Off to the side, Oliver really couldn't take it anymore. "Esther's still your aunt, you know. Can't we discuss this in private? If word gets out, what kinda face will the Douglas family have left in Draco City?"

Serena actually nodded. "You make a good point, Uncle Ollie. You guys-take everyone else away."

Oliver thought she finally saw reason. He even let a smug little smile show-only to have his injured arm yanked hard behind his back a second later.

"Ah-dammit, that hurts! Easy! General Moore!"

His face twisted in pain, but the second he turned and saw it was Gavin Moore holding him down, his eyes nearly popped out.

Oscar Bennett's heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he spotted Gavin. He dropped back to his knees, not daring to lift his head. "General, sir!"

Serena snorted softly, looking down at them like they were less than dirt. "Your so-called honorable General Moore is just my bodyguard. Oscar, Oliver, you two should really count yourselves lucky you didn't stick your hands in back then. Otherwise? You wouldn't have made it outta here alive. You'd be in pieces by now."

The cold sweat on Oliver and Oscar's backs was instant. Every hair on their bodies stood up straight.

Oscar, still kneeling, was shaking inside. He wouldn't have crossed Serena even if you paid him. But then a terrible thought hit him-Cora's mess. His face changed in a flash.

Cold sweat ran straight down his spine.

His mind was racing. The second he got back, he was sending Cora into jail for real. He had to bury that scapegoat story and deep. Better to lose one Cora than drag down the whole Bennett family.

Serena glanced toward Mabel, then gave a low command to Gavin. "I've got something else to handle. Take Grandma back to the orphanage. And unless I say otherwise, no one touches that silver needle."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Gavin gently picked up the frail lady.

They drove for quite a while before the car rolled to a stop in front of the cemetery gates.

Serena was first out. Esther and Oliver were kicked out after her.

"I'm here, Dad, Mom," she whispered, her fingers brushing the dust from the carved name on the stone.

At the base of the headstone, the words read: In honor of her service. Erected by the Draco Police Department.

Another reason she let Oscar live.

After it all went down, Esther acted heartbroken and refused to have the bodies buried in the family tomb. The corpses sat in the morgue freezer for ages.

It wasn't until Oscar took over and didn't want to keep footing the storage bill that he had them buried in a cemetery.

A twist of fate, maybe-but at least her parents had a resting place now.

A bitter wind swept through the graveyard, cutting across Esther and Oliver's faces like a warning.

Gavin's men forced the two to their knees in front of the tombstone. Their kneecaps smashed against the freezing stone tiles, and their faces twisted with pain. But neither dared fight back.

Serena leaned forward and yanked a fistful of Esther's hair, forcing her face down toward the gravestone.

Her parents still smiled gently from the photo, like they were alive and watching.

"All these years... has there been even one moment when you felt guilty toward them?"

Despite the pain, Esther jerked her head up, sneering. "Guilty? They should've thanked me!"

Her eyes glowed with manic pride. "Your dad was a coward, your mom spineless. They didn't even have the guts to build anything up. Without me, the Douglas family wouldn't be where it is now. Without me, those Draco families would've eaten us alive!"

Looking at that smug, unrepentant face, the last bit of warmth in Serena's eyes was gone. Cold-completely.

She didn't waste another word. Turning around, she pulled the gun straight from Gavin Moore's belt. With a sharp "click," she chambered a round.

That sound-so crisp and sudden-it was like a thunderclap in the dead air. Oliver jumped with fright, shoulders hunched, practically collapsing to the ground like he wished he could disappear into it.

But Esther still put on a brave face, lifting her chin with a sneer. "What? You gonna kill me?"

"You're the Scarlet Valkyrie, so what?" she mocked, hoping to shake Serena with her so-called future. "You've already taken out so many of my people. When this gets out, it'll just look like you're abusing power. But if you shoot me..."

Esther gave a small scoff and leaned in. "If you shoot me, you'll be the crazy one who murdered a relative over a grudge. You'll ruin your whole life for this. Is it worth it?"

She struggled to her feet, making a slow move toward Serena and reaching out. "Let's just cut a deal, alright? You let me live, I'll give you half the family fortune..."

"Bang!"

The gunshot ripped through the air.

A bullet slammed into Esther's left leg. She let out a scream, crumpling to the ground, her knee smashing against the cold stone, blood immediately seeping out.

Before she could so much as catch her breath-

"Bang!"

Another shot rang out. This time, her right leg. She collapsed completely, slumping in front of the tombstone, face twisted in agony. Blood streamed down her legs, pooling beneath her in the cracks of the stone.

"You really thought I wouldn't?" Serena stepped forward, cold barrel pressed to the back of Esther's head. Her voice was like steel. "Forgot to mention-before I came here, your daughter Aria handed me a letter."

Serena pulled a folded note from her pocket and opened it with leisure.

"A formal letter of forgiveness. Signed by Aria Douglas, stating that if anything happened to you, she'd take your body and wouldn't press charges."

Esther's eyes locked on the handwriting-realizing who's it was-and her pupils shrank. Whatever false confidence she'd had, it was gone.

Serena chuckled dryly and applied just the slightest pressure-enough to turn the letter into dust. The fragments scattered with the wind.

As Esther watched helplessly, Serena added, "But honestly? I don't need that. The Scarlet Valkyrie doesn't need permission when dealing with murderers."

"Click."

Another round locked and loaded.

This time, Esther's face finally cracked. She could feel the chill of the gun and the very real threat behind it-it wasn't a bluff.

Her swagger disappeared. Her voice trembled, teary and panicked. "I was wrong! Serena, I was wrong, please!"

"It was me, I gave your parents those drugs! I set you up-I admit it! Please, I'm begging you, I know you're someone big now, don't throw it all away over me..."

She started slamming her head into the stone, her forehead splitting open with each hit, blood mixing with dirt. "I know you have a future. This isn't worth it, please don't do this..."

But the gun stayed exactly where it was. Serena didn't flinch.

Esther broke down completely, begging through her sobs, "Don't do it! How are you gonna face the family if you kill me? What about your parents-"

"Bang!"

That final shot cut her off.

Esther's body jerked once, then slumped forward, collapsing in a full kneel at the foot of the tombstone. Her forehead hit the stone with a dull thud, blood gushing from the wound and soaking into the earth, mixing with the rest.

Serena lowered the gun, a catch in her throat that had been held back for years. Her voice shook, but her eyes were steady. "You want an explanation? Give it to my parents yourself."

She bent in a deep bow toward the grave, eyes reddening. "Dad, Mom... I did it. I avenged you."

Off to the side, Oliver was pale as a sheet, breathing in frantic gulps, nearly passed out on the ground.

Turning to him, Serena's expression shifted. Her lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Your turn, Oliver."

Oliver stared at Esther's lifeless body, lips trembling, teeth chattering in fear. "Don't... don't shoot!"

"Serena, I had nothing to do with your parents! Esther forced me into it!"

"Forced you?" Serena turned slowly, pressing the muzzle of the gun to his forehead, her voice ice-cold. "So lying to Grandma, helping Esther set her up and trying to watch her die was all because you had no choice?"

"Yes! Yes, I was forced!" Oliver sobbed, shrinking back like a terrified animal. "I'm the second son! Your dad was way more capable, and Esther was ruthless. If I didn't follow her lead, she'd have kicked me out of the Douglas family years ago. I just... I just wanted to survive!"

He kept bowing his head to the floor, forehead bloody from the constant impact, his tears mixing with it. "Please, Serena... spare me just this once. I swear I'll walk away from everything. From now on, I'm just a nobody."

Serena's finger tightened on the trigger; her eyes were bloodshot, rage surging.

Then, a girl's voice rang out, trembling and sharp: "Serena! Don't shoot!"

It was Isabella Douglas.

She ran over, panting, and threw herself in front of Oliver, arms wide as she shielded him. Her cheeks were streaked with tears. "Serena, please... don't do it. Whatever he did, he's still my dad!"

Oliver had been a reckless flirt in his youth, messing around so much he lost the ability to have children. Then a low-tier actress trying to climb the ladder secretly gave birth to his child, took a payout, and vanished.

That child was Isabella. She was brought up by Mabel at the estate and had spent years growing up alongside Serena. They'd been close until recently, when Isabella was sent to live with Oliver.

Serena frowned, her voice dropping a few degrees. "Isabella, do you even know what he did? He and that witch Esther plotted to kill Grandma-the very woman who raised you. You really want to protect him?"

"What?" Isabella whipped around, shock written all over her face as she stared at her father. "Dad... Grandma's your own mother. How could you?"

Oliver looked crushed, grabbing his daughter's hand, sobbing. "I know I was wrong. Esther threatened me with your life. If I didn't help her, she'd have kicked you out of Draco City. I did it for you, sweetie..."

Isabella bit her lip, fresh tears falling harder. Yet she turned back and knelt before Serena. "Serena, I know my dad screwed up, but he wasn't always like this. Remember when we were little? He used to bring us sweets and toys... he was kind, to both of us."

She lifted her tear-filled eyes to Serena, voice shaky with pleading. "For me... please let him go. I'll make sure he never does anything bad again. I just... I don't want to end up alone, like you did after losing everyone..."

Serena's chest tightened painfully at that.

She remembered being little, alone after her parents were gone, clinging to nothing.

Yes, she'd wanted payback. But that didn't mean Isabella deserved to live with that same kind of trauma.

In the end, she lowered her gun, her voice softer. "Just this once. If he screws up again, I won't spare him."

Oliver collapsed, holding Isabella tightly as tears soaked her shirt in relief.

Isabella looked up and gave Serena a fierce nod. "Thank you, Serena. I promise-I'll keep him in line."

When Serena got back to the orphanage, Gavin Moore was already waiting outside.

As soon as he saw her, he rushed over and said, "Your Highness, Evan was worried about Mabel, so he brought in a doctor on his own. I tried to stop him, but failed."

Serena's expression instantly turned cold. "Did someone mess with my silver needles?"

"No!" Gavin quickly explained, "That old doctor seems legit. As soon as he saw your needles, he said they're life-saving and shouldn't be touched. I kept an eye on him the whole time-no one touched a thing."

Only then did Serena ease up slightly and hurry inside.

Inside the room, Evan was anxiously circling a silver-haired elderly doctor. "Dr. Perez, please, is there really nothing more you can do for her?"

The old doctor, Victor Perez, let out a sigh and looked at the woman on the bed. "She's been poisoned for too long. Honestly, it's a miracle she's still breathing, and only because of that silver needle. But if the needle's removed..."

He paused, voice heavy. "Not even the best doctor alive could save this."

Just as he finished, a figure moved straight to the bedside and pulled the needle straight out.

"What are you doing?!" Victor's eyes went round as he shouted. "I just said not to remove that needle! Are you out of your mind, young lady?!"

As he spoke, Mabel coughed up a mouthful of black blood. Her breathing got shallow, her chest heaving hard.

Evan panicked and tried to grab the needle back from Serena. "Serena, Dr. Perez hasn't found a treatment yet. Don't-"

Serena looked up calmly. "Evan, do you not trust me?"

He saw the steady look in her eyes, and his outstretched hand froze in midair.

Taking a deep breath, he gave a nod. "I trust you."

"Good." Serena smiled slightly. "Then go get some hot water and a clean towel for Grandma."

Evan turned to leave. Meanwhile, Victor was still pacing anxiously. "Even if we put the needle back now, it's no use! She barely has any breath left-no one can save her now!"

Serena ignored him. She took out a sleek silver case from her pocket and flipped it open, revealing a dozen finely crafted needles in varying lengths.

She picked up one and, with precise, swift movements, stuck it right into the point on Mabel's head.

The room fell silent. Victor, who was still yelling moments ago, abruptly stopped talking.

He leaned in, eyes filled with disbelief. Skepticism gave way to shock and ended in sheer astonishment.

The old lady coughed up more dark blood-but this time, her breathing started to ease, and her chest rose and fell much more steadily.

Victor narrowed his eyes, watching Serena's technique with growing recognition.

After a long pause, he slapped his thigh, his voice trembling. "Wait... this technique-don't tell me this is the Celestial Lifeline Acupuncture that's been lost for 300 years?!"

Serena didn't even look up, continuing to work.

Off to the side, Gavin spoke respectfully, "Good eye, Dr. Perez. This is none other than the Silver Needle Sage, the fearless Scarlet Valkyrie herself."

Victor stood frozen, eyes stuck on Serena's figure, admiration welling up from deep inside.

No wonder the technique was flawless. It's her-the legendary Silver Needle Sage!

The night at the orphanage was dead quiet, with only the rustling of leaves from the old tree outside echoing through the darkness.

Serena was slumped beside Mabel's bed, one hand holding Mabel's tightly, her eyelids drooping. She had been going non-stop these past few days-revenge, saving lives-completely drained. Even in her sleep, though, her fingers stayed tensed, muscle memory from years on the battlefield kicking in.

It was deep into the night when Mabel's fingers twitched. Her lashes fluttered slightly before her eyes slowly opened.

The soft yellow light bathed Serena's sleeping face. Her brows were furrowed even in sleep, like even her dreams wouldn't give her a break.

Seeing the dark circles under her granddaughter's eyes, Mabel's eyes instantly welled up. Her gaze was filled with heartbreak.

This was the girl she'd spoiled for as long as she could remember. Serena should've grown up surrounded by warmth and care-yet instead, she suffered six years of wrongful imprisonment.

"Serena..."

Her voice came out thin and raspy, like sand against stone, shaky from waking up.

Serena jolted awake, head snapping up.

Noticing Mabel had woken up, the tension in her eyes vanished, replaced by anxious concern. "Grandma, how are you feeling? Anything still bothering you?"

She reached over to check Mabel's pulse-faint, but steadier than it had been during the day. Half the weight in her heart lifted.

Mabel shook her head and gently cupped Serena's cheek, her wrinkled hand warm against the girl's face-a warmth full of years and stories.

"I'm okay now... but I owe you an apology. If only I'd had the guts to protect you back then, maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this."

"Grandma, don't say that," Serena said softly, squeezing her hand gently. "Back then, Esther had the whole family under her thumb. You barely managed to survive yourself-there was no way you could've helped me too."

"Besides, I've already gotten revenge. I killed Esther in front of Mom and Dad's grave. I made sure she paid for everything."

Mabel's body stiffened, followed by a deep sigh. She didn't seem shocked-more like relieved.

"Good... She deserved it. She took your parents away, ruined your life... yeah, death's too kind for her."

After a pause, Mabel's voice trembled with worry. "But you-killing someone... Is everything okay? I'm not letting anything happen to you this time."

"Don't worry. I knew what I was doing," Serena replied, her voice a mix of warmth and ache.

She tucked the conversation away with a smile, brushing her fingers over the tiny needle marks on Mabel's wrist before saying, "By the way, you've got a lot of residual poison built up. Esther's been dosing you for years, hiding it in the food and tonic. I'll need to give you daily acupuncture, but in two weeks or less, it'll be out of your system."

"Poison?" Mabel's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at her hand.

She always thought Esther was just greedy and wanted the inheritance-still, she assumed she had at least a bit of filial piety. But thinking back now, Mabel always felt drained after those tonics, and her sleep had been a mess. So that was it-her own daughter was slowly killing her.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Never thought the daughter I raised so carefully would end up praying for my death..."

"Grandma, don't..." Serena's tone softened.

Serena bent down to hug Mabel, gently patting her back. "I'm not a kid anymore. From now on, I'll protect you. No one's bullying us again."

They stayed like that, holding each other quietly, until the first light crept through the window.

As dawn broke, Victor Perez arrived early with his medicine kit in hand. He also brought a bundle of fresh herbs and smiled, "I brought some calming herbs, thought they'd be perfect for making a tonic."

Serena nodded and thanked him, then pulled out a sleek silver needle case and got ready to perform acupuncture to detox Mabel.

Seeing this, Victor instantly quieted his steps and held his breath, standing nearby with full attention.

Serena's fingers moved swiftly, placing silver needles precisely at Mabel's acupoints.

Victor leaned in, his eyes widening with each needle she placed.

He'd studied acupuncture for decades, but never seen such skill-each needle's depth and angle were flawless, like measured by a ruler.

When Serena got to the seventh needle, Victor finally couldn't hold back and reached out to assist-only to be stopped by her calm voice. "Dr. Perez, this one needs to be angled slightly and go in three tenths deep. You're off-watch the major artery."

Victor's hand froze mid-air. He looked in the direction she pointed and immediately broke into a cold sweat.

Had he gone ahead, he might've caused a major vessel to rupture. That would've been a disaster.

He quickly pulled back, completely convinced. "You truly are the Silver Needle Sage. I couldn't hold a candle to your technique."

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Serena finished inserting the needles.

Mabel suddenly coughed up a mouthful of black blood, but her face noticeably brightened, regaining some color.

Victor rushed over to check her pulse, his hands trembling from excitement. "Most of the poison's been cleared! The Celestial Lifeline Acupuncture is the real deal!"

Then, he abruptly bowed deeply toward Serena. "Please, let me become your student! I want to learn this method from you-to save more lives!"

Serena paused, a bit surprised, then shook her head gently. "No need for formalities. This technique is meant to heal. I'm happy to share it with you-just promise to pass it on, don't keep it to yourself. The more people it helps, the better."

"Deal!" Victor wiped at his eyes, pulling out pen and paper. "I'll write it all down right now. Just say it-I'm ready."

Serena patiently explained each key point of the technique, while Victor jotted everything down and kept mumbling in awe, amazed that the famous Silver Needle Sage was just a young woman under twenty.

When they were done, Serena took the herbs he brought and went to the kitchen to make a tonic for Mabel.

As she walked back with the warm bowl carefully balanced in her hands, she saw Mabel awake, propped up on pillows.

When their eyes met, Mabel reached under her pillow and pulled out a blue cloth bundle, handing it over.

"Serena, these are the records Esther kept while manipulating the Douglas family over the years. They've got everything-how she controlled the side branches, her dealings with foreign powers... it's all in here."

Mabel lightly caressed the fabric, her voice calm but firm. "We can't let the Douglas name fall into the wrong hands. From now on, it's all up to you."

"Grandma..."

Serena took the bundle from her, the rough cloth brushing against her fingertips, sparking an ache in her chest.

This wasn't just trust-it was the future of the whole family handed to her.

She was just about to speak when a loud, arrogant voice rang from outside. "Absolutely not!"

The door slammed open in the next second.

"You've lost your mind. Serena is a criminal-how could she possibly be fit to inherit the Douglas estate?"