Late at night, the sky was thick with twinkling stars. In the sparsely populated woodland where the Gray family estate stood, the clean air allowed a clear view of the shining Milky Way, slicing through the darkness and leaving behind a beautiful, cosmic river.
The surroundings were silent, punctuated only by the pleasant chirping of insects that softened the originally eerie and gloomy atmosphere of the mansion, making it seem gentle and tranquil—until the roar of a car's engine shattered the calm.
Inside a room of the villa, a woman in an elegant black gown sat on a chair, examining her pretty face in the mirror and reapplying her makeup. Even though she was a married lady, a mature woman whose daughter, Lena, was several years older than Alex Mu, time seemed to have left no mark on her.
Her skin was smooth, moist, and no less flawless than a young girl's. Her slender, graceful figure retained the mature curves of a married woman, and combined with her gentle, considerate demeanor, it made Audrey Gray seem more like a classic Yamato Nadeshiko than even Summer or Holly.
The sound of the car engine was prominent in this private territory. Hearing it, the black-haired woman immediately leaned toward the window, peering out at the two beams of light in the darkness. "They're back?"
"Haa... Father prepared a magnificent dinner, but Mr. Mu... and Mira didn't return." A table full of good food had gone to waste. Of course, the meal wasn't the important thing; what mattered was the sincere effort of Victor Gray, the head of the Gray family.
Instead of being angry, the family patriarch comforted the younger generation of the Grays. It was hard to imagine the old man's attitude could be so humble. Even if this Alex Mu possessed power beyond ordinary people, there was no need to be so submissive, was there?
Of course, Audrey Gray thought this primarily because the way her father-in-law looked at her over the past few days had grown increasingly strange... Every conversation seemed to hint at something, and he had even instructed her to meticulously apply her makeup and dress up... The beautiful mature woman was not merely a homemaker; she had a bad feeling.
Knock, knock, knock—
A knocking sound pulled the mature woman out of her thoughts.
"Come in."
Click—
The door squeaked open, and a young woman in a gold-haired, white maid's uniform stood respectfully outside. She bowed to the married lady. "Ms. Gray, the Master requests your presence in the study."
"...Father is in the study?"
"Yes," the maid Sherry, understanding Ms. Gray's meaning, explained, "The Master has recovered very well; a slight late night won't bother him."
"Did... Mira and that person just come back?"
"Yes, I just went to see the gentleman," Sherry, with her excellent maid composure, nodded without a change in expression. "They have already eaten dinner."
"I understand. I'm going now," Audrey Gray stood up. Just as she stepped out of the room, she suddenly paused. "Sherry, were Mira and that... gentleman, together the entire time?"
The mature woman was still uncomfortable calling a young man who was slightly younger than her daughter 'gentleman.' It felt awkward.
"Yes," Sherry clearly paused for a second before hesitantly answering in a lowered voice, "The two of them... also slept in the same room at night."
"..."
So that was it. She had originally thought Mira was just an intermediary, but who knew... she had already attached herself to a powerful figure. But then again, it made sense. For a proud, strong-willed woman like Mira, who had rejected countless wealthy and powerful suitors, how could any ordinary man make her submit willingly? Only a figure like Alex, whom even her father-in-law had to smile and grovel to, could make Mira fall for him.
Deep in thought, Audrey Gray arrived at the study. As expected, she saw the energetic Gray patriarch. Just days ago, he had been lying in bed half-dead, yet now he stood by the window late at night, full of vigor, gazing out at the darkness. She could only sigh in her heart.
What a miracle—
"To be honest, I never imagined I would still be able to appreciate such a beautiful night view, this vast river of stars and the cosmos," Victor Gray's voice was aged, filled with a touch of melancholy, but his spirit was robust as he looked up at the boundless stars outside the window.
"Even after two days, I still can't believe I've been given a new lease on life... Audrey, can you understand how I feel right now? If you were given a chance to regain your youth, I think you would feel the same way."
"Alex Mu... truly is an incredible young man."
Here we go again.
For the past two days, every time her father-in-law spoke to her, he would marvel at his own transformation, then seamlessly segue into praising Alex Mu, expressing his shock, the miracle of it all, and his reverence for the young man.
"Yes, Father," Audrey Gray couldn't deny it; she had to agree with the old man's high praise. "Mr. Mu is indeed an unbelievable young man."
"You must call him 'Mister'! Audrey, as a woman of the Gray family, you must never lose your sense of decorum!"
What if that casual address angers the young man?
"...Yes."
Audrey Gray's lips twitched. Old man, do you realize you sound like a lickspittle right now? No, the former Victor Gray, who used to command respect in Kyoto with his iron fist, why is he like this now?
Does he have to grovel so much?
Of course, Victor Gray knew how to stop before going too far. He changed the subject instead of continuing to hypnotize and brainwash his daughter-in-law. "Actually, before this, I had already prepared for my death."
Huh?
"At the time, I held no hope for my own life," Victor Gray sat down in his chair, leaning on his wooden cane. "Audrey, the Gray family has declined to this point, and the capabilities of the younger generations are mediocre. The family is facing an extremely critical moment, so for the sake of the family, I had originally intended to leave my inheritance to you and Lena."
"Father, you mentioned this to me."
Audrey Gray wasn't particularly interested in the family fortune. As for the decline of the Gray family, she was merely a woman who married into it and did not want to shoulder the responsibility.
Alas, a person in a family cannot act according to her own will.
"Yes, even though my health is restored now, I don't plan to change my mind about the inheritance distribution," Victor Gray gazed at her with sharp eyes. "However, I also hope you can take up the responsibility of restoring the Gray family's glory!"
"..."
Audrey Gray's expression was priceless. "Father, do you mean to say..."
"You should know how important Mr. Mu is to the Gray family. I've heard news over the past two days that Mira has been doing extraordinarily well, and it's all related to that young man... If we can secure his help, would the Gray family still be so withered and weak?"
"I've observed that he seems to have a liking for women like you. Ms. Mira is an example... Audrey, it's your turn to sacrifice for the family."
The mature woman's breathing nearly stopped; she almost went into shock.
Sacrifice...
"Father! Do you know what you are saying? I—I am your daughter-in-law!"
Daughter-in-law, so what? Even if she were his own daughter, Victor Gray would not hesitate to sell her to Alex Mu at this moment!
"Audrey, for the family! If you want to inherit the family assets, you must have the resolve to sacrifice for the family!"
What 'resolve to sacrifice for the family'? You just greedily want more lifespan, or even true immortality... Don't think I don't know your true intentions!
But before Audrey Gray could speak, the sinister old man twisted the knife. "Of course, if you are truly unwilling, Audrey, I won't force you. We'll let Lena go instead."
"Absolutely not!"
Are you kidding me? Lena is my daughter! How could I let her do such a thing?!
"Besides, Lena has a fiancé!"
"A fiancé? Ha—"
A sneer.
"There's no room for negotiation. Either Lena or you. As an outsider woman, enjoying the rights of the Gray family while refusing to exert yourself for the family, where is the justice in that? You choose!"
His tone brooked no argument.
Audrey Gray's complexion was awful, yet even so, her stunning face possessed a unique beauty, coupled with the tear mole beneath her eye, making her look pitiable.
The mature woman covered her chest, struggling with the decision for a long time, before finally biting her cherry lips and slowly closing her eyes.
"I'll do it."
In that moment, all the strength drained out of her body.
"Very good. Remember, make sure you're properly dressed up—"
"..."