Chapter 3

Without the high-grade soothing serum, Valen’s backlash came much faster than expected.

The next morning, as soon as I sat down in my office at the Potion Merchants' Guild, my assistant rushed in.

"Sera, look at this."

Mia handed me a tablet.

On the local forum, a post was being shared like wildfire.

The author was Chloe.

[The Arrogance of Wealth vs. An Incubus's Tragedy: When Money Makes Sincerity Worthless.]

The post described in detail how a "wealthy, powerful potion merchant" mistreated her Incubus partner, treating him like a pet with zero dignity.

When the partner fell desperately ill, the merchant not only refused to save him, but also kicked him out into the cold for some mysterious new man, stripping him of his warm clothes.

Attached was a photo of Valen curled up in a cramped, dirty rental room, writhing in pain.

His skin was covered in the hideous, dark-red veins of the Ascension backlash.

The comment section was filled with outrage.

[This is evil! Incubi might be dependent creatures, but they deserve dignity!]

[These potion merchants build their wealth by sucking the blood of the poor! She won't even save her own partner? Garbage!]

[Report her to the Guild! Strip her of her license to sell potions!]

Mia paced around anxiously. "Sera, this is going to ruin our bid for the high-grade potion contract next month!"

"Several directors from the Guild are already pressuring us for an explanation."

"Should I release a statement right away?"

I tossed the tablet onto the desk. "If statements worked, crisis PR wouldn't exist."

When it comes to public outrage, the more you explain, the more people think you’re hiding something.

They don't want the truth; they just want a target to vent their anger on.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was Chloe.

"Sera, did you see the post?"

"Don't blame me for making a scene. Valen is literally dying."

"If you send over two bottles of high-grade soothing serum right now and publicly apologize to Valen online, I'll delete the post."

Using my own things to blackmail me?

"Chloe, did you forget that defaming a core member of the Potion Guild carries heavy legal penalties?"

"Your little story has already been shared over five hundred times. That’s more than enough to put you behind bars for a few years."

There was a sudden panic on the other end of the line, but she quickly forced herself to sound confident.

"Stop trying to scare me! The public knows the truth!"

"Sera, can't you just swallow your pride for once? Valen stayed by your side for so long!"

I didn’t bother wasting any more breath. "My legal team will deliver the lawsuit to your door in half an hour. Get your checkbook ready for the damages."

"Sera, they’re clearly trying to play dirty," Mia spat. "We can't just let them drag your name through the mud."

I grabbed my coat. "No rush. Since they want to make a scene, let's take it to the biggest stage possible."

"Come on. We're going to the Guild's grand potion auction."

Today was the auction for the newest soothing serum.

If Valen was truly at death's door, Chloe would definitely try her luck there.

When we arrived at the auction hall, a crowd of reporters and onlookers had already gathered.

Leon followed silently behind me.

He had swapped his armor for a tailored black trench coat, but it did nothing to hide his powerful, imposing aura.

Just as we reached the steps, a shrill voice pierced through the crowd.

"Seraphina! You actually have the nerve to show your face here!"