But Iris Sinclair couldn’t hold it in like Selena Kensington. She was currently nestled on her mom’s shoulder, laughing heartily.

"Hahaha... Brother, why are you so miserable!"

Iris Sinclair always amused herself by taunting Silas Sinclair, but even she couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic for him watching this scene.

Silas Sinclair glanced at Iris and slowly said, "Don’t come to me for pocket money this month."

"???"

Iris looked incredulously at Silas, then immediately turned her head to complain to Mrs. Sinclair.

"Mom, look at my brother!!!"

"Alright, alright..."

Mrs. Sinclair gently patted Iris’ back in a comforting gesture but had no intention of speaking on Iris’ behalf.

After all, the pocket money she gave Iris was already quite a sum, but Iris still liked to ask Silas for pocket money.

The reason was simple: Iris couldn’t hold onto money and would spend it all as soon as she had it.

When she ran out, she’d go to Silas for more.

Over time, Iris became accustomed to asking Silas for pocket money.

Mrs. Sinclair saw this as a good opportunity to correct Iris’ habit and, of course, didn’t plan to help her out.

Seeing that even Mrs. Sinclair wouldn’t speak for her, Iris pouted unhappily.

After this little episode, everyone at the table started eating. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

During the meal, Selena Kensington stole a few glances at the Sinclair Family’s table next to hers.

Aside from Zoe Sinclair’s icy and indifferent demeanor, her parents appeared normal.

After a brief look, Selena withdrew her gaze.

As she turned her head, she noticed Sterling Norwood squeezing her arm under the table.

Selena slightly shook her head at him.

After Sterling turned away again, Selena gazed curiously outside the house.

But there was no one there.

Was she mistaken?

She had felt like someone was watching her from behind, but every time she looked, she saw no one staring at her.

Yet after Selena turned away, the person hidden behind the artificial mountain outside the house took another indepth look at Selena.

Then this person clutched their heart area and left, blending into the darkness.

The figure seemed well-adapted to the darkness, walking through it with no trouble.

After thinking for a while, Selena came up with nothing.

Plus, she no longer felt like anyone was watching after that, so she dropped the matter.

After dinner, they returned to the main house.

*

After Selena’s group left, other relatives also began dispersing.

The Sinclair Family prepared for a rest, leaving a few people to handle the remaining affairs.

Once Zoe Sinclair left the main hall, she headed to her residence.

Their dwelling was in the Northwest corner of the four-sided courtyard, a quiet area seldom visited by others.

Due to Zoe Sinclair’s nature, her family had been arranged to live here upon their return.

The serene moonlight bathed the ground, making the leaves rustle.

By the light of the moon and some path lamps, Zoe walked over calmly.

After walking for an unknown duration, she arrived before her room’s door.

Just as she was about to open the door to go inside, she sensed a movement nearby and paused.

After waiting a few seconds, she glanced aside.

The always cold and calm eyes showed a slight ripple.

"How could you backfire at this time?!" she asked, her tone icy but slightly anxious.

Illuminated by the moonlight, standing beside Zoe was Cole Vaughn.

He raised a hand, clutching his heart area.

His expression in the dark wasn’t very clear, but he slightly gritted his teeth with a suppressed pained expression.

The constant suppression had made him look unnaturally pale.

Even his fists unconsciously clenched.

Zoe Sinclair didn’t wait for his reply and opened the door, entering her room.

From a hidden compartment, she retrieved something akin to a medical kit.

She took out a syringe from inside and approached.

Cole Vaughn, seeing her approach, slightly raised his neck.

Zoe quickly injected the syringe into Cole’s neck.

Once the syringe’s contents were fully administered, Zoe removed it.

Watching Cole slightly gasping for air, Zoe’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

"Did you go to see her?"

After asking, Zoe answered herself, "Ah, you definitely went."

"Otherwise, why such a strong reaction?"

"Shut up."

Despite being in pain, Cole Vaughn’s voice turned hoarse, but his tone remained sharp with a hint of menace.

Zoe’s expression darkened, turning intensely cold.

"Why, do you care so much about her?! No matter how much you care, she’ll never be on our side!"

"And the reason you’re in so much pain now is all thanks to her, isn’t it? Hmm..."

Zoe scoffed lightly.

Cole Vaughn slightly closed his eyes, calming his inner turmoil.

It seemed Zoe’s words couldn’t affect him.

He then straightened up.

His face returned to its usual indifference and harshness.

The clean, harmless young man.

Yet his eyes were filled with brutality and world-weariness.

Glancing at Zoe, Cole intended to leave her room.

That look was like a sneer, piercing Zoe’s heart, provoking her anger.

Zoe could no longer maintain her façade of calm indifference.

She willingly tore off this disguise.

"Cole Vaughn, I’m the one who made you who you are! Your abilities, I gave them to you! Why do you only think of her!!"

As she spoke, a hint of madness began to appear in her eyes.

Though she tried to keep her voice down, it still had a hysterical ring.

After speaking, she leaned against the table, slightly panting.

Cole, now at the door, turned slightly.

Under the cold moonlight, she could vaguely see half his face.

He slowly spoke, "Because my abilities exist because of her."

His face showed no other expression as he said this.

Still as calm and unruffled as ever.

But his eyes deepened slightly.

"You know this too."

"In the end, I’ll die by her hand."

When Cole uttered these words, he showed no concern for his fate.

As if stating a simple fact.

After speaking, he left without heeding Zoe at his back.

As Zoe listened to Cole’s words, she could no longer hold on and sank to the ground.

Watching Cole’s departure, she murmured, "Cole, how pitiful you are."

She paused for a long moment.

"But how can I not be pitiful..." she finally added softly.

In the silent moonlit night, this tranquil area seemed even more desolate.

So cold that warmth could never reach.