Sweet Revenge With My Billionaire Vampire

Adeline's eyes widened as she stared at their interlocked hands. She quickly pulled her hand away and cleared her throat. "Alright, alright.... No need to get all touchy, idiot." She muttered, looking anywhere but at him.

Enzo chuckled, taking a step back and extending his hand for a handshake. "So, do you agree? We'll be fiancés for now. I will help you bring your family to justice for trying to kill you. Once that's done, we will get married, and you will get your inheritance."

"And don't worry, we will get married anyway if we aren't able to expose them a month before the marriage deadline. And again, you will be safe the entire time. I promise." He moved his hand slightly forward, urging her to shake it.

Adeline squinted suspiciously at his outstretched hand, then glanced up at his face. She wanted to question why he was willing to help her this much when he wasn't even going to get anything out of it, but she knew he probably wouldn't give her a straight answer. After a long pause, she sighed and reached out to take his hand. "Fine… But you better keep your promise, because if my family does manage to kill me, I swear my ghost will haunt you for the rest of your days."

Enzo grinned, giving her hand a firm shake. "Enzo Laureati always keeps his promises," he said confidently. "And by the way, we have to make our relationship convincing in front of your family—make them think we're crazy in love with each other." 

"And why do we have to do that?" Adeline asked immediately.

"It's all part of my plan. If you want it to work, just do as I say and play along. Don't worry, we just need to act like normal couples would in public." Enzo explained, squeezing her hand tighter, but not enough to hurt. 

Adeline scoffed. "Fine, but don't get any weird ideas." Before she could pull her hand away, Enzo let go and playfully patted her head. 

Adeline slapped his hand away almost immediately, glaring up at him. "Stop that!" 

Laughing, Enzo took a step back and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Alright. Go get ready. We're going out."

Adeline blinked, confused. "Going out? Where?"

"To buy engagement rings, of course. We're fiancés now."

—------

The entire family gathered in the Smith Mansion's foyer, facing Mr. Field, who stood with a folder in hand. Uncle Evans' face was red with anger, as if he had just gotten out of a heated argument. He stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Mr. Field's chest.

"What the hell do you mean by this? Adeline has been missing for a month now! She's clearly dead!" 

Next to him, Svetlana, Uncle Alfonso's wife, dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, though her tears were as fake as the designer jewelry she wore around her neck. Her sobs were dramatic and overly loud as she leaned into her husband's chest. "We've been searching everywhere for her, but she's nowhere to be found! The only explanation is that she's…" She choked on her words and buried her face in Alfonso's chest.

Mr. Field's patience wore thin. Svetlana's obviously fake cry was making the situation more unbearable than it already was. He let out an exaggerated sigh and adjusted his glasses. "Perhaps you should search harder, then, instead of standing here like vultures circling a will," he said bluntly. 

Turning his attention to Evans, he added, "Your niece has only been missing for a month, and you're already discussing her inheritance. Do you have no shame?"

Evans' nostrils flared as deep breaths escaped them. He clenched one hand into a fist and pointed a finger at him with the other. "Watch your mouth, Field," he growled, storming closer. "Don't step out of line."

Unfazed, Mr. Field continued. "Even if Adeline were dead, it's painfully obvious how delighted you all would be about it. It's disgusting."

That was the final straw. Evans surged forward, grabbing Mr. Field by the collar. "You'd better learn to respect who you're talking to!"

Mr. Field slapped his hand away, adjusting his now-wrinkled tie. "Until there's proof that Adeline is truly dead, the will remains as it is, and her inheritance stays untouched." 

Turning toward the door, Mr. Field muttered, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to."

As he took a step toward the door, Evans's hand shot out, gripping his shoulder. His blood boiled as he raised his other hand, ready to strike. But before the blow could land, the massive front door of the mansion flew open.

The room fell silent.

Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the morning sun, was Adeline. She smiled mischievously as her eyes scanned the room, taking in their shocked faces. Beside her, Enzo stood tall with his arms crossed, looking at them with a bored expression.

The family collectively gasped, staring at Adeline. Her three cousins, Alessia, Everly, and Viviane, huddled together, whispering frantically to each other in disbelief. Svetlana's tissue fell to the floor as her fake tears abruptly dried up while Evans stood frozen with his hand still suspended midair.

"Good afternoon," Adeline greeted. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

Mr. Field's annoyed demeanor melted into one of pure relief and joy. "Miss Adeline!" he exclaimed, quickly shoving Evans aside to greet her.

Adeline stepped inside, giving the man a small nod. "Hello, Mr. Fields." 

Svetlana broke from Alfonso's side and rushed toward Adeline, grabbing her hand as tears—real or not—began to flow again.

"Adeline, darling!" she cried. "Where have you been? We've been so worried about you! Searching everywhere, praying for your safety! We feared the worst!"

Adeline suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "More like searching for my corpse," she thought. Deciding to play along, she painted on a kind smile and gently placed her hand over Svetlana's. "I'm so sorry for making you all worry. Something urgent came up, and I had to leave for a while. But you don't need to worry anymore. I've been perfectly safe."

She pulled her hand away and turned toward Enzo, closing the space between them. Leaning against him, she rested her head lightly against his chest, her fingers moving up to brush his shoulder. "It's all thanks to him. He's been taking good care of me."

Mrs. Svetlana's eyes caught sight of the small bandage peeking out from beneath Adeline's short sleeve. She reached out and tugged the sleeve up, revealing the bandage beneath.

Her gasp was loud as she clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh my goodness, Adeline! What on earth happened to you?"