Chapter 9

"What? Master Quentin, are you… are you serious? Alright. I understand."

When Madeline hung up the phone, every pair of eyes in the room turned toward her.

"Mom, what did Master Quentin call about?"

She drew a long breath, steadying the emotion in her voice. "Do you remember how the Caison family from Nambern was planning to invest in an international music academy in Vermillion Delta?"

Everyone nodded.

"Well, Master Quentin just informed me—the representative from the Caison family is Robert Caison."

At the mention of that name, her tone shifted, carrying a weight of reverence.

"What? Robert? The legendary Aetherlord?"

"He's one of the most powerful people in Sacholles, and he is coming to Vermillion Delta?"

"I heard Robert suffered a serious injury years ago. They said he wouldn't live past sixty. Maybe he's here to return to his roots. His mother was from Vermillion Delta, after all."

As hushed murmurs filled the room, Madeline's voice cut through them like a blade. "Silence!"

The room froze.

"A legendary Aetherlord like Robert holds status and power beyond what we can imagine. Do you want to bring ruin upon the Madison family by carelessly gossiping about him?"

Stillness fell, as heavy as stone. No one dared speak.

She continued, "Previously, I said that whoever secured the Caison family's cooperation on the music academy would receive the Rose Villa by Viona Lake."

A pause.

"But I've changed my mind."

"Whoever succeeds in sealing this deal with the Caison family—will become the next head of the Madison family."

Gasps rippled across the room.

Hilda visibly stiffened.

"Grandma… are you serious?" Scarlet's voice carried a barely hidden tremor.

She hadn't been interested in the Caison family's project. But this changed everything. Becoming head of the Madison family was something she dreamed about, night after night.

"Since when have I ever lied to any of you?"

As soon as the words left Madeline's lips, Cora, who stood quietly at Emory's side, stepped forward. "Grandma, I'll do everything I can to negotiate this deal with the Caison family."

"You?" a male cousin sneered, not bothering to hide the disdain in his tone. "Cora, are you joking? Robert's status is miles above ours. If we're sending someone to represent the Madison family, it should be someone like Scarlet—a CEO of a publicly listed company. Or at least your younger cousin, who is a strong warrior. If not them, maybe Alice from abroad, who graduated top of her class. But you? What do you have? No job, no degree. What makes you think you qualify?"

"I…" Cora's voice faltered. She couldn't find the words to respond.

But beside her, Emory's voice rang out—cold and clear.

"Scarlet, we had a deal. I said if I cured Cora's legs within three days, you'd let her handle the Caison family negotiations. Her legs are healed. Don't tell me the Madison family plans to go back on its word?"

Scarlet laughed, sharp and mocking. "You? You cured her legs? Don't flatter yourself. It was clearly Dr. Ian who did that."

Emory's expression didn't change. "Then call Dr. Ian and ask him. Ask him if he has that kind of skill."

"Fine, we'll do that. What, you think I'm scared of you?" Scarlet pulled out her phone.

But before she could dial, Madeline snapped, "That's enough."

Her gaze swept across the room.

"Any member of the Madison family is allowed to negotiate with the Caison family. Whoever seals the deal will become the next head of the Madison family."

…

When Emory and Cora returned home, everything was still and quiet.

Suddenly—

Swoosh.

Something soft and fragrant landed in Emory's arms. A subtle scent drifted to his nose—light and elegant, like an orchid in bloom.

"Cora?" he asked, caught off guard.

She was on her tiptoes, wrapped around him tightly. For a moment, Emory stood there frozen, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against his. He could clearly sense the curves and shape of his wife—something he hadn't paid attention to before.

"Honey… thank you for healing my legs," Cora said softly, her cheeks turning pink as she buried her face in his chest. "Everyone else says it was Dr. Ian, but I know it was you. You healed me. From now on… I'll take good care of you."

She'd wanted to hug him ever since she first stood up at the hospital. But there were too many people around. She was too shy. Now that they were home, nothing was holding her back.

"There's no need to thank me," Emory murmured. "We're husband and wife. If anyone should take care of you, it should be—"

But before he could finish, a cold voice rang out behind them.

"Cora, don't you have any shame?" Helen snapped. "Can't you show a little decency? You're a young woman—what happened to being modest? And don't tell me that it was Emory who healed your legs!"

"Why not?" Cora replied firmly. "That herbal juice was clearly Emory's special remedy."

"Special remedy?" Helen scoffed. "What a joke. If he really had some miracle cure, wouldn't he be selling it for money? Instead, he brought some worthless mushrooms from the mountains as a betrothal gift. Pathetic."

"Even if he doesn't have some secret recipe," Cora shot back, "he's still my husband. What's wrong with me hugging him?"

"Husband or not, you can't just cling to him like that!"

Helen yanked Cora away from Emory's arms.

As her warmth left him, Emory felt oddly empty. But then, all at once, something stirred inside him—something deep and unfamiliar. The Solar Vein Curse that had plagued him for years… was suddenly quiet.

"What…?" His expression shifted. "The Solar Vein Curse is… being suppressed?"

In all his years at the Vale of Cameron, the Solar Vein Curse had never once been contained. And now, within days of arriving at the Madison household—

No wonder his master had told him long ago: You must marry a woman of the Madison family if you wish to survive.

Now he understood. The women of the Madison family had the power to suppress the Solar Vein Curse.

…

The next morning, Cora had lightly touched up her makeup before heading to Crystal Baycourt in Goldspire City.

It was the most luxurious residential compound in Vermillion Delta.

And the people from the Caison family of Nambern… were staying there.

"Excuse me, who are you looking for?"

At the entrance, a few men in black robes blocked her path. Their steps were grounded, blood energy steady—clearly warriors.

"Hello," Cora said with composure. "I'm Cora Madison from the Madison family in Goldspire. I'm here to speak with the Caison family about the international music academy—"

Before she could finish, one of the men cut her off with a flat tone. "Sorry. The Caison family isn't receiving visitors today."

"…I understand." Cora hesitated, then turned around slowly, her shoulders tight with disappointment.

"Hey, Cora, you actually had the nerve to come to Crystal Baycourt and try to talk to the Caison family?"

A sleek red Porsche stopped in front of her. Scarlet sat inside, draped in a high-end Chanel evening gown and Valentino heels. She lowered the window with a mocking smile.

"What happened? Got turned away at the gate? Didn't even get a glimpse of them, did you?" Her voice was sweet but laced with cruelty. "You should give up now. Don't embarrass yourself at places like this."

"I won't give up," Cora said calmly. Without looking back, she walked away.

Inside the Porsche, a man in the passenger seat glanced at her departing figure.

"That woman… who is she?" Sylas asked. His eyes followed her, caught by her presence.

There was something pure and untouched about her—like a lotus about to bloom, completely unsullied by the world. So different from Scarlet's polished, poised beauty.

"She's my cousin," Scarlet replied with disdain. "Cora. Used to be disabled."

"Disabled?"

"She got her leg healed yesterday by Dr. Ian. So technically, not disabled anymore."

Scarlet looked at Sylas with a sly smile. "What? You interested in her?"

Before he could respond, she continued casually, "Go ahead and try. You'll never win me over, but Cora? That's a lower bar. Could be worth a shot."

"But… isn't she married to Emory?" Sylas asked, uncertain.

"Emory? Please. He's just some hillbilly from the mountains," Scarlet scoffed. "Can he even compare to you? Besides, don't men like you prefer married women?"

"Cough, cough…" Sylas laughed awkwardly. "Scarlet, don't say it like that. Not all men are the same. I'm a very… pure kind of guy."

She didn't bother to call him out on the lie. Instead, she shifted gears, her voice casual. "Sylas, didn't you say you had a way to help me meet the Caison family? What's your plan?"