At Hastings Academy,

After Serena's 18th birthday party, she finally reclaimed her inheritance and moved out of the Vanderbilt Mansion, taking up residence in the Sutherland Mansion.

However, despite gaining control of her personal assets, Serena discovered that the companies left to her by her father were still under Cornelius's control. He cited lengthy paperwork as the reason for the delay in transferring ownership, but Serena saw through his pretense.

Aware that Cornelius was using the Sutherland Company's resources to bolster his own ventures, Serena began to strategize how she could reclaim what was rightfully hers. She knew that she couldn't allow Cornelius to manipulate her inheritance for his own gain, and she was determined to take back control of her father's legacy.

Serena, alongside Charlie, Cato, and Selena, who are now seniors in high school, gathered to strategize on reclaiming control of the Sutherland Group from Cornelius Vanderbilt.

"Charlie, could you take a look at this? The numbers seem off..." Serena scrutinized the papers detailing the company's finances.

Charlie analyzed the figures and nodded in agreement. "You're right, Serena. There's a discrepancy here. Santech appears to be siphoning off a significant portion of funds from the Sutherland Group, particularly through Sutherland Airs. Isn't Sutherland Airs the flagship company within the Sutherland Group?"

Serena affirmed, a hint of concern in her voice. "Yes, it is. It's my father's legacy, and it holds immense sentimental and strategic value for me."

Cato interjected with a furrowed brow, "This financial mismanagement is concerning. Santech's actions are not only draining resources from the Sutherland Group but also endangering its stability."

Selena nodded thoughtfully, adding, "The departure of Atty. Campbell from Santech's legal department has undoubtedly exacerbated the situation. Her absence has left a significant gap in oversight and governance."

Serena reflected briefly on Atty. Campbell's resignation after Leora's passing. "Atty. Campbell's decision to pursue a different path was commendable, but it has left a void in the Vanderbilt legal team, contributing to the current turmoil."

"I think Atty. Campbell realized that Santech was barely hanging on," she began, her voice tinged with frustration. "But it's more than that. Santech is like a sinking ship, dragging down everything in its wake. The Vanderbilt Group seems fixated on propping up Santech at the expense of other companies, even those under the Sutherland umbrella. But even with all that support, Santech is still destined to fail. With this kind of management, it's not just the Vanderbilt Empire at risk—it's the Sutherland empire as well."

Charlie's analysis struck a chord with the group, highlighting the dire situation facing the Sutherland Group under Cornelius Vanderbilt's mismanagement.

"I agree, Charlie," Serena said, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's clear that Santech's problems run deeper than we initially thought. And if this continues, it won't just be Santech that suffers—it'll be the entire Vanderbilt and Sutherland empires."

Cato nodded grimly. "It's like a domino effect. If Santech collapses, it'll drag down everything else with it. We need to act fast to prevent that from happening."

Selena chimed in, her expression resolute. "We can't let Cornelius Vanderbilt's reckless management destroy everything."

After the lunch break meeting, the four students from special class went back to their rooms.

Serena chuckled, impressed by Charlie's dedication. "You seem to have a knack for navigating the business world."

Charlie returned the smile. "Well, I did enroll in that business class with a specific goal in mind—to help you reclaim the Sutherland Group. And I'm grateful that Cato and Selena are on board with our plan."

Serena's brow furrowed in surprise. "You never mentioned taking the class for me. I thought you were pursuing it because you wanted to inherit your father's company."

Charlie chuckled softly, her thoughts drifting to a different path. 'In the manhua, after the gruesome power struggle between the Vanderbilts and Sutherlands, the downfall of Cornelius caused the downfall of the entire Vanderbilt empire.... In simple terms, there won't be anything left for me to inherit. That's why as early as now, I'm trying to play in the stock market using my allowance, so when the assets of the Vanderbilts are confiscated, at least I still have some money.'

"Well, I don't think running a business is for me, you know," Charlie replied, masking her deeper motives.

"But you're so smart, Charlie... I think you'd be pretty good at it," Serena insisted, genuine admiration in her voice.

"Nah, I just want to be a normal person! I think I want to be a teacher!" Charlie smiled, redirecting the conversation.

Serena regarded Charlie with a warm smile, her thoughts reflecting her support. 'Teacher? Well, that's unexpected... but if that will make you happy, I will support you.'

"Well, I think you'd be a pretty wonderful teacher," Serena replied smiling.

At the Vanderbilt Mansion,

"How's your business studies going?" Mr. Vanderbilt inquired, his voice carrying the weight of expectation.

"It's fine, dad..." Charlie responded.

But her father wasn't one to mince words. "Charlie, listen to me," he began, his tone firm. "You have to study hard. After you graduate high school, I'll give you a role in Santech. But you need to learn everything now... or else Serena will let us bleed dry..."

Charlie's frustration simmered beneath the surface.

"Dad, isn't Sutherland Group hers to begin with? You can't keep feeding off of SGC..." Charlie said.

(SGC stands for Sutherland Group of Companies)

Cornelius' response was swift and dismissive. "Don't be stupid, Charlie... Are you letting your feelings cloud your judgment?! I am your family, not Serena!"

Charlie's jaw tensed at the rebuke, her frustration mounting with each passing moment. "What's that have to do with this, dad?" Charlie shot back, her voice tinged with defiance. "I'm just saying... just give SGC back to Serena."

Charlie felt her father's gaze pierce through her, his expression shifting into something unsettling.

"Charlie, it seems Dad has been too nice to you lately..." Cornelius's tone carried a weight that sent a shiver down her spine.

As he continued, Charlie's unease grew. "You see, giving back SGC to Serena is not an option, or at least not until we get everything it has to offer..."

"Dad, please—" Charlie attempted to interject, but Cornelius silenced her with a stern look.

"But you, my child..." Cornelius's voice dripped with malice as he turned his attention to Charlie. "Why don't you convince Serena to marry me, instead? Then I won't have to bring SGC down..."

Charlie looked at Cornelius firmly.

"Dad... please stop talking like that about my girlfriend..." she said, her voice trembling with anger as she tried to compose herself. "That's very disrespectful to me and to Serena..."

"Your girlfriend? Huh..." Cornelius replied with a mocking tone.

"You'll see soon enough that the girl you love so much will betray you... Oh, my dear child, just listen to dad... I don't want to see you hurt." Cornelius said acting like a doting father.

Cornelius's mocking tone grated on Charlie's nerves, but she refused to let his words shake her resolve.

"Serena will never betray me... and I will never betray her, Dad..." she reiterated firmly, her voice laced with determination.

As Cornelius continued his tirade, Charlie's disbelief grew with each passing moment. "The Sutherlands are nothing but traitors... or have you forgotten what they did to you?" he insinuated, his accusations hitting Charlie like a blow to the gut.

"What are you talking about?" Charlie demanded, her mind reeling with confusion.

Cornelius' next words struck a nerve, sending shockwaves through her. "Who do you think kidnapped you when you were a child? Do you know what they asked of me? They asked me to turn down a hundred billion dollar deal in exchange for your life! Who do you think would do that? Of course, it's that Harry Sutherland... Don't you think it's sketchy that when I turned it down, the deal went to the Sutherlands instead? After I treated that bastard like a friend... how dare he stab my back and kidnap my daughter..."

Charlie's brows furrowed.

"Dad, but that wasn't proven at all, right? Until now, there was no proof that the Sutherlands were behind the kidnapping..." she countered.

'Well, in the manhua it's not mentioned at all but Harry Sutherland was described as a kind, generous, and righteous man... So I doubt it was him behind the kidnapping of the original Charlie...' Charlie thought.

But Cornelius remained steadfast in his convictions, his gaze piercing as he delivered his final warning. "Child, you just need to listen to Dad... Don't let Serena sway you... because she'll be the very first person to betray you... mark my words," he declared, his certainty unsettling in its intensity.

After the confrontation with Cornelius, Charlie's mind buzzed with turmoil as she grabbed her car keys.

She had just obtained her driving license last week and splurged on a matte black Ferrari 812 GTS.

Before she knew it, Charlie found herself outside the gates of the Sutherland Mansion. With a shaky hand, she reached for her phone and dialed Serena's number.

Though she trusted Serena with her life, her father's words lingered in her mind, casting a shadow of doubt over her thoughts.

What if her father's warnings held some truth? What if the plot of the manhua still unfold the way it should be? Will I still be tortured and die at the hands of Serena? This is so frustrating...

Charlie sighed.

But amidst her fear and uncertainty, one thing remained clear—only Serena could bring her solace in this moment of turmoil.

After a few rings, Serena answered the phone.

"Hello?" she greeted.

"I'm outside your house..." Charlie's voice trembled with emotion.

"Huh? It's already late! Wait... I'll ask someone to open up the gate..." Serena's concern was evident in her tone.

"Okay..." Charlie replied, her heart racing as she waited for Serena to join her.

As the gates creaked open, Charlie drove through the driveway, her gaze fixed on the imposing facade of the Sutherland Mansion. And there, standing at the door, was Serena, a beacon of light amidst the darkness.

The moment Charlie saw her, she couldn't help but rush into Serena's arms, seeking comfort in her embrace.

"I miss you... I love you..." Charlie whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Serena smiled tenderly, her arms wrapping around Charlie in a protective embrace. She knew her girlfriend well enough to sense that something was wrong with her.

Gently Charlie's head, Serena whispered softly, "Do you want to come inside?"

Charlie nodded, her heart heavy with unspoken fears. 

Serena led Charlie to her bedroom, concern etched on her features as she sensed her girlfriend's distress.

"So, what happened?" Serena's voice was gentle, her eyes searching Charlie's for answers.

Charlie hesitated, grappling with the turmoil of her emotions. "Nothing... Just had a talk with Dad and he got to me this time... I just felt like I needed to see you right now," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

Serena's heart clenched at the mention of Cornelius, knowing all too well the damage he could inflict with his manipulations. Gently cupping Charlie's face, she offered a reassuring smile. "I love you, Charlie," she whispered, her words a promise of unwavering support.

In response, Charlie kissed Serena with a mix of tenderness and urgency, her hands exploring every inch of her girlfriend's body with a fervent passion.

As Charlie's kisses trailed down Serena's neck, eliciting soft moans of pleasure, Serena's heart raced with anticipation. But when Charlie's intentions turned towards marking her, Serena's breath caught in .

"Serena, you're 18 now.... Let me mark you.." Charlie said.

"N-no... not yet, Charlie..." Serena's voice wavered with uncertainty, her hands trembling as she gently pushed against Charlie's chest.

But Charlie seemed oblivious to Serena's hesitation, her desire cloudin