Evan pushed the menu toward Daniella. "Order something," he said.Daniella ordered a steak and handed the menu back. "You should order too," she suggested.Evan said coldly, "I'm not eating."He signaled the waitress, saying, "That's all."The waitress served water to both of them and replied, "Of course, sir."After the waitress left, Daniella looked puzzled and asked Evan, "Is there something you want to talk about?""I'm very grateful to you for helping with Axel's matter. I will pay you the money we agreed upon now," Evan said."Hold on! Are you ending our relationship so soon, Evan?" Daniella exclaimed.Evan stated, "70,000,000 dollars is more than enough for the bone marrow purchase.""I don't care about the money! I just want to spend more time with Axel!" Daniella said emotionally.Evan closely examined Daniella and couldn't see any fake emotions in her for the time being.Daniella leaned forward, held Evan's hand on the table, and pleaded, "Please don't push me away
Kenny exclaimed enthusiastically, "I heard that Evan knows martial arts, but Neil is impressive, too! Neil usually comes across as polite and graceful. I never thought he'd get angry or into a fight!"Caroline tossed her phone aside and stood up, wearing a displeased expression. She said, "This isn't the time to discuss their fighting skills, Kenny. Come with me to meet my brother!"Caroline glanced at Scott and the kids. "Scott, I'll leave the children with you. I'm going out."Scott nodded. "Sure."Caroline and Kenny headed outside. "G, where are we meeting them? Hey, slow down! Grab a jacket!"Liora looked at Tyler with worry. "Ty, Daddy got into a fight with Uncle Neil!"Tyler ate slowly. "Don't get involved in adult matters."Although he didn't know the details and was concerned for his uncle, he realized it wasn't the right time to interfere.Liora glanced at Scott and whispered, "Will Daddy get hurt?"Tyler replied, "Don't stick your nose in it.""I can't help it. I'm
Caroline watched Neil leave, feeling helpless.Evan walked over and asked, "Have you eaten?"Before Caroline could reply, Kenny interjected, "She hasn't had dinner yet, but she was about to when I got home."Caroline glared at Kenny and turned to Evan, asking, "Why did you fight with my brother, Evan?"Evan frowned and countered, "Why didn't you ask who started it?"Caroline questioned, "Wasn't it because my brother found you with Daniella and instigated the fight? The video clearly shows it."Evan's stomach twisted as he tried to explain, but Caroline cut him off coldly, "I don't want to hear it anymore."She had seen Daniella holding Evan's hand in the footage. What more was there to explain?Evan wanted to clarify, but Kenny intervened, "Caroline doesn't want to hear your explanation, Mr. Jordan. She's still recovering from her head injury. Don't give her a headache."Evan glared at Kenny and turned away. Caroline's rejection was clear, and he couldn't upset her with a band
"Don't worry, Tyler! I won't tell!"-The next morning, Eira woke the children at 5:30 a.m. for training.Tyler and Liora stayed in bed without moving.Eira grew suspicious. "Hmm? Something's not right. Are you trying to avoid training?"Liora rubbed her tummy. "I have a stomachache, Eira.""Me too," Tyler said weakly.Eira was shocked, thinking, 'It's bad enough that one of them has it, but both? Something doesn't feel right…'Eira entered the room, closed the door, and stared at the children with her arms crossed. "Tell me, what's going on?"Liora widened her eyes innocently. "Eira, I really don't feel well."Eira felt Liora's forehead. "You don't have a fever. Show me your tongue."Liora showed her tongue to Eira, not understanding what was happening.Eira sneered upon seeing that. "Pretending to be sick, huh? You both have some bad habits."The children blushed when they were caught.Eira sat down on the sofa. "Tell me the truth."Liora and Tyler got up from the bed
"Fuck! Everyone's gone, leaving me in this forsaken place!" Alex shouted.Evan retorted, "What can I do when you're spending all your days in bars?""Evan! Do you even have a conscience?"Evan shrugged. "Not really, bye." He hung up shortly afterward.Surprisingly, the office phone rang not long after that.Evan picked up, asking, "What is it?"The receptionist spoke respectfully. "Mr. Jordan, two children are here asking to see you downstairs."'Two children?' Tyler and Liora immediately came to Evan's mind. 'What brings them to see me at MK?'Evan ordered, "Bring them upstairs."He immediately called the secretary's office and asked them to get some snacks for the children from the convenience store.Five minutes later, Tyler and Liora arrived at the door.Several secretaries were curious, whispering amongst themselves."Who are they?""I don't know! One of them resembles Mr. Jordan!""I thought Mr. Jordan already had a son?""Could these two have just returned from ab
Tyler wanted to facepalm as Liora acted like a fangirl.Evan smirked and said, "I'm okay, no injuries."Liora eyed Evan suspiciously. "Are you really okay? Are you a better fighter than Uncle Neil?"Evan's gaze darkened.He had faced racism while studying abroad in Spania and learned how to fight from those fights.Thinking about it, he hoarsely muttered, "I suppose."Liora cautiously studied Evan's expression, sensing a hint of bitterness in her father's eyes. Tyler also noticed that and frowned, wondering if Evan had other painful experiences aside from their grandmother.Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.Evan said, "Come in."The secretary entered with a bag of snacks, panting heavily. "The snacks are here, Mr. Jordan."Evan nodded to the secretary to place the snacks in front of the kids with a nod of his head.Liora's eyes lit up at the sight of the snacks. "So much delicious food!"Evan smiled gently. "Feel free to have more. I'll take you out for lunch."Tu
Evan couldn't resist picking up Liora and placing her on his lap. "I can do that, but I don't want the popsicle," Evan said gently.'Daddy carried me, and now I'm sitting on his lap!' Liora blushed at that thought and said, "Thank you.""Do you have a phone?" Evan asked.Liora was surprised. "No, Mommy got one for Tyler."Evan frowned, wondering why she was favoring her son. "Do you want one?"Liora shook her head. "It's enough that Tyler can help me make calls or send text messages.""Can I get you one so we can stay in touch?" Evan asked.It was more than just staying in touch—it was about building a relationship with his long-lost children.Liora's eyes widened slowly. "Is this our secret?"Evan gently caressed Liora's head. "Yes."Liora beamed and extended her little finger. "Alright! Pinky promise!"-At Villa Foresta.Casey slowly opened his eyes in his dark room. He touched his throat and felt an unusual pain, causing discomfort. He removed the blanket and weakly pr
Casey recalled the doctor's prescription of supplements when he left the hospital. Casey: [I stopped taking them for a few days.]Doctor: [You can't stop taking the medicine yet. You must take the supplements regularly, considering your condition.]Casey: [So it's just an allergic reaction?]Doctor: [Yes, sir.]Casey felt relieved. Casey: [Visit Villa Foresta today if you're free. I have a fever.]Doctor: [Sure. I'll start an intravenous drip at noon.]-Downstairs, Daniella had breakfast in the dining room, feeling uneasy about Casey's sudden change.'Did he do that because he blamed me for not getting him into MK sooner?' she wondered.She absentmindedly ate her oatmeal until Casey entered the room wearing a black turtleneck sweater.Daniella smiled. "I'll serve you some oatmeal, Casey."Casey nodded and sat at the dining table. Daniella placed the bowl in front of him. "I met your father yesterday, Casey."Casey looked puzzled. "What do you want with my father?"D
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