Lady Virelia Nightbane

The air in the car grew quiet, heavy with emotion.

Leo's voice was thick with sorrow as he recounted his past—how his parents died when he was still a child, how he wandered the streets on the verge of starvation, and how an old man took him in.

That old man didn't just give him shelter. He gave him purpose—he taught Leo ancient medical techniques and the art of divination.

Later, Leo arrived in Riverdale and discovered the Carter family's charity foundation: [Carter Hope].

It was a program meant to help orphans and poor children, giving them food, education, and, if they had talent, training in martial arts.

Leo's eyes turned red. He wiped away a tear and covered his mouth, then looked toward Ava Carter, his voice trembling with sincerity.

"From the moment I learned about what the Carter family was doing, I vowed that I would serve them for the rest of my life."

He paused, took a deep breath, and added, "And then, when I saw you were recruiting loyal followers, I didn't hesitate. I knew I had to follow you."

With eyes full of conviction, he looked at Ava and declared, "Miss, I will dedicate my life to you and the Carter family!"

Ava sat in silence for a moment, stunned.

She hadn't expected that.

Yes, the Carter family had indeed created the 'Carter Hope Foundation.'

But to her, it was just a PR move. Something to improve public image, build goodwill, and reinforce the Carter name.

She never thought anyone would truly be inspired by it.

And now… Leo had become loyal to her because of it.

"Unbelievable," she thought. "He's not only skilled in medicine… but also divination?"

"This is exactly the kind of backstory a novel protagonist has!"

She blinked.

A handsome, talented orphan taken in by a mysterious master who teaches him lost arts… and now he's pledging loyalty to her?

Was she actually surrounded by a protagonist right now?

In her previous life, she'd met countless "Dragon Kings," "Gods of War," and "Heavenly Doctors" in the novel world. They all had protagonist halos and mysterious pasts.

Could it be…

Leo was a protagonist too?!

She felt as if fate was playing a cruel joke. In her last life, she'd been killed by a pack of protagonists. Now one had attached himself to her side?!

Still… this one seemed sincere.

She leaned back into her seat with a playful smirk. "So you claim you know medicine and divination?"

"I've seen your medical skills."

"But… your divination?" Her voice turned teasing. "Is that how you convinced Damian Langford to surrender at the Antique City Meeting yesterday?"

Leo sensed she was testing him.

He nodded seriously. "Yes. I divined something important about Damian Langford…"

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. His face came close to hers, their cheeks almost brushing.

"He is the future heir of the Langford family in Capital City."

Ava's eyes widened.

That… was true.

And yet almost no one knew it.

Her heart skipped.

Meanwhile, Leo's proximity made her breath catch in her throat. His voice was warm, deep, and close enough to tickle her ear.

And… he smelled good.

"Damn it!" she cursed internally. "Focus!"

Zhulan, sitting in the front seat, clenched the steering wheel harder. Her lip trembled as tears welled in her eyes.

"Miss… why are you letting this newcomer sit in the back with you?"

"Why are you letting him whisper in your ear?!"

"Am I… about to be replaced as your most trusted follower?!"

Meanwhile, Leo had leaned back into his seat, his face now calm and composed.

"So, Miss Ava, do you believe me?" he asked solemnly.

> [Congratulations, Villain! Ava Carter's trust +5%]

[Reward Unlocked: God-level Hacking Skill!]

Leo's mind nearly burst out laughing.

"She actually believed me?"

All it took was a heartfelt story, a few red eyes, and a tear?!

Not bad.

But god-level hacking… what was he going to do with that? Hack into streetlights? Open someone's smart fridge?

He shrugged mentally. It might come in handy later.

Ava, of course, did believe him. After dying once, she already knew that Damian Langford was indeed the Langford heir.

But according to common logic, she had to pretend otherwise.

So she crossed her arms, leaned back against the seat, and coldly scoffed.

"That's nonsense."

"Anyone can say things like that. There've always been rumors about Damian and the Langford family."

"Why should I trust you?"

Then she gave him a sharp look. "If you can't prove your ability, I might start thinking you're a spy from another family."

Leo sighed inwardly.

"Villain logic. She trusts me but still wants to test me."

Fine.

He thought for a second, then feigned hesitation. "Miss, it's not that I won't prove it…"

Ava raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

Leo sighed dramatically. "I need physical contact to divine clearly. Without someone present, it's hard to calculate."

Ava blinked, startled.

Then she extended her hand and said, "Then use me."

"What?" Leo asked, feigning innocence.

"Do it! What are you waiting for?!" Ava snapped, cheeks slightly red.

Leo gently placed his fingers on her wrist—a warm, jade-like hand extended toward him, smooth and soft to the touch.

He closed his eyes and furrowed his brows in deep concentration.

Ava stared at him, skeptical.

"Is this really how it's done? Shouldn't he be throwing coins or something? Maybe drawing symbols?"

Minutes passed.

She frowned.

"How long is this going to take?"

She was just about to speak up when Leo's eyes fluttered open.

His expression looked… guilty.

He turned away from her, voice trembling.

"Miss… I've seen something strange. If I tell you, you might be so angry you'll want to kill me."

Ava frowned. "Just say it."

Leo leaned in again, close enough to whisper.

"Miss… do you… secretly enjoy reading forbidden romance books?"

BOOM.

Ava's expression collapsed instantly.

"W-WHAT?!"

Her cheeks turned crimson.

"H-how do you—?! That's PRIVATE!"

Leo had nailed it.

He'd guessed based on her personality, and by sheer villain intuition—and it worked.

"Damn it!" Ava screamed internally. "I don't even dare to say it out loud, and he just—he just whispered it like it's nothing!"

"No shame!"

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