Professor Charles swallowed back his tears, his heart wrenching as he learned that Trang’s childhood had been years spent in an earthly hell. He choked out another question:

  – “About the estate — Trang was the legal and only adopted daughter. How could that couple have the right to manage and use her inheritance when they were only guardians?”

  Mr. Nhan exhaled deeply, the sound heavy with weariness.

  – “They hired people to forge her signature,” he said. “They had her sign documents renouncing the inheritance — documents drafted by a lawyer they retained. That lawyer helped launder the papers, turned white into black, and then took a large sum to keep quiet.”

  Deep could not contain himself; he slammed his fist on the table until his hand reddened.

  – “I can’t believe someone I called a close friend for over ten years could be this despicable!”

  Ti?n sat stunned, speechless for a moment.

  – “We were so wrong about them… so very wrong,” he muttered.

  Tu?n stared at Mr. Nhan, determination hardening his voice.

  – “We have to help Trang recover what was stolen. We can’t let that family keep living as if nothing happened.”

  Professor Charles looked around the room, his gaze grave.

  – “I won’t just stand by, either. But how do we force them to confess?”

  He turned to Mr. Nhan.

  – “We can hand the recordings over to the police for investigation.”

  Mr. Nhan’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

  – “That would be too easy. I like a more elaborate game. I want their family to be driven mad, to spin in the cyclone of karma.”

  Mr. Phúc frowned and asked bluntly:

  – “So what do you have in mind?”

  Mr. Nhan looked each of them in the eye, his voice cold and steady.

  – “I have a plan. But you’ll have to cooperate with me, coordinate inside and out. Only then will that family be unable to escape. They must be tormented, suffer humiliation and bitterness a thousand times greater than what they inflicted on my daughter.”

  Suddenly, Tu?n’s phone rang. The C?u D?ng flashed on the screen. He answered and switched to speaker mode. From the other end came C?u D?ng’s voice:

  – “You guys have been gone a while. Did you find that old junk collector?”

  Mr. Nhan gestured subtly, and Tu?n caught on immediately.

  – “We went around the boarding area but didn’t see him,” Tu?n replied calmly. “The neighbors said he’s gone back to the countryside to retire.”

  C?u D?ng’s tone carried a trace of smugness.

  – “Alright then, come back here for lunch. We just finished cooking.”

  Tu?n, keeping his composure, answered naturally — like a seasoned actor.

  – “We’re already having lunch with the professor. Let’s meet this evening instead.”

  The voice on the other end replied briefly:

  – “Fine. Be here tonight, then.”

  When the call ended, Tu?n exhaled in relief. Professor Charles turned to Mr. Nhan, his expression serious.

  – “Mr. Nhan, tell us the plan.”

  A triumphant smile crossed ?ng Nhan’s lips.

  – “The second daughter of that man D?ng is pregnant. The boy only wants to use the baby to get his hands on their wealth. I want the wedding rushed — and with your cooperation, we’ll make the bride’s family and the groom turn against each other. His daughter will drown in her own misery.”

  Mr. Phúc nodded thoughtfully.

  – “First, the wedding must happen quickly. But the mansion is still frozen solid…”

  Mr. Nhan gave a mysterious smile.

  – “Don’t worry. In just a few days, everything will return to normal.”

  Everyone looked at him curiously. Deep frowned.

  – “How can you be so sure? You give off this… cold, commanding aura — like someone used to power.”

  Right then, the restaurant owner appeared, carrying a large stainless steel tray. He set down steaming plates of rice, each brimming with food.

  – “Enjoy your meal, everyone. We’ve got free watermelon today — I’ll bring it right out.”

  Mr. Nhan picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks, crushing a chili into his bowl of fish sauce.

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  – “Please, eat. Lunch here is simple, but it’s delicious — everything’s freshly made every day.”

  The owner bowed respectfully.

  – “You’re too kind, Mr. Nhan. It’s an honor to serve you and your guests.”

  Inside the luxurious District 7 mansion, the grand dining hall shimmered beneath a dazzling crystal chandelier. Its light reflected off polished glass panels and the gleaming white silk tablecloth that stretched the length of the table. Bottles of red wine, grilled lamb chops, steak, fresh salad, and an array of Western delicacies were neatly arranged. The mingling scents of spices and oak from the wine barrels created a warm, aristocratic atmosphere. Din, Yin, and Erion’s mischievous little demons were dining together with Anh Tú’s family.

  Mr. ??c raised his glass of red wine, his deep voice calm yet filled with pride:

  – “It’s truly an honor to have you both here. It’s a pity that Miss Trang and Erion couldn’t join us.”

  Din smiled and gently clinked glasses, his tone composed:

  – “The General and the Princess are out on a date. They’ll return to the Gothic Mansion on Sunday night to continue the game.”

  Yin smiled politely, placing his knife and fork neatly on the table before speaking:

  – “That youngest daughter of D?ng’s is just an apprentice witch. And those two other kids who came back with her — arrogant, overconfident, spoiled to the bone like pampered heirs.”

  Anna sliced through her tender steak, the knife gliding easily over the steaming meat. She took a slow bite, then spoke in a dismissive tone:

  – “Just humans dabbling in cheap tricks. Hardly comparable to the essence of our kind.”

  Mrs. Tam and Anh Tú beamed with delight, enjoying their lunch while chatting and laughing cheerfully — eager to please such powerful, noble guests.

  At the next table, Erion’s little demons were eating noisily. Glasses clinked, lamb bones piled up, and the rhythmic sounds of forks and knives filled the air. One of them, chewing on a rib, looked up curiously:

  – “So… are we heading back to the Gothic Mansion right after this, my Lords?”

  Din nodded firmly:

  – “Yes. Go tidy up the place before the General and the Princess return — and keep an eye on D?ng’s household. You’re in charge of cleaning, so do it thoroughly.”

  Another one took a sip of soda, grumbling:

  – “Do we have to do all the work again?”

  Yin shot him a razor-sharp glare, his eyes cold as blades:

  – “Would you rather me and the Count do it instead?”

  Laughter erupted across the table. The brilliant light, the rich aromas of the feast, and the lively chatter blended together, filling the elegant dining hall with an atmosphere that was both warm… and commanding.

  The Bentley Bentayga rolled smoothly along the sunlit coastal road after the group had stopped by the lighthouse and enjoyed cups of cool yogurt. Erion held the wheel with steady hands, his calm face glinting with quiet satisfaction. Beside him, Trang let the sea breeze tousle her long black hair, her radiant smile reflecting pure joy.

  Trang tilted her head, her voice full of excitement:

  – “I’ve never been to a fishing village before! I’ve only seen them online.”

  Erion’s lips curved into a confident smile:

  – “I told you, I’ll take you everywhere you want to go.”

  From the back seat, Assistant Chen, spooning the creamy yogurt, squinted out at the vast blue sea beyond the window:

  – “General, which fishing village are we heading to?”

  Still looking ahead, Erion replied in his deep, calm tone:

  – “Long H?i. It’s a busy coastal village where generations of fishermen have lived. Tourists love it too.”

  Trang clapped her hands, her voice bubbling with joy:

  – “Let’s go there then! I can’t wait!”

  Happiness swelled inside her — a warmth she had never truly felt before. In her past, the word “happiness” was something distant, unreachable. Yet now, it was right here, within her grasp.

  ---

  At the Gothic mansion in District 2, after lunch at Anh Tú’s home, Din, Yin, and Erion’s little demons had just returned. All of them turned their gazes toward C?u D?ng’s villa across the street.

  Din frowned, clicking his tongue:

  – “Why is it so crowded? Looks like a K-pop concert. Guess we won’t be sleeping tonight.”

  Yin crossed his arms, smirking:

  – “The General’s cruel in his own way. Creates something so magnificent — yet forbids anyone from filming or photographing it.”

  The little demons behind them chattered noisily:

  – “Tonight this whole neighborhood’s gonna explode with chaos!”

  ---

  In front of C?u D?ng’s mansion, the scene was total madness — reporters, journalists, and YouTubers packed shoulder to shoulder, microphones and cameras raised high. Though the afternoon sun blazed overhead, everyone’s faces had gone pale from shock.

  Every single camera, phone, and camcorder had stopped working — unable to capture even a trace of the ice mansion.

  A frustrated YouTuber shouted:

  – “What the hell! My camera records everything fine — except this mansion! All I get is a blank white screen!”

  Another reporter exclaimed in disbelief:

  – “Same here! I’ve tried dozens of times — every shot aimed at that place turns pitch-black, but anywhere else looks normal!”

  The crowd buzzed in confusion and fear, sweat dripping in the heat. No one could explain how, in broad daylight, the majestic ice villa remained completely untouchable — invisible to every lens in existence.

  At Mr. Tài’s mansion, C?u D?ng stood frozen in the garden, his lifeless eyes staring at the chaos outside. Reporters, neighbors, and curious onlookers crowded in front of his gate as if it were a festival. The atmosphere buzzed with noise and tension, thick enough to choke the air.

  Beside him, Mr. Tài spoke in a trembling voice:

  – “I… I didn’t think things would go this far. Now your house has become the center of the whole city.”

  Mr. Tín shook his head helplessly:

  – “The crowd just keeps growing. Heaven knows when this madness will end.”

  The afternoon sun blazed relentlessly, pouring fire down on the neighborhood. Yet amid the oppressive heat, Huy’s family suddenly felt a strange, heavy energy — dark and suffocating, as if it had seeped straight from the realm of the dead.

  Without hesitation, Mr. Tín and Huy rushed to the gate. What they saw made their blood run cold: Din, Yin, and the horde of Erion’s demons stood several houses away, watching in silence.

  Huy stammered, his face pale:

  – “Dad… they’re back. But the others… they’re gone.”

  Mr. Tín’s voice hardened, his eyes narrowing sharply:

  – “Those two… they’re high-ranking vampires. And with that pack of demons—there’s no way this will end well.”

  From the Gothic mansion across the way, cold eyes had already noticed them.

  Din’s ocean-blue eyes glimmered as a mocking grin curved his lips:

  – “So, the centipede spirit family’s here? Interesting…”

  Yin’s eyes, on the other hand, transformed completely — the whites and irises turning into a terrifying jet-black void. His cold smile sliced through the air like a blade:

  – “You wretched centipede… You’re just another pawn in this game. I despise men who play around and cling to their wives to survive.”

  The demons behind them burst into eerie laughter, their eyes glowing blood-red:

  – “We can’t stand his type either — climbing up through dirty tricks and cheap deceit.”

  As the duke-level aura surged from Din, Yin, and their demonic entourage, the air thickened, compressing space itself.

  Huy felt every bone in his body tremble. Though he carried the blood of a centipede spirit, it wasn’t nearly enough to mask the primal fear before such overwhelming power. His breath grew ragged, his limbs weak; in his mind, he was nothing more than an insect beneath the shadow of a beast.

  Mr. Tín’s face was drawn tight, eyes wide yet trembling deep inside. He knew the truth all too well: their family, lowly centipede spirits, were nothing compared to ancient vampires and high-class demons. Despite his calm facade, cold sweat streamed down his back, his veins contracting with dread.

  Both father and son understood perfectly —

  In the world of monsters, the difference in rank isn’t just power.

  It is the line between life and death.