LOGINJust imagining that scene made Chloe Bishop tremble all over.Xavier Grayson didn't answer her question. Instead, he suddenly opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace — so tightly that it felt like he was trying to press her into his very being."It's over now."She lay against his chest, listening to the steady, strong beat of his heart. Her hand gently soothed his back. Beyond that, she didn't know what else she could do for him.Xavier Grayson said, "Luckily, most of those snakes weren't venomous. I was fortunate — none of the bites were poisonous."Chloe Bishop's heart ached. "I want to see your wounds."Xavier Grayson was silent for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "Don't look. I'll show you when they've healed."He didn't tell her how, when those snakes had latched onto him, he'd ripped them off one by one — the pain and revulsion making every second feel like hell on earth.His body was a mess now. Though the wounds were only superficial, they were too gruesome to look
Simon said, "I'm conducting an experiment and need a red snake gall. You'll go to the swamp lands for me and bring back that snake."Liam's face changed instantly. "Absolutely not. That's far too dangerous. The red snake is highly venomous, and it lives among other poisonous snakes in the swamp. Your request is unreasonable."The red snake, also known as the fire snake, was entirely crimson, extremely rare, and deadly — its bite was incurable.Simon smiled at Xavier Grayson. "If it's too much for you, then leave. I'll find the red snake gall myself. Some people go on and on about American medicine and legacy — but do they truly understand what legacy means?"Liam stood up. "I'll go."Simon pointed at Xavier Grayson. "I want him."Fury burned in Liam's chest. He drew his gun and aimed it at Simon. "Let me tell you something — because of you, the boss and I are covered in injuries. We don't have time for your little adventure games. If you're not coming with us today, I'll tie you up an
After the meal, Simon set down his bowl and glared at Xavier Grayson and Liam, his face dark. "Are you full? Good. Now leave."The old woman didn't speak up for them this time. She turned and went inside, closed the door — and chuckled to herself: Still so jealous at this age. How adorable.Xavier Grayson looked at the goateed old man before him and said unhurriedly, "Lord, how about we make a deal?"Simon waved him off. "Not interested. Now go.""If you agree to come out of seclusion, I guarantee you and your wife a lifetime of peace."Before coming, Shawn had told Xavier Grayson the reason Simon had gone into hiding all those years ago — it was the same reason Shawn himself had fled abroad.Back then, after Simon retreated from the world, respected old practitioners of traditional American medicine like Shawn had been left with no way out — either they stopped practicing altogether, or they escaped to foreign lands just to find peace.Simon let out a cold laugh. "Young man, don't be
Liam's expression was grave. "Boss, let me go down instead. If Simon is down there, I'll bring him to you."He didn't want Xavier Grayson to suffer through this.Though those scorpions weren't highly venomous, a sting near an artery would amplify the poison — and the pain would be unbearable, enough to make a man wish for death.But Xavier Grayson thought of Chloe Bishop's pale, fragile face. "I want to get back as soon as possible," he told Liam. "And I'm not going back empty-handed."With that, he snatched the fire-starter from Liam's hand and stepped into the entrance without hesitation.When Xavier Grayson and Liam finally emerged from the cave, their bodies were covered in stings. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads from the searing pain.But the sight before them made it all worth it.Spread out before them was a vast field of medicinal herbs — many in full bloom, their colors and shapes swaying gently in the breeze.In the center of the herb garden stood a simple wooden cabin.
After the wolf king collapsed, it struggled for a short while before breathing its last.The remaining wolves, seeing that these two humans were too dangerous to take on, reluctantly gave up and fled back into the forest.Xavier Grayson clutched his bitten arm and sank onto the snowy ground."Boss."Liam rushed over without a word. He tore open Xavier Grayson's sleeve and stared at the bloody, mangled arm. His eyes reddened as he disinfected the wound and sprinkled on coagulant powder.Before he could even bandage it, Xavier Grayson said, "That's enough. This place is dangerous — we need to move."Liam shouldered his pack and quickly fell into step behind Xavier Grayson.The path was treacherous, but Xavier Grayson pressed forward with unwavering determination. He had a feeling the snakes and wolves hadn't appeared by chance — someone had deliberately drawn them there.They walked for what felt like an eternity before finally reaching the cliff's edge. By then, dawn had broken.The gr
Xavier Grayson spun around sharply toward Liam.Liam was already unsteady on his feet, gasping for air as he leaned against a tree. Above his head, a bright green snake lunged straight at him."Watch out!"Xavier Grayson's face turned cold. He hurled his baton.Thunk!The sharp tip of the iron rod pinned the snake to the tree — its head dangling less than three centimeters from Liam's.Liam let out a breath of relief and slumped weakly to the ground.Xavier Grayson walked over, tugged the baton free with some effort, and sat down heavily beside Liam. He quickly unzipped his pack, pulled out a green vial, and shook two pills into Liam's palm.Before they'd set out, Shawn had warned Xavier Grayson about the miasma in the forest. Xavier Grayson suspected they were right in the middle of it — the thick snow cover hid the rotting matter beneath, but a foul smell still hung in the air.If Shawn's pills didn't work, he'd have to use pain to keep his mind clear and fight their way out of this
Inside the third car, Sienna was jolted forward, her head nearly colliding with the front seat. Leo Grayson’s reflexes were sharp; he reached out instantly, bracing her body to prevent a head injury."Are you okay?" Leo asked, his voice laced with genuine panic.Arthur Grayson’s voice crackled with
Old Master Grayson shook with a rage that bordered on convulsive, his finger trembling as he pointed at Xavier. "Get out! You curse, get out of this mansion immediately!"The Old Master’s hatred was rooted in a bloody family history. He had three sons. The eldest, Arthur Sr., had been sent to priso
The sensation was hauntingly familiar—the same oppressive weight she had felt when she was first dragged into this abyss.Chloe Bishop struck the metal wall of the elevator with her flashlight again. Thud. This time, there was no second sound. The air remained dead.Xavier Grayson watched her with
Looking into Chloe’s bloodshot eyes, Liam withdrew his probing gaze. He lowered his eyelids, remaining silent and detached, his long lashes veiling whatever emotions stirred beneath.Chloe had always adored Liam’s physical perfection. Even now, standing there in the dim light, he looked like a flaw







