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  California Road – Midday

  The low hum of a powerful engine echoed dowretch of the California highway. An Audi R8, sleek and radiant uhe sun, zoomed past other vehicles, stealing gnces from onlookers.

  Ihe luxury car, Seph had both hands oeering wheel, his expression calm and focused. The sound of the tires gripping the asphalt felt like the only stant in the sileween him and Virginia.

  Virginia leaned against the passenger door, her arms crossed as her eyes flickered toward Seph repeatedly. Eace lingered loha, and Seph was keenly aware of her attention, though he made no attempt to aowledge it.

  Instead, he maintained a ral poker face, the fai smirk teasing the ers of his lips.

  Uo hold baymore, Virginia finally blurted out, her voice tinged with frustration. "Are you a fool or just really good at ag like one?"

  The sudden outburst caught Seph off guard, and his head turned slightly toward her.

  "What kind of question is that?" He asked, bemused.

  Virginia huffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Oh, don't py dumb with me! That woman at the dealership—you kly what I mean!"

  Seph's smirk broke free as he chuckled. "You mean the manager?"

  "Yes, the manager! She ractically throwing herself at you, and you—" Virginia paused, her voice rising as her irritation bubbled over. "You didn't even try to stop her! You were enjoying it, weren't you?"

  Seph raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her rea. "Enjoying it? Virginia, I 't help it if women find me charming. es with the territory."

  Virginia's jaw dropped, and her fist ched. "es with the—ugh! You're impossible!"

  She gred at him, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

  Seph, seeing an opportunity to tease her further, gave her a sidelong gnd smirked. "And what about you? You seemed pretty jealous back there."

  Virginia's face turned an even deeper shade of red.

  "Jealous? Me? As if!" She shot back, though her torayed her denial.

  "Really?" Seph teased, his voice loyful. "Because from where I was standing, it looked like you were ready to tackle her to the ground."

  "You!" A visible tick mark appeared on Virginia's forehead. "For your information, I was not jealous! I was...annoyed! Yes, ahat she was so shameless!"

  Seph's grin widened as he poured fuel on the fire. "You saved me, took me in, and now you think you owhat's cute."

  Virginia ched her fists tighter, practically fuming. "Yant—!"

  Seph interrupted her with a ugh. "Rex, Virginia. I bought this car for you, not her. Doesn't that t for something?"

  Her anger faltered as the weight of his words hit her. "This..."

  "Also," Seph replied nontly. "You've already seen me naked... aren't you way ahead of her?"

  Virginia froze. Her cheeks burned crimson as the memory fshed in her mind unbidden.

  "T-That was an act!" She sputtered, hiding her fa her hands.

  Seph chuckled, thhly enjoying her rea. "Act or not, you were very professional about it. I'm impressed."

  "Shut up!" She groaned, burying her face deeper into her hands.

  The pyful tension lingered for a few moments before Virginia took a deep breath and steadied herself. "Okay, fiell me this—would you go on a date with that woman if she asked?"

  Seph shrugged casually. "Sure, why not?"

  Virginia narrowed her eyes at him. "Unbelievable. What a pyboy."

  "And you?" Seph tered, his voice light and teasing. "Would you ask me out if you had the ce?"

  Virginia blinked, her fidence faltering for a split sed before she posed herself. "I... well... it's a man's job to ask a woman out, isn't it?"

  "Who says?" Seph replied smoothly. "A strong woman like you doesn't o wait for a man to make the first move."

  Virginia's lips curved into a sly smile. "Alright then. sider this your invitation. I'll give you a proper tour of California."

  "I'm looking forward to it," Seph said with a warm smile.

  Virginia's Apartment plex

  As the two of them exited the elevator and walked toward Virginia's apartment, Seph's expression subtly shifted. He felt the distinergy of He nearby—an unmistakable presehat made his senses sharpen. His gaze flickered briefly toward an adjat door, noting her magical signature within.

  Virginia, oblivious to his distra, unlocked her apartment door.

  "e on in," She said brightly, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

  Seph followed, but his mind lingered on the woma door. He's here. Iing.

  Meanwhile, Inside He's Apartment

  Sitting in a dimly lit room, He held a small crystal bead in her hands. The air around her pulsed with tent magic as she activated it. The bead glowed faintly before Lady Death's voice resonated from within.

  "Speak," came Lady Death's cold yet enting tone.

  He bowed her head slightly. "Mistress, Seph and the mortal woman have returhe pears worried, though I ot dis why."

  Lady Death's ughter rang through the crystal, sending chills down He's spine. "Ah, my little scheme is progressing perfectly. Do not yourself with the mortal's emotions. Everything is falling into pce."

  He hesitated before speaking again. "Mistress, I… I'm still unsure about the part you wao py. To... to sleep with him, just to—"

  Lady Death interrupted, her voice dripping with amusement. "Oh, He. You're so serious, always so proper. If I had a ce to bed Seph, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment. He's exquisite, isn't he?"

  He's face flushed slightly, though she masked it with a scowl. "Mistress, with all due respect—"

  "Enough," Lady Death said sharply, though there yful edge to her tohe question remains—are you willing to do what's necessary to surpass your father?"

  He's grip on the crystal bead tightened. She thought of her father, her fractured retionship with him, and the power she craved to break free of his shadow. "I… I'll sider it," she said finally.

  Lady Death giggled again. "Good. Now, stay close to Seph. His fate—and yours—are iwined more deeply than you realize."

  --- ? ? ? ---

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