Early in the morning, the Th?o ?i?n mansion erupted into chaos at the sound of My’s terrified scream. The entire household jolted awake, thrown straight into confusion. Tu?n, Ti?n, Deep, along with Mr. Quy and Dr. Tùng, were all present — each of them rushing to prepare My for transport to the hospital.

  Tu?n held her hand tightly, his voice calm and reassuring.

  – “You need to go so the doctors can check your condition. Don’t worry, I’ll be right here with you.”

  Mr. Quy stepped in to help Tu?n guide his daughter down the stairs, his tone firm yet gentle.

  – “Listen to your father. Everything we’re doing is for your health. Stop resisting.”

  Deep, visibly anxious, urged the others on:

  – “Mrs. Lan, Ti?n — grab the bags. You three, don’t hesitate. The longer we delay, the worse her condition gets!”

  With that, the three men restrained My and forced her into the living room, then straight toward the Mercedes waiting at the gate.

  Behind them, Dr. Tùng, Ti?n, and Mrs. Lan climbed into the Lexus following close behind as both cars sped toward the international hospital.

  ---

  At the international hospital, urgency filled the air. Doctors and nurses stood ready, already briefed by Dr. Tùng.

  My thrashed wildly, screaming in panic:

  – “Let me go! I don’t want to go to the hospital!”

  Dr. Th?nh — head of Neurology and a close friend of Dr. Tùng — raised his hand, giving quick instructions:

  – “MRI room is ready. Nurses, prepare Propofol IV. And double-check — make sure the patient has no metal on her.”

  A young nurse gently injected the sedative into My’s arm. Her eyes grew unfocused, her breathing slowed, and soon she drifted into unconsciousness. The moment she fell asleep, the medical team and Dr. Tùng swiftly pushed the gurney into the MRI chamber.

  Outside, Mrs. Lan paced back and forth, tears welling in her eyes.

  – “Please, Heaven… please protect my daughter…”

  Tu?n stood beside her, trying to offer comfort.

  – “Don’t worry, auntie. My will be alright.”

  ---

  Meanwhile, at Mr. Tài’s mansion, the atmosphere was calm and warm. D?ng happily shook Mr. Tài’s hand, relief evident in his voice:

  – “Now that everything’s back to normal, our family can finally return home. Thank you for letting us stay these past few days.”

  Mr. Tài smiled kindly, giving C?u D?ng’s hand a firm squeeze.

  – “Think nothing of it. We’re neighbors, after all. If you need any help with the wedding preparations for Anh Th?, just say the word.”

  Anh Ph??ng turned to his two foreign friends.

  – “Mom Dad — can Join and Mary stay at our house?”

  C?u D?ng nodded without hesitation.

  – “Of course. Our home is safe again, and we have plenty of space. And the professor…”

  Mr. Tài looked toward Charles with warm sincerity.

  – “Professor, please stay with us. We’d be honored.”

  Hi?u, Mr. Tài’s youngest son, practically bounced with excitement.

  – “Professor, can you tutor me in physics? I’ve got a test coming up!”

  Charles let out a gentle laugh, his eyes softening.

  – “Of course. As long as you’re willing to learn, I’ll gladly teach you everything I can.”

  Morning at the Gothic mansion was lively and full of energy. H?ng Nhung, Lita, and Trang were exercising on the rooftop, while the gentlemen — the future husbands — were busy downstairs preparing breakfast.

  In the living room, Yin and Din leisurely enjoyed their coffee. Din chuckled, glancing toward the kitchen:

  – “Truly model husbands. Every one of them spoils his woman to the fullest.”

  Yin took a sip, her tone teasing:

  – “General, don’t let your sunny-side-up burn again.”

  Around the dining table, the little imps were arranging plates and utensils. One muttered while placing forks:

  – “The General’s cooking is top-tier… he just burns things once in a while.”

  Another glanced at Arian’s salad bowl and snickered:

  – “Your Highness, add a little more dressing… I swear I smell something burning already.”

  Erion, flipping a steak with swift movements, shot them a warning glance:

  – “Burning? Keep complaining and whichever one of you eats it later — I’ll freeze you solid.”

  Trúc Di?n continued frying potatoes, glancing toward the stairs:

  – “I wonder if the princesses are done with their workout.”

  Yin shrugged, eyes full of mischief:

  – “This is nothing. Just wait until after the weddings. When you all become fathers, that’s when life gets shaky.”

  Din burst into loud laughter.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  – “Fate decided it, so we just have to accept it.”

  Erion smirked.

  – “Easy for you to say. Wait until you two get married — then you’ll understand… By the way, where’s Chen? Haven’t seen him all morning.”

  One of the imps, still setting glasses on the table, answered:

  – “Chen’s getting ready upstairs. They say we’re meeting members of the Serpent (Xà) Clan today, so he woke up early.”

  Arian chuckled, eyes gleaming with curiosity:

  – “Why does Chen seem so cheerful and eager today? Don’t tell me he’s interested in a certain young lady?”

  Trúc Di?n placed the fried potatoes onto a plate and teased:

  – “Come help us then, so you’ll have experience for when you get married.”

  Din adjusted his tie, smiling slyly:

  – “Today we’re letting the three gentlemen earn their points. We’re just guests.”

  At the international hospital, My was sleeping deeply under the effect of the sedatives. The MRI machine hummed softly as magnetic waves scanned every layer of her brain.

  A female nurse stood outside the observation room, her eyes cold and sharp. She was an undercover operative of the Serpent Clan — and the faint scent lingering on My’s body instantly alerted her. It only took one breath for her to understand:

  The target had already been marked by the Serpent Clan.

  Without hesitation, she walked quickly into the restroom, locked the door, opened a secure channel, and made an encrypted call.

  ---

  In a high-tech apartment, H?u K? was monitoring the system when the encrypted signal appeared. He immediately answered.

  A calm female voice spoke from the other end:

  – “Marshal, there is a target from the Serpent Clan’s list currently in the hospital, inside the MRI room.”

  H?u K? frowned slightly.

  – “Who is it?”

  – “Her name is My, sir.”

  H?u K? let out a short laugh, laced with mockery:

  – “So it’s My — the infamous homewrecker. She left the scented pouch on her vanity table, so the tracker lost her signal. But Serpent Clan agents are everywhere. Keep watching her and update me regularly.”

  – “Understood, Marshal,” the woman replied firmly.

  ---

  At that moment, L?p Thành walked into the room, adjusting the collar of his vest.

  – “News about that homewrecker My?”

  H?u K? nodded.

  – “She’s doing an MRI.”

  L?p Thành burst into loud laughter.

  – “Serves her right. Greedy, boy-crazy, always trying to worm her way in… dreaming she can claim all the talented men in the world.”

  Outside the door, Nh? Phu finished adjusting her elegant qipao, smiling:

  – “You two should get ready. We’re about to meet His Highness and members of the Satan Royal Family.”

  H?u K? stood up, smoothing his hair with a frown.

  – “Where’s ??i Ng?c?”

  L?p Thành replied:

  – “Probably still getting ready in her room.”

  ---

  Inside the room, ??i Ng?c was fastening a pearl hairpin onto her neatly styled bun, adding a shimmering silver ornament. She looked at herself in the mirror — cheeks flushed with excitement.

  – “I’m finally going to meet him…”

  Her heartbeat raced, tangled between nervousness and joy — the moment of meeting the man she secretly adored was getting closer.

  When ??i Ng?c stepped out, everyone’s eyes immediately turned toward her. The usually cold-faced agent now looked shy and soft, like a girl in her early twenties.

  H?u K? let out a playful smile:

  – “Well, well… Agent ??i Ng?c is glowing today. I can practically feel the flames of love.”

  L?p Thành sipped his chrysanthemum tea, eyes sparkling with mischief:

  – “Tell the truth — who’s caught your eye?”

  ??i Ng?c stammered, her cheeks turning even pinker:

  – “N-No one… We’re meeting His Highness and the Satan Royal Family today, so… I should look presentable.”

  Nh? Phu smiled warmly and gently took ??i Ng?c’s arm.

  – “Let’s go. If we’re late, His Highness will scold us.”

  On the dining table, breakfast had been beautifully arranged by the soon-to-be husbands. The three princesses were already seated, and the morning atmosphere was filled with warm laughter.

  Lita took a deep breath, eyes shimmering:

  – “Everything looks so good… At this rate, I’ll probably get belly fat.”

  Trúc Di?n set his fork down and smiled affectionately:

  – “Just eat whatever you want. A little belly fat is cute.”

  Lita blushed, mumbling shyly:

  – “Then… don’t you dare make fun of me later.”

  ---

  Across the table, Erion sat beside Trang, his gaze so gentle it softened the entire room. He slid a freshly cooked steak toward her.

  – “I made this one just for you. Eat more — your health comes first.”

  H?ng Nhung rested her chin on her hand, sighing dramatically:

  – “So all the exercise I did earlier was just… for health. Great.”

  Arian placed some salad onto her plate:

  – “Then eat more vegetables. It’s good for your skin and your figure.”

  ---

  Din, Yin, and the little demons had also taken their seats. Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs.

  Chen appeared.

  The normally easygoing assistant had transformed into a polished gentleman: crisp suit, neatly styled hair, and a faint touch of cologne.

  Everyone’s eyes immediately turned to him.

  Erion, who was about to serve Trang more salad, froze mid-air with wide eyes:

  – “What the — ? Are you going on a date today?”

  Yin smirked:

  – “Since when does my assistant have a lover I don’t know about?”

  Chen’s face turned bright red as he stuttered:

  – “N-No! I’m meeting with the Serpent Clan agents today, so I have to look professional. Otherwise, they’ll think I’m sloppy.”

  Din cleared his throat twice, voice filled with hidden meaning:

  – “Oh really? Let me guess… You’ve taken a liking to someone in the Serpent Clan, haven’t you?”

  Chen waved his hands frantically:

  – “No, no! I’m accompanying the Count and the boss. Both of them are distinguished gentlemen — if I look too casual, it’ll affect their image.”

  Trúc Di?n raised a brow in amusement:

  – “Alright then, we’ll see. For now, sit down and eat — we still have to head to Chinatown. Can’t be late for your date, or your special someone might get upset.”

  The entire table burst into laughter.

  Even the little demons choked on their food from laughing too hard, faces turning red as they tried — and failed — to hold it in.

  At the international hospital, My was pushed out of the MRI room and transferred to a VIP suite to rest. The sedative still lingered in her system, keeping her half-unconscious. Her breathing was steady, but her face looked exhausted.

  Mrs. Lan sat close beside the bed, gripping her daughter’s hand tightly, eyes swollen and red with worry. Her voice trembled:

  – “Heavens above, please protect my daughter… I can’t bear seeing her like this.”

  Mr. Quy placed a calming hand on his wife’s shoulder.

  – “Take it easy. We don’t even have the MRI results yet. Medicine is advanced now, and we can afford the best care. If you stress yourself out like this, you’ll collapse before she does.”

  ---

  At that moment, Deep and Ti?n walked in, each carrying coffee cups and bottles of water.

  Deep set the drinks down, looking at My with a mixture of sympathy and helplessness:

  – “If this is psychological, treatment could take a long time. What matters is whether My cooperates with the doctors.”

  Ti?n lowered his voice:

  – “But… has anyone considered that this might be related to something supernatural?”

  Mr. Quy frowned, sighing heavily:

  – “Please, stop bringing up those spiritual things.”

  ---

  But Tu?n immediately cut in, firm and certain:

  – “We saw it with our own eyes — the D?ng family’s villa was frozen solid. And the strangest part is, the closer we brought fire to it, the colder it got. The ice thickened right in front of us.”

  Mr. Quy jerked his head toward his wife, then back to Tu?n, stunned:

  – “Is that true?”

  Deep nodded with conviction:

  – “Another member of the D?ng family’s in-laws witnessed it too. If you don’t believe us, you can go see for yourself.”

  ---

  Mrs. Lan frowned, confused:

  – “But why isn’t anything on the news or the internet?”

  Deep shook his head:

  – “I don’t know either. My friend — a professor at an international university — saw it firsthand. He tried recording videos and taking photos for research, but… everything came out blank.”

  Ti?n took a sip of coffee and tapped his phone:

  – “Let me call Mr. D?ng and check how things are now.”

  ---

  After a few rings, C?u D?ng answered:

  – “I was just about to call you. I heard your friend owns a wedding studio?”

  Ti?n glanced at Mr. Quy:

  – “I’ll pass the phone to Mr. Quy.”

  Mr. Quy quickly took the phone and asked urgently:

  – “Is it true your villa froze over a second time?”

  On the other end, C?u D?ng replied without hesitation:

  – “It’s true. My whole family had to stay at our neighbor Mr. Tài’s house for a few days. But this morning everything went back to normal. When you’re free I’ll tell you the details. Right now I’m preparing for my daughter Anh Th?’s wedding. I’ll send you an invitation tomorrow.”

  ---

  The call ended.

  Mr. Quy stood frozen in place, his face pale:

  – “So… supernatural phenomena really do exist?”

  Deep nodded:

  – “They do. I didn’t believe it at first either, but after what happened at D?ng’s house…”

  The atmosphere in the hospital room instantly dropped — cold, heavy, as if a black flame had swept through, draining the warmth from everyone present.