deliberation, he decided to lead her to the drawing room.

"Miss, please wait here. I will inform the young master."

The young woman folded her umbrella, revealing a face of cold beauty.

She said nothing, only tilting her fair chin slightly in acknowledgment.

The butler hurried away.

Ali lifted her gaze.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of the drawing room stood a massive maple tree.

Its leaves were a blend of green and gold, casting dappled shadows upon her face.

Yet, even the warm sunlight could not melt the chill in her eyes.

I never thought… you would be leaving as well.

—

The butler ascended to the second floor in quick strides.

The grand, opulent hall was filled with heavy sorrow, its air thick with grief.

Dozens of men and women stood in solemn silence.

These were all descendants of the Campbell family.

From time to time, quiet sobs could be heard.

The butler weaved through the crowd carefully before finally reaching the door of the master’s room.

Inside, two men in their fifties sat by the bedside—the master’s sons.

Four of his grandsons stood watch as well.

They had been keeping vigil for days.

The butler’s face was tense with urgency.

The eldest son of the Campbell family was the first to notice him and whispered something to his father.

Saul slowly released his grip on the master’s frail hand, stood up, and walked toward the butler.

"What is it?"

Saul Campbell, a man who dominated the business world, now spoke with a hoarse voice, his reddened eyes betraying his grief.

The butler lowered his voice.

"A guest arrived just now."

Saul frowned. "I already said—no visitors today."

The butler hesitated before pressing on.

"I know, sir. I would not have come to disturb you unless it was truly important. But… this guest claims..."

Saul’s sharp gaze fell upon him.

The butler steeled himself and continued.

"She says she is an old acquaintance of the master."

"She also said… that if the master does not see her, he will not be able to take his last breath."

Saul’s body trembled violently.

For a moment, he nearly lost his footing.