Oliver stared at Esther's lifeless body, lips trembling, teeth chattering in fear. "Don't... don't shoot!"
"Serena, I had nothing to do with your parents! Esther forced me into it!"
"Forced you?" Serena turned slowly, pressing the muzzle of the gun to his forehead, her voice ice-cold. "So lying to Grandma, helping Esther set her up and trying to watch her die was all because you had no choice?"
"Yes! Yes, I was forced!" Oliver sobbed, shrinking back like a terrified animal. "I'm the second son! Your dad was way more capable, and Esther was ruthless. If I didn't follow her lead, she'd have kicked me out of the Douglas family years ago. I just... I just wanted to survive!"
He kept bowing his head to the floor, forehead bloody from the constant impact, his tears mixing with it. "Please, Serena... spare me just this once. I swear I'll walk away from everything. From now on, I'm just a nobody."
Serena's finger tightened on the trigger; her eyes were bloodshot, rage surging.
Then, a girl's voice rang out, trembling and sharp: "Serena! Don't shoot!"
It was Isabella Douglas.
She ran over, panting, and threw herself in front of Oliver, arms wide as she shielded him. Her cheeks were streaked with tears. "Serena, please... don't do it. Whatever he did, he's still my dad!"
Oliver had been a reckless flirt in his youth, messing around so much he lost the ability to have children. Then a low-tier actress trying to climb the ladder secretly gave birth to his child, took a payout, and vanished.
That child was Isabella. She was brought up by Mabel at the estate and had spent years growing up alongside Serena. They'd been close until recently, when Isabella was sent to live with Oliver.
Serena frowned, her voice dropping a few degrees. "Isabella, do you even know what he did? He and that witch Esther plotted to kill Grandma-the very woman who raised you. You really want to protect him?"
"What?" Isabella whipped around, shock written all over her face as she stared at her father. "Dad... Grandma's your own mother. How could you?"
Oliver looked crushed, grabbing his daughter's hand, sobbing. "I know I was wrong. Esther threatened me with your life. If I didn't help her, she'd have kicked you out of Draco City. I did it for you, sweetie..."
Isabella bit her lip, fresh tears falling harder. Yet she turned back and knelt before Serena. "Serena, I know my dad screwed up, but he wasn't always like this. Remember when we were little? He used to bring us sweets and toys... he was kind, to both of us."
She lifted her tear-filled eyes to Serena, voice shaky with pleading. "For me... please let him go. I'll make sure he never does anything bad again. I just... I don't want to end up alone, like you did after losing everyone..."
Serena's chest tightened painfully at that.
She remembered being little, alone after her parents were gone, clinging to nothing.
Yes, she'd wanted payback. But that didn't mean Isabella deserved to live with that same kind of trauma.
In the end, she lowered her gun, her voice softer. "Just this once. If he screws up again, I won't spare him."
Oliver collapsed, holding Isabella tightly as tears soaked her shirt in relief.
Isabella looked up and gave Serena a fierce nod. "Thank you, Serena. I promise-I'll keep him in line."
When Serena got back to the orphanage, Gavin Moore was already waiting outside.
As soon as he saw her, he rushed over and said, "Your Highness, Evan was worried about Mabel, so he brought in a doctor on his own. I tried to stop him, but failed."
Serena's expression instantly turned cold. "Did someone mess with my silver needles?"
"No!" Gavin quickly explained, "That old doctor seems legit. As soon as he saw your needles, he said they're life-saving and shouldn't be touched. I kept an eye on him the whole time-no one touched a thing."
Only then did Serena ease up slightly and hurry inside.
Inside the room, Evan was anxiously circling a silver-haired elderly doctor. "Dr. Perez, please, is there really nothing more you can do for her?"
The old doctor, Victor Perez, let out a sigh and looked at the woman on the bed. "She's been poisoned for too long. Honestly, it's a miracle she's still breathing, and only because of that silver needle. But if the needle's removed..."
He paused, voice heavy. "Not even the best doctor alive could save this."
Just as he finished, a figure moved straight to the bedside and pulled the needle straight out.
"What are you doing?!" Victor's eyes went round as he shouted. "I just said not to remove that needle! Are you out of your mind, young lady?!"
As he spoke, Mabel coughed up a mouthful of black blood. Her breathing got shallow, her chest heaving hard.
Evan panicked and tried to grab the needle back from Serena. "Serena, Dr. Perez hasn't found a treatment yet. Don't-"
Serena looked up calmly. "Evan, do you not trust me?"
He saw the steady look in her eyes, and his outstretched hand froze in midair.
Taking a deep breath, he gave a nod. "I trust you."
"Good." Serena smiled slightly. "Then go get some hot water and a clean towel for Grandma."
Evan turned to leave. Meanwhile, Victor was still pacing anxiously. "Even if we put the needle back now, it's no use! She barely has any breath left-no one can save her now!"
Serena ignored him. She took out a sleek silver case from her pocket and flipped it open, revealing a dozen finely crafted needles in varying lengths.
She picked up one and, with precise, swift movements, stuck it right into the point on Mabel's head.
The room fell silent. Victor, who was still yelling moments ago, abruptly stopped talking.
He leaned in, eyes filled with disbelief. Skepticism gave way to shock and ended in sheer astonishment.
The old lady coughed up more dark blood-but this time, her breathing started to ease, and her chest rose and fell much more steadily.
Victor narrowed his eyes, watching Serena's technique with growing recognition.
After a long pause, he slapped his thigh, his voice trembling. "Wait... this technique-don't tell me this is the Celestial Lifeline Acupuncture that's been lost for 300 years?!"
Serena didn't even look up, continuing to work.
Off to the side, Gavin spoke respectfully, "Good eye, Dr. Perez. This is none other than the Silver Needle Sage, the fearless Scarlet Valkyrie herself."
Victor stood frozen, eyes stuck on Serena's figure, admiration welling up from deep inside.
No wonder the technique was flawless. It's her-the legendary Silver Needle Sage!
