LOGINThe thought of what was about to happen in that bed made Amelia's stomach churn, but she forced herself to stay calm.
She turned and walked into the closet to pack her things. In no time, she had a suitcase ready. "Adrian, that suitcase looks like a designer brand. Find her something else to pack her things," Misty's shrill voice rang out, dripping with contempt. Soon, Adrian brought over an old cardboard box and threw it at Amelia's feet. "Use this," he grumbled. Amelia squatted down to open her suitcase, but Misty's voice came again, "Check her luggage properly later. Some people have sticky fingers. We don't want her taking anything she's not supposed to." Hearing this, Amelia's mind flashed back to Maynard's cold, ruthless look. He was in the bathroom next door, and if he found the DNA test result, he'd probably humiliate her even more. Adrian and Misty were watching her closely outside the closet. Amelia glanced at the DNA test hidden deep in her suitcase and made a quick decision. She turned away and tore the paper into tiny pieces, then swallowed them one by one, forcing them down. She looked at Maynard's clothes in the closet, and the last spark of hope in her heart was extinguished. From now on, she would have nothing to do with him. Dragging the cardboard box, Amelia walked out of the closet and asked coldly, "Do you want to check it?" Misty clapped her hand over her mouth, her face twisted with disgust. "Get her out of here and check that box outside. It stinks!" She knew that if Maynard came out of the shower, she wouldn't be able to get rid of Amelia so easily. She couldn't leave this threat behind. Adrian pushed Amelia hard and growled, "Get out of here!" Amelia walked alone toward the villa's entrance. The short distance felt like an eternity. Adrian grabbed the cardboard box from her, dumped everything on the ground, and started searching, as if looking for something vital. But the DNA test was already inside Amelia. She squatted down and quietly picked up her scattered belongings when her phone rang. Tears streamed down her face as soon as she heard Rosemary's voice. She held back her tears when Misty humiliated her, and Maynard misunderstood her, but hearing Rosemary's voice finally broke her. Her voice was choked with sobs. "Rosemary." "Sweetheart, why are you crying?" "Rosemary, I broke up with Maynard. And I'm not Jackson's biological daughter. I don't have a family anymore." "I'm calling to tell you some good news. I heard that your family is looking for you." Amelia froze. "My family?" "Yes, don't cry. I heard you have parents and even a few brothers." Before Amelia could respond, her phone died. "Amelia, what are you up to now?" Maynard walked out of the hall in an oversized bathrobe. He had meant to let her stay for a few more days, but she packed and was about to leave while he took a shower. He looked at the scattered clothes on the ground—nothing but ordinary clothes, not a single luxury item. Hadn't she become his fiancée just to get these things while he was in a coma? Now, she was left with nothing? Maynard frowned at the old cardboard box. "Playing hard to get again? Trying to look pitiful? Grandma's not here!" After three years of dating, he had never been ungenerous with her financially. Was she really leaving, or was this just an act? Amelia clutched her dead phone tightly, still processing what Rosemary had said. To Maynard, her distraction seemed like an admission. Misty limped out, pretending to be hurt, with a fake smile on her face but a voice full of malice. "Maynard, she was packing to leave and insisted on using a dirty cardboard box from the kitchen. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen." Adrian quickly added, "Mr. Simmons, I tried to talk some sense into Amelia, but she wouldn't budge. She scattered her clothes everywhere. She had a designer suitcase but chose to look pitiful. If word gets out, people will think the Simons family is mistreating her." The air grew silent. Amelia stood there like a statue, listening to their lies. She looked at Maynard, wondering what he would say. His gaze was piercing. "Don't you have anything to say for yourself?" Exactly. Amelia's eyes flashed with mockery. "They've said everything." 'What's the point of explaining when you won't believe me?' "Amelia, are you never satisfied? What more do you want?" In his eyes, she was just a gold-digger. Amelia shrugged. "I just wanted to be one of those rich wives who shop till they drop or enjoy beauty and afternoon tea. The most I got to do was cook in the kitchen and go to the supermarket. After three years, I'm kicked out, wasting three years of my life. Now, I don't want to serve you anymore. Is that so wrong?"The Evil Energy that could even make Amelia feel a sharp sting fell on Elijah like gentle water, flowing slowly along his skin. Instead of draining his life energy, it was gently absorbed by his body and completely merged within him.A faint, dark golden radiance, imperceptible to others, surrounded him. This was a strange power from deep within his body, which completely neutralized the devouring force of the Evil-Energy Gathering and Soul-Binding Formation. It even treated the Evil Energy and the resentment of departed spirits within the formation as nourishment for itself.Elijah spun around curiously, the decaying leaves beneath his feet crackling as the Evil Energy froze them, yet he felt utterly comfortable, as if he were soaking in the most pleasant warm water.He reached out to grab a wisp of thick, bluish-gray mist, brought it to his nose and sniffed lightly. His small face was full of joy, and he muttered softly, "So comfortable, much more fun than any
"And the scene was spotless, as if no one had ever set foot there. The state issued a direct order for me to take over."She frowned slightly, her fingertips tapping gently on her arm, as a powerful intuition sounded a frantic alarm in her mind: "This was definitely not an ordinary disappearance. Ordinary people could never leave without a single trace. The search dogs refused to go forward—there was only one possibility: a formation had been set there, and evil spirits were at work in the shadows. Those young people were not missing; they had been forcibly taken, and may have already met with misfortune."Carl's gaze was calm: "We'll know what happened once we take a look."Amelia nodded without the slightest delay, for those seven people were living lives at stake.Amelia picked up her phone and quickly dialed the special unit, her voice cold and decisive: "Notify all members to assemble at the Soul-Binding Forests of Mistpeak Mountains in ten min
The mist was icy and bone-chilling, unlike the ordinary coldness of water vapor; it carried a chilling and evil aura of deathly stillness. Once it touched the skin, it crazily burrowed into the body through every pore, freezing the blood as if it would congeal, and filling the gaps between the bones with shards of ice."Ah! So cold!" a boy was the first to scream in agony. He felt all the warmth being sucked from his blood, his limbs instantly turning stiff and numb. His fingers could not bend at all, and his headlamp slipped from his hand, crashing onto the decaying leaves with a "clang" before going out completely without rolling far.Lailah instinctively tried to grab Ryker beside her, but as soon as she reached out, she felt a strange suction coming from the depths of the white mist. That force was not human, yet it carried an irresistible power, as if an invisible hand had gripped her soul and was dragging her into the depths of the mist.Her body floated u
Alfonso's warning, forged with cold iron and resolve, was like a stone cast into a deep pool, echoing in the silent room for a long time, its lingering resonance heavy, pressing the air until it seemed a thin layer of ice had formed.The scent of sandalwood still wound gently through the air, but the warm, soft rays of the setting sun seemed blocked outside the window by this chilling aura. Between the three people in the room, there stretched a silent yet weighty tension.Howard, sitting among the soft pillows on the bed, did not attempt to mediate. He simply gazed calmly at Carl. Though he was gentle and broad-minded, he, like Alfonso, cherished Amelia as dearly as his own life. Today's confrontation was, in truth, the most rigorous and sincere test for the man before him, who was about to enter the Cromwell family and take Amelia away.He was waiting—for Carl's response, for an answer that could put their hearts completely at ease.Carl remained
He was not surprised in the slightest, as if he had already sensed the presence outside the door. Only a faint trace of understanding flashed in his eyes before he returned to his usual calm and gentle composure.He raised his hand and gently gestured toward the chair at his side, his tone peaceful and unruffled, without a hint of annoyance at being disturbed: "You're here, come in and have a seat."On the bed, Howard also turned his gaze toward Carl, who stood at the doorway.He lay flat on the soft silk bedding, much of the pallor from his coma having faded. His complexion had returned to a gentle porcelain white, his lips were delicately outlined, and his brows and features bore the handsome lineage of the Cromwell family. Having only just awakened, a faint weariness from his long slumber still lingered about him, yet it did nothing to diminish the innate nobility and upright grace in his bearing.His gaze passed over Alfonso's shoulder and landed dire
Alfonso's voice fell softly, breaking the tender silence that had settled in the living room. He stood by the coffee table, his posture upright, fingertips still carrying the gentle warmth of tea, his gaze sweeping over the embracing grandparent and grandchild before finally resting on Amelia's face, filled with silent concern.Amelia raised her hand, her fingertips brushing her cheek, where the lingering warmth still remained.She took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotions in her heart until only a calm softness remained. Lifting her eyes to Hamza, her voice was still slightly hoarse, yet every word was clear: "Grandfather, you understand everything in your heart, don't you?"This was not a question, but more of a test. She knew Hamza had seen much in his life; from the changes in their eyes after awakening, from the subtle shifts in Alfonso's aura during his three days of unconsciousness, from Alfonso to Howard's coma, he had already pieced together
Amelia's voice was calm and light: "Do you have people in Mexico?""Of course, that's my first home," Colten replied with a hint of pride at the corner of his eyes. "I can't speak for other places, but when it comes to Mexico, I'm more than familiar."Amelia smiled faintly: "Let's find a place to h
When the crowd heard this, they all returned to their seats. This was the first time there had ever been a hidden item; such a situation had never occurred before.Two staff members carefully carried a tray covered with white silk onto the stage. On the tray was an object protected by a glass dome,
She immediately bent down, carefully removed the metal clip, and spoke softly: "Alfonso, I'm here."Alfonso slowly raised his head. When he saw Amelia, a flash of surprise and relief appeared in his eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but only a hoarse whimper came out. The intense pain in
Carl smiled faintly. "Alright, I get to taste your cooking again."A moment later, the others dispersed, leaving only Amelia, Carl, and Victoria in the courtyard."Grandma, let's go inside." Amelia supported Victoria. "I'll make you something to eat."Amelia helped Victoria t







