Outside the Leo family villa, Leo stood quietly, a look of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips as he examined his new gains. His eyes flickered with curiosity as he muttered to himself, "It bounces back automatically..."
"It couldn't break through my defense to begin with, so what difference does it make if it rebounds or not?" he added thoughtfully. "Is this ability just to reflect others' moves? What's the use of that?"
Leo sighed. His mind wasn't on powers right now. Ava Carter had asked him to take some people to the commercial street to purchase a few things, but the problem was clear—he was a newcomer, only three days into joining the group. How could he possibly get the veteran followers to listen to him?
Just as he was mulling over that dilemma—
"Brother Leo!" "Brother Leo, we were wrong! Please forgive us, Brother Leo!"
Leo's eyes narrowed. Brother Leo?
He turned his head slowly. A group of followers stood in a line, heads bowed low in fear. The man in front—a towering, muscular figure—was visibly nervous. He was the one who had called out.
Leo remained calm. He didn't speak, letting the silence stretch.
He soon understood the source of their fear. Despite Ava Carter's waning influence in the Leo family, she was still the eldest lady. No matter what trouble she caused outside, the Leo family would always clean up the mess, never cutting her off or confining her. Even if they had banished her to a villa a few kilometers from Riverdale's bustling city center, Ava retained all her rights and privileges.
These followers knew that much.
And that meant only one thing: they were terrified she'd come back to settle accounts.
Leo thought of Ava's ruthlessness in the original timeline and nodded to himself. These people had good reason to be afraid.
Straightening his back, Leo folded his arms across his chest. A cold smile curled on his lips. "So now you realize your mistake? What exactly did you do wrong?"
The words struck like a hammer.
The burly man fell to his knees with a loud thud. The others behind him quickly followed, all pale with fear.
"Brother Leo! We know we were wrong! We hesitated when following the eldest lady's orders, and that was our failure!"
"We swear to be loyal to her from now on!"
"Brother Leo, please beg for mercy for us in front of the eldest lady!"
Leo turned away, sighing, his tone filled with disappointment.
"Just that? If that's all you understand, then I must say—you have disappointed not only me, but the eldest lady as well."
Those words hit like thunder.
Sweat rolled down their faces in thick rivulets. The burly man trembled violently.
"Brother Leo... please, I have a family. I don't want to be thrown into the sea to feed the fish like the others who crossed the Leo family!"
This world valued strength above all else, and the Leo family was a dominant force in Riverdale. They had the power—and the cruelty—to destroy lives without a trace.
Seeing their terrified expressions, Leo felt satisfied. Yes, this was exactly the kind of fear the Leo family instilled in the original work.
He turned to face them.
"You're not just wrong—you've made three critical mistakes."
He held up a hand.
"One. You hesitated when the eldest lady gave her order."
"Two. After I took action, you showed pity to Sophia."
"Three. You failed to support the eldest lady's stance and criticized her for her judgment afterward."
"These are your original sins."
"Don't forget, our loyalty lies with the eldest lady. Her word is the law. Her decisions are truth. If you follow her, your future is bright. If you betray her, your path ends here."
His tone softened.
"But the eldest lady is not heartless. She doesn't dwell on small grievances. As long as you remain loyal, she will forgive today's blunder."
Then his voice turned sharp and cold.
"But if you dare repeat your mistake—next time, you won't need the eldest lady to act. I, her most trusted personal follower, will personally eliminate the traitor!"
That declaration sent a chill down everyone's spines.
"Yes, Brother Leo!" they cried in unison.
"Good. Rise."
"Yes, Brother Leo!"
The group stood at attention.
Leo stepped toward the burly man. "What's your name? And your cultivation level?"
"Brother Leo, I'm Shen Fei. I've trained in martial arts since childhood. I'm currently in the early stage of the Ascending Hall Realm."
Leo nodded thoughtfully. This world operated under a powerful martial hierarchy. The progression of realms went from First Glimpse, to Ascending Hall, Great Completion, Transcendence, and finally Return to Nature. Each realm had early, middle, and late stages.
Someone in the Ascending Hall Realm was already a minor master. Shen Fei, then, was the top fighter beside Ava—except for Zhulan.
Leo gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Very good. Can you drive?"
"Yes, Brother Leo."
Shen Fei responded quickly. He may have only just met Leo, but his instincts screamed that Leo had an extraordinary connection to Ava Carter.
Despite being a recent recruit, Leo had quickly become her most favored and trusted companion.
Leo grinned, tossing him a garage key. "Then take a few men and come with me to the commercial street. The eldest lady has asked us to buy some seasonal outfits for everyone."
Shen Fei was stunned.
She... she's still thinking about us after everything?
Deeply moved, he clenched his fists. I swear—I will follow the eldest lady to the death!
Whatever mission she gives from now on, I will execute it with everything I have!
---
Meanwhile, a luxurious car cruised down the road leading to the Leo family's main estate.
Zhulan sat in the driver's seat, focused and precise.
In the back, Sophia's eyes were red and puffy as she cried and whimpered to Ava Carter.
"Ava! That lowlife follower of yours—he's dead meat! I'm going to tell Father to throw him into the sea to feed the sharks! You hear me?! Just wait!"
Her gentle, weak persona was nowhere to be seen. All pretense was gone.
There was only vengeful fury in her voice.
But Ava Carter sat with an air of elegance, regal and composed, her every gesture radiating noble grace.
Then, without warning, she extended her slender fingers and clenched Sophia's cheek viciously, dragging her face to the side.
"W-Wooo!" Sophia squealed in shock and pain.
Ava leaned in, her aura turning icy and fierce, like a blizzard in winter.
She stared into Sophia's soul with a sharp, dangerous glint in her eyes.
Her voice was sweet but edged with steel.
"If you behave, you can continue living peacefully as the second daughter of the Leo family."
"But if you dare overstep your bounds again—not even our parents can save you."
"Stay in your lane. Don't overreach. Understood?"
Her grip tightened slightly, not enough to leave marks, but just enough to communicate the full weight of the threat.
Sophia was stunned.
When did Ava become like this?
The woman she used to ridicule, manipulate, and tease without consequence... now felt like a completely different person.
She nodded hurriedly, swallowing her fear.
For the first time ever—Sophia was genuinely afraid of Ava Carter.
Once Ava released her, the elegant smile returned to her face like a flick of a switch.
Graceful, beautiful, aloof—as though nothing had happened at all.
She had been reborn.
In her past life, Ava had been impulsive and easily manipulated. She'd fallen into traps laid by Sophia without realizing it.
But now?
Now she understood.
Everything must be planned. Every piece, in place.
She would not allow her life to spiral again.
This time, she would secure peace and power—for good.
She had only crossed one "Dragon King." What's the worst that could happen?
And Leo? The protagonist wasn't some rare gem. She could handle him.
Even if another appeared, so what?
She wouldn't provoke a decent man again.
So relax, Ava Carter.
Enjoy this second chance at life.
End of Chapter 6.