The wedding photo was taken with Selena Kensington alone; Sterling Norwood did not appear.
But looking at the aloof and noble man in the photo, Selena found it hard to connect the obsessive and cold person he would become five years later with his present self.
His deep and defined features, with black, messy hair gently falling by his ear. A prominent nose bridge, long eyes, and azure blue pupils that seemed to pull people in.
Sterling Norwood was of mixed heritage; his father was a young master of the Norwood Family, and his mother was a lady from a noble household, The Leon Family, in The E-Nation.
Yet both passed away from a mysterious illness over a decade ago.
The butler placed Selena's luggage in the trunk, setting out for the Norwood Family's estate at Mount Serpentis.
Mount Serpentis is located in the outskirts of Aethelgard, where The Aethelgard Moat extends to, and not many dare to reside here; the entire mountain is the territory of the Norwood Family.
The place is nestled by the mountains and waters, boasting excellent feng shui.
An uphill path leads to the mountain top, where standalone villas stand imposingly.
These are inhabited by the branches of the Norwood Family.
They serve as guardians, protecting the hill's crest where The Northwood Estate stands.
In front, ancient pavilions and water pavilions, with winding artificial hills. Pass a massive fountain, and there's a cold-toned marble castle, chilly and mysterious, brimming with ancient vibes.
Surrounding are towering, verdant trees.
The butler parked the car in front of the main building of the castle.
Selena stepped out of the car, but the butler frowned slightly, puzzled. The castle servant should've come out to greet her by now.
Soon, several castle servants rushed out, "Mr. Butler, the young master... he's having an episode again!"
"Several people are seriously injured already!!"
The servants spoke hastily, slightly panting, as they faced the butler.
The butler's eyes darkened, "I'll go take a look!" He was fine when he stepped out earlier.
After speaking, the butler looked apologetically at Selena, "Miss Kensington, my apologies, we cannot attend to you now."
Selena shook her head, "You go ahead and attend to it."
After the butler left, the castle servants helped her with her luggage.
"Madam, we'll keep your luggage downstairs for now; the young master is still in the room..." a maid said; they were trained housemaids raised by the Norwood Family, loyal and dutiful.
Selena nodded but looked in the direction the butler had departed.
The Norwood Family's castle had the main building at the center, with a banquet hall on the left side and an office and entertainment area on the right.
Following the path the butler had taken, Selena went further.
Selena had heard about Sterling's illness in a prior life, but most information was sealed by the Norwood Family. She only knew he'd occasionally go berserk suddenly.
Moving to the right loft, Selena saw several bloodied people being carried out of a room; barely any part of their bodies was intact, and the servants seemed accustomed to it, carrying them away.
At the doorway stood an old man and the butler, extremely anxious.
"Master, they can't hold on much longer," the butler said.
Listening to the sounds of fighting inside, Patriarch Norwood furrowed his brows tightly.
A squad of trained Hidden Guards had just gone in, yet they were no match for Sterling's overwhelming slaughter.
His internal violent impulses... were becoming more active.
"Let me try," Selena's voice rang from behind them.
Patriarch Norwood turned puzzled.
He knew this was the granddaughter-in-law who had just registered with Sterling today, but he shook his head without thinking
"No, it's not safe for you to go in now; the only option is to wait until Sterling exhausts his internal rage."
Yet, remembering the fact that Sterling personally brought her up, and that Selena took the initiative to call him in the past, her courage and composure inspired hesitation within him.