Hailey Young didn’t speak; it was obvious she was contemplating whether this transaction was worth it. Hayden Crawford had no intention of urging her, only kindly reminding her, "Once you miss this opportunity, it’s gone. Working as a singer at this bar, even if you sell both your talent and yourself, you won’t earn what I’m offering. This world is harsh; to gain anything, you must first let go." Hailey’s hands at her sides clenched tightly into fists. The man in front of her was the quintessential capitalist, setting the game’s rules—she was the pawn he had chosen, and she had to play by his rules. Yet, the conditions he offered were extremely enticing, impossible not to be moved by them. Follow current novᴇls on Nove1Fire.net Hailey nodded, "Alright." Hayden curved his thin lips, "Get ready, Felix Knight there is looking for a maid, I’ll send you in, the rest is up to you." With that, Hayden left. Felix Knight had moved out of the Knight family house and owned many properties; now he lived in a private villa. He had a backup of the formula for ’Beauty Within a Snap’; it was stored in a tiny chip only he knew where to hide. At this time, his trusted aide Edward Knight approached, reporting in a low voice, "Young Master, those we sent to the Knight Residence were all driven out. It’s said the old man suffers daily from the ravages of the poison, cursing Serena Sterling and... accusing you of being unfilial." Saying this, Edward cautiously watched Felix’s expression. Felix merely curved his thin lips into a faint, contemptuous arc. Filial piety was something he never understood and was never taught. From a young age, his education revolved around one repeated cycle of instructions from his grandfather: Felix, you don’t need to care about anything, just focus on mastering poisons, the Knight family’s hope rests on you. His world since childhood consisted solely of a room, absent of sunlight, filled only with loneliness, gloom, darkness, and dampness. His grandfather also told him that their greatest enemies were Seraphina Linden and her descendants; thus, for years he’s been developing poisons to counter the immortal blood, aiming to eliminate Seraphina and her lineage. He hadn’t done wrong; this game started long ago. Now his grandfather suddenly calls to stop; how could he possibly cease? Grandfather, you shouldn’t blame me for letting you suffer! "Understood," Felix responded indifferently. The villa’s door was pushed open then, Third Mr. Knight led a slender figure inside, "Young Master, brother, the maid for the villa has been found, it’s her; her name is Hailey Young." Felix, engrossed in his documents, didn’t look up; Edward was the first to speak out, "Third Mr. Knight, what are you doing? I told you to find a maid and what have you returned with? She’s so skinny, what work can she do? She still looks so young, is she a high school student?" Third Mr. Knight looked at Hailey’s pretty face and stammered, "Brother, don’t underestimate her just because she’s slender and young; she’s very capable and a great cook. Let’s keep her." Edward immediately sensed that Third Mr. Knight was entangled from some romantic interest in Hailey. He reproached him angrily, "Let her work first. If she’s good, then she can stay." Hailey looked up; her almond eyes landed on Felix. Felix sat at his desk with the papers, evidently uninterested in trivial matters, obviously delegated to Edward, his trusty aide. Hailey said nothing, rolled up her sleeves, and started working, then stepped into the kitchen to prepare dinner. The Young family went bankrupt years ago; for years, Hailey relied on herself and her brother, practically a surrogate mother raising him, so though young, she could handle all housework, and cook excellently. Edward walked swiftly over to reprimand Third Mr. Knight, "Third Mr. Knight, what kind of mess have you gotten into? Are you interested in her? She’s so young, are you really considering it?" Third Mr. Knight was notoriously lecherous, particularly fond of young ones; he sleazily rubbed his hands together, "Brother, I haven’t encountered anyone to my taste in ages. Just let this be." Felix remained composed but slowly lifted his gaze, his blue eyes drifting to the slender figure in the kitchen. Hailey was delicate and beautiful, though at 18, her features were still maturing; her palm-sized snow-white face was framed by almond eyes like black grapes, appearing aloof and serene, reminiscent of an air orchid—rather unique. Felix’s thin lips curved slightly; that sickly handsome face revealed a playful smile. He recognized Hailey; she was the young girl who bit him years ago. After all these years, the bite mark on his right arm remained, left by her. How could it be so coincidental? Felix seemed to recollect something, his smile suddenly twisted into a sinister and eerie laugh. Felix returned briefly to his bedroom and then downstairs to the dining room to pour himself a glass of water, only to hear the rustling noises of clothing being removed. In the kitchen, Third Mr. Knight forcibly embraced Hailey, his hands all over her, "Hailey, I really like you; it was love at first sight. Just give in already; I’ll make you feel ecstatic." With a ripping sound, Third Mr. Knight tore Hailey’s clothes apart. Hailey protected herself with her arms and looked up to see Felix outside the door. Third Mr. Knight froze, pleading while flattering, still clinging to Hailey, "Young Master, I..." Felix stood in the dim light, his expression unreadable; his blue eyes shifted from Third Mr. Knight’s face to Hailey’s, glancing indifferently, then coldly spoke, "Hurry up." Saying this, Felix turned to leave. Third Mr. Knight rejoiced, thinking Felix was indulging him—allowing him to commit the assault—he pushed Hailey face down onto the counter, hastily working to undo his pants, "Hailey, I can’t wait any longer." Felix originally intended to walk into the living room but after a couple of steps heard a soft thud, a sound of a knife piercing flesh. Felix halted and turned around to see Hailey holding a fruit knife, now fully inserted into Third Mr. Knight’s abdomen. Immediately, blood gushed forth. Blood splattered onto the girl’s tender yet exquisite face, but her eyes did not blink; those aloof, serene almond eyes quietly observed him. "Third Mr. Knight!" Edward hurried over, supporting the collapsing Third Mr. Knight and clutched his bleeding abdomen, "Help, someone get help!" Outside henchmen rushed in, carried Third Mr. Knight out, heading straight to the hospital. Soon, the villa was left with only Felix and Hailey.