"Years ago, you were competing with your younger brother, Allister Keir, for the position of CEO. Even Hadi Keir publicly claimed that Shin stole what rightfully belonged to your branch of the family. Was Shin's mother standing in your way?"
Ellis's face turned crimson with rage.
"Benefit?" he barked. "What benefit? Every single accusation is fabricated! I have absolutely nothing to do with Bryce Gate's condition, nor was I involved in anyone's death! And as for that woman... she died in an accident! If there was some crime behind it, how the hell would I know?!"
Another reporter immediately shouted over the crowd.
"So you're denying any connection with Klaus Zhi? Don't you think it's an incredible coincidence that Yeri Zhi suddenly became engaged to Shin Keir?"
Ellis's jaw tightened. "What exactly are you implying?"
Before the questioning could continue, bodyguards and security personnel forced the reporters backward, creating enough space for Ellis to enter his waiting car.
The moment the door slammed shut, the fury he had been suppressing exploded.
Hadi's public disownment had already turned his life upside down.
His wife hounded him day and night, demanding that he restore their son's place in the Keir family, and now this scandal had erupted out of nowhere, threatening to drag his entire branch of the Keir family into the abyss.
Who exactly wanted to ruin him?
It couldn't be Shin Keir and his fiancée. After all, the accusation involved her father.
-
Meanwhile, the Zhi couple had only just breathed a sigh of relief after learning that their daughter was safe when this new accusation exploded online.
Madam Zhi looked utterly exhausted.
She had just fought with Linda, no longer bothering to keep up the pretense. Yet right after asking them to leave, this devastating news came crashing down on them.
"Don't worry. I've already sent someone to investigate," Master Zhi said sternly, massaging his throbbing temple.
He believed this wasn't about him. The real target of the accusation was their daughter, Yeri. Someone obviously wanted to stop her from marrying Shin Keir and sow discord between the two.
"Did Shin Keir contact you?" Madam Zhi asked anxiously.
Such a despicable and vicious attack. If Shin Keir believed it, even just a little...
Madam Zhi shuddered at the thought. If they offended Shin Keir, the fate of their family, and more importantly their daughter, would be tragic.
"Don't worry about it. Go and get some rest first. That young man isn't impulsive, nor is he someone who can be easily swayed by whatever nonsense others say," Master Zhi comforted his wife.
Madam Zhi let out a deep sigh before reluctantly leaving the study.
At the door, she suddenly stopped and spoke in a heavy voice.
"Ever since Princess's engagement, the media has never stopped throwing all kinds of criticism and accusations at her. One thing keeps leading to another that I can't help but wonder... is she really okay with all of this?"
Master Zhi fell silent.
"I remember she never liked fame. Even though she keeps telling us she's fine... is she really? That child has always tried to act strong because she's afraid of burdening us every time she gets sick." Madam Zhi lowered her head. "Am I really being a good mother by supporting her decision? Or perhaps I should have talked to her more about all this... given her more advice and guidance."
"Our daughter isn't as fragile as we once thought," Master Zhi replied softly. "I'm sure she gave this engagement a great deal of thought before making her decision."
Madam Zhi forced a faint smile before quietly returning to the master bedroom.
Not long after, Jj knocked on the study door.
"Dad, I've decided to stay home for the next few days instead of at the school dormitory. I think it would be better if Yeri did the same until the wedding. It'll be safer for her."
Master Zhi nodded in approval.
So he wasn't the only one who had realized that there were people out there who would stop at nothing to prevent his daughter from marrying Shin Keir.
Then the two discussed their next steps.
After all, this was no longer just about uncovering the truth. No matter how innocent a person was, if someone was determined to paint black as white, they could have already fabricated convincing evidence.
As if aware of their current predicament, Shin Keir called.
Father Zhi and Jj exchanged glances before the former answered.
Contrary to their expectations, Shin Keir wasn't calling to question him, nor did he sound wary, doubtful, or threatening. Instead, his voice remained calm as he told Master Zhi to ignore the nonsense circulating online because he had long known the truth.
"Young Master Keir... you're aware that I had nothing to do with your mother's passing?" Master Zhi asked, seeking reassurance.
Shin's clear, steady voice echoed through the phone.
"I am not that gullible. Besides, this is a matter within the Keir family. My apologies for dragging you into it."
After the call ended, Master Zhi didn't show it on his face, but it felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Jj, who had overheard the conversation, couldn't have been more relieved.
In this country, offending Shin Keir was no different from losing your limbs or several vital organs. Had he been narrow-minded or easily deceived, their family would have undoubtedly suffered the consequences.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. A maid stepped inside and reported hesitantly, glancing at Jj.
"Young Master, there's a young lady outside looking for you. Should I let her in?"
Jj rose from his seat, puzzled. Who could possibly be looking for him?
"She said she's your girlfriend," the maid added.
Jj, who had been about to follow her outside, froze in disbelief.
Girlfriend? Since when did he have a girlfriend?
He looked at the intercom screen and the moment he recognized the face, he instinctively took a step back.
Yeri had warned him before that this girl was a little unhinged, but he hadn't taken it seriously.
It wasn't until Anri Rune literally started stalking him around campus, appearing wherever he usually hung out, sending him heart-shaped lunch boxes, picking fights with college girls who got close to him, and even squatting beside the parking space where he usually left his car that he realized Yeri hadn't been exaggerating.
These days, it was common knowledge throughout the university that a high school girl was chasing him around, loudly proclaiming herself to be his girlfriend.
He had encountered plenty of unreasonable girls who had confessed to him before, but none of them had been as shameless, persistent, and aggressive as Anri Rune.
"Why aren't you letting your girlfriend in?"
Jj stiffened at the sound of his father's voice behind him.
"No, she's not my girlfriend." Jj scratched the back of his head, completely at a loss as to how he should explain the situation, or even where to begin.
---
When Yeri opened her eyes, she simply stared blankly at the ceiling.
Countless memories that didn't seem to belong to her had forced their way into her mind, only to shatter into scattered fragments, like pieces of a puzzle she had no idea how to assemble.
She remembered the day of her eighteenth birthday, her awakening. Why she had celebrated that birthday at the bar with Nina.
But there were also fragments she had never recalled before.
That child.
The Demon Emperor.
And, most importantly, how she had died in that life.
It wasn't her first life but rather a forgotten past that had finally caught up with her present.
"Awake?"
Yeri turned her head and stared blankly at the handsome face beside her.
It took a few moments before the haze in her mind finally began to clear.
Even then, she remained lying on the bed, her body impossibly heavy.
Shin pulled her closer and gently kissed the corner of her eye. His voice was low and hoarse, as though he had only just woken up himself.
"Tell me what you remember."
"Remember?" she murmured.
It felt as if she had been trapped in a deep slumber, her thoughts moving like the rusted gears of an old clock, slowly forcing themselves back to life.
She remembered him appearing on the balcony, the raging blizzard and endless blanket of snow.
Those men exploding like mere balloons.
Him fighting that child...
Yeri's eyes suddenly widened. She stared at him with fear, dread, and disbelief.
"Y-You're... not human?"
"What else?" Shin asked softly.
Yeri swallowed. If that child was a demon...
Then was Shin one as well?
Questions flooded her mind all at once.
If she had once been a demon, why had she reincarnated as a human? Why had that child appeared now? Why didn't the woman in those memories feel like her? It was like looking at another version of herself, someone who shared her face but not her heart.
And if Shin Keir was truly a demon, had he known all along that she had once been one as well? Who had he been in that world?
Shin saw the confusion, doubt, and countless unanswered questions swirling in her eyes, yet he remained silent.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was most likely experiencing an identity crisis with her memories incomplete, fragmented, and tangled together.
More importantly, the Yeri of today was capable of warmth, and other emotions. Trying to understand the woman known as Empress Jewel would be nearly impossible when the emotions between the two no longer aligned.
"Who... are you really?" Yeri finally asked.
"It's not fair to ask me that when your memories themselves could be deceiving you." A faint smile tugged at Shin's lips.
"Then why?" she pressed. "Have you known about me from the very beginning? Is that why you approached me? Is this relationship- "
"I didn't."
Shin cut her off, meeting her gaze with unwavering seriousness.
"Just like you, my memories were sealed. They only awakened later."
"When?"
Instead of answering directly, Shin gently cupped her cheek.
"What do you remember about the Demon Emperor?"
The moment she heard that title, it felt as though someone had struck her head with a hammer.
Fragments flashed through her mind like the rapid clicks of a camera shutter.
Rage, despair, resentment, agonizing pain, then the Demon Emperor's overwhelming wrath, his sword-
Yeri's entire body turned ice cold.
She began trembling uncontrollably, her hand instinctively clutching her chest as if she could barely breathe.
An indescribable terror rose from the depths of her soul, suffocating her as though the memory itself refused to remain buried.