chapter 84
Chapter 84
The living room was unusually quiet for a house that had recently stood at the center of a storm that shook the entire city.
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting warm patterns across the marble floor. Adrian sat on the sofa with a porcelain cup in hand, calmly sipping tea as though the world had not just witnessed him defeat cultivators on the verge of
immortality. His posture was relaxed, his expression unreadable, as if the duel had been nothing more than a long morning
exercise.
Across from him, Kai was anything but calm.
He stood beside a low table stacked with invitation boxes of all shapes and sizes, his eyes wide as he rummaged through them like a child unleashed in a treasure vault. Some boxes were carved from expensive wood, others wrapped in silk, and a few even sealed with wax stamped by powerful organizations.
Kai picked up another box and groaned dramatically. “Do you know how ridiculous this is?” he said, shaking the box lightly before opening it. “These people don’t even try to hide their intentions anymore.”
Adrian didn’t look up. “Then stop reading them.”
“I can’t,” Kai replied, already unfolding the letter inside. “This is history. People will talk about this for years.”
He cleared his throat theatrically and began reading aloud. “To the esteemed Sir-” Kai paused and scoffed. “They don’t even know what to call you.”
Adrian took another sip of tea.
“-we humbly request your presence as a guest elder of the Southern Medical Alliance,” Kai continued. “You will be granted unrestricted access to our libraries, laboratories, and… generous compensation.”
Kai looked up. “Generous compensation,” he repeated. “That’s code for ‘we’re desperate.“”
He tossed the letter aside and reached for another box. This one was heavier, its lid engraved with a martial crest.
“Oh, this one’s from a martial arts center,” Kai said, eyes lighting up. He opened it and burst out laughing almost immediately. “This is gold.”
Adrian finally glanced over. “What is it?”
“They want to hire you as a ‘personal guardian,“” Kai said, barely containing his laughter. “Listen to this. They’re requesting that you safeguard the daughter of their sect master.‘
Adrian raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Kai continued, enjoying himself far too much. “It says here the young lady is ‘exceptionally talented, spirited, and frequently attracts trouble.“” He snorted. “That’s polite language for arrogant and impossible to control.”
He waved the letter in the air. “They want to limit someone like you to babysitting duty. Imagine that.”
Adrian set his cup down calmly. “Throw it away.”
Kai blinked. “All of them?”
“Yes.”
Kai looked around at the pile, then back at Adrian. “You’re not even curious?”
“I already know what they want,” Adrian replied evenly. “Influence, protection, prestige. None of it matters.”
Kai sighed exaggeratedly. “You know, for someone who just made half the city rethink their belief system, you’re incredibly
chapter 84
uninterested.”
He still didn’t stop reading.
+30 Bonus
One invitation came from a private medical consortium offering Adrian a leading position in experimental healing research. Another promised political backing if he agreed to serve as a consultant. A particularly bold one proposed a joint venture between martial sects and medical institutions, with Adrian positioned as the symbolic figurehead.
Kai read them all with growing disbelief. “They’re circling like vultures,” he said. “Everyone wants a piece of you.”
Adrian leaned back slightly. “They want insurance. Not partnership.”
Kai nodded reluctantly. “True.”
He reached the bottom of the stack and picked up a thin, unmarked envelope. “This one’s plain,” he said. “No seal. No insignia. That’s suspicious.”
He opened it and skimmed the contents before chuckling again. “This one’s even better. They want you to take a ‘temporary assignment‘ escorting someone through dangerous zones. No details. No name. Just trust.”
“Drop it,” Adrian repeated.
Kai finally complied, stuffing the letters back into their boxes. “Fine,” he said. “But you have to admit, it’s amusing.”
Before Adrian could respond, his phone vibrated on the table.
The screen lit up with an unfamiliar number.
Kai glanced at it. “Another offer?”
“Maybe,” Adrian said, picking it up.
He answered the call.
There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a shaky inhale. “Adrian… please don’t hang up.”
His expression didn’t change, but his eyes hardened slightly hearing Elena’s voice. “You have five seconds.”
“It’s me,” Elena said quickly. “I know you don’t want to hear my voice, but please–just listen.”
He didn’t respond.
She rushed on. “What happened at the duel… I swear to you, I never planned any of that. I didn’t know they would do what they did. I didn’t even know they would be there.”
“You have three seconds,” Adrian said calmly.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “For everything. For believing lies. For being silent. For the divorce. I should have trusted you.
Adrian closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. “Apologies don’t change the past.”
“I know,” Elena said, her voice breaking. “But there are things we need to talk about. Things you don’t know. Please, can we meet? Just once. Over a meal, I’ll explain everything.”
“I don’t have time for dinner,” Adrian replied flatly.
There was desperation in her next words. “Then five minutes. I’ll take five minutes. I’ll stand if I have to.”
He paused, considering.
A
Kai watched him closely but said nothing.
2/4
Chapter 84
+30 Bonus
“I’ll give you five minutes,” Adrian said at last. “Now. Not later.”
Elena exhaled audibly. “Thank you.”
“Listen carefully,” Adrian continued. “This is not a friendly meeting. There will be no reminiscing. No emotions. You say what you need to say, and then we’re done.”
“I understand,” she said quickly. “Where should I go?”
He gave her a location. “Be on time.”
“I’ll be there,” she promised. “I won’t be late.”
He ended the call without another word.
Kai raised an eyebrow. “That sounded… complicated.”
Adrían set the phone down. “It’s unnecessary.”
“And yet you agreed,” Kai said mildly.
Adrian stood up, adjusting his sleeves. “Some things end better when faced directly.”
Kai watched him for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll stay out of it.”
“That would be best.”
As Adrian walked toward the window, his gaze drifted briefly to the discarded invitation boxes. Power had drawn attention, and attention always carried consequences. Whether Elena’s visit was one of them remained to be seen.
Either way, five minutes was all she would get.
ENJOYING THE BOOK?
Give it a rating to show your support!
ப
Comments
Support
Share
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
