LOGINSeraphina looked at him blankly."…Are you serious?"Lucien nodded.His expression didn't change.Seraphina exhaled softly.She didn't know where to begin.Then she remembered."Do you remember," she said slowly, "when I asked you if you believed in a second life?"Lucien nodded again.Still serious.Still listening.Seraphina hesitated for a moment.Gathering her thoughts.Then—She spoke."The truth is…""I was reborn."She looked at him carefully.Watching his reaction.But Lucien remained the same.Calm.Focused."…You're not going to laugh at me?" she asked, pouting slightly."Go on," Lucien said.Seraphina nodded.Then continued."In my past life…""After I married Julian…"She paused."At first…""He was kind.""He didn't rush anything between us.""I thought…"A faint, bitter smile."He was a gentleman."Lucien's gaze darkened slightly."But…""Everything changed.""The moment he took full control of the Hawthorne family."Her voice grew quieter."I became worse than a servant
Seraphina leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek.A simple gesture.But enough to soften the faint sadness on Lucien's face.She smiled.Lucien smiled back."So that's why…" Seraphina said thoughtfully."I felt like your father was familiar when I first saw him here."She tilted her head slightly."My memories from back then are a bit blurry…""But when I saw him again, I realized why."Then something clicked."Wait…"Her eyes widened slightly."No wonder Director Mama mistook you for the sponsor back then."She looked at him."It was your father…""And you were the child with him."Lucien didn't deny it.Seraphina studied his face.Carefully."You didn't look like him when you were a kid…"She leaned in slightly."But now…"A small smile formed."You really do resemble him."A pause."But…"She added playfully."You're more handsome."She stuck out her tongue slightly.Lucien smirked."But I didn't stop there," he said.Seraphina blinked again.Lucien took a sip of his juice.The
Lucien opened his mouth to speak—But Lucio cut him off immediately."Don't say anything," he said firmly. "It's final. Both families have already agreed."Lucien smirked."Fine," he said lightly. "What can we do if you want something high-profile?""Of course," Lucio replied without hesitation. "My son is getting married. It has to be grand."A pause."And you're marrying the only heir of the Valeza family."He leaned back slightly."Don't you want to see how beautiful she'll be on your wedding day?"Lucien glanced at Seraphina.For a brief moment, he imagined it—Her in the most exquisite gown in the world.He nodded slowly."Alright."A faint smile appeared on his lips."It's not like I'll get married more than once.""So I agree."Then he looked at Seraphina."Right?"Seraphina smirked and nodded.Everything was already decided.What else could she say?If anything—Lucien was the only one who had been resisting.Lucien reached out and held her hand."We'll head upstairs," he said
Dorothy continued."I discussed this with my grandmother," she said, her voice steady but warm. "When it comes to innovation, no one surpasses Aureline Corp."A faint pause."And more importantly… I believe in your ability."Her gaze remained on Seraphina."After hearing the insights shared by the masters today, I'm certain you've already formed new ideas.""So I believe…""You deserve this position."The room stayed quiet, listening."Don't worry, Ms. Seraphina," Dorothy added gently. "You will hold the title, but you won't be burdened with everything.""I know you have many responsibilities.""You may not always be able to focus on IGJF matters."A small, hopeful smile appeared on her lips."But I do hope… that from time to time, you'll visit our headquarters."There was sincerity in her eyes.Expectation—But not pressure.Seraphina looked at her.Then turned to Lucien.Lucien gave a small nod.He understood Dorothy's intention.A connection.A bridge between IGJF and Helios Vangua
Confusion still lingered in the hall—when suddenly—"Report to Marshall Cross."The commander of the Helios Vanguard Special Force stepped forward and saluted.The rest of his unit followed in unison.The gesture was sharp.Precise.Absolute.Lucien simply nodded.Casual.As if it were nothing.But for everyone else—It was everything.Sebastian froze.Only now did he truly look at Lucien.Study him.Then—A memory surfaced.—A night in Aurelia.A high-level military gathering.One he had only been lucky enough to attend.It was the ceremony—where the youngest Marshal in history was elevated as an Elder of the military.He had only caught a glimpse back then.Just a fleeting moment.But that face—That presence—He would never forget it.—Sebastian's body shook.He stood up abruptly."You—"His voice broke."Lucien Cross…""…the youngest Elder of the Army of Aurelia!"The hall fell silent.Everyone froze.Youngest… Elder?That meant—His rank—Was beyond imagination.Even Kazuki s
The hall froze.Lucien Cross.The name echoed, but confusion followed.Who is he?Is he here?Whispers spread like ripples.Some turned toward the entrance, expecting the doors to open at any moment—Expecting a mysterious figure to walk in.Sebastian's face lost its color.He knew.Not long ago, Alessandro's company had received investment from Helios Vanguard.If the Chairman of Helios was truly here…Would he interfere?Sebastian clenched his teeth.His hands trembled slightly.'No…''I can't stop now.''Not when I'm this close.'Yet fear crept in.Unavoidable.Because he had no idea—Just how powerful that man was.To him, Helios Vanguard was a terrifying existence.But to the others—It was hope.If the Chairman stepped in…They might leave this place—Without surrendering their companies.Still, doubt lingered.What kind of person led Helios?What if he was worse than the ones standing here?They held their breath.Waiting.Only Kazuki, Cassy, and Jaycee turned their gaze in one







