Meanwhile, at Grand East Hospital.After a grueling four-hour surgery, the red light finally turned off. When Richie emerged, Evan felt so tense that he couldn't move a step.Richie sighed with relief and announced, "Mr. Jordan Jr.'s surgery was successful."This good news quickly lifted the heavy burden from Evan's shoulders.Evan nodded and instructed, "Ensure Axel receives the best medical care."Richie reassured him, "Don't worry, Mr. Jordan. We'll cure him, and our nurses will keep him company."Daniella also looked relieved. Her eyes were teary as she said, "Evan, I'm so glad to hear that."Evan glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Thank you."Daniella blushed, surprised, and stammered, "Y-You're welcome.""Let me treat you to a meal." After giving Richie a few more instructions, Evan turned to Daniella and said, "Let's go."-Caroline returned to Bayview Villa that evening.She placed her phone on the table during dinner, waiting for Axel's response.Tyler and Lior
Caroline said, "The signal might be weak in the mountains. Please inform Axel if he asks about me.""Absolutely!" the children assured her.-Alex met Evan at Villa Rosa at 9:00 p.m. They sat in the lounge, sipping wine. Alex asked, "I'm sure you're relieved now that Axel's surgery went well."Evan leaned back with his wine glass and took a sip. "Axel has to stay in a sterile room for a month.""Don't worry. Richie will provide top-notch care. By the way, are you attending the opening ceremony in two days?"Evan looked at him disapprovingly. "Aren't you taking Paige with you?""No, because my parents will be there too." Alex sighed. "Paige had a major argument with my mother today."Evan looked at Alex with curiosity. "Whose side are you on?""Undoubtedly on Paige's side!" Alex replied firmly."What an ungrateful son!" Evan teased.It put Alex in a tough spot. "I know, but I love Paige.""What's your plan?" Evan asked. "Your mother isn't easy to sway."Alex looked at Eva
Caroline chuckled helplessly, teasing Paige, "Not everyone dresses up like that, you know. Look, there are regular guests here, too."Tyler scoffed. "Godmother, maybe you should consider laser eye treatment."Upon hearing that, Paige glared at Tyler. "You never say anything nice!"Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Should I buy you an elegant suit, then?"Paige replied haughtily, "I'm already charming enough just by being myself. I don't need superficial things to enhance my charm."Liora affectionately hugged Paige. "Godmother, you're the prettiest. Tyler doesn't appreciate beauty. He's a bit clueless."Paige pinched Liora's cheek with joy. "Lia, you always say the sweetest things! Come on, let's have some fun!"As they strolled toward the lobby, a sudden scream pierced the air."Alex!"Paige and Caroline stopped in their tracks and turned their heads.They saw Azure in an elegant gown, waving gracefully.Alex stood beside a nearby car, dressed in a sleek suit with a gleaming black
Tyler shrugged. "I'm just being honest."Caroline glanced at the children, frustration written on her face. "Stay here and wait for me. I'll be back soon."The children nodded.Caroline loosened her grip on the children's hands and approached Paige. "Let's go inside first, Paige."Paige was nearly in tears. "I can't stand this place, Carol!"Caroline leered at Alex. "He should feel bad, not you."She turned away, not even looking at Evan.Evan watched their retreating figures while Alex's eyes remained fixed on Paige. Both wore pained expressions.After checking in, Caroline and Paige headed upstairs.However, the opening ceremony was in full swing downstairs, creating quite a racket.Paige collapsed on the bed and sobbed loudly. "Alex is a liar!"Caroline comforted Paige, stroking her back. "Maybe there's more to it than we think?""Why would that be?" Paige abruptly sat up, mascara streaking her face.The sight shocked the two children."That's hideous!" Tyler stared at
"I really like Alex a lot," Azure admitted. "I'm sorry for lying to you a few days ago. Now, I must warn you that if you intend to compete with me for Alex, you'll end up losing."Tyler and Liora were taken aback. 'She's so bold, coming here to wage war all by herself,' they thought.Paige said, "I have no interest in competing with you. I'll gladly give him to you, especially if he's so eager!"The children were impressed by Paige's boldness."Give me away?" Suddenly, Alex's voice filled the room.The crowd turned and saw Alex and Evan at the door. Caroline briefly locked eyes with Evan but quickly looked away, treating him like a stranger. Evan's expression darkened, and he tightened his grip on his hands.Paige calmly asked Alex, "What's wrong with what I said?"Alex approached her incredulously. "Are you really willing to give me to someone else?" he asked.Before Paige could respond, Azure interjected, "I shall take my leave, Alex."Alex ignored her words but watche
Evan smirked and remarked, "Your statuses have quite the contrast from the beginning. Although she may be carefree, she's still a woman, you know."Alex said, "You seem to have a good understanding of women..."Evan narrowed his eyes and asked, "What are you getting at?"Alex smiled mischievously and quipped, "Oh, nothing much, just that you couldn't land a date with Caroline either!"Evan's expression instantly tensed up. "Are you trying to get yourself in trouble, Alex?"Sensing the brewing tension, Alex quickly made a run for it.-Later that night, Paige stubbornly chose to stay in her room and sleep.Caroline took the children downstairs to the hot spring with no other options.After they changed into their swimwear, Caroline wrapped them in bath towels and walked out of the changing room.While keeping her head down to speak to the children, Caroline accidentally bumped into a man with glasses. She stumbled back a couple of steps, looked up at him, and apologized, "I'm
Tyler put on a sad expression as he gazed at Sookie and said, "Miss, can you please help me find my mom in the restroom?"Sookie couldn't bear to see Tyler's plea, so she nodded and led him to the restroom.At the restroom door, Tyler requested, "Miss, could you please check on my mom inside?"Sookie replied, "Of course."Tyler waited nervously outside while Sookie rushed into the restroom with a worried look on her face.After a brief moment, she dashed out of the restroom in a panic and spoke into her walkie-talkie. "Sir, there's someone unconscious in the south side hot spring restroom!"Panic-stricken, Tyler hurriedly entered the women's restroom. He discarded his drink and quickly located Caroline, unconscious."Mommy?" Tyler called out, but there was no response.Worried, he checked Caroline's breathing and felt relieved when he confirmed she was still alive. However, his relief was short-lived.'Wait, where's Lia?!' Tyler wondered.He swiftly checked the other bathroom
Suddenly, several video windows appeared on the screen.Tyler fixed the location at the southern restroom, setting the time to match when he bought his drink.Shortly after he left, he witnessed Caroline carrying Liora to the restroom.A slender figure wrapped in a bath towel entered the restroom not long after.Paige pointed at the person while staring at the surveillance footage. "That looks like a man!"Ignoring Paige, Tyler continued to watch the scene.Three minutes later, the man exited the restroom with Liora, covering her face. He calmly headed in another direction as if he had carefully planned his route.Tyler swiftly typed on the keyboard once more.In the next moment, the footage of the man carrying Liora appeared.Tyler glanced at the surroundings and directional signs before quickly dialing Evan's number.-Meanwhile, at the southern hot spring.Evan arrived at the scene and noticed several staff members and hotel medical personnel gathered around the restroom
Reese winced in pain. "Alright, ma'am. I guess I can read your mind? Be gentle!"Liora relaxed her grip at last. "Right, when are we going to that place you mentioned previously?""There's no rush. Your body isn't up for constant actions now. What if you get hurt by those harmful spirits again? I've already committed myself to you out of guilt. If it happens again, I won't have anything else to offer."Liora chuckled. "You make it sound like I'm desperate for your compensation.""What's wrong with that? I'm a strong, handsome man, and everyone loves me!" said Reese, displeased.Liora was astounded by his narcissism.She took a deep breath and said, "Reese.""Hmm?"Liora said, "In truth, I'm not the best choice to be your partner because of my profession. Those spirits may bother me from time to time. I'm the complete opposite of Isaac because of my negative physique.""What happens when you have a negative physique?""Spirits will be drawn to bother me and might cause me a lo
Reese and Isaac couldn't perceive the spirit, but they witnessed a dark mist dissipating before them.Isaac asked in astonishment, "What's happening, Lia?"Liora turned and answered, "The female spirit didn't want to move on, so her soul has been dissolved.""Dissolved? Do you mean her soul has been destroyed?" asked Reese. Liora nodded and looked around. "Uncle Kenny, please help me find the six spirits."Kenny took on the task and brought those fearful spirits in just a few minutes. Liora asked, "Do you want to choose the same option as her or come with me to Cross Chapel?""Cross Chapel!""We would have left long ago if we weren't trapped here by her threats!""She wouldn't let us go even in death. Aren't our lives worth anything?"After Fiery Red was gone, these spirits began to complain in anger.Liora was infuriated by their complaints. "How dare you criticize her! She may be responsible for your deaths, but what about you then? Do you think you bear no responsibil
"That's easy for you to say! Those who caused my death may have become spirits, but I still want to stop them from moving on!" Fiery Red barked. Liora frowned. "So, you're implying that those six students caused your death?""Why would I kill them otherwise?"Liora said, "It's time to let them go now that they've faced your revenge. Keeping them trapped is like trapping yourself. Why bother?""Allowing them to move on is letting them off too lightly!" Fiery Red roared. Liora said, "Your obsession is too strong and is keeping you trapped here. You're constantly hurting yourself with painful memories. If you move on properly, it will be a kind of liberation from your past.""Don't preach to me! I'll make it simple for you. It's either you die or my soul gets destroyed!" Fiery Red snapped. She was about to attack Liora just as she finished her sentence. Liora was planning to call out to Isaac when a figure suddenly showed up. Kenny rushed over and blasted away Fiery Red."Y
Tyler did not comment further upon hearing Liora's reply. In the evening, Isaac returned home from school to find Liora already there. He hurried over, brimming with excitement. "You're back, Lia! How are you feeling? Have you recovered from your injuries?"Isaac's smile stretched from ear to ear.Liora glanced at Isaac meaningfully and said, "Please do me a favor tonight, Isaac."Isaac nodded repeatedly. "Sure, are we heading to the campus?"Liora looked at Isaac in astonishment. "Are you not scared anymore?"The smile on Isaac's face faded slowly. "Spirits are scary, but I don't want to see you bullied by them again, Lia. I wanted to destroy those spirits on the same day after seeing you suffer. However, they told me to respect your decision, so I didn't do that."Liora caressed Isaac's head affectionately. "You've grown, Isaac. You know how to look out for me now."Isaac took Liora's hand and held her hand tightly in his own. "Lia, I've always cared about you. Next time you
Reese said, "Yes, you have been in love with her for 15 years and have invested a lot of time for her. However, haven't you noticed that Lia is a very rational person? As soon as she figures things out, she can move on immediately."Chester's breathing became irregular. He took two deep breaths shakily while staring at Reese. "Yes, she is more sensitive and rational than anyone else."Reese said, "I'm going to give you another analogy. If Lia chooses to be with me, what are you going to do?""Nothing. I said before that I'd respect Lia's choice no matter what. Similarly, you don't have to worry about anything else. I won't harbor any resentment because of love," Chester replied. Reese said, "In other words, you'll continue to be friends with Lia even if we end up together, is that right?"Chester frowned. "Lia and I are friends. If we can't be together, our relationship will remain the same as before. You like Lia, but you can't stop me from being friends with her, Reese."Reese
Reese raised his right arm and said, "My entire right arm was covered in blood at the time. I watched the removal of rotten flesh from your back with my own eyes. I couldn't sleep peacefully for days.""That's easy! Just get the doctor to prescribe sleeping pills to you. You will be able to sleep better, right?" Liora said while giggling. Reese crouched down next to the bed, smiling. "Lia, are you mad at me?"Liora was confused. "Mad at you? For what?"Reese scratched his nose. "If I didn't take you there, you wouldn't have gotten injured."Liora took a glance at him, astounded. "This has nothing to do with you taking me there. It's the ignorant spirits. I'll deal with them all once I recover!""You still want to go back there?" Reese exclaimed. "Yes, of course! Hades will be delighted if I can send the seven spirits to him," Liora said. Reese looked at the joyous smile on Liora's face, feeling guilty. "I was hoping that you'd scold me instead of talking to me so casually."
Reese sent away Tyler and the other, surging them to get some rest while he remained seated, his gaze fixed on Liora.She slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling slowly with each breath. Meanwhile, a nurse approached. Reese noticed her and hastily stood up. "Hello, nurse."The nurse asked, "How can I help you?"Reese said, "May I inquire when Liora can be transferred out of the ICU?"The nurse said, "I'm not too sure about that. It depends on the healing of her wounds and vital signs. She has the most extensive wound that I've ever seen on a girl. She might end up with scars…"The nurse opened the door and walked inside upon saying that. Reese was overwhelmed by a sense of guilt as he thought of the debt he owed to Liora. He knew he could never fully repay it in this lifetime.-Three days later, Liora was transferred out of the ICU.After learning about the incident, Caroline and Evan rushed to the hospital. They were heartbroken to see Liora lying prone on the be
Fear and worry flooded Reese's mind, making it impossible for him to sleep. He opened his eyes and looked at the sky through the skylight. Reese could not help Liora in her profession, so he wondered if he could help out in her safety. He thought about it before he grabbed his phone to text Tyler. Reese: [Can you tell me where Ms. Yelena is staying?]Soon, Tyler texted Yelena's hotel and room number. Reese: [Thank you, my friend.]Tyler sneered.Tyler: [I haven't settled the score with you over Lia's predicament.]Reese: [I'll accept any punishment you deem necessary. It was my mistake, and I'll take responsibility for it.]There was no reply from Tyler afterward.Reese did not send another text, so he started the car and drove to the hotel. -Half an hour later, Reese arrived at the door of Yelena's room. He pondered briefly before knocking on the door. Soon, he heard a response. "Coming."Yelena opened the door and was surprised to find Reese. "Are you the lad fro
Liora opened her palm. The outline of the charm was vague, but she could feel its intense energy. She took a deep breath and stood up. After sensing her movement, the spirits glanced at her. Liora turned to look at them and felt the same feeling that stopped her from leaving again!Suppressing the fear, Liora braced herself to walk out of the door.The closer she got to the door, the more intense the gloomy presence became—she felt as if her soul was being crushed. "Don't be scared, Lia!""Try to walk out, Lia! They won't hurt you!""Lia! Axel, Ty, Mr. Gates, and I are waiting for you!"Αfter hearing their voices, Liora shed tears. She gnashed her teeth and continued to stride toward the door, which seemed so close yet remained out of reach. She took a deep breath, raised her hand with the charm, and attempted to walk closer. This time, the spirits all turned to look at her. They rushed forward in unison when they sensed Liora was about to touch the door. Sensing t