Imperial Phoenix Rules - Chapter 8: The Crowd Watches

All Raven ever wanted was a chance — to go to college, make friends, be loved, and live like any other girl her age. But dreams, it seemed, weren’t meant for people like her.As a scholarship student at an elite university built for the wealthy and privileged, Raven's life quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Surrounded by cruelty and entitlement, she became the perfect target. Their relentless torment stripped her of everything — her dignity, her hope, her will to live. She bore it all in silence, blaming herself even for the tragedy that tore her family apart. Despair led her to the edge of suicide, but fate had other plans.Ten years later, those same bullies, now living lavish lives of success and luxury, had long forgotten the girl they destroyed. But Raven hadn’t forgotten them — not one bit.With scars that ran deep and a heart hardened by pain, she returned — no longer the fragile girl they once broke. One by one, she would visit her tormentors, delivering her own brand of justice and making them learn that every cruel action has a consequence.Because this time, Raven isn’t the victim.She’s the reckoning!

So-called Taisu pulse is a form of physiognomy, which can discern nobility and lowliness, foresee auspicious and ominous events, predict misfortune and fortune. Good sir, do you dare to let me feel your pulse? One pulse reading is worth a thousand gold!Look, making money is so easy, isn't it?Ah, phooey!Living two lives, Qin Liuxi's ideal is always to get by without striving for advancement, because in the world, there are always those who are willing to be lazy and not seek progress, and she is fit for such worthless tasks!But when a whole family shows up miserably and pitifully in front of her, Qin Liuxi's days as a slacker are over.Faced with the precarious Qin family in a state of distress, a maid beggar with an empty money box asking for business, Qin Liuxi has no choice but to shoulder the duties of the eldest lady, managing the household, supporting elders, and child-rearing!Qin Liuxi: I clearly got the script as a slacker, who switched it up?A cousin who questions her existence after being scolded by the eldest lady: I feel like the big sister looks at us like we're trouble!Qin Fourth Young Master, who was beaten and taught a lesson by the eldest lady: Be bolder, remove the feeling!Qin Fifth Young Master, who was lectured into a state of introversion by the eldest lady, solemnly counts on his fingers to answer questions about what the big sister is useless at: She can exorcise demons and ghosts, read faces and draw charms, heal and save people. Oh, which one did you ask about?Later, someone asked Qin Liuxi, if life could start over, what would her dream be?Qin Liuxi remained silent for a long time: To not strive for progress and to live for a hundred years!

One day, the majority of humanity had a collective thought.

‘I wish the world would just collapse.’

And then, that wish came true.

“When am I getting a new mom? ”

Maya choked and sputtered on her drink getting herself into a coughing fit while I was quite startled but showed no other reaction other than that. I was expecting it anyway

Maya got herself after some moments “You! ” She bellowed “That's no way to tal-” I dismissed Maya with a wave of my hand fixing my attention on my dear daughter .

“Why? ” I asked exuding an authoritative aura with an arrogant smile tugging at a corner of my lips

Isabelle smiled back at me, a fierce determination to win this battle evident on her face “I need a motherly figure ”

“And? ”

“Girls just want their mom sometimes ”

“And? ”

“Need someone to talk boys stuff with”

“You can always discuss it with me” I blurted out without even realizing it and the reply I got was an awkward cough from Maya and a death stare from my daughter.

“Well, we can always compromise on that ” I tried minimizing the damage done. Why does it all go south when it comes to boy's stuff?

Isabelle stood up abruptly and banged her hand hard against the table almost knocking some dishes over in the process “Just admit it!What makes you think you can be able to handle me in my rebellious teenage years? ”

I wanted to reply when I heard Maya murmur beneath her breath “As if you aren't rebellious enough now? ”

I smirked,she was definitely the perfect match for Isabella and I had the perfect plan in mind.

“So let's say I agree, who do you want for a mother? ”I said throwing the ball in her court and hoping she'll make the right choice “Tina? or.....? ”

Isabelle stared at me skeptically, obviously wondering if I was sincere or playing around. So I focused my intense and get down to business gaze on her and in a few moment, her lips twitch upward in a smirk , as if we were communicating telepathically, she said

“I want her” Isabelle announced pointing at an absent minded female entertaining herself with a grilled chicken and quite oblivious to what was going on. I smiled, Isabelle was surely my blood

“Fine by me ”I agreed knowing just how much Isabelle values promises “ I have to keep my own part of the deal then ”

I excused myself before turning to discover the horror on Maya's face but that didn't stop me, instead I added more fuel to the fire

“let's get married”

~~~~

Maya was never special especially not like her sister Kim who seem to have everything.

Nik Spencer a world known professional player, a chronic heartbreaker and the only man immune to love.

But fate seems to play a lot of twists as they both cross paths and she ends up being his daughter's Nanny.

Will she end up as one of the many women on his bed ?

Is Niklaus really immune to love?

Well, read to find out.