Chapter 3 Returning To The Seward House

- Sabira’s POV -

I did not dare to look him in the eyes, lowering my head and clutching the hem of my shirt so tightly that it wrinkled. Above me, his gentle voice spoke once again:

"Would you like to get some fresh air?"

I snapped my head up, looking at him in surprise. I thought he would expose my plan to sneak away, but instead, he gave me an excuse to leave. I hesitated, not wanting to be disrespectful to my savior, so I nodded.

One went ahead and the other followed behind as we walked out to the parking lot. No one dared to stop us. He opened the car door and signaled for me to get inside.

"Where are we going?" I asked, feeling flustered. Suddenly, I thought that I should not be following a stranger like this. What if he wanted to sell me? I tightened my grip on the seatbelt, my breath growing heavy. "I have nothing on me. I... I will work to pay you back, sir."

He did not look at me, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead. His commanding presence made everyone hesitate to breathe loudly. He said: "Rest assured, I am not doing anything illegal. You will know once we get there."

I leaned back against the seat, keeping my eyes on the view outside. Not wanting to stay in this tense atmosphere forever, I asked: "I still do not know your identity, sir..."

He turned the steering wheel and replied: "I am Earwyn Seward. I am probably much older than you."

I pressed my lips together, nodded, and went back to looking outside. Right at that moment, I noticed a few cars following closely behind us, which startled me.

"Why... why..."

Perhaps noticing my confusion, Earwyn casually said: "They are just my bodyguards. Do not worry."

My mouth hung open in shock. How powerful and wealthy must Mr. Seward be to have an entire team of bodyguards following behind in cars? In my eyes, an aura seemed to shine around him. How lucky was I to be saved by a man like him?

The car slowly turned into an upscale residential area and drove straight into a private villa complex. Looking out the window, I went from one surprise to another. Towering trees, meticulously maintained garden walls, and shimmering lights reflected across a small lake. Every short distance, guards actively patrolled the grounds. I felt as if I were stepping into a whole new world, unfamiliar and full of mystery.

The car finally came to a stop. Earwyn opened the door, asked me to step down, and then led me inside. The interior of the villa was magnificent, featuring artistic paintings on the walls, glittering crystal chandeliers, and an atmosphere overflowing with luxury.

In the living room, an elderly couple sat on the couch, talking with each other. They looked up when they saw Earwyn leading me inside.

"Earwyn, who is this girl?" the old gentleman asked.

Earwyn smiled, his voice firm yet gentle: "This is Sabira, the girl I want to adopt as my niece."

The entire room fell silent. The old lady looked at me, then turned to Earwyn with a frown: "Your niece? What are you planning, Earwyn?"

I felt just as confused, wringing my hands nervously: "I... I do not understand... What do you mean by niece?"

He patted my head: "That is right. My decision is final, and she will stay here with us."

The old gentleman looked me up and down, then spoke with a stern face: "Earwyn, have you thought this through carefully? This is no laughing matter."

Earwyn nodded with a firm look in his eyes, saying nothing more. The old Mr. Seward sighed: "I know your personality too well. Once you make up your mind, we cannot stop you. Have you spoken to your mother about this yet?"

"I will inform her later."

After meeting the elder Sewards, Earwyn led me up to his private study. I did not dare to touch anything, nor did I dare to sit down. I simply looked at him in full confusion, my voice trembling: "Why did you say that without asking for my opinion first?"

He did not answer. Instead, he looked at me with deep eyes that made it impossible to read his thoughts, before asking softly: "What do you plan to do after leaving the hospital?"

I stammered: "I..." but one thing was certain, I would never return to that house.

Earwyn raised an eyebrow: "Are you planning to wander the streets, beg for food, and spend the rest of your life buried in debt and favors to me?"

Seeing my silence, which proved he was right, he stepped toward his desk: "Do you still want to continue your education? Perhaps in a much better environment?"

I immediately raised my head, looking at him with eyes full of hope. For a long time, I knew that education was the only path to escape poverty and take control of my own life, rather than submitting to the choices imposed by those around me. That was why no matter how my mother or stepfather suppressed me, I always tried my best to study and gather money on my own to stay in school.

Earwyn sat down, lacing his fingers together as if he held total control over the situation: "Then I will give you one condition. I will adopt you as my niece, provide for your living expenses, and offer you the best learning environment."

I swallowed hard. This condition was almost too good to be true, but I knew very well that no one gave anything away for free, especially a man as deep and unpredictable as the one before me: "Then in return... what do I have to do for you?"

Earwyn shed his image of the kind, warm man from the hospital, putting on the true face of an uncompromising businessman.

"After you graduate, you must work for the S Corporation for fifteen years as my right-hand person. Wherever I tell you to go, you go, with no right to argue or judge."

I hesitated for a moment while his steady, authoritative voice continued in my ears.

"Besides going to school, I guarantee that in the future you will have everything you want, power, fame, and wealth. And more importantly," he paused briefly, looking right through my mind: "I will help you find your mother."

Hearing that, my heart trembled violently. The thought of my mother had always been the greatest motivation in my life.