The Mother, The Warrior, The Heiress

"Again!"

Five years later. Selena swung the blade harder. This time, she struck through the simulation drone with swift, brutal precision. Sweat dripped down her temples, but her eyes were still cold, sharp, and did not waver.

"She’s improved!" a voice said behind the glass.

Martin stood watching her. His pride was well-hidden behind that signature cold mask, but even he couldn’t deny it. Selena was no longer the weeping girl in a bloodstained dress. She was Serena Victoria Serpentine now. In mind, body, and spirit.

After training in languages, global markets, and psychological warfare, Serena had risen faster than anyone had predicted. She ran Serpentine Holdings’ three subsidiaries by twenty-seven. Although still a shadow leader, she is ruthless in boardrooms and untouchable in negotiations.

"Mommy!"

The sound of the triplets calling for their mother filled the air. The servants quickly cleared away all the tools and equipment. Six tiny feet ran nimbly across the room, bringing a warm smile to Serena’s lips.

Caelen Alvaro, Caelric Alvaro, and Caelia Alvara. They are The Triplets Cael!

In truth, the name Velmond was still part of their full name. Like their gray eyes, which are as vivid as William's. But Serena had chosen to hide it, like their father who easily threw her out.

"We..."

"Are..."

"Home!"

Serena laughed and looked at her three children, who spoke in turns. She removed her gloves and knelt to welcome her three little worlds into her arms with a warm embrace.

They were the only reason she had made it this far. To her, they were a new kind of home. Her safest haven, and the brightest light in her still-dark life because until now she is still trying hard in her hiding place to get a decent and safe life.

"Mommy misses you so much! How was school today?" Serena took turns kissing her children's chubby cheeks.

"We miss you too, Mommy! Today we drew our family!"

"Oh, really?" she smiled again, seeing the excitement in their eyes. "Can Mommy see your drawings?"

"Yes, Mommy. But..."

"But what?" Serena turned to look at her daughter’s face, Caelia.

"Someone made fun of Caelia’s drawing, Mommy. They said Caelia should’ve drawn our dad, not Graddy with white hair!"

"Ekhmm! Should I dye my hair?"

Caelen and Caelric's explanation was clear enough to be heard by the white-haired man they were talking about. Martin approached. Serena lowered her gaze slightly before straightening up again.

"Graddy!" 

The triplets immediately hugged their grandfather. They laughed as their grandfather mischievously tickled their bellies. But before they could continue joking around, the elderly man’s trusted assistant suddenly approached with an expression marked by urgency.

"What?" Martin’s tone, which had just softened while speaking to his three grandchildren, now turned cold and firm again.

"I’m sorry, sir. There’s something you need to see." 

The assistant immediately showed him a breaking news article. For a moment, Martin was silent. He even had to clear his throat when he realized the triplets were watching him with curiosity.

"You’d better go to your rooms now. There's something important I need to discuss with your mother."

"Okay, Graddy!"

Martin's voice always carried authority, but somehow still made the children around him feel comfortable. Maybe it's because of the blood relationship? Serena did not know. Even today, she still can't believe she has a Serpentine father.

"Bye! Don't be sad! Mommy will hear your stories again later!" Once again, a warm smile spread across Serena's face. But that smile vanished when she looked at the article now being handed to her.

Velmond Corporation Declares Bankruptcy Amidst Scandal and Leadership Collapse.

Seeing her ex-husband's name, a glimpse of her bleak past crashed into her memory. Her fingers curled into fists. Her tongue froze for a moment before she finally took a small breath.

"I want to go back!"

***

In a downtown penthouse, William stood near the window. He watched the rain pour over the city lights like tears he refused to shed. The view brought back memories of what happened five years ago. His hands clenched tightly.

"Another investor pulled out today, sir," his assistant mumbled behind him. "That’s the third this week."

William turned around, his gaze still sharp. His jaw visibly tightened, even though he tried to hold it back. "Let them be. The weak don’t deserve to be part of us!"

His assistant nodded and took away several documents. They were replaced with new ones, something that made William narrow his gray eyes when he noticed a name that was all too familiar to him.

Serpentine Holdings x Velmond Construction — Confidential Negotiation Request

The name stopped him cold. His expression darkened. He turned to the desk, picking up the folder laid out in front of him.

"Serpentine?" His voice was sharp and bitter. "Are they mocking me now?!" 

"It came through official channels, sir." The assistant flinched but stood firm. "No hidden agenda that we could trace."

William’s jaw clenched again. His eyes burned with old fury. "That name was the reason my mother died. They’re the ones who helped her! Her allies, her co-conspirators! I should burn their entire legacy down for what they took from me!"

"With all due respect, sir," the assistant said carefully. "There was never any evidence. Nothing concrete links Mrs. Selena and Serpentine to the death of your mother. The case went cold."

"So you think she was innocent?" William’s gaze turned sharp. 

"I'm saying maybe there were things we missed. Emotion clouds judgment, Mr. Velmond. You were grieving. Everyone was."

William's fingers curled against the edge of the desk. His search over the years has been unsuccessful, especially after the news of Selena's death.

"Why now?" he muttered with the whitened knuckles of his hands. "Why reach out after all these years?"

"They didn’t reach out to us directly, sir," the assistant explained. "The request came from their heiress. A woman. She’s been running most of their overseas operations for the past three years. Quietly built two new tech divisions. She’s impressive. And her name is Serena."