Julian Rathborne’s eyes swiftly caught a few clusters of dark red flames, and he reached out his large hand to grab her slender ankle. Seraphina Linden’s gaze fell on the belt around his lean waist, then slowly moved down as she smirked, her alluring eyes watching him, "Serena’s dad, your body is far more honest than your mouth." Julian Rathborne looked at her seductive demeanor, his large hand caressed her pale skin, heading upwards... Yet Seraphina Linden quickly evaded him, getting out of bed, "Serena’s dad, if you want to relive old dreams with me, I’m afraid you’ll have to be disappointed. I’m not interested in you at all right now." Saying this, Seraphina picked up her clothes, ready to change. Julian Rathborne stiffened; he finally realized that Seraphina was teasing him deliberately, leading him on without taking responsibility. Excellent; even after over twenty years, she hasn’t changed a bit. Julian Rathborne walked out with an impassive, handsome face. Outside, his personal secretary respectfully asked, "Sir, what shall we do now?" Julian Rathborne curved his thin lips into a sarcastic line, "Now call the tip-off line and say there’s illicit activities here at The Zephyr Gardens." Julian Rathborne said, glancing back into the room, and handed the stack of cash Seraphina Linden had given him to the secretary, "Especially this room; someone is suspected of solicitation; this is the payment. Have her taken away and properly interrogated!" The personal secretary stared at the stack of money in his hand, utterly shocked — in such a short while, the sir made this much money? Ugh, what am I thinking? Who on earth dared take... money to insult the sir? This person is truly despicable! The secretary immediately pulled out his phone at the fastest speed and made the call. Seraphina Linden’s mood remained unaffected, still bright; she dressed and walked out, glad the man Julian Rathborne had left. She was someone out to achieve big things, and men were best kept as mere entertainment. If Julian Rathborne stuck to her, wanting her to take responsibility, it would be troublesome. After all, over twenty years ago, she, the flower thief, had taken the virtue of Julian Rathborne, Aethelgard’s son. This time, Seraphina had come back to focus on her career; she had already accomplished a lot — establishing academies, now The St. Lyra Academy was a top-tier institution; founding hospitals, Bayside Central Hospital was the largest in the country; empowering martial arts, with the Sterling family reigning as respected leaders; and as for the Military Bureau, it was the hub of gossip, gathering everyone’s secrets with Seth Sullivan managing it as her trusted disciple. Seraphina Linden always felt she was missing something, and only recently realized it was launching a... Red Pavilion! Today, she visited The Zephyr Gardens to inspect and, she thought, if she established herself as a madam here, it would surely be an interesting experience. Serena has returned now, and Seraphina feels assured knowing her daughter is more accomplished than herself, handing over Alani to Serena fills her with confidence. Now she just wants to do what she loves and head towards her goals. Seraphina Linden walked out happily, but then saw the chaos outside as a group of uniformed officers arrived, "Nobody move; raise your hands and squat against the wall!" Seraphina paused, completely caught off guard by the officers’ arrival; The Zephyr Gardens’ owner, the male and female massage therapists, were all squatted against the corner with their heads in their hands. Seraphina looked up to see two officers approaching and pointing at her. "Me?" Seraphina was stunned. "Yes, you; are you a guest in this room? You’ve been reported for suspected solicitation." Seraphina was shocked; she indeed had many identities but had never been a client of solicitation — this was a first for her. Seraphina immediately denied it, "I didn’t." "Then is this payment from you?" An officer held out a stack of cash. Seraphina’s mind was blown, yes... yes, it was a tip she gave... Julian Rathborne! "You’ve been reported for solicitation, and with concrete evidence, it’s required that you come with us." The two officers took Seraphina Linden away. Seraphina Linden was taken out of XX Tower, where a dedicated vehicle awaited to take her directly to the station. At that moment, when Seraphina looked up, she quickly saw a stretched luxury business car parked quietly under the streetlights across the road, the sleek and opulent black top-tier vehicle emitted an imperial aura, impossible to ignore. Then, the rear window slowly lowered, revealing a handsome and elegant face — it was... Julian Rathborne! Seeing Julian Rathborne now, Seraphina felt immensely vexed; how could she have known this man would employ such underhanded tactics to accuse her of solicitation? Seraphina was in a bit of a mess now, her beautiful eyes glaring fiercely at Julian Rathborne across the street. But, unfortunately, Julian Rathborne didn’t glance back at her, not even once; he sat royally within the luxurious car, its dazzling city neon lights casting shadows on his handsome face, resembling an unassailable and noble British royal duke. Soon, the top-tier business car sped off, leaving only a grand and arrogant tail in its wake for Seraphina. Seraphina, who had spent years as a prominent figure, had now been played for the first time, so infuriated that she nearly coughed up blood. Serena Sterling received a call and hurried to the station with lawyers to bail Seraphina out. Seraphina was released. "Mommy, what’s up with you? Is the outside world not fascinating enough for you, so you needed this tour?" Serena was shocked; no one could understand her emotional rollercoaster when she got the call, saying her mother was jailed for solicitation and she needed to bail her out. Seraphina was equally upset, "Serena, this is all your father’s doing; he’s the one who sent me in!" Serena Sterling’s eyelash flickered, "Mommy, did you... solicit Daddy when you first met?" "Serena, you’re mistaken; it’s precisely because I didn’t solicit your dad that he sent me in, who knew he was so petty!" Seraphina said, frowning. Just then, someone walked forward, dressed smartly in a suit — Julian Rathborne had sent his top-notch personal lawyer. "Hello, are you Ms. Seraphina Linden?" The lawyer asked politely. Read complete version only at noᴠelfire.net Seraphina nodded, "Yes." "Here’s the situation: I’ve been authorized by my client, Mr. Julian Rathborne, to formally accuse you of assault on Mr. Rathborne twenty-three years ago."