Chapter 108 Investigating With Fashion

Chapter 108 Investigating With Fashion
Seraphina stood before the long human length mirror in her room, her fingers resting lightly on the edge of the vanity as she took in her reflection.
The woman staring back at her looked nothing like someone about to walk into danger.
A high-slitted black gown hugged her figure with quiet authority, the fabric falling in sleek precision down her body. The slit revealed just enough of her smooth leg to command attention without begging for it. Her hair was pulled into a neat, low bun, every strand perfectly in place beneath a crisp white hat that tilted just enough to add elegance—and power.
Her makeup was deliberate. Not soft, nor overly bold.
It highlighted every selling point of her face, and God, was there not many…
The kind of face that belonged in rooms where decisions were made and fortunes shifted.
She looked like influence.
And that was exactly the point.
Her gaze lingered on herself for a second longer before she reached for her clutch.
She was supposed to be meeting Lawyer Conrad today to begin reclaiming parts of her inheritance.
That could wait.
This could not.
If Samantha was truly being held inside a government estate, then time was not a luxury they could afford.
Seraphina turned and walked out of the room.
~
Joanne leaned casually against the arm of the couch in the living room, dressed in a floral dress that clung to her figure in a way that was almost distracting. Her face-length hair framed her sharp features, softened slightly by the effort she had clearly made with her appearance.
Knox stood nearby in a tailored gray suit, looking every bit like a man who could pass for corporate power instead of controlled violence.
Two of Julian’s men stood at a distance, silent, watchful, and dressed in dark suits with an air that warned against unnecessary conversation.
Joanne’s eyes lifted the moment Seraphina descended from the stairs and walked in.
She smirked.
“Well,” she started, dragging her gaze over Seraphina without apology. “Looks like we just got ourselves a golden ticket into the government estate. You actually look like you belong there.”
Seraphina walked further into the room, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she returned the smirk calmly, giving no emotion away
“I’ve always belonged to wealth,” she said smoothly. “So you can spare the part where I ‘look like’ it.”
Joanne’s brow arched.
Seraphina tilted her head just enough to glance back at her.
“And you,” she added, her lips curving faintly, “look like a woman for the first time since I’ve known you. That dress is doing miracles.”
Joanne’s smirk deepened. “That’s a compliment.”
Seraphina ignored her.
Knox cleared his throat immediately, stepping between the rising tension before it could sharpen further.
“Miss Seraphina, are you certain you want to come with us? Boss would not be pleased if he found out I allowed you to intervene.” 
Seraphina’s gaze shifted to him. There was really worry in his voice. But she’s made up her mind.
If this was the last thing she was going to do for Julian, then so be it. But she wanted to be part of it. And not only by hearing updates, but by getting involved physically too.
“I didn’t ask for permission,” she replied calmly. “I chose to come.”
Joanne pushed off the couch, facing Knox.
“We don’t have time. Let’s start moving.”
Almost an out later~
Knox drove them through the estate road.
Joanne sat beside him in the passenger seat, one arm resting casually by the window, her eyes alert despite her relaxed posture.
Seraphina sat in the back, beside one of Julian’s men—a broad-shouldered figure dressed entirely in black, his dark glasses concealing his eyes. He hadn’t said a word since they left.
He didn’t need to.
He radiated purpose.
Seraphina turned her gaze toward the window, watching the city pass by in a blur.
Her thoughts, however, were nowhere near calm.
She had left Phoenix behind with the new maid and the security guard she barely trusted. Sheila would have willingly helped her babysit her son.

She quickly erased the thought as it came. No. Sheila was gone for good. She couldn’t trust her anymore.

Her fingers tightened slightly over her clutch. Joye was downstairs too- though she was locked up. Her worry had even aggravated after learning about her pregnancy. She’s been feeling guilty about them keeping her hostage.
She exhaled heavily even though she didn’t mean to.
“Julian wouldn’t have people who tense this easily on his missions,” Joanne said suddenly from the front seat.
Seraphina’s gaze shifted to her.
So that was aimed at her.
She held Joanne’s eyes for a second—then looked away.
Not worth it.
Instead, she leaned forward.
“Why is she the only woman who works with Julian?” she asked Knox.
Joanne scoffed under her breath.
Knox glanced at Seraphina through the rearview mirror.
“She’s been with him longer than I have,” he replied. “I wouldn’t know how that started.”
Seraphina leaned back slowly, a quiet dip settling in her chest.
Joanne turned in her seat, her lips curving.
“You shouldn’t go digging into histories you can’t handle, Sera.” she said. “But if you’re curious, you could always ask me directly. I have a lot to say about Julian and I.”
Knox sighed. “Joanne.”
“What?” she shot back. “Maybe I’m just putting a jealous ex-wife in her place.”
Seraphina didn’t respond, but her words did touch her.
She simply turned her gaze back to the window.
Joanne was noise.
Julian was the reason she was here.
And she would not lose focus.
“The gate is ahead,” Knox said suddenly.
The shift in his tone pulled everyone’s attention forward.
The estate loomed in front of them—massive gates, flanked by high walls and guarded by two heavily armed security men on either side.
Even from a distance, authority bled from the structure.
Knox’s voice dropped.
“Act like you’re used to coming here. No hesitation if they stop us. And Joanne—“
“Yes?”
“Keep the guns out of sight totally.”
Joanne adjusted in her seat and did so with sharp efficiency.
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. Then suddenly, she said,
“Stop the car at the gate.”
Knox blinked. Joanne turned sharply. “Why should he?”
Seraphina insisted calmly. “He needs to stop it.”
Knox hesitated for half a second—then obeyed, trusting his guts.
The car came to a smooth halt just before the checkpoint.
Joanne leaned back, muttering under her breath.
“I knew bringing her along was going to be a bad idea.”