Chapter 60: Face changer
Behind her—
Footsteps.
Slow. Elegant.
Sebastian appeared in the doorway.
Silver hair perfectly combed.
Suit immaculate.
He sighed.
Soft. Amused.
The family members rushed forward.
Surrounding Raven.
"Are you alright?"
"What’s wrong?"
"Did something happen?"
The aunt’s eyes lit up.
"Wait!"
She grabbed Raven’s arm.
"Did you change your mind?!"
"About the engagement?!"
Others perked up.
"Is that it?!"
"You want to marry earlier?!"
"Oh, this is wonderful!"
"The Blaze boy will be thrilled!"
Everyone talking at once.
Voices overlapping.
Excited. Loud.
"QUIET!"
Raven’s voice cut through.
Sharp. Commanding.
The hall went silent.
Everyone froze.
Staring.
Raven never raised her voice.
Never.
Someone looked at Sebastian.
He stood by the door.
Hands behind his back.
Shrugged helplessly.
"The heart of a young maiden..."
His voice light.
Teasing.
"I suspect she’s fallen for someone."
Raven spun around.
Glared at him.
Eyes blazing.
Sebastian turned away.
Pulled out his phone.
Typed casually:
[Miss Raven’s temper growing volatile. Suspect unable to control feelings for love interest.]
Saved the note.
Tucked phone away.
Raven’s jaw clenched.
"There’s someone..."
Her voice tight.
"Someone important to me."
The family leaned in.
"He’s in trouble."
"The Rei Family arrested him."
"I need your help."
The cousin frowned.
"Who is he?"
"Alex."
Silence.
"Background?"
"None."
"Talent?"
Raven hesitated.
"F-rank."
Gasps.
"Contract beast?"
"Slime."
More gasps.
The woman in her forties shook her head.
"Raven..."
"This boy has nothing."
"No family."
"No power."
"No future."
The aunt nodded.
"And you said he causes trouble?"
"Gets arrested?"
She clicked her tongue.
"This kind of friend..."
"You can’t keep."
"He’ll drag you down."
The cousin stepped forward.
"Raven, listen."
"People like that..."
"They’re poison."
"Attention-seekers."
"Troublemakers."
He shook his head.
"Cut ties now."
"Before it gets worse."
Sebastian’s voice drifted over.
Soft. Playful.
"I’m afraid it’s not just friendship~"
Raven’s face went red.
She stomped her foot.
"SHUT UP!"
Sebastian smiled.
Bowed.
Turned and left.
Footsteps echoing down the hall.
Gone.
Raven stood alone.
Facing the family.
All of them staring.
Questions on their faces.
The Patriarch leaned forward.
"Raven."
His voice hard.
"Explain."
The aunt gasped.
"You like him?!"
"An F-rank?!"
"Are you insane?!"
The younger woman covered her mouth.
"What about the Blaze boy?!"
"He’s S+!"
"Perfect!"
"And you’re chasing some loser?!"
The middle-aged man shook his head.
"This is embarrassing."
"Utterly embarrassing."
Voices rising again.
All of them talking.
Scolding.
Judging.
"Enough!"
Raven’s fists clenched.
"He helped Victor!"
Silence.
Everyone stopped.
"What?"
The Patriarch’s eyes narrowed.
"Victor?"
"Head of the Law Enforcement Squad?"
Raven nodded.
"Alex stopped a cult ritual."
"Saved lives."
"Victor himself acknowledged it."
Pause.
"The government owes him."
The room went dead quiet.
The cousin’s mouth opened.
Closed.
The aunt blinked.
"Wait..."
"He has connections to the Law Enforcement?"
"That’s... different."
Silence.
"Oh!"
"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"
She laughed.
"A young man with government ties!"
"That’s impressive!"
The aunt nodded.
"Yes! Yes!"
"So brave!"
"Fighting cults at his age!"
The cousin grinned.
"And he’s not afraid of powerful families?"
"Bold!"
"Very bold!"
The Patriarch stroked his beard.
"Interesting..."
"A hidden gem."
He looked at Raven.
"Perhaps this Alex..."
"Is worth investing in."
Raven stared.
Just seconds ago they were—
The aunt grabbed her hand.
"Why didn’t you tell us?"
"We thought he was just some nobody!"
"But he’s connected!"
The younger woman smiled.
"And so young!"
"Taking on cults!"
"What courage!"
Raven’s eye twitched.
"You just said—"
"That was before we knew!"
The middle-aged man waved his hand.
"Now it makes sense."
"A boy like that..."
"Of course you’d be friends."
The cousin nodded.
"Smart move, Raven."
"Building connections early."
Raven’s jaw dropped.
The Patriarch stood.
"We’ll help."
.....
[Madam Rose’s apartment]
Rose sat on her couch.
One leg crossed over the other.
Black stockings.
Sheer.
The fabric caught the lamplight.
Hugging every curve.
Her pencil skirt rode up.
Just a little.
Thigh exposed.
Pale. Smooth,strong.
She leaned back.
Silk blouse.
Top two buttons undone.
Collarbone visible.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Phone in hand.
Scrolling.
Dating app.
Profile after profile.
Swipe left.
"Too greasy."
Swipe left.
"Too old."
Swipe left.
"That’s clearly a woman catfishing."
Swipe left.
"Photoshopped to much."
Swipe left.
"...."
"Why the hell did someone post a Megatron’s picture??"
She sighed.
Uncrossed her legs.
Recrossed them the other way.
Stockings rustling.
"Why..."
Muttered.
"Why are there no innocent boys?"
"Fresh."
"Clean."
"Young."
Tossed phone on table.
Leaned head back.
Neck exposed.
Long. Graceful.
Stared at ceiling.
"This city is hopeless."
Then—
BUZZ.
Communicator lit up.
She glanced at it.
Wilson Calling
Picked it up.
Pressed button.
"Wilson."
Her voice smooth.
Slightly annoyed.
"What do you want?"
"Rose."
Wilson’s voice crackled through.
"Need a favor."
She sat up straighter.
"I’m listening."
"Alex is in trouble."
Rose’s eyes narrowed.
"What kind of trouble?"
"Got arrested."
"Rei Family."
"Central District officers."
Rose frowned.
"And you want me to...?"
"Handle it."
Wilson said.
"Victor and I are tied up."
"Big case."
"Can’t leave."
Rose stood.
Walked to window.
Looked out.
"What case?"
"Someone’s planning sabotage."
Wilson’s tone serious.
"The city-wide portal assessment."
"In two weeks."
Rose’s brow furrowed deeper.
"Sabotage the assessment?"
"That’s..."
Pause.
"Not simple."
"Exactly."
"Which is why Victor and I are both needed."
Rose nodded.
Even though he couldn’t see.
"Understood."
"Leave Alex to me."
"Good."
Wilson’s voice lightened.
"Oh, by the way."
Rose could hear his smirk.
"You’re what, thirty-five?"
"Wilson—"
"Rich as hell."
"Beautiful."
"And still single."
"What are you getting at?"
Her voice cold.
But he continued.
"I heard you like them young."
"Fresh-faced."
"Energetic."
Pause.
"Sunshine boys."
Rose’s face went red.
"Wilson, I swear—"
"Alex fits perfectly, doesn’t he?"
She could hear him grinning.
"Seventeen."
"Cute."
"Brave."
"And that personality?"
"Pure chaos."
Rose’s grip tightened on the phone.
"Get to the point."
"I’m just saying..."
Wilson laughed.
"Play your cards right tonight."
"Make a good impression."
"Show him you’re reliable."
"Powerful."
"Elegant."
Pause.
"Then when he turns eighteen..."
"You can make your move."
Rose’s face burned.
"You old pervert!"
"I’m being practical!"
"PRACTICAL?!"
She paced.
"You’re telling me to—"
"To seduce a high schooler?!"
"AFTER he’s legal!"
Wilson corrected.
"Key difference."
"You’re disgusting."
"I’m a visionary."
Rose hung up.
Slammed the communicator down.
Face still red.
Breathing hard.
Chest rising and falling.
Full.
Curves pronounced under silk.
She stood there.
Fuming.
Then looked at mirror.
Studied herself.
Black stockings.
Pencil skirt.
Silk blouse.
Hair down.
Elegant.
Mature.
Sexy.
But...
Not enough.
She walked to her closet.
Threw doors open.
Scanned the racks.
[3000 words of picking dress skip]
She changed.
Dress hugged everything.
Waist.
Hips.
Chest.
The slit showed leg.
Stockings underneath.
She adjusted it.
Checked angles.
Turned.
Looked over shoulder.
"Not bad."
Walked to vanity.
Sat down.
Started makeup.
Foundation.
Contour.
Highlight.
Making her features sharper.
More defined.
Elegant.
Mature.
Eyeshadow.
Subtle.
Professional.
Lipstick.
Red.
Not too bright.
Sophisticated.
She finished.
Looked at reflection.
"Wilson, you bastard."
Muttered.
Grabbed her coat.
Black trench.
Long.
Classy.
Walked to door.
Heels clicking.
"Alex..."