Ethan Cross had no intention of explaining himself in the face of Sophia Laurent's blatant skepticism.
Nor did he feel he owed anyone an explanation.
In situations like this, someone else would inevitably speak up for him.
"Heh, Officer Laurent, you may not have heard of 'Young Master Cross,' but his father is the renowned Master Lucian Cross," Seraphina Vale interjected smoothly, her smile unwavering. "Master Cross is currently traveling with his wife and has entrusted the consultancy to his son. Everything here is under his authority now."
Sophia's mocking grin stiffened. Her eyes flicked to Ethan in disbelief. "You're Lucian Cross's son?"
"Ethan Cross, at your service. Lucian is indeed my father." His tone remained mild, almost scholarly.
Only now did he fully grasp the weight of his "cheap old man's" reputation. Every person he met seemed to recognize the name—always with that same awed respect.
It was as if the entire world knew how formidable Lucian Cross was... except him.
Am I... relying on nepotism now? The thought almost amused him. Like waving "My dad is Lucian Cross" as some universal problem-solver.
Sophia's demeanor shifted instantly. "My apologies for the disrespect, Young Master Cross." A faint blush colored her cheeks—genuine embarrassment.
Her reaction wasn't unfounded. She'd assumed him a fraud, only to learn he was the real deal.
She knew little of Ethan's abilities, but Lucian Cross's reputation? That was undeniable.
The man was a legend among Beihai's exorcists—reclusive, yet flawless in every documented case. Most notably, he'd once neutralized a Rule-Type Aberration, a feat that had stumped even the Investigation Bureau. Multiple Awakened had died trying.
And this young man was his heir.
"No offense taken, Captain. Professional caution is commendable." Ethan produced a business card with a practiced smile. "Should you encounter any... peculiar cases, do consider our services. Fees apply, of course."
The police were a top-three intelligence network in Beihai. Establishing connections now would pay dividends later.
Sophia accepted the card with unexpected reverence. "I'll treasure this. Though I hope you'll offer a discount for public servants." Her joke carried a thread of sincerity.
Anyone with sense coveted ties to an exorcist—let alone one backed by Lucian Cross's legacy.
Nightfall
Beihai surrendered to silence as dusk deepened.
In a world teeming with aberrations, nightlife was a luxury few dared. Drunkards stumbling from bars risked encounters with Jiangshi or soul-sucking wraiths. Only fools or those with death wishes wandered after dark.
(Though rumors claimed metropolitan hubs had stronger protections—their neon-lit nights less fraught.)
The Villa
Lights extinguished.
Seraphina sat rigid on her bed, knuckles whitening around the sheets. Even the two armed bodyguards flanking her couldn't stifle her dread.
Her gaze drifted to the figure meditating below the window. Moonlight sculpted Ethan's sharp features into something ethereal. That unshakable calm of his—it bled into the room like a sedative.
"Please let this end tonight."
Earlier, Ethan had combed every inch of the villa. His verdict: The aberration would return tonight.
Now, as the grandfather clock's ticks amplified in the dark, Seraphina bit back the urge to speak.
Ethan's eyes snapped open.
A presence.
Malice, thick as tar, had seeped into the villa's bones.
Seraphina's breath hitched. Then—
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The same sound from last night.
But where a basketball's bounce was hollow, this... this had weight. Substance.
"Stay inside," Ethan ordered without turning. "No matter what you hear."
The door clicked shut behind him.
The Parlor
Ethan's footsteps made less noise than settling dust.
The thudding led him to the heart of the villa.
There, in the moonlit parlor, a black orb bounced erratically across the floorboards.
No—
Not an orb.
A severed head, its matted hair whipping like Medusa's snakes with each impact.
It froze mid-arc.
Sensed him.
Rotated slowly until two hollow sockets locked onto his soul.
A whisper slithered through the dark:
"Have you seen my body?"