The car came to a smooth stop.
Before Ella could reach for the door handle, Sereya had already moved first.
She unbuckled her seatbelt with practiced ease and reached out to grab Ella’s wrist once more.
The force was still far from gentle.
It carried an undeniable dominance as she directly yanked her out of the passenger seat.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Ella instinctively looked up and froze slightly.
In front of her stood an enormous mansion that could only be described as extravagant even within Transfer Station No. 29.
Its gray-and-white stone walls were thick and imposing.
The wrought-iron gates were intricately carved.
The neatly trimmed greenery in the courtyard looked completely out of place in this dusty, wind-swept environment.
The towering building stood like a luxurious, isolated island in the middle of a place where every inch of land was precious and most structures were cramped and rundown.
Ella had already seen the residences of many powerful figures in the Transfer Station along the way.
Yet none of them displayed extravagance and isolation as blatantly as Sereya’s home.
Everything here silently proclaimed the owner’s status and wealth.
It also made Ella even more certain that this golden-haired woman’s influence at Transfer Station No. 29 ran far deeper than she had imagined.
What surprised her somewhat was that such a grand mansion had no butler or servants respectfully waiting at the entrance.
There wasn’t even a single attendant to open the door.
The empty courtyard was unnaturally quiet.
Only the faint sound of wind brushing through the leaves could be heard.
The entire mansion looked as though only Sereya lived there.
A trace of understanding flashed through Ella’s eyes.
She quickly came to a conclusion in her heart.
It wasn’t that she was naturally reclusive.
The more likely reason was that this golden-haired onee-san didn’t want anyone to discover her unspeakable little hobbies.
After all, judging by how bluntly she had proposed that transaction earlier, her private preferences probably weren’t very presentable either.
Having other people around would only bring unnecessary trouble and risk of exposure.
Living alone, on the other hand, allowed her to control everything as she pleased.
The force on her wrist tightened slightly.
Sereya didn’t give her much time to observe.
She simply dragged her toward the main entrance of the mansion.
Ella followed passively behind her.
Her brain, however, was spinning at full speed without a moment’s pause.
From the very beginning, she had never intended to truly hand herself over to such a domineering and overbearing person.
She certainly wouldn’t let the other party do as she wished.
Since she had already decided to make use of Sereya, she had to prepare thoroughly in advance.
Woof woof woof!!
A fierce round of barking suddenly shattered the silence of the courtyard and interrupted Ella’s thoughts.
She looked up and saw a large, muscular dog with glossy fur tied beside the mansion gate.
It was currently baring its teeth and barking wildly at her.
Its amber beast-like eyes were filled with vigilance and aggression.
Its paws kept scraping the ground, looking as if it could pounce at any moment.
“Quiet, Rex.”
Sereya didn’t even turn her head as she gave a flat reprimand.
Miraculously, the previously frenzied large dog immediately reined in its hostility.
It whined twice with its ears drooping and obediently lay down on the ground.
However, its gaze remained unfriendly as it stared at Ella, a low threatening growl still rumbling in its throat.
This scene made Ella’s eyes narrow slightly.
Her attention was completely drawn to the dog named Rex.
Like master, like dog.
Domineering, overbearing, and carrying a natural sense of superiority.
It was practically a carbon copy of Sereya.
Ella sneered coldly in her heart.
Her gaze quickly swept over the hound’s sturdy body.
An idea instantly took shape in her mind.
What if she injected the eggs of the Mist Smoke Insect from her body into it…
The Mist Smoke Insect was one of the most practical swarm species she possessed.
Once mature, they could release colorless and odorless mist in groups.
A light dose could make people fall into a daze.
A heavy dose was enough to make someone lose consciousness entirely.
This dog stayed by Sereya’s side all day and was her pet.
It would never raise any suspicion.
It was the perfect carrier.
As long as the eggs hatched successfully, she would have an extra life-saving trump card during the days she would be living with Sereya.
When the time came that she had no other choice, the mist would be her best means of escape.
Having made up her mind, Ella’s hanging heart relaxed a little.
The most important thing right now was to play her role well.
She had already planned to act like a delicate, pitiful girl who had been forced to submit.
This would help lower Sereya’s guard.
At this moment, her disgust and displeasure toward Sereya didn’t require any deliberate acting.
The revulsion in her heart was already clearly written on her face.
Her brows were slightly furrowed.
The corners of her mouth were downturned.
The way she looked at Sereya carried undisguised resistance.
She didn’t even have the slightest intention of hiding it.
Her emotions were far too straightforward.
Sereya naturally noticed it at a glance.
The two of them had already walked into the mansion’s main hall.
A spacious and luxurious living room came into view.
Exquisite crystal chandeliers, soft velvet sofas, and spotless floors.
Everything exuded refinement.
Sereya finally released Ella’s wrist.
She turned around and leaned against the armrest of the sofa, looking down at her from above.
Her golden eyes held a trace of amused interest.
“Think on the bright side, Ella.”
Her tone was light, as if she were talking about the most ordinary matter.
“Your days from now on will become better. You won’t have to run around the dirty streets and alleys of the Transfer Station anymore. You won’t have to live in fear just for a bite of food. And the price you need to pay is nothing more than serving me.”
She paused for a moment and took a step forward.
She reached out, intending to lift Ella’s chin.
But Ella turned her head and avoided it.
Sereya wasn’t angry.
Instead, her smile grew even deeper.
“This doesn’t even count as a price, does it? I know you might prefer boys, but that’s fine. The days ahead are still long. I’ll slowly train you.”
Her words were direct and frivolous, carrying an undisguised desire for control.
It made the disgust in Ella’s heart surge once more.
She didn’t open her mouth to retort.
She also didn’t show any more intense signs of resistance.
She simply lowered her eyelids obediently and slightly bowed her head.
Her long eyelashes covered the calculation and coldness churning in her eyes.
She looked exactly like a pitiful girl who had recognized her situation, struggled fruitlessly, and finally chosen to submit in silence.
Helpless and weak.
This appearance clearly satisfied Sereya greatly.
“Go take a bath and change your clothes first.”
Sereya pointed toward the corridor on one side of the hall and gave a casual order.
“Don’t worry, it’s not anything strange. Just another maid outfit similar to the one you’re wearing now. Clean and well-fitting.”
Ella slowly raised her head.
Her eyes still carried a faint trace of resistance.
Her voice was light and low, without any emotional fluctuation.
“Understood, Miss Sereya.”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.