ANMELDENRobert stood by the bed, his expression unreadable as he watched his family crumble in shock. Beside him, Elena felt a wave of cold nausea. She stared at her uncle and aunt, unable to believe that the people she called family could turn so quickly, driven by nothing but cowardice and fear."Young man." Robert's voice came out calm and unhurried. "Let this matter go. Consider it a debt I owe you."Drake walked toward him slowly. Elena moved to place herself between them."Owe me?" Drake stopped and looked at Robert with something close to pity. "You are not in a position to owe me anything.""My master taught me something," the fighter said, cracking his neck to one side. "Everything in this world can be gotten. If you don't have it, you simply need the power and the right method to take it, whether by force, by cunning, or any other means necessary." He step forward to Robert, “You had your chance to cooperate. But you throw it away. So blame yourself for what comes next." Alexander
The man stepped forward, rolling one fist slowly inside the other palm, like he was warming up something that had been resting for a long time."Kid." His voice was deep and unhurried. "This one punch — you should feel honored. I don't waste it on ordinary people." He looked Alexander over from head to foot. "But today I'm in a generous mood. Think of it as a privilege. At least you'll die knowing what a real hit feels like."“Is that so?” Alexander said calmly.Nadia’s feet shifted on the floor. What kind of arrogant man is this? she thought. You’re staring death in the face, yet you still dare to brag. She looked at him with clear disgust. Thank God the bodyguard I found for Elena is already nearby. This kid should just pray he arrives on time… if not, he is doomed.“Stop it, Alexander,” Elena said quietly. "Don't go any further," she said quietly to him. "This is not a bluff. This man has a real record. He is not someone to take lightly.”She gently pulled Alexander behind her, the
"Young man." Robert's voice was easy, almost casual. "Are you married?" The room went still. Alexander's eyes found Elena's for a fraction of a second. She looked back. Then he turned to Robert, blinking. "M — me?" He pointed at himself. "Both of you are grown." Robert's tone was warm, unhurried. "Mature enough to start something worthwhile—" Elena was already moving. She stepped between them and took her grandfather's hand. "Grandpa." Her voice was careful. "He is my employee." “Your employee?” Robert repeated, sounding surprised. “And what is that supposed to mean? As a matter of fact, it doesn’t matter whether he is your employee or not.” "Grandpa—" she called again Alexander cut in before she could say more. "Please, sir." His voice was calm, and the smile on his face was deliberate. "I'm just an ordinary employee. I saved your life. That's all. I'm not here asking for anything beyond that." Margaret had heard enough. She drew herself up. "Exactly." She looked at Al
Drake burst out laughing the moment Alexander finished speaking. Zhou Fen shook his head slowly, the way a man does when he has decided he is done being patient. "Kid." His voice was quiet but had an edge to it. "Who exactly do you think you are? I have been practising medicine since I was eight years old. I am an old man now, and I could not save him." He gestured at Robert's still form on the bed. "But you — born yesterday — want to stand here and play the hero?" Drake laughed again, longer this time. Zhou Fen wasn't finished. "I'll tell you what. If you somehow wake this man up, I will get on my knees and call you Grandpa. I will count it out a hundred times. Then I will become your disciple." He folded his arms, satisfied with himself. Another laugh from Drake, loud and easy. Elena looked up at Alexander and gave a small, quiet shake of her head. Don't. You'll only embarrass yourself. Alexander's hand found her arm again. "I told you to trust me." The relatives watched in
The clock had been ticking for an hour and thirty minutes. No one had come out."What is happening there?" Margaret’s voice was barely a whisper, as if she were afraid that speaking too loudly would break the fragile silence. "I thought it was just poison. Is it worse than I thought?"She paced the small area of the hallway, her eyes red and swimming with unshed tears. The rest of the family had reached their breaking point. William stood with his forehead pressed against the wall, his fists balled so tight his knuckles were white. Veronica and Harlan sat in a heavy, suffocating silence, while Mark leaned back on the couch, his legs shaking uncontrollably as he stared at the ceiling.Elena was the closest to the door. She stood perfectly still, her eyes fixed on the door. Alexander turned from the wall and had eyes searching everyone. He step forward."Even if it’s a death sentence," he said, his voice cutting through the tension, "they should have come out by now." then he stepped to
For Elena, the heavy silence was broken only by the steady tick…tick…tick of the wall clock. She stood frozen, her eyes locked on the swinging pendulum. The shadows stretched across the floor, creeping closer to the mark of noon—12:00 p.m. In all the chaos, with raised voices, threats, and arguments, no one else had noticed the time. Only her. The relatives finally breathed a sigh of relief when they heard her surrender. They quickly turned to Drake, begging him to let Dr. Zhou Fen take over. With a lazy wave of his hand, Drake gave the signal. Zhou Fen stepped forward confidently. He didn't even need to examine Robert; he already knew what was wrong because he was the one who had cast the dark spell in the first place. His eyes were fixed on the dark, bruised veins in Robert’s neck. He straightened his back and cast a cold, dry look over the family. "Everyone out," he commanded. "My medicine needs silence." From his spot against the far wall, Alexander let out a short, quiet b
Dr. Li Wei stepped back from the bed, his chest heaving as he wiped sweat from his forehead. He had just placed the last silver needle. "There is no sickness I cannot cure," he said, his voice full of pride. "This one will be no different."Elena didn't look away from her grandpa. She held his cold
Nadia’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and smiled.“It’s my dad.”They both let out a breath of relief, expecting good news.“Hello, Dad.”“Hello, dear. Tell your friend he’s on his way to her company right now. This man is a top master, one of a kind. Tell her to treat him well. Men like hi
Alexander was already dressed and ready to leave for his meeting with Elena. He checked the time, almost eight. He stepped out of the house and walked to the roadside, waiting for a ride. Just then, a reckless driver sped past and splashed dirty water all over his clothes. Before Alexander could e
Elena pulled out her phone and dialed her driver with shaky fingers.“Good evening—”“Where are you?” she cut in, voice tight.“Ma’am, I’m—”“Please come right away. I’m sending you the address location.”She hung up before he could say another word. Barely ten minutes later, Raymond’s car pulled u







