Without waiting for a response, he ended the call.

He rushed out of his room, his steps quick and urgent, instinctively moving toward Thessy’s door. His hand even lifted, ready to knock... but he froze mid-motion.

’No... not yet...’

His gaze hardened before he turned abruptly and went back to his room.

Within minutes, he changed into a proper suit, his movements swift yet controlled. Then, as if nothing had happened, he walked back to Thessy’s door and knocked lightly.

Inside, Thessy’s eyes narrowed the moment she heard the knock.

’Lucian...?’

Suspicion flickered across her face.

’If it’s him... then he knows. He knows there’s a connection between me and Lana... otherwise why would he come now... and at this hour?’

Her gaze dropped briefly to her wrist before she quickly wrapped a bandage around it, hiding the wound. Then, composing herself, she walked toward the door and opened it.

Lucian stood there, a calm smile on his face. That smile only deepened her suspicion.

’Why is he smiling...?’

Lucian spoke smoothly, his tone light and casual.

"I finally cracked the deal, it’s a big one. I’ve already arranged a private room at the Milan Hotel. You should come with me."

Thessy frowned slightly, studying his expression carefully. ’He doesn’t look panicked at all... did I misjudge him?’

To test him, she crossed her arms slightly and replied, "I’m busy. I can’t come."

For a brief moment, a flicker of regret appeared on Lucian’s face, but it was subtle, controlled.

"I understand," he replied calmly. "It was short notice. It’s normal if you can’t make it."

Without pressing further, he turned and began to walk away, even pulling out his phone as if to call someone else.

Watching his retreating figure, Thessy’s eyes shifted slightly. ’He’s... not lying?’

A small grin slowly formed on her lips. "Wait."

Lucian paused but didn’t turn immediately.

"I can adjust my schedule," she added, her tone more relaxed.

Lucian, who had been holding his breath internally, finally felt a wave of relief wash over him. ’That worked...’

But when he turned back, his expression remained composed, almost indifferent.

"If you’re truly busy, it’s fine. I won’t force you."

Thessy waved her hand dismissively. "It’s nothing. Just give me ten minutes."

Lucian nodded once, his posture steady. "Alright."

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

It almost looked as if he wasn’t worried at all about whether Thessy would go inside and harm herself again.

That calm, almost indifferent demeanor eased Thessy’s restless thoughts.

’So he really doesn’t suspect anything...’

Meanwhile, Lana stood in the medical room, her gaze fixed on her trembling hand, fear still lingering in her eyes.

The metallic scent of blood hung faintly in the air, yet as the seconds passed, she noticed something strange: there were no new slashes forming on her skin. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Her breathing, which had been uneven and panicked, gradually steadied.

’I... it stopped...?’

A fragile sense of relief washed over her, though it was far from complete. She lifted her head and looked at Lucy, her voice still shaky.

"Where is Lucian? Did he pick up the call?"

Lucy froze for a brief moment, her fingers curling slightly as guilt pricked at her heart.

’What was that behavior...?’

She clenched her jaw internally.

’He just told me to take care of Lana and hung up... how could he be so calm at a time like this...?’

But when she looked at Lana’s pale face and trembling body, she forced herself to compose her expression, softening her voice with concern.

"Mr. Lucian didn’t pick up the call. He must be in a meeting," she said gently. "Don’t worry. Once he sees it and hears what happened, he’ll definitely come check on you."

Lana stared at her for a moment, her eyes slightly reddened. She didn’t look convinced.

In reality, she had already heard Lucian’s voice when Lucy made the call. She knew... he had picked up. He had heard everything.

’So... why didn’t he call...?’

A faint sting rose in her chest, and her eyes welled up with unshed tears.

At the same time, far away, Mr. Crow suddenly stiffened, a strange sensation crawling up his spine as if something invisible had brushed against his very existence.

’What... is this feeling...? ’

Since forming a contract with Lana, he could sense disturbances related to her, and right now, the sensation was deeply unsettling.

It felt dark, twisted...like some kind of malicious energy clinging to her.

Without wasting another second, he rushed toward her room.

But when he pushed the door open and found it empty, a flicker of panic crossed his face.

"Lana?!"

His voice echoed through the corridor as he began searching for her, his heartbeat quickening.

It didn’t take long before he located her in the medical room.

The moment he stepped inside, Lana turned toward him, and without hesitation, she opened her arms and hugged him as if he were the only anchor keeping her from falling apart.

"I... I was scared..."

Her voice trembled against his chest.

Mr. Crow didn’t push her away. "What happened?"

His tone carried urgency as his eyes fell on the cuts along Lana’s wrist.

"Why are there so many injuries?"

Lana shook her head quickly, her brows furrowed in confusion and fear.

"I don’t know... I really don’t know," she replied, her voice tense. "The cuts just... appeared out of nowhere."

Lucy hesitated before adding, her voice dropping slightly,

"If I didn’t know any better... I would think someone is using some kind of magic on her."

By now, she had understood that Mr. Crow was asking for the source of injury.

Lana’s body stiffened slightly at those words, and she slowly lifted her head, her eyes widening in realization.

’Black Magic...?’

Her thoughts raced.

’If it’s not a ghost... then magic is the only way...’

Taking a slow breath, she turned to Mr. Crow, her voice steadier but still laced with uncertainty.

"Can you tell... if someone used black magic on me?"