67 I'm always shady

2 weeks have passed since Seraphina came back from Isla de Paz. She was rather occupied preparing her schemes and plots of her oplan: revenge. Moreover, every once in a while Liam would drop by for a short time since he only got limited free time since his transfer from country y to country c. Just this today, he had a day off from the exhausting weeks thus, he invited Seraphina to eat out which she immediately agreed under Sebastian Yue's surveillance.

Staring at herself in front of the vanity mirror, there was a tinge of uncertainty on her eyes as she lightly bit her lower lip. Leaving her bedroom, Liam Jin was already at the grand living area of the Yue mansion chatting harmoniously with Sebastian Yue. Seeing her old yet lively grandfather, Seraphina's annoyance dissipated and stared at him tenderly. Just a few moments of watching the scene, Sebastian Yue caught her figure on the corners of his eye.

"Seffy, come." Signaling her to come over. she obediently went over to his side.

"Grandpa, why do you look more excited than me?" being the spoiled brat she was raised to, she sassed to her old man.

"Silly girl, this is your first time going on a date!" he whispers excitedly. Her lips twitch at his remarks.

'Gramps! I'm not getting married!' although she wanted to refute, she restrained herself instead and only let out an awkward laugh.

"Young Jin, take her of my precious treasure." he heartily offered Seraphina without batting an eye.

'Why does this looks like he's selling me?' she thought

"Chairman Yue, thank you for trusting me. I won't let you down." Liam as warm as a spring breeze responded. His gentle reassuring smile made Old man Yue's heart at ease. After all, this is like an accomplishment to him even though he never intended for her granddaughter to be with someone from the top families in the social ladder.

Regardless, with his old age, he was rather impatient thus when Liam Jin sought his permission to pursue her beloved granddaughter although he was reluctant at first prior to knowing that Seraphina felt the same, it would still be a good option if she marries a Jin since they had a good relationship through the years. He would give his full support for their love to bloom --only with this method, he could leave earth at peace.

"Bye gramps!" she waved her goodbye.

Seeing their exiting figure, there was an emotional smile and tears of joy started to form in the corner of his wrinkled eyes.

'Kristina, Konrad, Aaliyah… can you see our precious angel? Look how she grew up into a fine lady.' he spoke inwardly. Though he felt sorrowful as his late wife, son and daughter-in-law wouldn't witness this breakthrough of Seraphina -- he knew they will always guide her from above. As the door closes, Sebastian Yue let out a series of coughs -- the hand he used covering his mouth revealed a few drops of blood he coughed out.

As Seraphina and Liam get on his car. Not far away from the Yue's driveway, Ace and Riggs witnessing the scene felt relieved. Ace felt he was on vacation for the last 2 weeks as Seraphina was well-behaved and only asked for Riggs to run some errand for her. However, it also made him more suspicious about his partner's behavior. Turning his head beside him, he instigated.

"You've been acting shady lately… mind if you share your little secret?"

"Ey, what secret? I'm always shady." lying was his forte thus Riggs denied his accusation shamelessly.

"You didn't tell me what happened to her on that island. I saw her medical reports." although he never had a chance to see her when she was gravely injured, Ace was too suspicious about her condition thus he found a way to check her medical records and the indicated injuries she inflicted were beyond his expectation. Despite the fact that he knew that, he let Riggs' lies go on saying she was a frail lady so it's expected that she took her a while to regain her consciousness.

At first, he thought Riggs was just playing around so he could keep this job alas their relation these past weeks was too questionable.

"Alright," Riggs conceded after a brief paused, he confessed.

"Miss… she professed her love to me but I rejected on the spot. That is why she makes things hard for me." as if the whole world wronged him albeit he was saying the half-truth since Seraphina proposed to him on a whim.

Dismayed by his shameless remarks, Ace smirk knowingly, "I'll find out eventually." he spoke as scats away.

'You should find out the soonest, bastard!' Riggs cheered him inwardly so he could share his burden with him.

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[inside Liam's car]

After they buckled up, he sped off to a certain destination. The atmosphere enveloped an awkward silence as neither of them spoke a word. Seraphina stared outside the window disinterested to where he was taking him.

Soon after, they stopped by in a fancy restaurant. Snapping from her stupor, Seraphina turned her attention towards the driver's seat.

"Were here." Since it's almost noon, Liam decided to take her to this meaningful restaurant to a specific reason.

As they entered the establishment, they were assisted by the manager itself knowing the status of Liam Jin. With both of their image, customers inside turn their attention towards the entering perfect couple -- envy and awed are tranced on their eyes. Indistinct murmurs were heard but both of them were unbothered as they entered a private patio for VIP's.

As they enter the private dining room, one particular table with 3 fine ladies was stupefied seeing both of them together.

"Isn't that Liam Jin with Marga's weird cousin?" One girl clad with pieces of jewelry spoke disdainfully. The other girl turns to see Nathalie who's as if the time stops itself.

"Nathalie, are you fine?" the sparkling girl due to her shining accessories asked full of concern towards Nathalie. They originally accompanied her to console her about her called off engagement. But as if fate likes playing games, it intentionally let her witness how her ex-fiance being affectionate towards another girl.

Nathalie clenched her hands creasing her expensive designer dress as she bit her lower lips in jealousy. When she can't contain her raging enviousness anymore, she abruptly stood up from her seat then went straight to where Seraphina and Liam dined.

Nathalie hastily pushed open the door, revealing the calm and harmonious atmosphere inside. Being interrupted, both of them turns their attention towards the wide open door.

"Nathalie?" Liam was surprised by her sudden appearance.

"Hmm?" Seraphina tilted her head, puzzled to what was going on.

Nathalie was overwhelmed with her emotion thus before she knew it, she already pushed open the door. Calming herself down, she smiled brightly at Liam, she spoke.

"Brother Liam, I saw you just now so I wanted to say hi." she explained in the most innocent manner she could.

Since the restaurants respect their guest especially those VVIP's and VIP clients, thus the management immediately dashed towards the commotion. The manager steps forward towards Nathalie, he spoke.

"Miss, we value our clients' rights hence we don't tolerate such behavior. Please," the manager politely scats her away. Assisting her to steps aside as the manager bowed in front of Seraphina and Liam.

"We gravely apologize for interrupting --"

"Why are you sorry? Are you the one that interrupted our date?" Seraphina intervenes his dialogue.

"But still, Miss, we ca--"

"She's my date's ex-fiance, don't shoo her away. Come." Seraphina waved her hand to Nathalie's direction signaling her to join them.

Although Nathalie was displeased about her statements alas she was not lying. Therefore, she could only swallow her pride and joined them. The manager flinched at Seraphina's words.

'If she was an ex-lover of her date, wouldn't she be hostile towards her? Indeed, these rich people are odd in their own way.'

Regardless, the manager still thoughtfully excused himself after a few words.

On the square table, Nathalie sat beside Liam facing Seraphina's gentle smile.