Thinking of the Wynns, Serena's thoughts then turned to the Lancasters.
Would... they mind who she was?
Her long, dark lashes trembled slightly.
After only a few seconds of thought, her eyes regained their usual coolness, and her slender fingers slowly typed on the keyboard.
Demon: [Yeah.]
Her single word made the entire group explode.
Countless messages flooded the chat like a live stream's comment section, just as lively as it had been four years ago.
A flicker of light danced in Serena's eyes.
She smirked and was about to type when a familiar codename caught her attention.
Black Jack: [What? Done playing normal?]
The moment that message appeared, the flood of new posts in the group chat seemed to freeze.
Black Jack: [Normal people don't have access to the Gray Zone network.]
The sarcasm was palpable, even through the screen.
Instead of getting angry, Serena smiled, the curve of her red lips deepening. [Being normal is pretty boring.]
Black Jack: [So, you only think of us when you're bored?]
Demon: [Am I not allowed to?]
The person who had replied instantly was silent for a good ten seconds.
Then, as if grinding their teeth, they typed.
Black Jack: [Demon, did you spend four years in Elyndor just learning how to grow a thicker skin?]
Demon: [I've missed you guys.]
Again, the chat went silent for over ten seconds.
Black Jack: [God, you're the death of me!]
Black Jack: [You just fucking wait!]
Black Jack: [I'm flying to Elyndor right now. If you dare run, I'll skin you alive!]
The three messages popped up almost simultaneously.
The corners of Serena's eyes lifted. [Good, I have a favor to ask you.]
Black Jack: [Fuck!]
Black Jack: [I knew it! You never show up unless you want something!]
Black Jack: [Using us when you need us, huh? Do you have any conscience at all?]
Reading the messages, Serena could almost picture Black Jack's expression.
Her smile deepened.
Only with her friends from the Gray Zone could she truly and completely relax. Demon: [I'll be waiting.]
Just as she typed that, her phone rang.
It was a video call from someone with an anime boy as their profile picture.
Serena casually answered. A young, handsome, and flamboyant face appeared on the screen.
"Serena-" Brian Foster's boisterous voice came through, his expression full of swagger. "I heard you left the Wynns?"
Serena nodded. "News travels fast."
Brian chuckled. "That's because I'm always paying attention to everything about you, always at your service!"
Serena leaned back lazily, her legs draped casually over the side of her chair. "What's up?"
Brian replied, "I just heard you ditched that family of idiots, so I wanted to say, nice one!"
He leaned closer to the screen,
grinning. "Serena, want to come stay at my place? My old man has been asking about you. We're one of the three great families of Vaelion City, you know. Our place is way more t high-end and impressive than the Wynns', and we definitely don't have any annoying, fake-innocent girls hanging around."
He made a disgusted face. "Those
idiots at the Wynn household are et
treating that girl like
sure. They'll regret it big time."
"No, thanks." Serena's eyes were cool. "I've returned to my biological parents' home."
"Biological parents?!" Brian shot to his feet, his face filling the screen, eyes wide. "I'm too late again?!"
He was hoping to whisk Serena away to his own home now that she'd left the Wynns.
Was his chance gone just like that?
Brian was fuming, gritting his teeth and groaning in frustration.
• ne
He was about to throw a tantrum when his
eyes caught a glimpse et
something in the background, next. to serena. He gasped.
"Holy hell! Serena, you're... at your house right now?!"