After a sharp, pungent smell fills the air, a spsh of cold water jolts Meredith awake. She instinctively reaches out, but her hand finds nothing. Looking around, she realizes she's in a room resembling a woodshed. An oil mp hangs from a nearby post, casting a dim light that reveals a figure across from her.

  Meredith isn't tied up, but she's without clothes, only covered by a bnket. The room contains just one other person. Feigning vulnerability, she clutches the bnket with fear in her eyes, her graceful figure barely concealed.

  "Please, let me go! My family has money, my husband is wealthy. As long as I'm safe, he'll pay you..." she pleads, tears streaming down her face in a show of delicate beauty.

  Henwell rolls his eyes at the sobbing woman and steps forward into the mp's light. "Sweetheart, take a good look at who I am!"

  As she recognizes Henwell's face, Meredith's pupils contract. She starts to cry fearfully, "Sir, I'm just a woman. You must have the wrong person..."

  Henwell sighs, "If I'm looking for you, it's because I've already confirmed a few things. So, you'd better stop the act. Although, I must admit, watching a beautiful woman perform is quite delightful. But, you see, I'm short on time and can't afford to waste it."

  "Sir, you must be after my husband, right? Did he cross you in business? I'm just his woman; I know nothing!" she insists.

  Leaning against the post, Henwell says calmly, "Blood Fox, isn't that your alias? Aren't you going to try and fight back? After all, I'm here alone."

  Hearing this, Meredith slowly drops her facade of fear and helplessness.

  Meredith tilts her head, studying Henwell with interest. "Anyone who can take out so many of my men and bring me out of my home must be quite formidable. Clearly, I'm no match for such a person, especially since I have no weapons right now."

  With that, Meredith lifts the bnket, revealing her naked body to show she carries no weapons. She then wraps the bnket back around herself, her long legs elegantly crossed, exuding both grace and allure. Despite the sweet smile on her face, a chill runs through her heart.

  The young man before her, Henwell, shows no change in his expression at the sight of her body. Her body is indeed her best weapon; if Henwell's demeanor falters, drawn to her allure, she would unch a fierce and deadly counterattack. Unfortunately for her, Henwell's gaze remains steady, as if admiring a piece of art, devoid of any lust.

  Meredith flicks her hair back and asks, "So, what do you want? Since you haven't killed me outright, you must have a reason. Do you want money from me? Are you after something specific? Or perhaps you desire me? But judging by your eyes, you don't seem interested."

  Henwell replies, "Do you know who I am?"

  Meredith shakes her head. "We work for money, ask too many questions and we die faster. All I know is that someone wants you dead, and the price isn't cheap."

  Henwell chuckles, "Well, let me introduce myself. I'm Arius Phoenix! Does that ring any bells? Yes, I'm the one everyone's talking about in the duchy—the manager of Peace Haven and heir to the Phoenix family!"

  Meredith's eyes flicker with recognition. "I didn't know you were nobility! Otherwise, we wouldn't have taken this bounty!"

  Henwell wags a finger, "Hold on, I'm not finished yet! Due to some special circumstances, the Phoenix family’s elevation to viscount has faced opposition from many within the duchy. So, I'm set to embark on the Path of Honor! Ah, from your expression, you seem to know what that is! You sure know a lot. Just to crify, you're not targeting a noble—at least, not yet. I'm merely an heir."

  Meredith gres at Henwell, "I told you, I didn't know your identity. In our line of work, many don't bother to learn about the target's background!"

  Henwell waves his finger again, "I said, don't rush! Hear me out! I have some good news for you—I'm not actually Arius; I'm just a stand-in. Feeling better now? The burden of assassinating a noble isn't confirmed, so there's still a glimmer of hope."

  Judging by Meredith's increasingly anxious expression, she clearly doesn't see this as good news. Realizing the Phoenix family can find such a capable stand-in suggests just how powerful they truly are.

  Henwell's smile turns mischievous. "Heh, don't get too happy yet. I've got even better news for you!"

  "Arius isn't really the heir to the Phoenix family either. Strictly speaking, he's a stand-in too! The head of the Phoenix family, Baron Jansen, was once the captain of the Grand Duke's guard and one of his most trusted men."

  "Fifteen years ago, after the Grand Duke's youngest son died unexpectedly, Jansen fell out of favor and was sent to a remote area as a baron. That same year, the baron had a son. His son was luckier, growing up healthy and strong. If the Grand Duke's son were alive, he'd be the same age as Arius now. Isn't fate unpredictable?"

  Meredith is trembling all over, her eyes filled with fear as she looks at Henwell. Her face is pale, and she stammers, "W-why are you telling me this? I don't understand what you're saying!"

  In the dim light of the oil mp, Henwell's smile grows even more sinister. "Sweetheart, I'm dragging you into the deep end!"

  "Men love doing two things: leading good women astray and helping fallen women find redemption. You, my dear, appear to be a good woman on the surface but are a fallen one underneath. As a man, I can't resist pulling you back and forth! Now that you know these secrets, you understand what it means. I've already dragged you in!"

  "So, the next step is to help you, a woman who's stumbled into the shadows, find your way back to the light."

  Henwell leans in, gently gripping her delicate face. "Now, one question: Do you want to live or die?"

  Meredith responds decisively, "I want to live!"

  Henwell straightens up, looking down at the woman who is terrified to her core. "Good! From now on, you're mine. I need you to do a few things. First, you need to manage the loot I've hidden away, which means taking care of the bandit group you've secretly established."

  "Don't think I don't know they're your people too! Running a caravan while organizing bandits—pying both sides to eliminate competition—I admire that strategy!"

  "Second, you need to continue sending the assassins you've trained to come after me. No need to warn me in advance or hold back. That way, no one will suspect you! Lastly, and most importantly, I need you to prepare something for your peers—the assassins who've taken the bounty."

  After giving her detailed instructions for over ten minutes, Henwell leaves.

  Meredith sits dazed for a long time. She thinks about escaping, but she'd have to flee abroad, leaving everything behind to start anew. The thought fills her with reluctance...