Chapter 4

Liam's eyes were bloodshot. He turned and charged forward.

I grabbed him and held him back.

"Don't."

Munskar watched as I restrained Liam, and the smile on his lips grew wider.

"I already told you. I'm giving you two hours to think about it. But since you refuse, I had no choice but to come here myself."

Timora stepped forward in her high heels, sorrow written all over her face.

"I know you think we're being unreasonable. But that's my daughter. She's only eighteen, yet she's already been fighting for her life in the Healing Grove for sixteen hours!"

Her eyes turned red-rimmed as she wrapped her arm around Munskar, who gently patted her shoulder. Then he slowly turned back to me, his gaze cold enough to freeze the air between us.

"Twenty million. I can transfer it right now. Get in the car, and we'll leave immediately."

"I told you already. I won't take this mission."

"You're still negotiating with me?"

He tilted his head slightly, his contempt impossible to hide.

"Fine. Name your price."

He scoffed.

"Forty million? Sixty million? Isn't money what you want? I'll give you whatever amount you ask for."

I lifted my eyes to meet his.

"This isn't about money."

"Then what is it about?"

He took a step forward, and the overwhelming pressure of his presence crashed over me.

"If it's not money, then what? Is it because we're enemies? Do I even know you?"

I stared straight into his eyes. The warmth he once looked at me with was long gone. All that remained was arrogance, superiority, and impatience.

"We've never met."

"Then there's no reason for you to refuse."

He waved his hand, delivering his final ultimatum.

"I don't care who you are. I don't care what kind of attitude you have."

His eyes darkened with desperation.

"Vivian is fighting for her life, and you're the only one who can save her. You have two choices. Take the money and come with me. If you refuse, I'll make the choice for you."

He turned his gaze toward Liam, his eyes cold and merciless.

"Otherwise, your partner's daughter will spend tonight working the entire hospital's night shift alone."

Liam's face instantly drained of color.

"What are you talking about?"

His voice trembled.

"Nothing."

Munskar looked at him without a trace of emotion.

"Every year, witches die unexpectedly in Snow Town. Especially the inexperienced newcomers."

"You're threatening us with my daughter's life!"

Munskar didn't answer.

He simply turned his attention back to me.

"As for the Herbalist Guild... If Vivian dies, I'll shut this place down tomorrow."

Timora stepped forward again, desperation written in her eyes.

"Olivia, please. Can you save her? Vivian must be terrified, and she must be freezing."

She reached out toward my arm.

I instinctively stepped back, leaving her hand grasping at empty air.

"Don't touch me."

Timora's hand froze midair. A flash of irritation crossed her face. But in the next second, it was replaced by a wounded, helpless expression.

"I didn't mean to offend you. I'm just too worried."

Munskar pulled her back to his side.

The look he gave me was colder and sharper than before.

"This is your last chance. What's your answer?"

"No."

His lips curved into a smile.

A loud, arrogant laugh escaped him.

"Fine."

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, is this the Herbalist Guild in Snow Town? Have the new girl, Ophelia, work the entire night shift at the hospital alone tonight. Yes. Alone. Every patient will be under her care."

Liam couldn't hold himself back anymore.

He rushed forward.

"Munskar! How dare you!"

One of the bodyguards stepped forward instantly. He raised a hand and shoved Liam hard.

Liam's body slammed into the concrete ground, and a dull crack echoed as his forehead struck the pavement.

Blood spilled instantly.

"Olivia!"

He pushed himself back up from the ground and fell to his knees in front of me again.

"Please, save Ophelia!"

Munskar ended the call and looked at me, a victorious smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"See? This was such a simple matter. You're the one who insisted on making it complicated."

Blood dripped from Liam's forehead as he knelt on the ground, his entire body trembling.

I turned my gaze away from him and looked back at Munskar.

Munskar was using the same tactic. It was the same cruel game he had played ten years ago, and he was using it again.

To him, others' lives had always been nothing more than disposable pieces on a chessboard.

"You think I'm scared?"

Munskar shrugged carelessly. "Whether you're scared or not doesn't matter."

"If you don't go, his daughter won't survive the night, and this Herbalist Guild won't make it either. All because of your insignificant obsession, you're willing to sacrifice everyone's lives and futures. Tell me, Olivia. Is it really worth it?"

Timora stepped forward again, her voice gentle and sweet, like the whisper of a venomous snake.

"Olivia, you only need to go to the Healing Grove once, and everything will be over. We'll still pay you, and I'll make sure the Herbalist Guild is protected. Also, Liam's daughter can come home safely. Why put yourself through this?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of the cold air.

The engine hummed, and the chill of late autumn cut against my skin like a blade.

I opened my eyes and stared at Munskar.

"I can't save her. Her father killed my daughter to protect the daughter of the shewolf he loved since childhood. How could I possibly save her? If you force me to go, I'll send her to her death with my own hands. And then I'll join my daughter in the afterlife."