(Author's Note: Just a quick clarification about Vincent's attributes. His mental stat jumped to over 300 because he allocated all 150 bonus points earned from Forbidden Zone #3 to Spirit. This detail was accidentally left out earlier apologies!)
"Hello, Mom?"
A mature woman's voice came through the phone. "Autumn, are you on campus?"
"I am..."
"Good. I'm at your school gate." With that, she hung up.
That alone said everything about Vivian Summer's personality.
There was no room for discussion. She didn't ask if Autumn was available, just told her to come out. Direct, commanding, and utterly domineering.
Hearing the busy tone on the line, Autumn frowned slightly, sighed, and quietly closed her book. Without another word, she left the library.
No matter what, that woman was still her mother.
And since Vivian had come all the way to school, Autumn had no choice but to meet her.
Just as she stepped outside, a sunny, handsome boy approached her with a bouquet of flowers in hand. With dramatic flair, he stopped in front of her and declared, "Autumn Summer, I like you!"
Around them, a group of cheering students erupted, chanting, "Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!"
Truthfully, Autumn was caught completely off guard by the scene.
Once she gathered herself, she offered a polite smile.
But her eyes carried no warmth.
"Sorry, senior. We're not a good match."
With that, she didn't even glance at him again. She turned and walked away without hesitation.
The boy stood there frozen, his face turning red and pale by turns. He looked utterly humiliated.
Actually, this wasn't the first time Autumn had been confessed to like this. This guy had just been a bit bolder than the others.
But it didn't matter who confessed.
The result would always be the same: rejection.
Because Autumn's heart had already belonged to someone else for a long time.
The moment passed, and Autumn left it behind without a second thought.
A few minutes later, she arrived at the campus gate and saw a luxury car parked quietly there.
As soon as she appeared, the chauffeur opened the rear door.
Inside the car sat a well-dressed middle-aged woman. Vivian Summer didn't bother getting out. She simply beckoned to Autumn, gesturing for her to get in.
Autumn walked over, but she didn't get into the car. She stood by the open door and asked, "Mom, why are you here?"
Vivian's brows twitched ever so slightly at Autumn's defiance, but she quickly put on a smile. "Just came to check in on you. Hop in. Let's have lunch together."
Autumn had no choice. It would be too disrespectful to refuse even a meal.
Once she got in, Vivian gave a cold order to the driver. "Drive."
"Where to, ma'am?"
"Someplace clean. A proper hotel."
The engine roared to life, and thirty minutes later, they were seated in a high-end restaurant.
Exquisite dishes were brought to the table, but neither mother nor daughter looked at the food. In fact, neither seemed to have an appetite at all.
"Autumn, I haven't come to visit since the start of the semester. You're not mad at me, are you?" Vivian asked cheerily.
Her tone made Autumn feel a little uncomfortable.
Because as long as she could remember, her mother had never spoken to her so gently.
Vivian Summer had always cared only for others, never once putting Autumn first.
So this change in behavior could only mean one thing: Vivian had heard about Autumn's stellar performance in the Forbidden Zones.
Especially in Zone #3, where, with Vincent Fox's help, she had earned the highest mission rating.
The news had spread across the internet, so of course her family knew.
"Mom, you didn't come here for no reason, right?"
Autumn didn't want to play games. "If you have something to say, just say it."
Vivian's smile faded a little. "What? Can't a mother drop by to see her daughter without having a reason?"
She was used to being in control at home. Even now, her scolding tone carried weight.
Autumn, however, remained calm. "Of course you can. But that's not like you."
Vivian certainly caught the implication.
Her daughter was saying that she normally didn't care at all and now she'd suddenly shown up, clearly with an agenda.
Vivian's expression darkened. She glared at Autumn.
But Autumn just sat there with her usual serene expression.
A few seconds passed before Vivian chuckled. "Well, well, you've grown up. Now you even talk back to your mother."
"I wouldn't dare. I'm just stating facts."
Vivian nodded slowly, choosing not to argue.
She knew all too well that she had given all her affection to another child in the family, treating Autumn harshly and coldly, never offering the care she deserved. It was only natural that this daughter harbored resentment.
Still, even if she could go back in time, Vivian would've made the same choice.
A daughter could never compare to the family's male heir.
"I did come for a reason," Vivian finally admitted.
"Your performance at school has impressed the entire family. Your uncles and cousins have been praising you. Even your grandfather is delighted."
Autumn's expression remained neutral. She didn't look proud in the slightest.
Growing up in that kind of environment had made her far more emotionally mature than her peers. She wasn't the kind of person who lost her head over a few compliments.
"Even the Lancaster family heard about your feat in Zone #3."
Vivian suddenly smiled. "Do you remember Gregory Lancaster? He wants to form a marriage alliance with our family. Your father already agreed."
At that, Autumn's face finally changed.
"His son, Julian Lancaster, is 22. A junior at Godslayer Academy. Handsome and full of promise."
Vivian continued, "I've got his number here. I'll give it to you later. You two can chat when"
"I don't agree!"
Autumn cut her off without hesitation.
Vivian froze, the smile slipping from her face.
Before she could say anything, Autumn added, "Because I already have a boyfriend."
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The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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