"How can I forcibly open Seera’s blocked memories?"

Hearing that unprecedented question, the System’s eyes went WIDE with shock and concern.

"Are you SURE, Host?" he asked, genuine worry in his voice.

Heena nodded firmly.

The System knew why this was so shocking.

Because it had ALWAYS been Heena’s personal motto—her core ethical principle—that she would not look into someone’s past memories or private thoughts without their explicit permission.

She only did memory searches when the original host had given consent, or when it was absolutely critical to mission survival.

But for Heena to NOW ask this question, to voluntarily request forced memory access—

It meant something had fundamentally shifted in her assessment of the situation.

The System paused, processing this new development.

Then said carefully, "There IS a way, Host. But it’s... quite painful. Very painful, actually."

Heena looked at him steadily and said, "Just open the memories."

The System looked at her with genuine concern and said, "Host, the memories are protected by Seera’s own subconscious defenses. For them to completely open, you need to... well, you’ll suffer quite a painful ordeal if I force them open. And I mean EXTREMELY painful. Like, worse than any physical injury you’ve experienced."

Heena looked at him and said firmly, "It might be painful. But what’s even MORE painful is not knowing the truth. If I’m not wrong—and I’m NEVER wrong about these things—these blocked memories and this world’s TRUE mission objectives are directly connected to each other. Open them."

Hearing that absolute determination, the System paused and then said, "Three days. Give me three days to prepare the memory unlock sequence properly, Host. And then the memories will be forcibly opened."

Heena nodded. "Do it."

She knew exactly why the System was hesitating so much, being so cautious, so worried. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Because forced memory unlocking hurt SO MUCH that people literally wished they were dead while experiencing it.

The pain was described as having your skull cracked open, your brain set on fire, and your consciousness shredded into pieces—all simultaneously, for hours on end.

But Heena had made her decision.

She needed to know the truth.

Whatever the cost.

.

.

Oh, surprise, surprise, SURPRISE.

When Heena finally emerged from her room—walking carefully to hide her physical discomfort—she saw Maya and Chen Yifan sitting together in the main courtyard.

Drinking tea.

Talking intimately.

Laughing softly together.

In broad daylight.

In Maya’s own home.

While her husband lay sick in bed just rooms away.

Heena had to stop and just STARE at this shameless pair.

’Like, COME ON,’ she thought with disbelief. ’The master of this house isn’t even DEAD yet and you’re openly flirting with his wife in his own HOME?’

’Should I call him a brave person or just a complete bastard?’

’Actually, no—definitely just a bastard.’

Heena’s first instinct was to simply ignore them and walk past to attend to her own business.

She genuinely didn’t give a damn what Maya and her lover did, as long as it didn’t interfere with Heena’s own plans.

But suddenly, Maya caught sight of her and called out loudly:

"Dear daughter-in-law! Come here!"

Hearing that address, Heena felt all the blood in her veins rush upward in fury.

’What the FUCK is wrong with this woman?!’

But she controlled her expression perfectly, walking over with calm composure and saying respectfully, "Yes, Mother?"

The moment Maya heard the word "MOTHER," it was like someone had stabbed a knife directly into her chest.

She was only a few years older than Heena—maybe five or six years at most.

Being called "mother" by someone nearly her own age was a brutal reminder of her actual position: not a young maiden, but a middle-aged man’s wife.

A stepmother.

OLD.

Maya looked at Heena with barely-concealed hatred and said through gritted teeth, "It’s okay, dear. You can just call me by my name. It’s not a big deal."

Hearing that "generous" offer, Heena looked at her with a brilliant, innocent smile and said, "Of course I should call you MOTHER, because you ARE my mother-in-law! That’s the proper form of address!"

It was like arrows striking Maya’s chest one after another.

Each emphasized "MOTHER" was a direct hit to her vanity and self-image.

Even Chen Yifan’s face showed discomfort—he clearly didn’t know where to look or how to respond to this awkward situation.

Then Heena turned to look at Chen Yifan directly and said with exaggerated surprise, "Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t even notice you were here! How rude of me!"

She bowed politely.

"Greetings to Lord Chen Yifan!"

Chen Yifan forced a smile and said, "Greetings to young lady—I mean, young MISTRESS."

Hearing that correction, Heena smiled sweetly and said, "Oh, look! Your lessons in proper forms of address are going well! You’re learning to distinguish between unmarried girls and married women! Excellent progress!"

The sarcasm was subtle but absolutely present.

Then she looked at Maya, who was staring at them with confusion and barely-controlled anger, and asked innocently:

"You called for me, Mother? What do you need?"

Maya controlled her fury and said stiffly, "Go and give your father-in-law his medicine. He needs his afternoon dose."

Hearing that request, Heena looked at her with wide eyes and said, "Dear Mother, Father isn’t even DEAD yet, and you’re already thinking about me administering his medicine while you entertain guests?"

She paused deliberately.

"Well, fine, I’ll go. But I’ll also need to tell Father where his beloved wife is currently occupied. After all, he’ll definitely ask where you are when I visit him. And actually, I’m ALSO concerned about why Father’s heart condition hasn’t been improving despite all the medicine he’s taking. So I’m thinking I should go check on him very thoroughly. Maybe even call for a second physician’s opinion."

Hearing those implied threats, Maya’s face went pale.

Chen Yifan’s expression also shifted—clearly alarmed at the suggestion of additional medical scrutiny that might discover the poisoning.

Maya opened her mouth to argue, to threaten, to say SOMETHING—

But Heena had already turned and was walking away toward the old Master’s quarters, calling back sweetly:

"Don’t worry, Mother! I’ll take EXCELLENT care of Father! And I’ll be sure to tell him all about your activities today! I’m sure he’ll be SO interested to hear about your visitor!"

Behind her, Maya stood frozen with rage and fear.

Chen Yifan looked at her and said quietly, "That girl is more dangerous than you said. She’s not just some former servant. She’s intelligent, observant, and clearly suspects something."

Maya’s hands clenched into fists.

"I know," she hissed. "I KNOW. But don’t worry. I’ll handle her."

"How?" Chen Yifan asked. "Every scheme you’ve tried against her has failed. And now she’s threatening to bring additional physicians to examine your husband, which could expose—"

"I SAID I’ll handle it!" Maya snapped.

Then she took a breath and composed herself.

"I have a plan," she said more calmly. "A new approach. Something she won’t expect."

Chen Yifan looked skeptical but nodded.

"Whatever you’re planning, do it soon," he said. "The longer this drags on, the more dangerous it becomes for both of us."

Maya smiled—a cold, calculating expression.

"Don’t worry, my love. Very soon, all the obstacles will be removed. The old man, that insufferable servant girl, even that useless stepson if necessary."

"And then?" Chen Yifan asked.