Anh ?ào and Anh Th? stepped into the house, the faint clang of the iron gate closing behind them lingering in the stifling air. In the living room, C?u D?ng and M? Linh were already seated, each holding a teacup. Yet their eyes seemed hollow, still clouded by the lingering weight of sins from the past.

  M? Linh lifted her gaze, her voice hoarse and trembling:

  – “So, Th?… what did the doctors say? Is it true? Are you really pregnant?”

  Anh ?ào darted her eyes around nervously, as if afraid someone might be eavesdropping. Her voice dropped to a whisper:

  – “Yes… Th? is pregnant. But according to the ultrasound, the doctor said the fetus looked… abnormal. Not exactly a deformity, but not normal either. I… I don’t know what to make of it.”

  C?u D?ng’s face flushed dark purple, veins bulging along his neck, his hand gripping the armrest so tightly his knuckles whitened. He fought to hold his voice down, afraid of the neighbors overhearing, but his words came out like molten iron:

  – “You’ll be the death of me! Pregnant already — and the child isn’t even normal? A curse! And as if that weren’t enough… now I have to sell this house just to pay off your debts. You’re nothing but a disgrace to this family!”

  M? Linh quietly set down her teacup and gently touched her husband’s hand.

  – “But… it’s still our grandchild. And besides, one examination isn’t enough. We should check again before drawing conclusions.”

  C?u D?ng’s tone turned razor sharp, each word cutting through the air:

  – “You’ve shamed your parents enough! Pregnant before marriage! Call that worthless bastard here immediately — I’ll deal with him myself. If he doesn’t take responsibility, I won’t let this matter rest!”

  Trembling, Anh Th? pulled out her phone and dialed. On the other end, a mocking, juvenile voice answered:

  – “What’s up, babe? Why’re you calling me now?”

  Choking back tears, Anh Th? whispered:

  – “I’m pregnant… Can you come meet my parents today?”

  The boy’s voice lit up, giddy as if he’d just hit the jackpot:

  – “Really? Perfect! I’ll make time this afternoon and drop by.”

  But what no one in that room knew… was that the so-called “boyfriend” wasn’t human at all. He was a centipede spirit in human form, driven by the burning ambition to marry into C?u D?ng’s wealthy family — to seize power, wealth, and climb his way into high society.

  Just as C?u D?ng and M? Linh once coached Anh ?ào to ensnare Anh Tú with a staged “accident in bed,” securing her place as a wealthy matron and sole heir to fortune… now, karmic retribution had come sooner than expected. The same dark trap was repeating itself — this time, tightening its grip around their second daughter.

  Inside the grand Gothic mansion in the human world, a veil of mysterious black wrapped around every detail of the interior — from the towering, intricately carved walls to the sweeping Baroque stone columns. Pale sunlight streamed through the arched windows, casting a muted glow across paneled wood, shimmering faintly against antique mirrors and heavy velvet drapes. A semicircle of plush black velvet sofas filled the great hall, where the masters of the house reclined in ease, savoring Hà N?i green rice cakes and lotus-scented tea from Thái Nguyên — flavors of Vietnam, mingling with the cold atmosphere of power and the supernatural.

  Before them, three magical mirrors — the Velkhanis Diamond Mirror, the Tranquil Moon Mirror (T?nh Nguy?t B?ch Kính), and the Black Crystal — all revealed the same image: C?u D?ng’s living room, where sinister schemes still smoldered like ghostly embers that never truly died.

  – “That man, D?ng, once schemed for his eldest daughter, Anh ?ào, to become the pampered matron of Anh Tú’s fae clan,” Trúc Di?n said evenly, his left hand lifting a teacup, his right brushing lightly across the surface of the Tranquil Moon Mirror (T?nh Nguy?t B?ch Kính).

  – “And now, his second daughter… trapped by a centipede spirit’s snare, about to crown him as the new leech of the household. Karma, striking without missing a beat.”

  Erion smirked as he savored a bite of the green rice cake, his fingers tracing the surface of the Black Crystal Mirror. His tone dripped with venom:

  – “They once entrapped others, and now they’re the ones being trapped, with the same trick. Mortal schemes… never outmatch the will of fate.”

  Trang glanced at the Velkhanis Diamond Mirror, her lips curling with disdain.

  – “And yet, just earlier, Anh ?ào — still married to Anh Tú — was eyeing me and the General. Greed runs in their veins, passed down like blood.”

  Din crossed his legs casually, his gaze fixed on the financial charts glowing across his laptop screen.

  – “So this centipede spirit wants to climb high, just to seize wealth? Let him dream. Let him take the bait.”

  Yin’s cold smile never reached his eyes as his fingers swept across another laptop, pulling up underground business records.

  – “We already have all the evidence we need against D?ng’s family. When they’re exposed, every coin and property they stole will return to its rightful owners.”

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Master V?nh set his teacup gently on the marble table, his abyssal eyes piercing through human sin itself.

  – “So, before the leech even warms his seat as ‘house king’… his in-laws will collapse into ruin. How poetic.”

  One royal agent chuckled, eyes gleaming with mischief.

  – “Consider me front row with popcorn—waiting for the show to unfold~”

  A mischievous little imp perched on the armrest, tail flicking, whistling like a child watching a circus.

  Another imp, too absorbed in his video game, muttered:

  – “Real love is built on understanding and loyalty. Tricks like ‘bedroom traps’ only buy you money and misery. That centipede joins D?ng’s family as house king? Hah, then we’ve got daily drama to binge.”

  Laughter rolled through the grand hall, echoing against stone and velvet. Those who held dominion in the shadows had set the board perfectly, and their pawns moved forward—one flawless step at a time.

  Trang glanced at the clock — the minute hand had just passed twelve.

  – “Why don’t we summon Anh Tú’s family here now? Waiting until the afternoon feels like a waste of time.”

  Erion nodded without hesitation:

  – “Agreed. Call them over. We still have much to do.”

  Din rose and walked toward the arched window. Noon sunlight spilled across his cold features, his eyes fixed on the distance—toward C?u D?ng’s mansion, half-hidden behind rows of trees.

  – “If Anh Tú’s family arrives here now… would the other side notice?”

  Yin, legs crossed, fingers gliding across his laptop, spoke in a low tone:

  – “Earlier, Mr. D?ng called that centipede spirit… it’s supposed to visit him this afternoon. If both groups collide, things could get messy.”

  Trúc Di?n immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Anh Tú.

  – “Are you and your parents at home? We’ll come directly to your place. If you come here and your in-laws notice, it could ruin everything.”

  The reply came instantly:

  – “I’ll send you the address right now—please come quickly!”

  Within three seconds, a message with the coordinates of his family’s secluded mansion in District 7 appeared on Trúc Di?n’s screen.

  Master V?nh rose with measured grace, the hem of his jet-black silk robe swaying gently with each solemn step.

  – “Then we leave at once.”

  ---

  Forty minutes later, four cars — two sleek black Bentley Bentaygas, a gleaming Cadillac Escalade, and a silver Innova — rolled to a halt before the mansion gates. Anh Tú and the butler, Anna, were already waiting. The wrought-iron gates opened smoothly, welcoming the guests of immeasurable authority.

  Inside the grand parlor, Mr. ??c and Mrs. Tam had prepared fine tea and delicate pastries. Though tension flickered beneath their calm exterior, they carried themselves with composed dignity — for this was the first time their family would host beings of lordly rank on a cosmic scale, each one bearing a presence strong enough to tilt the balance of an entire dimension.

  The ??c family mansion — a parlor adorned in timeless European elegance.

  Silence weighed heavily in the room as Erion’s group entered. Anh Tú’s family recognized nearly everyone — except for one unfamiliar figure.

  Mrs. Tam spoke first, her voice soft as a drifting breeze:

  – “Then… who is this young woman?”

  With steady steps, Trang moved forward. Her blood-red eyes shimmered with the sigils of space and time, locking directly onto Mrs. Tam’s gaze. Her tone was calm, yet it carried a bitterness suppressed for far too long:

  – “We’ve met before… at the wedding of Anh Tú and Anh ?ào. That day, My insulted me…”

  The entire family froze in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.

  Anh Tú stepped closer, his voice trembling slightly:

  – “Sister… Sister Trang? Is it really you?”

  Trang gave a slight nod, her gaze resting on the once brother-in-law:

  – “Yes. It’s me — the tomboy, the niece of your mother-in-law.”

  Anna shook her head, unable to accept what she saw:

  – “Impossible… How could your appearance change this much?”

  Erion crossed his arms, his deep eyes carrying the weight of ancient truths:

  – “You’re looking at it the wrong way. This is her true form. The tomboy appearance you once knew was nothing more than a disguise — crafted by Satan himself.”

  Mr. ??c stammered, his trembling hand pointing toward the central sofa:

  – “P-please… everyone, have a seat…”

  Once seated, the group began to recount the story in turn.

  Din spoke first:

  – “She isn’t human. She is the Black Diamond, crystallized from the dark core of the planet opposite the Shadow Realm—where Demon King Satan reigns, and where the General himself was forged.”

  Yin’s voice followed, even and resonant, as if echoing from the depths of the abyss:

  – “Satan placed that Black Diamond upon Earth… leaving it before the doorstep of a young couple — D?ng’s younger sister and her husband.”

  Mr. ??c paled, his lips quivering as he whispered:

  – “So… Trang is a Lord-class Black Diamond… like Erion… and now… the adopted daughter of the Demon King Satan?”

  Erion interjected coldly, his eyes never leaving Trang:

  – “And also… my future wife.”

  Immediately, Trúc Di?n raised an eyebrow, his voice defiant and rough-edged:

  – “Don’t be so sure. You’re far too confident.”

  Din gave a weary smile, scratching his head:

  – “Here we go again… you two can’t go anywhere without picking a fight.”

  The little demons spoke in unison, lips pressed tight as if holding back laughter:

  – “The two of them are fighting… over who gets to marry the Black Diamond of the universe…”

  The room, moments ago lightened by the playful quarrel between moonlit jade and the Black Diamond, now fell into a silence heavy as stone.

  On the vast ebony table, Master V?nh the sorcerer gently set down a phone, his fingers trembling as he pressed play. The screen flickered to life, showing the shaking figures of C?u D?ng and M? Linh, their voices breaking under the weight of confession in a dim, suffocating atmosphere.

  C?u D?ng clutched his head, sweat dripping down his face, his body trembling violently:

  – “H?nh… please, forgive me…” His voice cracked, eyes wide with terror. “Back then… I lost myself to greed… I’ll make it up to your daughter… I swear…”

  Before his words could fade, M? Linh broke into sobs:

  – “It wasn’t me… I would never dare… it was all D?ng. His greed… his hunger for your family’s wealth…”

  The room turned to stone.

  Anh Tú’s family sat frozen. ??c, patriarch of the righteous elven line, felt his face contort in horror. He could not believe that the man he once trusted as an in-law… was the very hand behind such unspeakable sins buried in the past.

  Anh Tú staggered back a step, his complexion pale as ash:

  – “Their family… schemed with Anh ?ào to trap me for wealth. And in the past… her parents murdered my aunt and uncle — for the very same reason…”

  Trúc Di?n gave a cold nod:

  – “Exactly. The luxurious life D?ng’s family enjoys today… is built entirely on the fortune stolen from that murdered couple.”

  Yin sipped his tea, his voice soft as mist yet sharp as a blade:

  – “Though adopted, Trang is, by law, the rightful heir to her foster parents’ estate.”

  Din stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the horizon:

  – “And yet they cast her out. They accused her of stealing a diamond ring… all to drive her away and seize everything. Not only theft… but a deliberate erasure of justice itself.”

  Mr. ??c closed his eyes, the revelation cutting deeper than any sword. His chest tightened as if pierced by the dagger of guilt. He had once believed D?ng’s family to be noble entrepreneurs — their children educated, credentialed, polished — so much more refined, it seemed, than the orphaned niece scraping by selling food on the streets.

  But now he understood:

  Those glittering facades, polished to perfection, were nothing more than masks hiding rot. And those stones, dismissed as roadside rubble, were in truth radiant diamonds — shining brightest when stripped of pretense.