Chapter 2

A knife pressed against my throat, the blade resting on my carotid artery. One millimeter closer, and I'd be bleeding out on the spot.

"Seraphina, Chloe didn't mean it. She just accidentally entered your study. She had no idea those were top-secret Shaw family files!"

Liam's eyes were bloodshot as he fiercely shielded the trembling woman behind him, looking at me with utter heartbreak.

"Why do you have to be so aggressive? Are you only satisfied if you chop off one of her hands?"

Chloe Davis, hiding behind him, was sobbing uncontrollably, clutching his clothes tightly: "Liam, don't talk back to Seraphina for me. It's all my fault. I'll give Seraphina my hand..."

"Chloe, don't be afraid. I'm here. No one can touch you today." Liam's voice was laced with an almost sickening sweetness. But when he turned to me, his gaze instantly turned cold.

"Seraphina, you're too cold-blooded. Even if she made a mistake, just kick her out. Why resort to such cruel methods?"

I lowered my gaze, looking at the blade against my neck, and suddenly found it amusing.

Ten years of investment, only to raise an ungrateful dog that bites its owner.

"Liam." I didn't even lift an eyelid, my voice calm: "Did I ever teach you, as the head bodyguard of the Shaw family, what happens when you point a knife at me?"

Liam froze for a moment, a flicker of struggle in his eyes. But feeling Chloe's trembling behind him, he tightened his grip on the hilt again.

"Seraphina, you gave me this life. I'll give it back to you if I must. But today, I have to take Chloe with me."

He lifted his chin, an air of righteous defiance about him.

He thought I'd compromise, as I had in the past, out of consideration for our ten years together.

Unfortunately, he miscalculated.

I was silent for a long time, then let out a sneer.

"Fine."

I took a step back, avoiding the blade, then raised my hand and casually snapped my fingers.

Almost instantly, sixteen dark figures emerged like shadows from the corners of the grand hall, surrounding Liam and Chloe.

This was the Shaw family's elite bodyguard unit, every single one of them Liam's former subordinate.

Liam's face changed drastically; he finally realized something was wrong: "Seraphina, you…"

"Since you want to be her knight in shining armor, then return everything the Shaw family gave you."

I stared at him coldly, as if looking at an inanimate object. "Do it. Sever his hand and foot tendons. Cripple him."

The comments section was frantically scrolling, nearly exploding:

【Seraphina Shaw is too cruel! Liam protected her for ten years, and the one time he didn't choose her, she destroys him?】

【Her love is terrifying. If she can't have it, she'll ruin it. What's wrong with Liam saving his beloved?】

【Liam, run! This wicked woman doesn't deserve your loyalty. Go to Chloe Davis; she's your salvation!】

"Seraphina! You're crazy!" Liam roared in disbelief.

But he had no room to resist.

To protect Chloe Davis, he was restrained, and in less than three rounds, two bodyguards had him pinned to the ground.

"Ah—!"

Accompanied by Chloe's shrill scream, the muffled sound of a blade tearing through flesh rang out.

Liam let out an extremely suppressed cry of agony, curling up on the ground in pain, his limbs twitching weakly.