"I'll pressure your family using my influence, I'll make it so others will avoid you like the plague,
And I will do it till you return every single penny to me and this time,
There won't be any friendly discounts."
Saying those words, Vaan walked towards the door, wanting to leave, but,
'So I will be targeting your family in the future, everything you have built after so much effort, your family structure, the people you have hired, and the connections you have built. I will make sure I will destroy it all.
I'll pressure your family using my influence.'
Vaan suddenly heard his own voice. He turned around with a frown on his face, then he saw Seraphina standing with a Crystal Ball in her hand,
She had recorded everything he said.
"No matter how I see it, this is clearly a threat.
Young Master Vaan is using his family's status to pressure me into giving in to your demands. Young Master of the righteous Vesta Family acting like a thug, I doubt many in the Vesta Family would like it."
Seraphina commented as she looked into Vaan's eyes.
Vaan glanced at Seraphina and with a frown on his face, he questioned, "What are you trying to say?"
"What I am saying is that if this recording gets leaked, it won't end well for Young Master Vaan. I know Young Master Vaan has returned to the Battle of Heirs and is fighting for the position of Family Heir again, however, if this is revealed, it would deeply affect Young Master Vaan's position.
Now Young Master Vaan wouldn't want a mere 'average' woman causing you so much trouble, would he?"
Seraphina questioned and hearing her words, Vaan narrowed his eyes,
"Are you threatening me?"
Seraphina shook her head, "That is not correct, Young Master Vaan. I merely want you to make a wise decision here that would be best for both of us. Pushing me into a corner would bring nothing but trouble to you. There is no need for someone of your stature to get involved with someone like me.
I suggest Young Master Vaan leave me alone, and I give you my word that you will never see or hear from me again. I am even willing to sign a contract stating the above conditions."
"And what if I don't agree to your suggestion?"
"Then you would leave me no choice but to use this recording as my last weapon."
"Then do it." A smile appeared on Vaan's face.
"What…?" Seraphina tilted her head in confusion, Vaan, however, just glanced at her with a wide smile on her face,
"Spread this recording all over the Vesta City, do it, and let's reveal how you used my kindness for your own benefit and are now refusing to pay me back.
Let's open up this entire situation to the public and let them decide who is in the right and who is in the wrong.
You, who are being 'threatened' by the Young Master of the Vesta Family,
Or me, who was cheated out of more than 8000 Elemental Stones.
I am looking forward to you fanning this situation, giving me more freedom to openly come after you."
Vaan's smile was honestly scary, Seraphina, however, wasn't scared. She was willing to see this to the end,
"Again, those were considered 'Gifts', I never cheated you out of anything."
"Let us see what the public believes."
"The public would believe what they are made to believe.
Young Master Vaan liked me, that was the reason why he was often found around me and gave me many 'Gifts', trying to woo me. However, when I rejected his advances, he was enraged and started asking me to return everything he had ever given to me.
This story combined with your actions in the past,
I'd say it is pretty believable, correct?"
Seraphina spoke with a small smile on her face.
It was her win. No matter what Vaan did, as long as he didn't have written proof, there was nothing he could do to stop people from believing this story.
It would be Vaan's open loss and honestly, it would also be a form of protection she and her family would receive, as once this matter becomes public and people learn about the feud between Vaan and her, after her victory, to protect their family dignity, the Vesta Family would make sure Vaan won't do anything reckless trying to harm her or her family.
However, even after that, Seraphina didn't wish to take this step, if she did that, she would be facing Vaan as her enemy for the rest of her life, which would definitely affect her family's growth.
Honestly, Seraphina wanted to settle this matter as quietly and quickly as possible,
However,
'Polygamy is extremely common for someone of Young Master Vaan's status, you can marry both of us. Elara can be the main wife, I am satisfied even if I am a concubine. I just wish to stay with Young Master Vaan'
Seraphina then saw a Crystal Ball in Vaan's hand.
"That certainly does look like you rejecting me, the public would surely believe that." Vaan nodded.
Seraphina widened her eyes in shock.
To think he recorded what she said!
Vaan's smile just widened even further and,
"These little games of yours,
I have been playing them for a decade now.
Woman, you are far too inexperienced to go against someone like me.
Whether you decide to spread that recording or not, it doesn't matter.
This battle, it is already your defeat.
The only thing that is left to decide is how much damage you and your family will take before you finally give in and return every penny you have taken from me."
Vaan turned around, then, he raised his hand and, "You can tear that bill apart if you want, it still had my considerations as your friend and as I said, the updated bill won't have those discounts.
I want you to pay in full and I suggest you do it as soon as possible.
The bill will be sent to you tomorrow,
Till then,
Have a good day, Seraphina Stormweaver."
Saying those words, Vaan finally left.
Seraphina stood there in silence, unable to process what happened.
It was her complete defeat.
If she openly opposes Vaan, he would simply frame her and get a reason to openly target her, crippling her family's growth and slowly chipping its strength away.
If she takes everything without resistance, the absurd amount of debt would empty out her family's treasury, and they would be no different than slaves working desperately in order to pay off their loans.
Anything she did would backfire on her and eventually destroy her family.
There was no way out of this situation-
No, there was…
There was one final option.
Seraphina left the guest room and walked towards her own room, in front of the door of her room, she found Anna, who stood there with a worried look on her face,
"Lady Seraphina, what happened in the meeting, Young Master Vaan's expression was strange…" Anna questioned.
"There is no use talking about it." Seraphina waved her hand, then, she looked at her trusted maid and,
"Anna, I need your help."
Anna's expression changed, just from Seraphina's expression, she could tell what Seraphina wanted from her.
A determined expression appeared on Anna's face and,
"Please tell me what to do, Lady Seraphina."
"Dreamweave, bring it here," Seraphina ordered.
This was the last option available.
Turn Vaan into a helpless addict who would do anything just for a single packet of Dreamweave. Of course, it was a desperate measure and something that could potentially destroy her entire family if she was caught, however, Seraphina had already prepared the countermeasures.
Even if she does get caught, she would be taking the entirety of the blame on herself.
"As you command, Lady Seraphina.
When do I leave?"
"In three days."
"I understand." Anna nodded.
Seraphina then glanced at her trusted maid and, "You know the catch, correct?"
"I perfectly understand the risks involved.
The only ones who know about this matter are me and Lady Seraphina.
No one else in the Stormweaver Family should know about it."
Anna answered, completely understanding the severity of the issue.
"Good." Seraphina smiled as she placed her hand on Anna's shoulder.
"Take rest for the next three days. It is going to get hectic."
"I understand."
"But do not leave the Stormweaver House, it might not be safe out there…"
Seraphina ordered.
"Yes." Anna nodded again.
Seraphina nodded back, then, she walked into her room, jumped on her bed, and with her eyes closed, she exhaled deeply.
…
On the other side, Orion, who, after training Vaan, was returning to his room, found an extremely beautiful woman sitting on his bed.
"Hello, beautiful lady. What can I do for you?" He asked with a playful smile on his face.
"Are you sure you should be doing what you are doing?" Astra, who was not in the mood for any jokes, questioned with a solemn look on her face.
