Silence.
An unprecedented silence.
Cheney was a seasoned street tough, and his intimidating aura as a gang leader had Lynch and Summer terrified. Even Kimberly Jennings's expression was grim.
Seraphina Sterling, however, simply shook her head with a look of pity, completely unfazed. "I mean, you're the top dog in Tollan Town. You've got the muscle and the presence, so how can you not have a brain?"
"You damn bitch, how dare you…" Before Scar could even step forward, Seraphina Sterling somehow produced another paring knife and waved it gently in front of her. The man gulped, his advance halting as he took several steps back, terrified her hand might "slip" again.
Seraphina was quite satisfied with the knife's deterrent effect. 'Truth is, I'm only good with darts, nothing else. I had to make a preemptive strike, otherwise, we'd never be able to buy this house and leave here in one piece today.' "I can't stand a foul mouth."
"You…" Scar's face flushed red with rage, but looking at the paring knife glinting coldly in Seraphina's hand, he didn't dare vent his fury. A grown man, fuming but silent—it was actually quite comical.
Seraphina ignored Scar. "Cheney, you don't really think we, a mother and daughter with no backing whatsoever, would dare go up against you, the top dog of Tollan, do you?"
Cheney might have been a thug, but you don't become a gang leader by being a complete idiot.
Seraphina didn't miss the flicker of doubt in Cheney's eyes. Toying with the sharp paring knife, she slowly advanced. "Do you really think we'd buy a remote bungalow for no reason?" Her gentle voice had a slight upward lilt, and her bright eyes were like bottomless pools, instilling an inexplicable and profound sense of fear.
Cheney, who had only been slightly suspicious, now took another look. Kimberly Jennings had a graceful and elegant demeanor, unlike any of the local women. And Seraphina Sterling, though just a young girl, had masterful skill with a thrown knife and faced him with utter composure, completely unafraid. The two of them certainly didn't seem like ordinary people. 'Could they know about it too…?'
The corners of Seraphina's lips curved up, revealing two cute dimples. She walked right up to Cheney and lowered her voice. "You're not the only one with good information. If you want to make a fortune from this, Cheney, you're free to choose other houses. The other locations might not be as prime as this one, but every little bit adds up. Besides, who's to say those other spots will be worth that much less? Don't worry, we're only taking this one place. We absolutely won't compete with you for the rest!"
Her voice was still gentle, sweet enough to melt anyone's heart, but it was laced with menace.
Cheney's eyes widened. 'He'd spent a fortune to get this tip! How did this mother and daughter find out about the demolition? Do they have someone powerful backing them? If I insist on this house, she's threatening to leak the information. If that happens, I might end up with nothing at all!'
'Damn it! This damn brat! Where the hell did she get her information?!'
Cheney glared viciously at Seraphina but didn't dare to make a move. 'I don't give a damn about this mother and daughter, but I have to worry about who's backing them. Anyone who could get news of the impending demolition can't be a simple character! They're definitely not someone a mere local gang leader like me can afford to provoke! But... what if this is all just a bluff?'
Cheney was torn, caught in a moment of indecision.
Seraphina maintained her warm, charming smile, but no one knew her palms were slick with sweat. 'Everything I just said was a bluff, a total guess. I just don't know if Cheney will fall for it.'
The others couldn't hear what they were saying. All they could see was that the previously ferocious Cheney had lost his aggressive swagger and now seemed hesitant. For a moment, no one could figure out what had just happened.
"You think I'll just believe you?" Cheney seethed, his voice a harsh rasp forced through gritted teeth.
"Believe it or not, that's up to you. I'm just giving you a friendly warning, seeing as we're both people of Tollan. When the time comes and you provoke someone you shouldn't have, don't blame me. This house is nice and quiet, sure, but if you're dead set on it, Cheney, then by all means, take it. There are plenty of other houses; we can just look for another one," Seraphina said with a nonchalant shrug.
"Though, I did hear there's a rather mysterious compound on the east side of town. They say a big shot lives there, someone not even the mayor dares to cross. You'd better be careful, Cheney!" After saying her piece, Seraphina turned and walked over to Lynch.
"I'm so sorry, but it looks like we won't be able to buy this house after all. You'll have to find another buyer." With that, Seraphina moved to help Kimberly Jennings up, preparing to leave.
"Wait. Since you like the place so much, I won't fight you for it. If word got out that a man like me was bullying two women, how could I, Cheney, ever show my face on the streets again!" Cheney shot Seraphina one last look before leaving with his men.
Lynch studied the mother and daughter carefully. 'Cheney is the town's top bully. He doesn't just pick on women; he'll go after the elderly and children without a second thought. Why the sudden act of kindness today?'
Summer wasn't thinking that deeply. She just thought Seraphina was incredible for facing down such a terrifying person without any fear.
After the scene Cheney had caused, Lynch no longer dared to take advantage of the mother and daughter. He left all the remaining furniture and some everyday farm tools in the house without charging extra for them.
With the house purchased, it was time to check out of their small inn. Seraphina and Summer headed back together. Seraphina had thought that with Cheney out of the way, they were safe, but she had no idea that she had just provoked someone she absolutely could not afford to cross.
After checking out, the sky began to darken. Seraphina was walking back alone when a motorcycle suddenly sped past her, then screeched to a halt, blocking her path.