Seven years later.
It's January in Velvetwood, and the place is blanketed with snow.
Just as Seraphina was preparing to leave, she received a message from Peterson Miller, her boyfriend. He wanted to meet up and had attached the address of a nearby coffee shop.
This was unlike Peterson, and after some thought and a glance at the time, Seraphina decided to meet him.
She left her apartment, and it was just a five-minute walk to the agreed coffee shop. However, when she pushed open the door, Peterson was nowhere to be seen.
She sat down casually and was about to make a phone call when someone suddenly appeared in front of her. Seraphina looked up and saw Edith Whitman.
Velvetwood's circle of celebrities was small, and she had met Edith a few times. She knew that Edith was a member of the Whitman family from Sunburst City, in charge of the family's overseas business in Velvetwood. Edith always came off as indifferent.
Edith sat across from Seraphina, her expression deadpan. "I'm here in place of Peterson."
Seraphina sensed something was off and checked the time, then said, "Well then, spit it out, Ms. Whitman."
"Peterson is returning to our home country with me." Edith looked straight at Seraphina. "We plan to get married this year."
Seraphina's face didn't show the reaction Edith was hoping for. Instead, she burst into laughter. "So, you're here to tell me he's been seeing you behind my back, right?"
"We're adults, there's no need to beat around the bush." Edith took out a check from her bag and slid it across to Seraphina. "This is Peterson's compensation to you."
Seraphina picked up the check, counted the digits on it, then squinted her eyes. "Two hundred thousand dollars? Given your current financial status, isn't that a bit stingy?"
Edith looked at her with disdain. "For someone like you, Ms. Bennett, this sum should be substantial. And with your capabilities, there are plenty of opportunities out there waiting for you."
"You're right." Seraphina surprisingly agreed. "Should I thank you for praising me and reminding me of this, Ms. Whitman?"
Looking at Seraphina now, Edith's expression remained the same, but her breathing quickened involuntarily.
Seraphina was naturally beautiful. Although her makeup was flawless, what truly captivated people was her radiant face beneath it. She was very charming and not tacky at all. In short, she was a woman who could look beautiful however she wanted.
Edith was momentarily stunned and before she could speak, the coffee shop door was pushed open. In the gust of cold wind that followed, Peterson's tall figure appeared.
He immediately spotted Seraphina and Edith sitting together, and his expression turned icy.
Seraphina leaned back in the sofa, looking at him and smiling leisurely.
Peterson strode over and pulled Edith up. "What are you doing?"
Edith's face was as calm as still water. "You're late. I've already told her everything."
Peterson turned pale with anger, his grip on Edith's wrist so tight that his knuckles turned white. Then he turned to look at Seraphina stiffly.
Seraphina watched them like it was a show, and when she saw his expression, she nodded. "Hmm, she's done talking. Is it your turn now?"
Peterson just looked at her, his eyes deep and complex, his breath uneven, but he didn't utter a word.
Seraphina didn't have the patience to interpret his silent face. She checked on the time and said, "I don't have much time. If you have something to say, spit it out. Can you tell me, did Ms. Whitman do this because she likes you and wanted to sabotage our relationship?"
At this, Edith laughed coldly. But Peterson remained expressionless, looking at Seraphina's fiery eyes and still not saying a word.
"So you have nothing to say?" Seraphina didn't want to waste more time. She got up. "Alright, I understand."
Seraphina walked towards the coffee shop's entrance, but Peterson reached out and grabbed her arm. "Sera!"
Seraphina didn't stop, and Peterson pulled her back until her down jacket slipped off her shoulders.
Underneath, Seraphina was wearing a sexy little black dress that reached her thighs, highlighting her stunning figure and revealing her smooth, long neck and some of her skin. Her carefully applied smoky makeup added to her allure.
Peterson froze, while Edith scoffed, looking at Seraphina. "I've never seen a reporter like Ms. Bennett before."
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