Chapter 1

"Charlotte, we're the only family you have left in this world. How could we possibly harm you?"

"Sure, Charles has a bit of a temper, and yes, he can be ruthless at times. He's had four wives before, but with his immense wealth, none of that matters."

"Just think about it—his money will let you live lavishly for the rest of your life! The Edward family isn't a connection ordinary people can make. This is your lucky break!"

Charlotte Seymour sat there in her faded, wrinkled clothes, her gaze timid as she looked at her aunt, Meredith Seymour.

"If marrying into the Edward family is such a great opportunity," she said softly, "why not have your daughter marry him instead? I may have grown up in an orphanage, but even I've heard about the Edward family's reputation."

That single question froze the smile on Meredith's face.

Her uncle, Lucas Seymour, cleared his throat and steered the conversation elsewhere. "Charlotte, your circumstances have been unfortunate. Your parents died young, and the only thing we can do for you now is find you a good husband."

Charlotte's eyes trembled, as if his words had touched a painful memory. She lowered her head, pressing her lips together, fighting back emotion.

Lucas and Meredith exchanged glances. When they'd brought Charlotte back, they'd worried she might be difficult to control.

But seeing her now—timid and fearful, looking like she might cry if they said two more words—put them at ease.

As Charlotte kept her head down, she concealed the flash of coldness in her eyes.

These relatives were truly wolves in sheep's clothing. They knew perfectly well that Charles Edward was a monster—anyone in Everglade City who dared cross him met a terrible fate.

Yet to keep their own daughter from marrying Charles, they were pushing her—their newly found niece—out as a shield.

All under the pretense of doing what was best for her.

From what she'd heard, those four women had been literally tortured to death by Charles.

Meredith waved her hand dismissively. "So it's settled. We won't let anything bad happen to you. Later, we'll send word to the Edward family and set a date for your wedding."

When Charlotte raised her head again, she had resumed her timid, fearful demeanor—the girl everyone could bully.

She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, hesitantly saying, "Where I come from, we have a tradition. Before marriage, the groom has to serve the bride's family for a month. If he performs well, the bride will consider whether to marry him or not. When will Charles come to do this?"

As her words registered, Lucas and Meredith's eyes widened simultaneously.

They wondered if they'd misheard her. Asking Charles Edward to serve them? Were they tired of living?

Just thinking about Charles's vengeful and ruthless reputation made them both shudder involuntarily.

Meredith forced a fake smile. "Everglade City doesn't have such customs. You should follow our traditions here."

Charlotte nodded thoughtfully. "I'm exhausted. Could I go rest now?"

"Your room is already prepared for you. Your uncle will show you the way." Meredith gestured toward the second floor.

Before Charlotte's wedding, they needed to maintain their caring facade, ensuring Charlotte trusted them completely. Only then could they secure the money from the Edward family.

Just thinking about the large sum that would soon be in her account made Meredith's smile impossible to suppress.

Charlotte pretended not to notice her expression and wheeled her suitcase forward.

Lucas stepped up. "Let me help you with that."

He reached for the suitcase, but when he tried to lift it, it didn't budge. His face registered disbelief.

What on earth was in this suitcase? How could it be so heavy?

Lucas tried several more times, putting all his strength into it, but could only lift the suitcase a few inches off the ground.

After all that effort, he was left sweating and panting.

Lucas looked at Charlotte in bewilderment. "What do you have in this suitcase?"

"Just some toiletries from the orphanage and a few clothes. Let me handle it." Charlotte gripped the handle and lifted the suitcase effortlessly off the ground.

Lucas's eyes widened in shock.

There was a natural strength difference between men and women.

He was a grown man, surely stronger than the slender Charlotte.

Yet the suitcase he couldn't move seemed like a mere trinket in her hands.

Lucas questioned his own reality. Had they been trying to lift the same suitcase?

"Uncle, Aunt, I'll go rest now." Charlotte carried the suitcase upstairs, found her room, and immediately locked the door behind her.

She even cautiously closed the half-open curtains.

Then she opened the suitcase and began taking inventory of her arsenal.

The large case contained no clothing at all—just a dense array of advanced firearms and ammunition.

"Sniper rifle, shotgun, submachine gun, plus scopes and grenades. With these hundred rounds of ammunition, I'm well-equipped." She nodded with satisfaction.

Just then, three cuckoo bird calls sounded from outside the window.

Charlotte quickly went over, pulled back the curtains, and opened the window to let in a man hanging from the second floor.

He had climbed up using only his upper body strength and addressed her respectfully. "Ms. Seymour, everything at the base is running smoothly. As you ordered, we've added hundreds more cameras."

Charlotte sat in a nearby chair, her beautiful face covered with frost-like coldness, her eyes sharp and dangerous—completely different from her demeanor downstairs moments ago.

She nodded calmly, signaling her subordinate to continue.

"We've also apprehended those who tried to hijack our business. They're ready for interrogation whenever you return."

Charlotte replied thoughtfully, "Good. Notify me immediately if anything changes. Remember those people I specifically marked for you—eliminate them at the first sign of trouble."

"Yes. Also, we've searched throughout Everglade City but found no trace of Rebecca."

At the mention of this, Charlotte felt a pang in her heart. "Keep looking, even if you have to turn Everglade City upside down. And don't neglect monitoring the Edward family for any signs of treason or arms trafficking."

These two missions were her reason for coming to Everglade City.

"Understood."

After her subordinate left, Charlotte restored the curtains to their original position.

She sat in the chair, her brow furrowed, her gaze profound.

'Rebecca, I will find you.' She thought.

And if the worst had happened, she would stop at nothing to avenge Rebecca.

During those years of being bullied at the orphanage, Rebecca had been the only one who showed her warmth.

Later that night, the curtains stirred once more.

A person wearing a mask quietly climbed in through the window.