Whether it was Lucian Cross's sterling reputation or Seraphina Vale's desperate need to preserve her life, the matter was settled quickly. As soon as the price was agreed upon, she immediately called her company to arrange the transfer.
"Your account ending in 9527 has received a transfer of 10,000,000 yuan (payment) from Xuanji Group on the 25th at 7:30 AM. Current balance: 10,000,002.0 yuan."
Ethan Cross's phone chimed with the bank notification. Just like that, his account balance had swelled by ten million. He had become a millionaire overnight.
Since Seraphina had complied so readily, Ethan saw no reason to delay. "Since we've reached an agreement, let's set off early," he said, rising to his feet and brushing off nonexistent dust from his clothes. "The sooner we deal with this, the sooner we can wrap things up."
Even with ten million suddenly appearing in his account, his expression remained unreadable—no excitement, no greed. To him, this was only the beginning. In the future, his earnings would only grow. Ten million was nothing more than a drop in the bucket.
"Master Cross, my car is parked outside. Please, after you."
Seraphina observed his unshaken confidence and felt a wave of relief. The instant transfer had been a small test—she wanted to see how this young man, barely older than herself, would react to sudden wealth. After all, Ethan was far too young. She knew of the legendary Master Cross's abilities, but his son? That was another matter entirely.
Yet Ethan had acted as if money meant nothing to him. He hadn't even glanced at his phone, treating the ten million as if it were insignificant. His immediate willingness to set off only reinforced her confidence in him.
Seraphina had spent years in the corporate world, and her instincts for reading people were sharp. She could tell that Ethan's confidence was genuine—not the empty bravado of a fraud. His calm, self-assured demeanor was something no con artist could fake.
She quickly instructed her bodyguards to prepare the car for their return to her residence.
The Crime Scene
Seraphina's home was a private villa in Beihai's northern district—spacious, luxurious, and undoubtedly expensive. When Ethan arrived in her pink Ferrari, the police were still conducting their final investigation. A headless female corpse was being loaded into a body bag.
"Make sure this body is sent to the crematorium and burned by tonight," commanded Sophia Laurent, the police captain in charge. Dressed in her uniform, she cut an imposing figure—sharp-eyed, composed, and radiating authority. "Corpses killed by supernatural entities are highly susceptible to possession. If buried, they could reanimate as Jiangshi or wandering spirits."
Her subordinates moved efficiently, well-practiced in handling such grim tasks.
Just then, an officer approached and whispered to her.
"Captain, Ms. Vale has returned. And she's brought a so-called 'master' for an exorcism."
Sophia's brow furrowed. She turned her gaze toward the newly arrived pink Ferrari, her sharp eyes locking onto the unfamiliar young man stepping out of the car.
"Tch." Her lips curled in disdain. "Another fraud. I never took Seraphina Vale for someone who'd fall for these exorcism scams."
Dismissing her team with a wave, she strode forward, her long legs eating up the distance.
The Confrontation
Ethan had just stepped out of the car when he noticed the police captain marching toward them.
She was striking—tall, poised, with an air of unshakable authority. Her sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing through any lie.
He couldn't help but admire her for a moment.
But then he sensed it—hostility.
His martial arts training had honed his instincts to near-supernatural levels. At his level, mere malicious intent within a hundred meters was enough to put him on alert.
And right now, this woman's gaze, though ostensibly directed at Seraphina, was laser-focused on him.
"Officer Laurent, thank you for coming so quickly," Seraphina said smoothly, her CEO polish on full display.
Sophia's response was curt. "It's our duty. But given the nature of this case, the Investigation Bureau will have to take over." Her eyes flicked to Ethan. "Ms. Vale, this 'master' you've brought seems... young. The real experts I know aren't fresh-faced boys."
Ethan's smirk didn't waver.
Ah. She thinks I'm a scammer.