Of all the things Valerie despised in life, there was nothing she hated more than the vile trade of human organs. Skyler had long crossed that line.
If not for the bargaining chip, she wouldn’t have hesitated to send him straight to hell.
It was past 10:00 pm when she returned to Azure Bay. To her surprise, Keane was also in the house, talking quietly to Lucius.
When he saw Valerie, his eyes lit up. “You’re back, Ms. Collins.
“Still working with Lucius this late, Keane?” She nodded at him and gave him a polite smile.
That one word, “Keane,” rankled Lucius. In a heartbeat, it felt as though everyone around him had built a connection to her, except him.
Unaware of Lucius‘ thoughts, Keane felt nothing but admiration for Valerie since surviving the explosion.
“I was just reporting some important matters to Luc, and I wanted to thank you in person. The protective talisman you gave me that day saved my life.”
He had been looking forward to an explanation from her, as what had happened to him felt
too surreal. Every time he recalled the explosion, a chill ran down his spine because death had
never felt so close.
But it was a pity that Valerie offered no explanation. It’d been another long day of mental battles, and right now, all she wanted was a hot shower and a good night’s sleep.
“No need to thank me, Keane. You helped me move, and I gave you a gift. We’re even now.‘
As she crossed the living room, her eyes fell on a gilt–edged envelope left carelessly on the table. Embossed in gold letters across the front were the words “Luxury Cruise Ship VIP Admission Pass“.
It piqued her interest, Could this be the admission pass to the exclusive auction on the cruise ship Owen had mentioned, that only the elite had the right to attend?
Lucius didn’t miss her brief pause. Was she interested in the admission pass?
Keane’s respect for her deepened as he couldn’t help but ask, “If I may ask, Ms. Collins… are you skilled in mystic arts?”
Lucius, who’d been silent all this while, equally looked forward to an answer. His instincts told him those mystery boxes at The Golden Chalice had been switched, though the who and how remained a mystery.
Chapter 52
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“What makes you ask that?” Valerie turned around and gave him a look of surprise.
He cleared his throat a little awkwardly. “The talisman you gave me was a little too exceptional.
“It’s just an ordinary piece of talisman and nothing special,” she said, shrugging. “You seem blessed, so misfortune like financial loss or death wouldn’t touch you.
“As for mystic arts, I don’t know a thing about them. If I did, I wouldn’t have ended up in such an awkward situation with Lucius.”
With just a few sentences, she brushed his doubts about the protective talisman aside.
Keane had helped her in a small way but with great kindness, and Magnus had often warned her that karma ran in endless cycles. Only by balancing the scales–no debts owed and with all favors returned–could the cycle be broken.
She gave Keane a talisman and healed Noah in return for their help. Leaving no kindness unpaid was a principle she’d lived by since day one.
Chapter 53
Chapter 53
