The paper money unfolded, revealing the words: “Bow deeply 999 times before the widow’s grave, confess your sins as you do, and the curse will be lifted.”
Xavier’s father and mother brightened instantly upon reading it.
“There’s hope! Go! You have to kowtow!”
They rushed to drag Jason out.5
But he yanked his arms free, resisting their grip.
There was no trace of joy on his face–only disbelief.”
I’m not going! Who the hell would kneel in front of a widow’s grave? How can you still believe such nonsense?”
Xavier’s father ignored him.
He slapped Jason hard across the face and roared, “You idiot! At a time like this, you’re still clinging to pride? What matters more your life or your dignity?!”
The blow sent Jason’s head snapping to the side, but he kept his chin up, defiant.
“Dad, open your eyes! She’s clearly messing with me!”
Xavier’s mother broke down in sobs. She threw herself at her son, clutching his arm in desperation.
Jason! Just this once–listen! There’s nothing else left! At least try what she says. It’s better than waiting to die.”
She called toward the doorway, panicked
“Someone! Tie the young master up and take him to the widow’s grave!”
Several bodyguards stormed in. Despite Jason’s violent resistance, they grabbed hold and started dragging him away.
“Let go of me! You dogs!“E
He thrashed and kicked furiously, terror, etched on his face.&
“Evelyn! A single day of marriage is a hundred days of grace! You can’t do this to mer
As his voice faded down the corridor, Charles wrapped his arm around my shoulders, leaned in, and whispered:
“Will it really work?”
I gave a slight smirk. “Of course–“[
“It won’t.”
All the paper strips said the same thing.
My eyes turned cold.
“It was a calculated joke.”
Charles broke into a grin.
I raised my fist and hit his chest lightly.
“What are you smiling at? Right now, the Xavier family is scrambling to break a curse.”
“While you,” I added, staring at him meaningfully, “are going to take them down. Got it?” Charles nodded earnestly, about to reply-
When I saw my parents, who had left with the others, sneak back into the room.
The chaos from earlier had truly shaken them.X
Mom stepped forward, placed both hands on my shoulders, her face stiff and grim.
“I don’t care if your method works or not. If Jason dies, you go tell the Xavier family it was all you doing. Say you were jealous
of your sister and sought revenge. That you tricked her–and us–into thinking no real spiritual body was needed.”
“Your sister and I are innocent. Got that?“H
Still trying to carve an escape route for Miranda–and themselves.”
I stared at her, my voice cold: “Why?”
Mom replied, completely unbothered:X
“Because I gave birth to you. I gave you life. Now it’s time for you to repay me.”
I laughed, sharp and bitter.
“You only ever had eyes for your precious daughter. You treated me like a stray dog. And now that you need me–you remember I’m your child? How shameless can you be?”
Dad raised his hand to strike me. “You ungrateful wretch! How dare you speak to your mother that way!”
But Charles caught his wrist mid–air, his gaze dark and dangerous.
Forudent
8:29 AM P P
But Charles caught his wrist mid–air, his gaze dark and dangerous.E
“Mr. Luxton,” he said coolly, “you should think very carefully before you move.“}
Dad froze, intimidated by his presence.”
He slowly lowered his hand, humiliated–but still defiant.
“No matter what, you’re a Luxton! If anything goes wrong, you must take responsibility for the Luxton family!”
My voice dropped, each word sharp as a blade:
“When you rigged the lottery box, did you remember I was a Luxton? When you let Jason sew my lips shut and steal my basement–did you think I was part of the family then?”
Their faces turned pale, tinged with blue.
They said nothing. They hadn’t–known I was aware of everything all along.!
“Let’s go.“%
I grabbed Charles’s arm, shoved them aside, and walked away.
