CEO loves me with all his soul.-Chapter 151. the Great Family War

Seraphina Levistis was, without question, the boldest child in the family.

At age seven, she challenged her brother Aurelius to a tree-climbing competition in the middle of a thunderstorm.

At ten, she told the principal to "try meditation and some chamomile" when scolded for talking back.

At thirteen, she led a school protest against mandatory neckties—then wore a leather cape for a week in victory.

So when she turned fourteen and became... quiet, everyone noticed.

Especially when it all began with a single boy.

It started innocently. A new family moved into the elegant townhouse across the street — one of those multi-generation types, full of noise, laughter, and chaotic weekend BBQs.

And among them was him.

Kian.

Tall, with shaggy brown hair, a crooked smile, and the kind of soft eyes that had apparently rendered Seraphina’s personality... void.

The girl who once karate-kicked her way into a heated sibling pillow war was now standing behind curtains, peeking at the street with a pink blush spreading up to her ears.

Eira was the first to notice.

"Seraphina’s acting like a Victorian ghost," she muttered, sipping juice and watching her sister stare out the window.

"She hasn’t threatened anyone in four days," Aurelius added with a frown.

The siblings shared a look and whispered in tandem: "Something’s wrong."

.

It was Adrian who caught her doodling hearts on her homework next to the name Kian. The poor notebook had been practically glowing with hearts.

Adrian blinked.

Seraphina looked up at him and immediately turned crimson.

"Dad," she hissed, trying to cover the page.

Adrian blinked again.

"Seraphina... is this what I think it is?"

Seraphina grabbed her notebook and ran. "YOU CAN’T TELL PAPA!"

He did, of course.

Ethan almost choked on his tea.

"A boy?" he demanded, eyes wide. "A boy made Seraphina blush?"

"She turned pink," Adrian confirmed, sipping calmly. "Like an overcooked shrimp."

"She’s fourteen."

"I know."

"She’s our fourteen."

Augustin, who had been listening quietly while flipping through a magazine, nodded. "Teen crush. Let her handle it."

"She’s too young," Ethan muttered, eyes narrowed as he stared out the window like he could will the boy out of existence.

"She’s older than we were when we got married," Adrian teased.

"That’s different."

Adrian smiled. "You were in a coma, and I was forced into it."

"Exactly."

.

Word spread quickly, as it always did in the Levistis household.

Leclair, upon hearing the news, declared, "Over my dead body will any random boy enter our territory."

Augustin tossed a pillow at him. "You sound like a mafia boss. She’s not even dating him. She’s blushing."

"She’s blushing and that means this boy made her feel something."

"That’s how people work."

"Not our girls!"

Eira listened to the growing chaos and calmly took her younger brother — the quiet, thoughtful one with wandering eyes and a heart for music — by the hand.

"Let’s go to Uncle Yuin’s," she whispered.

"And Uncle Isaac’s?"

"Of course. Uncle Isaac has emergency popcorn for this exact kind of drama."

.

Meanwhile, Eira texted Isaac.

"Incoming with little brother. Home’s imploding. Prepare couch and popcorn."

Isaac: "Perfect. Lucas is baking cookies. Tell Aurelius he’s got piano practice after."

Eira: "10/10. You are now my favorite adult."

.

Adrian sat with Seraphina in the garden as the chaos inside escalated.

"You know," he said gently, "your Papa and Uncle Leclair are just... overprotective. You’re growing up, and that’s hard for them." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Seraphina nodded. "I didn’t plan to like him. It just... happened."

Adrian smiled, brushing her hair back. "That’s how it always does. Did he talk to you?"

She nodded, cheeks red. "We met walking home from school. He likes astronomy. And birds. And... he listens. Like, really listens."

Adrian kissed her forehead. "That’s a good start."

"Should I stop liking him because Papa is being weird?"

"No," Adrian said softly. "But you should talk to him. Just talk. Keep it innocent. Keep it kind."

Seraphina hugged her father, and in that quiet moment, her earlier bravery seemed to return.

.

Ethan was sulking on the sofa like a wounded lion.

Leclair was reading articles titled How to Detect Teenage Lies.

Augustin was mixing a drink and pretending not to watch them both like a hawk.

When Seraphina walked in, holding her homework and acting casual, all three turned.

"I’ve decided," she said confidently. "I’ll keep doing my homework. I’ll keep training with Uncle Isaac. I’ll keep being me. And if I talk to Kian, I’ll let you know."

Ethan stood, opened his mouth.

Seraphina cut in.

"I know you love me. But you raised me to be strong. Trust that."

Leclair folded his arms.

Seraphina turned to him. "Also, Uncle Leclair, I’m 90% sure you snuck out to kiss Uncle Augustin at my age."

Leclair sputtered.

Augustin smirked. "Told you she was like me."

Ethan looked at Adrian, who stood behind Seraphina with a hand on her shoulder.

"She’s right," Adrian said gently. "Let her be brave in her own way."

Ethan sighed. "Fine. But if he tries anything —"

"He won’t," Seraphina promised.

"— I will destroy his house."

"Papa!"

.

Meanwhile, Aurelius was playing piano, Eira was reading quietly, and Isaac and Lucas were cuddled up on the couch.

"You know," Lucas whispered, "our family used to be chaotic in a ’will we die today’ kind of way."

Isaac smirked. "Now it’s ’will Ethan scream today’ kind of way."

Yuin entered with tea, his wife Luri trailing behind with snacks.

"I heard everything," Luri said cheerfully. "This is peak drama. I live for it."

Yuin sat beside Eira. "You handled that well."

She shrugged. "Seraphina would’ve killed me if I got in her way. Plus, our house needed time to cool."

Aurelius nodded. "And our cousin Kira says high school is worse."

Isaac snorted. "Wait until they’re dating someone in a band."

"Don’t you dare put that energy in the universe," Lucas muttered.

.

That night, Ethan peeked into Seraphina’s room.

She was writing in her journal, head bent, hair braided.

He knocked gently.

She turned.

He walked in, sat at the edge of her bed, and handed her a small notebook.

"What’s this?" she asked.

"Your mom kept a diary. I thought maybe you’d want to write things down, too."

She took it, eyes wide. "Thanks, Papa."

He kissed her head and whispered, "I’m proud of you. And I’ll try not to scare him."

Seraphina grinned. "Try harder."

Ethan laughed — real and warm — and for a moment, everything was okay again.

.

.

Seraphina stood in front of the ornate double doors of the Levistis Manor living room like a warrior about to walk into a dragon’s den. Only, in this case, the dragons were wearing tailored vests, had decades of political influence, and were currently reading background reports on a fourteen-year-old boy named Kian.

Behind her, Kian adjusted the collar of his shirt for the fifth time.

"I can’t believe I agreed to this," he whispered.

"You said you wanted to meet my family."

"Yeah, but I didn’t know your family included a CEO, a mafia-adjacent fashion mogul, a literal genius, and — wait, is your uncle Isaac the one who once fought off an entire security team alone?"

Seraphina beamed. "That was a good day."

Kian looked ready to faint.

The butler opened the door. "Young Miss Seraphina, Mr. Kian... the gentlemen are expecting you."

"I’m going to die," Kian muttered.

"You’re going to do great," she whispered back.

Inside, the room was too quiet.

Ethan sat at the head of the long parlor table, black shirt crisp, sleeves rolled up — the epitome of composed intimidation.

Leclair stood beside him, expression unreadable, a tablet in his hand and glasses perched on his nose like a professor ready to fail a student for breathing wrong.

Augustin sat on the couch looking far too entertained.

Adrian offered the only visible warmth, seated beside Ethan with a tea set and an apologetic smile that whispered I tried to stop this.

"Come in," Ethan said calmly, motioning toward the seats across from him.

Seraphina walked in first, chin high, grip firm on Kian’s wrist.

"This is Kian. He wanted to say hello."

"Did he now," Leclair said flatly.

Kian bowed slightly. "Good afternoon, sirs. Thank you for having me."

Ethan folded his hands. "You’re in my house. You’re standing three feet from my daughter. This is the most important interview of your life."

Kian nodded like a man facing the death penalty.

Adrian sighed. "Ethan..."

"I’m just setting the tone."

.

Leclair tapped his tablet. "You’re fifteen?"

"Yes, sir."

"Top of your class?"

"Yes, sir."

"You play... guitar?"

"Yes, but not in a band."

"Good." Tap tap. "Future goals?"

"Biologist. I want to research endangered species."

Adrian blinked. "Oh, that’s lovely."

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Do you believe in heartbreak?"

Kian hesitated. "I... believe it happens?"

"Do you plan to cause it?"

"Absolutely not, sir."

"Do you believe in death?"

Kian blinked. "Um..."

"Because I do," Ethan said with a terrifying calmness. "And I swear on every drop of coffee I’ve ever brewed — if you break her heart, I will come for you in your dreams."

Seraphina groaned. "Papa."

Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ethan, he’s just a boy."

"A boy with intentions."

"He asked to meet the family, not marry her."

"I’m preparing for that too."

Augustin raised a hand, "Can I just say this is the most entertaining lunch I’ve had in months?"

Leclair added, "I still think we should do a background check on his grandparents."

.

To his credit, Kian didn’t run.

He answered every question, listened attentively, and even complimented Adrian’s tea-making skills.

"I don’t want to hurt Seraphina," he said at one point. "I... like being her friend. I don’t know what this is yet, but I just know I feel better when she’s around."

Seraphina blushed bright red.

Ethan looked at Adrian. "He used feelings. Real ones."

Adrian smiled. "He’s being honest. That’s good."

Leclair looked at Augustin. "How do you feel?"

Augustin shrugged. "He didn’t flinch when Ethan threatened him. He’s brave. A little stupid. But brave."

Seraphina muttered, "He’s right here."