The man woke up in a daze. The first thing he saw was a figure in a black-and-white maid outfit.

The girl had short, neat hair, with pink bunny ears clipped above her bangs. Her white stockings traced long, slender legs, and the sweetness in her appearance made her look almost unreal.

"Young Master, you’re finally awake."

She leaned in carefully with a glass of warm water in her hands, voice soft and laced with concern.

"I’m…"

He asked without thinking.

"Huh?"

The girl looked at him, confused.

He shook his head slightly, took the glass, and sipped. The cool water soothed his dry throat.

He sat still on the bed edge, expression shifting constantly. Memories from both lives came flooding back like a tide. Only after a while did he manage to sort them out.

A long sigh escaped him. The truth was hard to swallow—he was no longer immortal.

Once, he was a Sword Immortal, feared across all realms. But he brought ruin on himself by getting tangled with the Demon Empress. Despite his repeated clarifications, the Immortal Clan turned his fate against him, branding him a traitor who colluded with demons.

What a joke.

He knew too well—the Immortal Emperor never trusted him from the start. His power had already become a thorn in the Emperor’s side. This whole Demon Empress mess? Just the perfect excuse to get rid of him.

"Heh, Immortal Realm…"

He chuckled bitterly, eyes cold with loss.

Decades of slaughter and triumph across worlds, tens of thousands of enemies fell to his sword—and now? All gone. He came back in this flimsy, soft form.

"Young Master, are you… okay?"

The girl in maid attire asked quietly, eyes full of worry.

"I’m fine," Liam Woods said calmly, already sorting the memories of this body.

He was now the eldest son of the Woods Family in Jiangcheng. Three years ago, his parents died, and he inherited a fortune worth billions.

Shame this body’s original owner had no spine. Drunk on luxury, addicted to gambling and women, a classic rich brat wasting away in brothels and casinos.

Liam sized up the pure-looking girl before him and spoke gently, "You’re Chloe, right?"

"Young Master, did you hit your head or something?"

Chloe stared at him, worried.

"It’s nothing—just hungry. Tell the kitchen to prepare some seafood, the freshest kind."

"Oh come on, you just woke up. You should eat something light. I’ll go get the kitchen to make some porridge, okay? Wait here and be good."

With a bright smile, Chloe turned to leave. A faint floral scent lingered in the air.

The old Liam might’ve been rotten to the core, but at least he treated his servants well.Liam Woods had always been a playboy, but he'd never crossed the line—especially not with someone like Chloe, who was pretty as a flower. Say what you want, at least he kept his boundaries.

Soon, a steaming bowl of egg-drop congee hit the table, with a few small plates of appetizers on the side. The moment the aroma hit Liam’s nose, his appetite surged. He downed bowl after bowl without stopping.

“You've really got to cut back on that drinking, young master. Last night you scared me half to death…” Chloe chattered as she cleared the dishes.

Liam nodded, voice calm. “I’ll watch it from now on.”

Chloe hesitated, then added, “By the way, Fiona came while you were asleep. She looked really upset… I think something’s bothering her.”

Liam’s eyes flickered at the mention of Fiona Sullivan—the faithful exec who’d been holding the family business together all these years. Without her, things would've gone downhill fast.

“I’ll talk with her later,” he said, tone turning serious.

Just as the words left his mouth, noise erupted from outside.

“Elvis Woods, no doubt…” Chloe sighed. “Eat slowly, young master. I’ll go check.”

Liam set his bowl down, face darkening. After his parents died, Raymond Woods’s family had been circling like vultures. Elvis, puffed up with pride for being a year older, never missed a chance to be a thorn in his side.

For years now, they tossed Liam a few dividends while hoarding all the actual power. The old Liam had been too busy partying to care, but now things had shifted. He could see Fiona being pushed around, clearly not having it easy.

Raymond played nice on the surface, but behind the scenes, he was all sneers and backhanded remarks. Chloe and others had tried warning him more than once, but back then, Liam didn’t have the skill or will to act.

Now, the shouting got louder.

Two girls were blocking Elvis at the entrance, but he didn’t have the patience to listen. He roared, “Who the hell do you think you are? Just some guard dogs for the Woods family! Out of my way!”

The panic and grievance were written clear as day on their faces, and just as they were about to cry, Chloe came hurrying over.

“Chloe!” They called out, eyes shining with tears.

One look told Chloe everything—Elvis was bullying people again. She clenched her fists, forcing her voice to stay calm. “Young Master Elvis, my young master only just woke up. Now’s not a good time—”

“Bull! There’s no way he’s awake…” Elvis snapped, eyes twitching with panic. “Move! I want to see for myself!”

“I’m sorry, Young Master Elvis, but I can’t let you in now,” Chloe replied firmly.

“A maid dares block me?” Elvis growled. “You think you have the right? Don’t push it—refuse again and I’m firing you on the spot!”

Chloe stared back without flinching. Her voice steady. “If you really must see him, then give me a moment. I’ll ask if he’ll receive you. That’s all I can do.”"I go wherever I damn well please in this house. Need a loser’s permission now? What a joke."

Before Chloe could finish, Elvis Woods barked a mocking laugh.

She didn’t move, still blocking the doorway.

Elvis’s eyes narrowed with impatience. He raised his right hand and, with a sharp gust of wind, slapped her hard.

The slap was loud and crisp.

Inside, Liam Woods paused mid-sip. His eyes turned cold in an instant.

He set down his spoon, put on his slippers, and calmly walked toward the door.

When he opened it, he saw Chloe standing there, head lowered, her cheek red and swollen. Elvis stood behind her, arrogance written all over his face.

That red handprint made Liam’s eyes darken further.

"Young Master, it’s cold… you should go back inside..." Chloe’s voice trembled, still thinking of his comfort.

Liam raised his hand slightly, silencing her. His gaze locked onto Elvis like a blade.

He caught that fleeting panic in Elvis’s eyes.

"Surprised?" Liam sneered. "Didn’t expect to see me breathing, huh? Figured I’d be in a coffin by now?"

"W-what’re you saying..." Elvis forced a laugh, trying to play it cool. "Heard you passed out drunk—came to check on you, that’s all. Then this brainless maid tried to stop me. Got me upset, that’s all..."

Liam didn’t respond. He just stared him down.

The pressure in that silence made Elvis’s grin freeze on his face.

A chill crept up his spine. That look in Liam’s eyes—just like their uncle's back in his glory days.

"Well, since you’re here, might as well come in."

Liam’s voice was carefree.

Elvis hesitated, clearly uneasy.

"What’s wrong, cousin?" Liam’s smile was sharp. "Came all this way just to look at me from the door? Or… afraid to step inside?"

"Haha, you’re kidding." Elvis let out a stiff chuckle, trying to keep his cool. "Yeah, let’s catch up, just us brothers."

Chloe watched from the side, surprised by the sudden shift. Her young master didn’t feel like the same man anymore—his presence had completely changed.

As Elvis walked past the threshold, Liam gestured for the others to stay out.

Just before closing the door, he reached out, tapped Chloe’s nose lightly, and gave her a look full of meaning.

"Why shut the door in broad daylight?"

Elvis sat down like nothing happened.

Liam’s smile vanished the moment he turned around.

"Why else?"

"Wouldn't want you running off, cousin."