We were like any regr couple, sharing the bed''s warmth and enjoying this tender moment together.


    I softly took Mabel Sean''s hand, our gazes filled with deep affection.


    We moved closer until we could sense each other''s breathing.


    Right then, noise erupted from outside.


    I nced toward the window, clearly irritated.


    The unexpected guests were a bunch of fancy-dressed young people from Capital City.


    Pearson Bowman, Wayne Ran, Elena Green, and the rest had basically all shown up here.


    "Shit, how''d they track us down?" I muttered quietly.


    They were wrecking my perfect moment!


    Mabel Sean and I rushed downstairs, and the second we hit the bottom, Pearson Bowman''s crew swarmed us with excitement.


    "Miss Sean, so great to finally see you," Pearson Bowman said politely.


    Mabel Sean kept it polite too, shing a gracious smile back.


    "Miss Sean, what happenedst time really broke our hearts, but thank god Mason Raymond was around," Wayne Ran grinned as he spoke.


    "We heard you were back and came running over."


    Everyone seemed friendly enough, but I could feel a headache building.


    "Oh, by the way, Mr. Raymond, Miss Sean, I''m throwing a dinner party at my ce tonight," Pearson Bowman announced, puffing out his chest with pride.


    "This party''s gonna be a wee home celebration for Miss Sean!"


    Mabel Sean''s brow creased as she smiled and shook her head, "You don''t need to do that."


    "Come on, Miss Sean, don''t say no. I put this together just for you!" Pearson Bowman pushed enthusiastically.


    Mabel Sean stayed quiet but turned to look at me, like she was waiting for my call.


    I let out a quiet sigh and said, "Fine, we''ll be there soon."


    "Awesome!" Pearson Bowman beamed.


    "See you tonight then!"


    Pearson Bowman took off with his gang, but Elena Green hung back.


    You could tell Elena Green and Mabel Sean were tight - they were chatting andughing like old friends.


    "Pearson Bowman''s dinner parties always draw all kinds of random people," Elena Green said with a wry smile.


    Mabel Seanughed, "That''s just Pearson being Pearson. No big deal."


    Elena Green joked, "We''re not like you - popr in every crowd."


    She was kidding around, but it was totally true.


    Elena Green and her friends had decent money, but they were mainly just gifted fighters.


    Mabel Sean was different though. Back in the day, the Sean family held serious power in Capital City, and everyone had to show them respect.


    Then Elena Green switched topics to me.


    "Mabel, I''ve got to hand it to you for your judgment," Elena Green chuckled.


    "I was skeptical at first about what guts it took to pick a broke guy with zero connections. Turns out I was being narrow-minded. The Sean family''s reputation for spotting quality really holds up."


    Mabel Seanughed and said, "You think I''m into Mason Raymond just because he''s got good judgment?"


    Elena Green''s eyes went wide, like she was hanging on Mabel Sean''s next words.


    Mabel Sean smiled, "Sure, I think Mason Raymond will make something of himself, but that''s not why I care about him. It''s about love."


    "Even if he never achieved anything, I''d still want to stand by him."


    Elena Green opened her mouth but couldn''t find words.


    For Elena Green and her crowd, life had turned into one big game of interests.


    Everything in the world seemed to have a price tag now, people included.


    "Mason Raymond''s definitely head over heels for you," Elena Green said, shaking her head with a smile.


    When she said that, Mabel Sean''s eyes automatically found me.


    The way she looked at me seemed to hold something different.


    "Alright Mabel, catch you tonight," Elena Green didn''t stick around long. She said goodbye to Mabel Sean and headed out.


    After she left, Mabel Sean came over to me.


    "Looks like the meal we made won''t get eaten," Mabel Sean said, throwing up her hands.


    I grumbled under my breath, "Yeah, I was gonna make you noodles."


    "Hmm... Now that you mention it, I''m dying to try your cooking. That''d be your first time making something for me, right?" Mabel Sean said, batting her eyes.


    Iughed too, "I wanted to taste your fish as well. Tomorrow, let''s just stay home and avoid everyone!"


    As we talked, Mabel Sean said with some worry, "You know plenty of people are after my bloodline - aren''t you concerned something might go wrong at tonight''s party?"


    I put down the remote and sneered, "I want to draw out whoever''s been hiding!"


    Mabel Sean started to say something, but then just smiled.


    "You''re right - you''re not the same Mason Raymond who used to get pushed around by everyone." Mabel Sean softly touched my forehead.


    I couldn''t help getting lost in my thoughts.


    I wondered how much longer we could have these quiet days.


    ...


    Night rolled around.


    I threw on a suit and went with Mabel Sean, who looked absolutely stunning, to the Bowman ce.


    Mabel Sean''s beauty was like walking art - she grabbed attention everywhere we went.


    Several people at the Bowman house rushed over to wee Mabel Sean.


    Mabel Sean handled each greeting with ss.


    "Mabel,e sit over here," Elena Green called out to Mabel Sean.


    I followed Mabel Sean to the couch.


    The whole ce was packed with Capital City''s biggest names.


    I sat off to the side, keeping quiet. I let my divine sense spread out, covering the entire space.


    One, two, three... Six powerful presences total were lurking in the shadows.


    I snorted and said, "Someone''s definitely keeping tabs on us."


    "What''s up?" Mabel Sean caught that something was off with me.


    I shook my head with a smile, "Nothing."


    Just then, some young guy with a wine ss walked over from nearby.


    He went straight to Mabel Sean and smiled, "Miss Sean, it''s been a while."


    Mabel Sean gave a small nod, like a basic greeting.


    The guy kept going, "Miss Sean, how about a dance?"


    Mabel Sean looked at him and said bluntly, "Not interested, and even if I was, it wouldn''t be with you."


    The guy heard this and couldn''t help mming his wine ss down on the table.


    "Mabel Sean, are you still ying the spoiled Sean family princess? You still think Jerry Sean''s got your back?" the young man said with a sneer.


    Mabel Sean''s expression didn''t change - she justughed and said, "What''s that got to do with dancing with you? Even if I had absolutely nothing, I still wouldn''t give you a second look."