Chapter 74

"You're targeting the Lowells because of Victoria's spying incident, aren't you?" I met Sebastian Valdemar's gaze without flinching. "I have a better way to deal with her."

"A family like the Lowells isn't worth your time."

I refused to mention Charles Lowell's inheritance. It wasn't relevant.

Sebastian's brow arched slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh? Why should I trust you? What if I back off and you don't follow through?"

"I hate them more than you do." My lips curved into a cold smile. "If I fail, you can always crush this ant later."

He laughed then, clearly entertained by my unpredictable demeanor—sometimes rebellious, sometimes icy.

The recorder in my bag blinked red. After editing the audio, I headed straight to the Lowell estate.

Today, I would retrieve my grandfather's belongings.

Victoria blocked my path the moment I stepped inside, her face twisted with fury.

"Move."

She glared at me with pure hatred. As the biological daughter, she couldn't stand how I, an adopted child, always carried myself with unshakable dignity.

"This is the Lowell house! I'm the heiress!" she shrieked. "Who do you think you are?"

I ignored the idiot and turned away.

"Stop!"

She lunged after me like a rabid dog. When she saw me enter Grandfather's study, her voice turned venomous. "So you came to steal!"

"Don't project your filth onto others." I carefully gathered the calligraphy scrolls.

A lighter clicked behind me.

Victoria held the flame between her fingers, her smile grotesque. "No one will ever know."

The fire danced in her grasp.