CHAPTER 114: A SMILE THAT CAN SOFTEN EVEN DEVIL’S HEART

Author’s POV

Seraphina nodded coolly, but it was useless. The smile she’d been trying to hold back broke through anyway—that soft and harmless smile, which could soften even a devil’s evil heart.

Her heart was still feeling the thrill of having her brother Asher on her side when her eyes fell on Lucien.

Unlike her... He wasn’t smiling.

He looked cold, bitter, and sharp enough to make her chest clench. His eyes were locked on the blazer now lying at his feet, that Asher had yanked off her and tossed like it was trash.

Lucien didn’t say anything at first, but his jaw clenched as his eyes were fixated on Sera.

"So what, I have to come meet you only when your brothers allow it now?" he muttered, eyes not leaving hers. " Is that why you said..." He paused for a while and added. "I thought you already claimed me and—"

He didn’t get the chance to finish.

Before his words could leave his mouth, Seraphina darted forward, her heartbeat slamming in her ears. She stood on her toes and slapped her hand across his mouth with wide eyes.

"Shh! Shut the hell up!" she whispered, but loud enough for everyone to hear as heat crawled up her neck. "What the hell are you even saying in front of my brothers?! Are you insane?!"

Her voice cracked in panic and fury.

But Lucien was calm and let her do what she wanted and didn’t fight her at all.

He just stood there, eyes dark, letting her press her hand over his mouth, the edge of a smirk creeping up like he was enjoying every second of her squirming.

Asher raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, while Alistair looked like he was two seconds away from having a stroke.

But Lucien... He was still just staring at her quietly with an amused look.

"Ahem!" Alistair had seen enough.

He stormed forward and carefully tore Sera away from Lucien, wrapping her under his arms. "Alright, that’s enough," he hissed, gripping her by the shoulders. "She’s still my sister, you psycho. Keep your damn hormones in check or I swear—"

He turned to Lucien with gritted teeth, eyes practically twitching. "You pull that shit again, and our friendship’s done... I mean it... It will be over!"

Friendship? Sera raised a brow, a small smile tugging at her lips.

She had thought they hated each other; that’s why they cursed each other. But now... it felt different, knowing they had a deeper bond that she could even imagine.

She didn’t say anything. Just stood there quietly, watching them create a drama.

Let them fight, it would be fun to see them.

Lucien barely blinked at sharply Alistair had talked to him.

"Then go ahead." His voice was smooth, deadly calm, but sounded provocative. "Just return the money I invested in your sinking little company... I’m not even asking for interest, or the pile of shares you forced into my hands!"

Alistair froze, face twitching. "You—"

’This bastard... He knows I’m broke! And now he’s rubbing that in? Really? I’ll get back at you for sure!’

He cursed under his breath, practically fuming, when another cold voice sliced through the tension.

"How much?"

Both men turned toward Asher, who’d been silent until now.

"This idiot might be broke," he muttered, shooting a glance at Alistair. "But I’m not."

Without even waiting, he pulled out his phone in a calm and collected manner. "I’ll pay whatever he owes. Just tell me the number."

Lucien smirked as something darker flickered in his eyes. He didn’t even look at Asher.

"It’s not about the money," he said quietly, eyes drifting to Seraphina again. "I treasure the same person you guys do! But... in a different way."

"Rascal!" Alistair shoved Lucien toward the car, his face red with frustration. "Just get lost. I don’t even wanna see your face right now."

Lucien didn’t budge. Instead, he smirked, and the cockiness in his voice was still lingering. "Who said I came here to see you?"

His eyes were glued to Sera, his expression didn’t change, but there was a softness in his eyes. "I’ve done what I came for, it’s just..." He trailed off, lips twitching when he realized he was the one who’d called Alistair here in the first place.

Alistair caught that shift instantly. "What? What were you about to say?" he shot back at him, stepping between Lucien and Sera, shielding her from his burning gaze.

"Listen, I don’t care what kind of twisted thing you two have going on, but my sister’s still eighteen, got that? She’s still a baby to us."

His voice dropped. It was a little cold and dark. "If you laid a finger on her in a way you shouldn’t have... I swear to God, Lucien, I’ll kill you with my own hands and happily rot in prison for it."

"Brother!" Seraphina rushed forward and grabbed Alistair’s hand, clutching it tightly before he could step any closer. "Don’t say stuff like that... please."

Lucien let out a low chuckle. He looked smug and shameless. "See? Even your sister thinks you’re being dramatic."

But he knew very well that her words weren’t meant for him. Her voice wasn’t soft because of him. It was for her brother. And the way she looked at Alistair with the worry in her eyes...

She wasn’t defending Lucien. She was just trying to protect her brother from doing anything unthinkable.

"Shut up!" Asher shouted, stopping them from creating further drama.

"No... Please, everyone, just stop..." Sera’s voice broke as she moved forward and threw her arms around Alistair’s back. She held onto him tightly. "Promise me... You won’t do anything stupid that will hurt you... Or ruin your career. Please, just promise me that."

"I..." Alistair froze.

He was speechless as his throat clenched. How the hell was he supposed to tell her he had already lost more than half of his savings and at the moment, he was particularly bankrupt!