A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

"Seraphina Sterling! Do you have any manners? Can’t you see the adults are talking? You just burst in like that! Who raised you?" Aria Cheney roared, trying to establish her authority as the dean of discipline.

"As a sister-in-law, mocking and belittling your husband’s younger sister in front of outsiders... what a wonderful upbringing you must have had, Auntie." Seraphina’s nonchalant remark utterly humiliated Aria Cheney.

"Mr. Cheney, Mr. Warren, you aren’t the only ones who suffered losses in this fire. Our family was hit the hardest! You claim our family is responsible for the accident, but what if I said someone committed arson? The facts haven’t even been established yet, and you’re already here demanding money. Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"

Seraphina’s voice was soft, yet it carried an immense presence. Even Aria Cheney, who had been a dean of discipline for many years, found herself somewhat intimidated by her authority at that moment.

"Hmph! Don’t you try to twist things around! The police have already determined that your family caused this fire! You have to pay up!" Aaron Chaney shouted, craning his neck. His voice was so loud the next-door neighbors could probably hear him.

"The police? Which officer are you referring to? What’s their title? When was this conclusion reached? Is there an investigation report? What were the details of the incident? Where is the official documentation?" Seraphina didn’t yield an inch, rattling off a series of specific questions that left Aaron Chaney completely stunned.

"How should I know all that! Anyway, the result is that your family started the fire, and you have to pay! That’s what Officer Hanson said. I don’t know about whatever documents you’re talking about, but Officer Hanson said the fire started at your house! You have to compensate us for all our losses!"

Aaron Chaney’s bluster wasn’t nearly as strong as before.

"Officer Hanson? Jenna Hanson?" A faint smile touched Seraphina’s lips. "If she’s the one who gave you that conclusion, then I have even less faith in the police’s judgment. As a citizen, I seriously doubt Officer Hanson’s professional competence as a public servant. Even if Jenna Hanson were standing right here in front of us, I’d say the same thing. You want compensation? Fine. The police must produce official documentation. Otherwise, you won’t get a single cent."

"You—" Aaron Chaney pointed a single finger at her, so angry he was speechless. ’To think that I, a grown man, was intimidated by the presence of a young girl,’ he thought. ’It’s too embarrassing to even admit!’

"Fine! I’ll call Officer Hanson right now! I’ll have her tell you herself, and we’ll see if you’re still so arrogant then!" With that, Aaron Chaney immediately called Jenna Hanson. Then, the whole group trooped over to the police station.

At that moment, Jenna Hanson was organizing files, looking extremely busy.

"Officer Hanson, this person doesn’t believe you or the police’s judgment! She says she won’t compensate us without official investigation documents!" Aaron Chaney dumped all his frustration on Jenna Hanson, hoping to use the officer’s authority to crush Seraphina’s imposing presence.

"Seraphina Sterling, the responsibility for this fire lies with your family. That is the final result of the police investigation, not just my personal judgment! According to the law, your family must compensate the other two parties!" Jenna Hanson said, putting on her official police demeanor.

"In that case, I need to understand the full details of this incident, as well as the basis for your determination. Until I see an official document issued by the police, I absolutely will not pay a single cent. Finally, I suspect this fire was a case of arson, and I want the police to conduct a thorough investigation!" Seraphina was firm and insistent.

"Hmph! Seraphina Sterling, do you think you own the police station? That we work just for you and investigate whatever you demand?" Jenna Hanson shot her a contemptuous glance. "Let me tell you, this fire was an accident, not a deliberate act! Don’t try to stir up trouble just because you can’t come up with the compensation money! The department has limited manpower and no time to waste on you!"

Seraphina didn’t get angry. Her signature warm smile remained on her face. "Officer Hanson, as a citizen, I am here at the police station to file a report. Are you refusing to take my report? Does your authority extend to making such a decision?"

Jenna Hanson couldn’t stand Seraphina’s attitude. Without a second thought, she refused righteously, "For a baseless and troublesome demand like yours, I don’t even need to report it to my superiors. This fire absolutely does not need to be re—"

RING RING RING— Just as Jenna Hanson was about to say the fire absolutely did not need to be reinvestigated, she was interrupted by the phone on her desk.

"Hello, Chief! Yes! Yes! Right! Okay! Don’t worry, I guarantee I’ll complete the task!" After hanging up, Jenna Hanson looked at Seraphina with a conflicted expression that was almost comical.

"The Chief personally gave the order. So, can Officer Hanson investigate now?" Seraphina’s soft voice lifted slightly, making Jenna Hanson want to spit blood in anger. But since the Chief himself had given the command, Jenna Hanson didn’t dare offend Seraphina and could only bottle up her rage.

"Rest assured, as long as the police issue an official document confirming that the primary responsibility lies with our family, I will definitely provide compensation." Seraphina directed this statement to Aaron Chaney and Finn Warren.

Since even the Chief had ordered a reinvestigation, the two men didn’t dare cause any more trouble. The matter was thus put to rest for the time being.

After dropping Kimberly Jennings off at home, Seraphina went to Grant Manor. A favor owed is a debt that must be repaid.