Chapter 2

Downstairs, the grand hall buzzed with New England’s elite. Whispers and polite laughter filled the air. My grandfather, Charles Reddington, stood by the fireplace, ready to make his announcement. His gaze, usually warm, held a flicker of something I recognized from my past life – the weight of the Reddington legacy. He cleared his throat, the room falling silent. "As you all know, the Founder's Mandate guides our family’s future. Today, my granddaughter, Seraphina, will choose her intended, who will then face the Successor's Gauntlet." He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips. "The man she chooses, with her Keystone, will lead Reddington Global into its next era." Just as he was about to continue, a voice cut through the silence. "Before you proceed, Mr. Reddington, and Sera, my love." Jamie Vance. He strode forward, a confident smirk plastered on his face. My blood ran cold. That smirk. I knew it too well. He was reborn too. "I must declare," Jamie announced, his voice ringing with false sincerity, "my undying love for another. For Candace Dubois." Gasps rippled through the crowd. Candace, standing near the entrance, preened under the sudden attention. Jamie continued, his eyes locking onto mine. "However, Seraphina, if you still insist on our union, I will honor our families' understanding. On one condition." He let the suspense hang. "Candace must be made my co-CEO. Or, at the very least, be given an equivalent, powerful position within Reddington Global." The audacity. The sheer, unadulterated arrogance. He thought I was the same naive girl. He thought he had me. My grandfather’s face turned thunderous. "Mr. Vance, this is highly inappropriate!" Jamie just shrugged, his smirk widening at me. "Sera knows my heart. I'm sure she'll make the right choice. Again." He was banking on my past affection, on my family’s desire to avoid scandal. But he didn’t know. He didn’t know the Sera standing before him was forged in the fires of his betrayal. He didn’t understand the true nature of the Keystone. It wasn't a magic wand he could wield. It was a part of me. And this time, I knew exactly what to do with it. My grandfather looked at me, concern etching his features. I gave him a small, reassuring nod. My mind was clear.