Lin Mei waved his hand playfully and teased his mother, "Don't worry, Mommy! At worst, if you go bankrupt, I'll take care of you!"
Melissa chuckled at her son's confident words. She reached out, pinched his soft cheeks gently, and said with a warm smile, "Then my little baby must grow up quickly. You want to support me in my old age, but you're still too young for that!"
Lin Mei puffed up his chest, pretending to be strong, but his mother's affectionate laughter made him grin. He loved seeing her smile, especially knowing how hard she worked.
Melissa sighed softly, her eyes drifting toward the window as she gathered her thoughts. "Since something big is happening with Stark Industries, I'll be quite busy. Stay at home, and I'll come back to spend time with you after work, okay?"
Seeing that her son was in good spirits, Melissa felt relieved. She straightened her posture and prepared to leave. In her mind, Stark Industries was an incredible opportunity, and if Lin Mei had such confidence in its future, she was ready to take a bold step. She had already decided—she would invest aggressively and acquire as many shares as possible.
Lin Mei, who had spent years growing up by her side, could instantly see what she was thinking. However, something troubled him. Earlier, when he had been near his mother, he had caught a faint scent—one that didn't belong to her. It was subtle but unmistakable, a lingering metallic tang beneath layers of expensive perfume.
Blood.
The realization made his heart clench. Who had his mother been in contact with that carried such a scent? The worry gnawed at him, and before he knew it, Melissa had already left the house in a hurry.
Lin Mei hesitated for only a moment before making up his mind. He couldn't just sit at home while his mother walked into potential danger. Quickly, he informed the house servants that he would be going out, then slipped away from the villa unnoticed.
Unlike most kids, Lin Mei avoided vehicles altogether. He had become wary of all forms of transportation, preferring to rely on his own two feet. Moving swiftly yet silently, he used his familiarity with the area to navigate through hidden routes, ensuring that he remained unseen. Eventually, he arrived at a high-end restaurant located just across from his mother's company.
Taking a seat in a secluded corner, he ordered some food and settled in, eyes locked on the entrance of the building. His heart pounded as he waited for his mother to emerge.
As the city lights flickered to life, the streets buzzed with activity. The restaurant filled with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses, but Lin Mei remained focused. Then, his patience was rewarded—Melissa finally stepped out of the building.
However, she wasn't alone.
A man approached her with confident strides. He was well-dressed and carried himself with an air of elegance, but something about him felt off. Even from a distance, Lin Mei sensed an imperceptible danger radiating from the stranger. His instincts screamed at him, warning that this was no ordinary businessman.
And then, the scent hit him.
The overpowering fragrance of expensive cologne barely concealed the underlying aroma of blood.
Lin Mei's breath hitched. This was the person his mother had encountered earlier.
The man flashed a charming smile and extended an invitation. Melissa hesitated for a moment before politely declining. Lin Mei exhaled in relief—at least she wasn't blindly stepping into danger. The man kept his composure, but as soon as Melissa walked away, his expression darkened.
Then, Lin Mei saw it.
The stranger's pupils flickered crimson under the dim streetlights. A glint of elongated fangs peeked from his lips.
A vampire.
Lin Mei's stomach twisted in dread. His mother was being targeted by one of the most dangerous creatures in the Marvel world. Vampires weren't just ordinary threats—they were incredibly strong, unnaturally fast, and, worst of all, they thrived in secrecy. Their empire spanned the night, lurking in the shadows, manipulating events unseen by most humans.
Why was this vampire interested in his mother? Did she possess something valuable? Or had she unknowingly drawn attention to herself in some way?
Lin Mei gritted his teeth. He couldn't allow this to continue. Though he was just a child on the surface, he possessed knowledge beyond his years—knowledge of what lay ahead, thanks to his unique circumstances.
He needed to act.
But he couldn't alert his mother. Not yet.
Instead, he chose to follow the vampire, keeping to the shadows as he trailed behind discreetly. The creature didn't seem to notice his presence, moving leisurely through the city streets before slipping into a narrow, secluded alley.
Lin Mei paused for a moment, his heartbeat steady despite the tension in his chest. Carefully, he approached the alley's entrance, pressing himself against the cold brick wall.
Ahead, the vampire stopped in front of an old, rusted iron door. He raised a hand and knocked lightly. A few seconds later, the door creaked open, revealing a darkness so deep it seemed to swallow the light around it.
A frigid, unnatural air seeped from within.
Lin Mei's fingers curled into fists as he crouched, peering through the crack in the door. He couldn't see much inside, but he could feel it—that eerie, suffocating aura that signified something far worse than a single vampire.
Something was waiting inside.
Something dangerous.
And whatever it was, it had set its sights on Melissa.
Lin Mei took a deep breath, his mind racing through possibilities. He was far from ready for a direct confrontation, but he needed more information. He needed to understand who—or what—was behind this, and what their true intentions were.
His mother's life could depend on it.
Determined, Lin Mei made his decision.
He would step into the darkness and uncover the truth.
A mocking voice echoed from behind the iron door, laced with amusement and scorn. "Hey, Bob! Didn't you say you'd bring your prey right to the door? What happened? Got rejected?"
Lin Mei's blood boiled at the words. His fingers curled into fists as his eyes burned with fury.
"Damn it, shut up!" Bob's voice was filled with irritation. "That damn woman rejected me. If not for that, she'd already be my blood slave tonight! And let me tell you, she's a rare beauty."
He let out a frustrated growl before continuing, "Not just that—her business empire could solidify my status within the blood clan. I won't give up so easily. She will belong to me."
Lin Mei's body tensed. His heart pounded, his breath coming in sharp, controlled bursts. He had never felt such murderous rage before.
These filthy creatures deserved to die.
Melissa may not have been his biological mother, but she had loved and cared for him without hesitation. Over time, he had come to accept her as his true family. And now, these monsters dared to target her?
Unforgivable.
Another voice drifted through the door. "Alright, Bob, calm down. Come inside. We have plenty of fresh prey tonight. I think this little carnival will more than make up for your loss."
"Hmph." Bob sneered before stepping inside, vanishing behind the heavy iron door.
Lin Mei narrowed his eyes. He had followed them this far—there was no turning back now.
If these vampires thought they could take Melissa, they were in for a rude awakening.
His mind raced with possibilities. He was still a child, and despite his intelligence, he knew he was at a disadvantage. A vampire stronghold was no place to be reckless. He needed a plan.
Before making his next move, Lin Mei slipped away into the bustling streets, heading toward a nearby shopping center. He scanned the stores hurriedly, his eyes landing on exactly what he needed—an aisle filled with leftover Halloween costumes and props.
He grabbed a black cloak with a hood that would conceal his body and face. Pulling it over his head, he muttered, "Good thing there are still Halloween leftovers, or I'd have to wait for that bastard to come out."
His next stop was a jewelry store that remained open late into the night. He needed silver—anything that could serve as a weapon against vampires.
Fortunately, he was in a well-off district, not the crime-ridden Hell's Kitchen. Finding a high-end jewelry store that catered to late-night clientele was easy enough.
As he stepped inside, he didn't spare a single thought about money. Being a rich second-generation kid meant funds were never an issue.
What Lin Mei didn't realize, however, was that from the moment he had left the vampire hideout, he was being watched.
A figure clad in a black leather jacket and tight combat suit stood in the shadows. Twin silver blades rested on his back, and dark sunglasses concealed his sharp gaze as he tracked Lin Mei's every movement.
Blade had entered the scene.