Her Rebirth.

Amelia watched in silence as Sera downed another shot of alcohol, her third, or was it her fourth? Frankly, she’d lost count.

One hour ago, Amelia had been heading home when Sera intercepted her, practically dragging her to an elite bar with the promise of money. Now, as she sat watching Sera cry into her drink, Amelia couldn’t understand why she’d been brought along. Weren’t they supposed to be enemies? And what had reduced the Almighty Sera to this pathetic state? But as much as she was curious, she didn’t want to pry too much. All she wanted was to get paid and get the hell out of the bar because even till now, she still did not fancy the bar so much.

"He... He’s such a scumbag, and she... she’s such a whore..." Sera slurred, slamming her glass onto the counter before refilling it.

Amelia frowned, catching Sera’s wrist before she could take another sip. "Enough. You’re already drunk."

Tears welled up in Sera’s eyes as she glared at Amelia. "You were right. As much as I hate to admit it, you were right. So just let me drink, ahhhh..."

Amelia’s brows arched slightly. Lilac and Ash? So, had Lilac stolen another fiancé?

Sera looked at Amelia resentfully. "Aren’t you going to ask me what happened?"

"No," Amelia replied flatly. She just wanted to get paid and leave.

Sera let out a bitter laugh before her face crumpled into fresh tears. "You’re so cold. That’s why I hate you so much!"

She tried to lift her glass, but Amelia caught her hand again.

"Don’t."

Sera jerked her arm away, her voice filled with frustration. "If you’re not going to listen, then just let me drink!"

Amelia exhaled slowly, rubbing her temples. "Fine. What happened?"

Sera’s expression darkened. "That bitch Lilac has Ash wrapped around her little finger. All I did was ask her to keep her distance, but somehow she twisted everything and made it seem like I was bullying her! And Ash, that bastard, slapped me for it!"

Her voice cracked on the last words, and for the first time that night, Amelia truly looked at her. Pitiful, she thought. If Sera hadn’t opened her eyes now, she would’ve ended up a joke, sharing her husband with her so-called best friend. Perhaps even becoming the ’other woman’ in her own marriage.

Sera suddenly brightened, her mood swinging wildly. "Well, whatever! Who cares about those traitors? We’ll drink! Drink until we forget!"

She grabbed an empty glass and filled it to the brim, pushing it toward Amelia. "Here, drink!"

Amelia stared at the glass with a deep frown. "I don’t drink."

Sera’s lips trembled. "You’re just like them! You look down on me too, you cold-hearted bitch!" She flailed her arms dramatically, nearly knocking over a bottle.

Why does this feel like I’m babysitting a drunk child? Amelia sighed. If she’d known this was how the night would turn out, she would’ve rejected the damn bribe.

When did she, Amelia Volemont, stoop so low as to accept bribes from young women?

"Amelia! Drink! Drink!"

Amelia sighed again, staring at the alcohol. One glass won’t hurt... right?

One glass did hurt.

As the bitter liquid burned down her throat, Amelia immediately regretted it. A wave of heat crashed over her, her limbs turning sluggish, her thoughts hazy. Damn it. She had assumed Amelia Cosgrove had a high alcohol tolerance given her frequent visits to bars, but she didn’t at all!!!

Amelia quickly realized that she probably wouldn’t be in the proper mental state to take herself home, let alone take care of Sera, so her only other option was Kai.

She fumbled for her phone, and when she found it, her blurry gaze scanned through her contacts, but... Kai’s name wasn’t there?

A curse nearly slipped past her lips. Despite staying with him for nearly two weeks, we never exchanged numbers?

That left her with no choice but to drag both herself and Sera out of here, or else there was a chance they might be harassed by men who preyed on defenseless women. She slung Sera’s arm over her shoulder, groaning as Sera mumbled incoherent words. Navigating through the sea of sweaty, dancing bodies was difficult, and just as she neared the exit—

Sera gagged.

Before Amelia could react, Sera lurched forward and vomited onto someone’s expensive-looking shoes.

"...What the fuck?" A low, irritated voice drawled.

Amelia turned, her vision swimming. The man was in his late twenties, his rough brown hair disheveled, his expression caught between disgust and annoyance.

Just great.

"I’m sorry," Amelia said quickly, trying to diffuse the situation. "She’s really drunk. Is there any way I can compensate you?"

If he asked for money, she would just give him and ask for it later from Sera.

The man, wanting to retort, paused as he finally took in Amelia’s flushed, vulnerable appearance. His eyes darkened with lust.

It was a little beauty, after all.

"Lucky me," he murmured, licking his lips. He grabbed her wrist with a tight grip. "How about you compensate me with your body instead?"

---

BANG!

The gunshot echoed through the brightly lit private suite, drowning out the muffled bass of the club music outside.

A man writhed on the floor, clutching his bleeding leg, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Kai... you fucker!" he spat, his voice hoarse with pain. He tried to drag himself backward, leaving a smearing trail of blood against the expensive carpet.

Kai stepped forward lazily, his shoes stopping just short of the man’s trembling hands. He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his icy gaze.

"You still don’t get it, do you?" he murmured, crouching down to meet the man’s desperate eyes.

The man’s breath hitched. "I’ll give you anything!" he pleaded. "Money, power, anything!"

Kai smiled. "No thanks." He raised the muzzle of his gun to the man’s forehead, then—

BANG.

The body slumped lifelessly, blood pooling beneath it.

Kai took a deep breath before standing up and adjusting his cuffs. His face had a small, casual smile as he stepped out of the room, where a man dressed in black waited by the door.

"Cigarette," Kai said.

The man wordlessly pulled out a cigarette and lighter, offering them to him. Kai lit the stick, taking a slow drag before exhaling a puff of smoke.

"The third rat is dead," he mused, watching the ember glow at the tip of his cigarette. "It’s only a matter of time before the others start panicking."

He took another puff, then turned on his heel, heading toward the exit with his silent companion.

As he stepped out into the main area of the bar, his gaze swept the room, and froze.

A man was gripping Amelia’s wrist, his lecherous gaze raking over her as she swayed unsteadily, clearly intoxicated.

Kai’s expression darkened.

...What the fuck is this?