Later that evening...

There was a celebration going on at the Symons estate.

After a hectic day in Millfall, with many rumors circulating and the start of an army-imposed curfew, the Symons family was one of the few who had reason to celebrate that evening.

Having gone into seclusion earlier in the day to absorb part of the 3rd-stage herb, Viscount Symons had succeeded and advanced to the middle level of the 3rd stage!

Having left his meditation place a few minutes ago, the Viscount was joined at home by several of his friends and family to celebrate his progress.

There were his main wife, his other women, his son Marcus, some of his and his wives' relatives, as well as important business partners and even future family members, like the Staples.

The Viscount was now in a circle of important local figures, chatting and drinking with two local Barons and an important merchant from the city, smiling after greeting everyone who had come to congratulate him.

"Viscount Symons, you are now officially the man closest to the 4th stage in Millfall. From now on, nothing will stand in your way of becoming a Count." Shelby's father, Baron Staples, said with a broad smile.

This man was almost as happy as the Viscount!

With his daughter promised to the heir of the Symons family, his family's future looked brighter now that the Viscount had advanced to the next level!

"Hahaha, nothing will stand in OUR way, ours, not just mine. As business partners," the Viscount said as he gestured to everyone present before pointing to Shelby's father, "and as future members of the same family, we'll grow up together."

All the men beside the viscount laughed together, everyone there very pleased.

No one was worried about Cesar's situation and his suspicious return at the same time as Commandant Hogan's death.

Strange as Cesar was, now that a Commander had died and forces from the capital were coming to town, it was only a matter of time before someone would deal with the Mazzanti family.

Not only that but now that Viscount Symons had advanced and become a Mid-level Mage, he was a man with raw defensive power similar to that of Sovereigns. How could Cesar be a threat to the current him?

Consequently, no one at the celebration was worried about Cesar.

But while many people were laughing and celebrating the growth of the Viscount, Shelby was standing next to Molly, but also next to someone she didn't like at all, Marcus.

"My fiancee, you look so beautiful tonight," Marcus said as he looked into the beautiful eyes of the orange-haired woman in front of him, close enough to smell her perfume. "We'll be living together soon, sleeping side by side. So why don't you come with me for a walk? I want to show you our future home."

Shelby smiled and said. "That would be wonderful, but I'm afraid the curfew doesn't allow us to visit our future home, Marcus. Why don't we do it another day? There's an important auction the night before our wedding. That would be a good day to visit our future home."

"Oh?" Marcus didn't find Shelby's words strange because going out that night would be problematic even if they had ways to get around the curfew.

On the other hand, he didn't suspect Shelby of the attempted murder earlier. He knew how that woman was, but he didn't think she was stupid enough to act against her own family's interests and commit serious crimes that could lead to the death of not only her but her entire family.

Moreover, as Shelby had been betrothed to him, betrothed women showed behaviors like hers often enough for her manners not to be considered abnormal.

He was a man raised to be the leader of his own family. Hence, he saw this as a little rebelliousness from a woman who didn't yet understand her own place. But he intended to teach her well very soon and make her understand that her role was to please and obey.

"Okay. We can do what you suggested." He said with a smile, while his thoughts completely differed from what he expressed on the outside.

'Just you wait, you little slut, I'm going to make you a good submissive. That must be what you want, isn't it? Women like you who act so independently are actually great submissives in bed. When I dominate you, you'll understand the truth about yourself! I'll make you understand what you're really missing!'

Marcus thought as he turned away from Shelby, glancing discreetly at his future wife's stepmother.

Seeing Amy looking at him with interest, he smiled at his future mother-in-law before moving to a more secluded area of his estate.

Seeing this, Amy, who was standing near the wives of the men chatting next to the Viscount, excused herself and discreetly made her way to the same spot as Marcus.

Arriving at the back of the Symons estate, she saw Marcus smoking a cigar and looking at her body without worrying about being accused of looking inappropriately at his future mother-in-law.

She smiled, knowing that he was staring at her wide hips and that he desired her.

It had been evident to her for a long time, but Marcus had never demonstrated it as clearly as he did now. "You seem more confident about the future, don't you?" She asked as she approached him and took the cigar from his lips.

As he watched Amy puffing on his cigar, Marcus looked at this mature woman's cleavage and truly felt more confident.

His influence and social standing had just gone up a few notches with his father's promotion!

Feeling better than ever, he dared to take a step he had planned for months.

"Amy, my self-confidence has always been good. So much so that my current intentions are the same as they were months ago. You should know that." He softly said as he cupped her waist with one hand.

"I know." She smiled as she let out the smoke she had inhaled.

"But now I think you're also more willing to go on adventures than before..." He smiled as he watched her lips. "Perhaps you'd like to test your stepdaughter's future husband?" He teased her as he finally 'kneaded' Amy's beautiful ass.

She smiled even more when she heard that. 'Testing you for Shelby?' She thought as she bit her lip.

It wasn't quite right, but it wasn't wrong either.

'My damned husband still thinks about that little bitch's mother... So why not take revenge on him with Shelby's future husband?' She brought her lips close to Marcus' as one of her hands went to his crotch.

As a woman with her own interests, what she was starting wasn't just an act of revenge for Amy. This was an investment. Marcus could be a Viscount or even a Count in the future. Why not take revenge on her husband while getting close to such a promising young man?

That could guarantee her a place at the side of a Count in the future!

Between being a Baron's wife and a Count's mistress, the second option was much more valuable!

So it wasn't long before Amy and Marcus disappeared from the party, leaving behind many people who wouldn't miss them for the next full hour.

At the end of this meeting, only they would know what really happened between future mother-in-law and son-in-law!