The Skyvault Palace Master and Madame Skyvault put on a show of fake parental affection, which sent wicked little bubbles rising in William Wang Jinling's heart. William didn't consider himself a bad person, but at this moment he couldn't help feeling mischievous—his smile was gentle, but his eyes were full of mockery.
"Palace Master, I’m sure you’re not unfamiliar with the names Prince Nolan of Eastlyn and William Wang Jinling." At this, William paused slightly, giving the Palace Master and Madame Skyvault time to fully digest the news he’d just delivered.
"You..." The Palace Master prided himself on being worldly, but seeing these two young men, about the same age as his own son, who could very well be his opponents, he was left momentarily stunned.
William nodded kindly. "That’s right, Palace Master. Let me introduce myself: I’m William Wang Jinling, and this is Prince Nolan of Eastlyn. Pleased to meet you."
William’s manner was friendly and his tone gentle, without a hint of hostility, but his words instantly petrified the Palace Master and Madame Skyvault, leaving them speechless, their eyes darting back and forth between Prince Nolan and William.
Prince Nolan? William Wang Jinling?
Sean’s friends?
How could these two just swagger right into his Skyvault Palace? This was outrageous—did these people even have him in their eyes?
"Sean, you actually colluded with outsiders and brought these two into Skyvault Palace? Are you trying to rebel?" When the Palace Master came to his senses, his first words were to accuse Sean Xuan, his voice furious and his eyes full of blame. Even Serena, standing off to the side, felt sorry for Sean.
Having a father like this is even more painful than having none at all.
Sean Xuan was used to this. With a hint of sarcasm, he asked, "Is that really how you see me, Father?" Seeing Madame Skyvault looking both reproachful and at a loss for words, Sean added, "Or does Madame Skyvault also think I’d collude with outsiders?"
Madame Skyvault forced a smile, looking troubled. "Sean, I know you’re a good child. How could you possibly collude with outsiders? I’m sure you had your reasons for bringing them here. Whatever it is, let’s sit down and talk it out. Husband, don’t be angry with Sean—after his mother passed away, he became withdrawn, but he’s still a good child."
Every word seemed to be for Sean’s good, but the more you listened, the more wrong it felt.
"You—always taking his side, but do you ever look at what he’s become? He can’t even tell friend from foe, and just brings our opponents straight into Skyvault Palace, as if it’s nothing! What do they think Skyvault Palace is?"
Sean, if you still care about Skyvault Palace and about me as your father, then arrest these three friends of yours for me. Do that, and I’ll let bygones be bygones—you’ll remain Young Palace Lord of Skyvault Palace." When he first realized who the visitors were, Prince Nolan and William Wang Jinling, he was shocked, but quickly regained his composure.
Sean bringing them up here meant their followers hadn’t come along. These two young men actually dared to enter Skyvault Palace alone—such nerve.
You had to admit, the Skyvault Palace Master admired Prince Nolan and William Wang Jinling’s boldness, but he also thought they were foolish. Coming alone to Skyvault Palace—did they really think they could leave unharmed?
The Palace Master was full of confidence, while Sean Xuan stood motionless, looking at his father with eyes full of pity.
His father—the man he’d once thought of as a god when he was a child—after seeing him get played for a fool by a woman, manipulated and toyed with, Sean found he could never admire him again.
"Don’t worry, Husband. Sean is a sensible child—he knows what to do. Isn’t that right, Sean?" Madame Skyvault shot Sean a look, signaling him to hurry up and act so his father could calm down.
Sean could see through it, and so could the Palace Master. That was the brilliance of Madame Skyvault—if she truly wanted to secretly help Sean, why did she always make sure the Palace Master witnessed it every single time?
You had to admit, Sean’s father was completely wrapped around this woman’s finger—and it wasn’t without reason. Her skill at manipulation was truly impressive.
On the surface, her words sounded flawless and totally in Sean’s favor, but if you listened closely, you’d realize they were full of blame—she put Sean in a tight spot with just a few sentences, and if things went wrong, the father-son relationship would only get worse.
Serena looked at Sean with sympathy. His bad relationship with his father—this woman definitely played a part. She was a master of household intrigue, after all.
But Sean just smiled indifferently. Every time he saw his father, it was the same scene—after so many times, he’d gotten used to it, even numb.
"Sean, what are you standing there for? Get moving." Sean’s lack of action made the Palace Master furious, and he barked at him again.
William prided himself on his composure and manners, but seeing the Skyvault Palace Master treat his own son like this, he couldn’t help speaking up: "Palace Master, you don’t actually think Prince Nolan and I came here just to be arrested, do you?"
No wonder Sean didn’t react at all when they said they’d deal with Skyvault Palace—there was no reason to stay in a home like this.
"Does it really matter? Right now, you’re on my turf in Skyvault Palace. How I deal with you is up to me. If I kill you now, do you think your followers would risk their lives for you?" The Palace Master pushed Madame Skyvault aside and stood tall, finally showing a bit of dignity.
"Of course not. Are you sure you can actually kill us?" William nodded seriously. If he and Prince Nolan died here, plenty of people would cheer—no one would bother avenging them.
But were they really that foolish? Coming here just to die was never something he or Prince Nolan would do—they both valued their lives.
"Do you think you have three heads and six arms? Skyvault Palace is full of experts. Killing the two of you is nothing—one more wouldn’t make a difference." That “one more” was, of course, referring to Serena, standing in the corner with her face veiled in black.
From the moment she entered, Serena had stood there like a ghost—never drawing attention, yet impossible to forget.
Serena met the Palace Master’s icy gaze and responded with a noncommittal smile. No wonder her mother had run far away—if she’d had a father like this...
Thank goodness he wasn’t her father—otherwise, she’d rather not have been born at all.
Arrogant, self-important, such a rotten bamboo—how did a man like this end up with a son as outstanding as Sean Xuan? He must take after his mother.
Serena kept quiet. When Madame Skyvault glanced her way, Serena quietly shifted behind Prince Nolan and William, saying nothing.
It wasn’t her time to step forward yet—she was the secret weapon of this trip, and coming out too early wouldn’t have the desired impact.
Maybe it was Serena’s apparent timidity, maybe her low profile—or maybe it was simply that no one expected her, hunted by assassins, would dare come to Skyvault Palace at all.
So when Serena hid herself, the Palace Master and Madame Skyvault stopped paying attention to her. The Palace Master even mocked himself for overestimating her—she was just a sheltered little girl, scared out of her wits...
Small Theater
Nolan: What will it take for you to forgive me?
Serena: ...
Nolan: If you won’t say, I’ll just show you.
Serena: You wouldn’t dare!
Nolan: Why wouldn’t I? Don’t forget, I gave you the clothes you’re wearing.
Serena: So what?
Nolan: When a man gives a woman clothes, it’s so he can take them off her himself. Now, do you think I dare?
Serena: You beast!
Nolan: A beast is a bit too much, don’t you think? You like things a little wild? If you do, I don’t mind playing the beast for you.
Serena: ...