The woman in the painting lay beneath a tree, her skin deathly pale, eyes hollow. Thankfully, the grim image Liang Lin had imagined—skin stretched tight over bone—was nowhere to be seen.

“This is too cruel,” Liang Lin murmured, brows furrowed.

Liang Di, however, looked intrigued. “I’m curious… what method could possibly drain every last drop of blood?”

“Less than an animal,” Liang Lin scoffed.

A cold snort escaped her lips. In her mind, she was already plotting: catch the criminal, shatter his limbs without mercy, then drain his body dry—using the very same method.

Orlando City bustled as usual. Recent disappearances involved only commoners, drawing little concern. The Knight Order had come twice, found nothing, and left.

“Let’s go. Check the tailor shop first,” Liang Di said.

The sky was still bright; neither girl was hungry. Might as well handle the simplest task.

House Langwendi owned three tailor shops on the city’s busiest street. Lavish decor adorned each storefront—yet all stood eerily quiet. No nobles came to commission gowns.

Liang Lin pushed the door open. Liang Di followed close behind. Freed from the wheelchair, both moved with new ease.

The gloomy-faced shopkeeper’s eyes lit up the moment they entered. She hurried over, smiling warmly. “Here to commission gowns, young ladies? Come see—only the finest fabrics…”

Liang Lin waved a hand. “No. We’re not here for gowns. We came to—”

A disdainful glare cut her off. The smile vanished. Arms crossed, the woman muttered irritably, “Seriously? If you’re not buying, why bother coming in?”

Huh?

What an attitude.

“Oh? So I’m not allowed in without ordering a gown?” Liang Lin’s laughter held a sharp edge—a clear warning sign.

Liang Di stepped back, gloved hand (white lace) pressed to her lips, a faint smile playing there. *See?* she thought. *Bring Liang Lin out, and I never need to speak a word. My good dog~*

“Miss, look closely. This is a gown shop. No money? Don’t waste my time.”

“No money? Hah~” Liang Lin’s smile gleamed, eight pearly teeth visible. “Right. I have no money. Going to call me a beggar next?”

Shockingly, the shopkeeper laughed too. “Exactly. Beggars don’t belong at House Langwendi. You can’t afford it.”

“So *that’s* why no one comes~” Liang Di murmured softly from behind.

Liang Lin cared little for reasons. Too lazy to argue, she pulled the Langwendi Family’s golden emblem from her pocket and thrust it toward the woman’s face.

“This? Something only a beggar would have,” the shopkeeper sneered—then froze.

Her face drained of color. Knees buckled; she nearly collapsed. Stammering, “Y-You are…?”

“Liang Lin Langwen Di.”

*Liang Lin Langwen Di.*

The name detonated in her mind. *The villainess.* The noble who scorned peers and treated servants as trash. She’d just insulted *her*. If it were anyone else… but *her*?

Tears streamed as the woman crumpled to the floor. “Miss Liang Lin, I was wrong! I didn’t know—”

“Stop.”

Liang Lin cut her off, voice icy. “Your face disgusts me. But I won’t dirty my hands striking a lowly servant.” A pause. A sinister whisper. “You understand, don’t you?”

“I do! I do!”

*Slap. Slap.* The woman struck her own cheeks, again and again. Liang Lin watched, silent, unmoved.

“Enough. I’m tired.” A dismissive wave. “Remember: you’re just a dog House Langwendi keeps. Don’t bark at guests. Next time? Pack your doghouse scraps and leave Orlando City. No tailor will hire you again.”

“I know… I know…” Cheeks swollen, blood tracing her lips.

Only then did Liang Di approach, tone light. “So harsh. Such a pretty face… tsk tsk~”

“Pretty? Your taste is questionable. Desperate? And *I* didn’t hit her.” Liang Lin’s sneer was glacial, colder than abyssal ice.

*Ah… this arrogance. So captivating.* Liang Di’s fingers twitched—*I want to hold her hand. To conquer this pride.* That strange, burning urge surged.

Ahem.

*Not the time.*

“I see the problem now.” Liang Di scanned the shop. “Gown designs are fine—some plain, but not unappealing. The issue? Your attitudes.”

Most in Orlando held minor titles—barons, viscounts. They feared House Langwendi. Staff bullying customers under that shadow? Common.

“Those customers are still nobles. And you?” Liang Lin mocked coldly. “Dogs of House Langwendi. Hah~ Truly, these days you must check the owner before beating a dog.”

Later, Liang Di gathered every shopkeeper and staff member from House Langwendi’s tailor shops across the city.

“Fix your attitudes. I’ll design new gown patterns and handle promotion. If any shop still runs at a loss after this? Pack your bags. Leave.”

By afternoon’s end, Liang Lin rubbed her growling stomach, energy drained. Even her raven-black hair seemed dull.

“Hungry?” Liang Di asked.

“Mm. Quick bite. Then… the church.”

Liang Lin’s thoughts clung to the missing woman.

“Rest first? Investigate tomorrow,” Liang Di suggested, glancing at the amber-streaked horizon. Dusk neared.

Liang Lin couldn’t rest until it was solved.

“Check first. Rest after. The church isn’t far. We’ll be back before nightfall…”

*Will we really make it back before dark?*