Chapter 4 The Real Prize Rashad squinted at Seryna . She was nothing like the meek and submissive girl that Tehila had described . She was assertive and confident , always standing up for herself . In fact , her personality was strikingly similar to his own . His gaze lingered on her pretty face , and deep down , he began to consider marrying her off to a man from another powerful family . He said with a tender smile , " Seryna , both you and Tila are the apples of my eye . Tila's room is in a good spot . Why don't you take it ? " Tehila's face turned pale . Her dad was seriously asking her to give up her room for that country bumpkin ?! 15 Not a chance ! Seryna shook her head . " Dad , I don't want her room . If I stayed there , every time I closed my eyes , I'd be reminded of how her mom took me away and how I lost all those years I could've spent with you . Dad , can I stay on the third floor instead ? " Her voice was soft and wheedling , tinged with a sense of grievance . 8 Chapter 4 The Real Prize Rashad was the head of the Willard family . Seryna only needed to win over him and her grandma . Everyone else was nothing more than pawns in her game . The real prize was the Willard family's power and resources , and she intended to make it all hers . Her soft tone softened Rashad's expression , and his voice turned doting . " Okay , whatever you want . You can pick any room on the third floor , and I'll make sure all the furniture is delivered within two hours . " M THI " Thank you , Dad . Now I finally understand what it feels like to be protected by my dad , " Seryna said , her eyes red as she leaned against his arm . By deliberately bringing up her past hurts , she drew a few guilty looks from the others present , except Tehila . Blood was thicker than water . Rashad's heart softened for his biological daughter . Only Seryna knew that Devona had come today to test her . Devona never liked weak , simpering girls - exactly the kind Tehila was . She despised Tehila's insincere sweetness and hidden malice . In her past life , desperate for family love , Seryna had imitated Chapter 4 The Real Prize Tehila foolishly , earning only her grandma's bitter disappointment . This time , she vowed to become the next head of the Willard family . Seryna picked the best room on the third floor , and Rashad had the finest clothes and furniture delivered to her . Everything came so effortlessly now . Just a few nice words and some well - timed tears , and Rashad was all in . Looking back , she realized how utterly foolish she had been before . Tehila kept looking at Seryna jealously . That jealousy sparked a deep sense of crisis in her heart . She was never the real daughter and knew one day Seryna would push her out . She needed to marry Brunell quickly and become the young mistress of the Fortin family . But Seryna didn't care at all about Tehila's venomous glare . Right now , her focus was entirely on Devona . She knew that sly girl was starting to panic . " Grandma , let me walk you back ," Seryna said sweetly , linking her arm with Devona's . Chapter 4 The Real Prize Devona's eyes glowed with satisfaction . " Okay . Have dinner with me when we get back ." Tehila watched as Seryna walked away with Devona . With tears streaming down her face , she turned to Jennett and asked , " Mom , Seryna is back . Does that mean you don't want me anymore ? " Seryna had charmed their dad into such a good mood that he almost made her give up her room . Seeing her swollen , red eyes , Jennett felt her heart break . She held Tehila close and soothed her gently , " Don't say such foolish things . You'll always be my daughter . Seryna's return won't change anything . You'll never leave me . " Tehila finally felt somewhat reassured . Meanwhile , Rashad frowned as he looked at Tehila . She seemed to lack the calm confidence Seryna had . After dinner with Devona , Seryna didn't take a ride home . Instead , she walked . Devona's place sat halfway up the mountain , and it took about half an hour to walk down . Seryna wasn't afraid of the dark . She just wanted to remind herself that this second chance was real . Chapter 4 The Real Prize The night breeze was gentle and refreshing . As she neared the foot of the mountain , she saw her motorcycle waiting where she had arranged . She headed down the path . There were streetlights , so it wasn't completely dark , though weeds lined the roadside . Suddenly , something tightly grabbed her ankle . 4