Lana shot him a sharp look, her lips parting as if to retort, but before she could say anything, the door opened.

Axel walked in, holding a tray filled with medicinal concoctions.

The strong, bitter scent of herbs immediately filled the room, making Lana’s nose wrinkle instinctively.

The moment she saw him, she suppressed her irritation and forced a smile.

"What are you doing now?" she asked, her tone laced with mild complaint.

"Can you stop, just once, with all these medicinal drinks? At this rate, I might as well turn into a walking herb."

Axel glanced at her, completely unfazed. "Ungrateful," he replied flatly.

Then his expression turned serious. "The investigation is complete."

Lana’s smile faded.

Axel continued, his gaze steady. "Someone behind the scenes is targeting you."

A faint chill crept down Lana’s spine. She frowned slightly.

"Is it because of my... energy?" she asked slowly. "It’s stronger than most mystic cultivators."

Axel gave a small nod.

Lana lowered her gaze, her thoughts racing. ’So it’s because of that...’ she realized.

After a moment, she spoke again, her voice quieter but firm. "If that’s the case... then the GA would have targeted me long ago."

Her fingers clenched slightly against the bedsheet.

"If this continues... I’ll have to finish this battle sooner rather than later."

Axel understood what she meant.

"You don’t need to worry," he said calmly. "I’ll increase your security."

Then he paused, his eyes shifting to her wrist.

"It would be better if you never remove the jade bracelet again," he added.

Lana followed his gaze.

"The investigation on that bracelet is complete as well," Axel continued. "It has the capability to suppress ghosts up to five thousand years old. In a sense... it’s the strongest talisman you possess."

Lana stared at the jade bracelet resting nearby, her expression turning complicated.

’Five thousand years...’ she thought.

But another thought crept in...

’Did Lucian... give something like this... to that girl as well?’

The idea left a faint bitterness in her chest.

Before she could dwell on it further, Axel spoke again. "I’ll take my leave."

Lana didn’t stop him. She simply nodded.

Later, Axel stood inside his own room.

The screen lit up. Lucian appeared.

"Was the suspicion correct?" Lucian asked immediately, his voice low and controlled.

Axel gave a brief nod. "Hmm."

Lucian’s expression darkened instantly, his fist tightening at his side.

"So even under my watch... she can still create trouble," he muttered. "I’m starting to think she has a way to give orders discreetly... even from a distance."

Axel leaned slightly against the wall, his tone thoughtful.

"Thessy is not simple," he said. "At sixteen, she already had the awareness and intelligence to play such a game. That alone proves how dangerous she is."

Lucian remained silent for a moment, his gaze turning colder.

Axel continued, "For now, keep her occupied. As long as her attention stays away from Lana, we’ll have time."

He paused briefly before adding, his voice slightly heavier, "Time for Lana to grow... and time for us to find the black material connecting everything... and cut it off completely."

Lucian’s eyes flickered.

"I know what I’m doing," he replied.

Then, after a brief pause, his tone softened just slightly. "Is Lana... alright?"

Axel let out a faint chuckle. "You don’t need to worry. Her physical condition is far better than most mystic cultivators. She’ll recover."

Lucian exhaled slowly. The call ended.

Lucian closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

Then suddenly, he moved.

In one swift motion, he strode toward the door and opened it.

Standing outside was Thessy.

She leaned casually against the doorway, dressed in a way that was both elegant and subtly revealing.

A faint, seductive smile played on her lips as her eyes traced his figure.

"What?" she asked teasingly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Lucian’s lips curved into a soft smile. "You look... beautiful today."

Thessy chuckled, her gaze sharpening slightly. "I never thought the great business king would have such... thoughts."

She stepped closer, slowly raising her hand toward him... but before she could touch him, Lucian stepped back.

The movement was subtle, yet firm.

Thessy’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Lucian’s tone remained calm as he spoke.

"You’re my therapist. Your job is to ensure there are no unnecessary... touches."

He met her gaze steadily.

"If you get too close like that, it becomes uncomfortable. We should take things slowly."

Thessy stared at him for a few seconds, as if trying to read through him.

Then she smiled faintly.

"If you hadn’t provided the formula for the awakening potion," she said, her voice light yet meaningful, "I would never have agreed to cure you."

Lucian chuckled softly. "Then I suppose I was lucky."

Thessy nodded and stepped inside the room, her eyes wandering curiously.

Then, they stopped.

On a small box placed on a nearby table.

She tilted her head slightly and began walking toward it.

"What are you doing?" Lucian’s voice came sharply from behind.

Thessy paused, then turned with a playful smile. "I was just curious," she said. "That box looks... interesting."

Lucian’s gaze lingered on it for a moment before he replied calmly, "It’s nothing important."

Thessy didn’t push further. Instead, her attention shifted.

To the screen. Lucian’s phone lay nearby, the lock screen still active.

Her eyes flickered. Then, she smiled.

"I heard you don’t get close to women," she said casually. "So... who is the black-haired woman in your profile picture?"

Lucian’s expression didn’t change immediately.

Then, a faint, almost shy smile appeared on his lips.

"Someone very close," he replied quietly.

And for the first time, there was warmth in his eyes.

Thessy rolled her eyes lightly, though a faint curiosity lingered in her gaze.

"So," she said, tilting her head, "how far have things progressed between you two? After all... I am your therapist."

Lucian’s expression paused for a brief second, as if the question had caught him slightly off guard.

After a short silence, he spoke, his voice calm but thoughtful. "We’ve only... just started," he admitted. "You could say we’ve decided that we like each other."