“...Yeah, I’m happy.”
“I knew it!”
Kevin's smile grew even brighter.
Yosef held the little guy gently. From where Kevin couldn’t see, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Yosef’s lips.
But just as quickly as it appeared, it faded, as if a shadow of some unresolved thought passed over him.
Back at the villa, Diana had spent a few days resting after her return. Just as she was about to head out, her phone rang.
It was Frank, informing her that the storefront she had been eyeing was now available, ready for her to inspect and start renovating.
With nothing else pressing to do, she decided to go take a look.
As she was preparing to leave, she received another call, this time from Leah.
Leah’s voice was lazily teasing. “Hey, girl, where are you?”
“I’m at the villa, just about to head out. You sound like you just woke up. Were you still asleep?”
“Yeah... I was filming a commercial until the wee hours of the morn
Leah cozied up to Diana, displaying their close friendship. "I'm her best friend, and soon, we'll be family."Oh? Cenzo thought, his curiosity piqued. He didn't realize their boss had such connections.Just as Cenzo was about to ask more, a man stepped out of the storefront. He had a cigarette dangling from his mouth and looked displeased."Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to bring your boss over?"Diana pushed through the small crowd and walked up to the man. "I'm the boss. Speak your mind."The man glanced at Diana, who, despite her simple attire, was strikingly beautiful. He seemed taken aback for a moment, then chuckled."You? You don't look old enough to be a boss. Trying to play businesswoman, huh?"The man turned his head, eyes falling on the Rolls-Royce. Oh, they've got money. Maybe some rich guy is buying this place for his girlfriend to play shop."Got a problem with that?" Diana marched into the store and se
This was no time to back down.Summoning all his courage, Cenzo steadied himself. "Whatever you have against us, take it out on me. I don't think violence is the answer. Let's step outside and talk this over. How does that sound?""No need to go outside. I'll end you right here!"Charles's face contorted with rage. He tightened his grip on Cenzo with one hand and clenched his other into a fist, swinging it toward Cenzo's face."Aah!"Cenzo shut his eyes tight, bracing for the blow. But the expected pain never came. Holding his breath, he opened his eyes and saw that Diana had intercepted Charles's fist with her hand.The massive, brick-like fist contrasted starkly with Diana's delicate, pale fingers. The surprising thing was, Diana had actually stopped Charles's punch!Cenzo was stunned. Before he could process what had happened, Diana grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of Charles's grip as easily as picking up a chicken. Sh
Leah grabbed Diana's arm, her face full of concern and surprise. "Don't move, we'll take you to the hospital right away!"Diana's heart skipped a beat, but she forced a reassuring smile."It's nothing, just a nosebleed. Don't make a fuss..."Before she could finish, her vision suddenly darkened, and she collapsed forward....Diana was jolted awake by a slight pricking sensation on the back of her hand.She groggily opened her eyes and saw Dr. Myers, carefully administering an IV drip."Dr. Myers?""Ms. Thompson, you’re awake. Don’t worry, it's just a nutrient solution," he hurriedly assured her, evidently trying to allay any fears she might have had.A concerned voice called out from nearby, "Big sis, are you okay?"Diana turned her head to see that several people had gathered in the spacious bedroom, including Cenzo and Gates, who were both still in awe of the opulent surroundings, their mouths agape.Dia
Diana struggled to maneuver her hand, which was hooked up to an IV, so as not to get tangled.With her free hand, she gently patted Leah on the back.“Not that long... a few months, maybe...”Leah's grip was a bit too tight.Diana was about to ask her to ease up when she felt warm tears on her neck.Her chest tightened, and her nose started to sting with an unexpected wave of emotion.Trying to regain her composure, she forced a smile, “What are you doing? I’m not dead yet, you know...”“Shut up! Don’t talk about dying!”Leah’s voice was choked with tears.Diana continued, “You really don’t have to worry. I’m getting treatment, so...”She was cut off by a sudden wail.Diana froze.Leah instinctively loosened her embrace.They both turned to see Dr. Myers standing off to the side, tissues in hand, crying uncontrollably.Leah: ...Diana: ...Seeing their stares, Dr. Myers sn
Mitbahl had called, his voice urgent, to inform them that Diana had collapsed, a nosebleed preceding her fainting spell. John’s demeanor had shifted instantly upon hearing the news, canceling the trip and rushing back as if in a frenzy.The last time Xavier had seen his boss so unhinged was when Ms. Thompson had gone missing.“Boss...” Xavier began, his voice trailing off as John crossed the threshold of the villa, casting a cold glance in his direction. The frigid look made Xavier shrink back involuntarily.“I...I...” he stammered, but gave up. Partly because he realized that any attempt at comfort would be futile, and partly because his own stutter made it impossible to convey any reassurance.John swiftly ascended to the third-floor bedroom. Standing before the door, he took a deep breath, attempting to steady his emotions before gently reaching out to open it.Inside, the room was enveloped in silence. Thick blackout curtains blocked any hint o
The SUV jolted along the winding road, speeding through the rugged terrain.The ground was muddy with yellow clay, and there were no signs of life around.In the car, Patrick glanced worriedly at Yosef in the back seat."Mr. Nelson, are you okay?"The man slightly opened his eyes, his already pale face looking even whiter.He spoke, "How much longer?""About half an hour. Kirin went ahead and took care of everything, losing about ten men, but they cleaned it up. They caught a few survivors, some were Nelson family members, but no sign of Carl.""Good."Yosef replied faintly, then reached for a few pills beside him and swallowed them.As the medication took effect, the discomfort in his body eased a bit.Yosef turned to look out the window.All he could see was a sea of vibrant flowers, their red waves rippling in the breeze.Fields upon fields of poppies.Beautiful, yet poisonous.This
The kneeling men, though not understanding the conversation fully, had a pretty good idea of what was happening.They turned pale, fear draining the blood from their faces, and began pleading with Yosef."Mr. Nelson! Carl isn’t here. We don’t know who Natalie is, but… but there’s a secret basement that Yosef set up here...""Where’s the basement?" Patrick asked, "Take us there.""Right away, we’ll take you there now..."They were yanked up roughly and stumbled towards the backyard.Just as they reached the yard, the sound of helicopter blades whirring filled the air.A helicopter appeared, circling in from nowhere, preparing to land on the rooftop of the mansion.Suddenly, a slender figure, agile like a cat, darted across the rooftop, heading towards the helicopter.Kirin's eyes widened."Is that Natalie!?"Yosef waved his hand, and the men below immediately raised their guns, unleashing a barrage of bullet
At the mention of "Voodoo Lwa," Yosef's expression changed momentarily.It was then that he remembered why the man's clothing seemed vaguely familiar.At the "Mirage" auction, there was a Voodoo Lwa named Ivana, and her attire was quite similar to this man's."Let him go," Yosef commanded.Hearing this, the guards instantly released the man.He collapsed onto the floor, clutching his chest with a pained expression.Kirin's earlier kick had broken several of his ribs.Yosef spoke again. "Can you really create Voodoo Lwas?"At this, the man's previously dull eyes lit up with excitement."Of course! It's been centuries since our tribe last saw a Voodoo Lwa, but I... I am the only one who has succeeded! My daughter, my dear daughter, she is my only creation!"The man's eyes gleamed with an almost fanatical light.But then, as if remembering something, his expression turned to one of anger."But my daught