As the soldiers of Han Xin retreated momentarily into the shadows, their leader’s gaze fell on the abandoned blue gem near the fountain. His eyes widened in realization.“The fountain’s power… it’s been absorbed,” he muttered, his voice thick with rage. His hand tightened around the hilt of his blade as he barked a new order. “He must die! That power belongs to us!”The soldiers, their fear momentarily overcome by duty, regrouped. Their eyes burned with determination, but deep down, hesitation flickered. Calvin, now standing tall and radiant, turned toward the blue gem. The artifact, though lifeless now, still held the potential to threaten the balance of the fountain’s energy.“No,” Calvin said quietly, his voice carrying a calm authority that resonated across the clearing. His glowing hand extended toward the gem. Energy crackled in the air, golden light sparking around his fingers as he focused on the object.In an instant, a beam of light shot forth from his hand, striking the blu
Rain continued to fall in relentless sheets, mingling with Calvin’s tears as he trudged through the dimly lit streets, Lizzie’s lifeless body cradled in his arms. Each step was a battle against his grief, the weight of her loss far heavier than her slender frame. Passersby stopped to stare, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern, but Calvin paid them no mind. His focus was solely on Lizzie, on finding a way to honor her sacrifice.The sound of sirens pierced the night, and soon, a police car pulled up ahead, blocking Calvin’s path. Two officers stepped out, their expressions wary as they took in the scene before them. One of them, a burly man with a stern face, approached cautiously, his hand resting on his holstered weapon.“Sir, stop right there,” the officer commanded, his voice firm. “What’s going on here? Who is she?” He gestured to Lizzie’s lifeless form, suspicion flickering in his eyes.Calvin halted, his heart pounding. He opened his mouth to explain but found no word
When Calvin woke up, the sky outside the window was already painted with hues of orange and gold, signaling the late afternoon. He blinked slowly, his body stiff and aching from sleeping on the hard floor. As he stirred, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him of how long it had been since his last meal.For a moment, he thought everything had been a terrible nightmare. But as his hands moved instinctively to touch his chest and arms, the lingering soreness and phantom pain of his injuries reminded him otherwise. His mind snapped back to the horrifying events—the battle, Lizzie's sacrifice, and the burial in the garden."It wasn’t a dream," Calvin whispered hoarsely.He sat up, placing a hand on his forehead as the memories washed over him again, each one more vivid and painful than the last. His heart ached deeply, but his physical weakness demanded immediate attention. He took a deep breath and summoned the system."System," he said quietly, his voice breaking.The familiar mechan
"Don't worry, Lizzie. I'll get the money for your surgery," Calvin said as he sat beside the hospital bed where his younger sister lay weakly. The sunset cast warm hues through the window, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere in the room."You've already sacrificed too much for me, Calvin," Lizzie replied weakly, her eyes looking tired yet filled with appreciation."Don't say that, Liz—""Fifty thousand dollars, Cal! Where are we going to get that much money? You already married that dreadful woman to get three hundred thousand dollars. She's not going to give us fifty thousand dollars more, Cal. I don't want you to be humiliated again just because of me!" Lizzie exclaimed, interrupting her brother's words with clear disapproval evident on her face.Calvin, with a tense expression, sighed deeply.He knew Lizzie's words held truth.A year and a half ago, Calvin was forced to marry Alana Perry, the daughter of the Perry family, one of the wealthiest families in Ellstown, even coun
Calvin took a long breath, trying to contain his emotions. Alana was indeed very beautiful and attractive, but she was very harsh towards him, probably because he was only her contract husband.Calvin looked around, the sterile and cold hospital corridor did not convey the warmth he needed right now.He felt alone, estranged from his previous life in his homeland of Barrion.Since the war broke out between Barrion and its neighboring country, Han Xin, Calvin, and his sister fled to Hudden for a new life.Calvin's family background and past glory were now nothing but ruins almost without a trace. Therefore, according to Calvin, whoever he and his family used to be, all of that was no longer important.He reached into his jacket and retrieved a golden amulet.It was his family heirloom, the most precious possession he owned.Before his mother passed away, she entrusted the heirloom to Calvin with a solemn request to keep it safe.Calvin stared at the golden amulet, taking a deep breath,
"Lizzie, I will talk to Dr. Kevin Lang," Calvin said with a voice full of conviction, although he was slightly trembling due to the worries haunting his mind. "Maybe he can provide some relief or a payment postponement. Your surgery needs to be done urgently, and we can't wait any longer."Lizzie's face looked full of concern as she listened to Calvin's words. Her gaze reflected disbelief and fear of the possibility of Calvin's efforts failing."But, Calvin, Dr. Lang is a jerk. He won't help us. It's clear he loves Alana and resents her marrying you. That man will surely make things difficult. Did you see what the nurses just did? They didn't want to help me, even though I was in pain. Whose orders do you think that was?" Lizzie gasped for breath as she still struggled to hold back her pain. The pain reliever she just took only had a slight effect.Calvin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before answering. "I have to try, Lizzie. We don't have any other choice. I can't let yo
Calvin's heart pounded as he tried to swallow his anger and pride so many times in the last five minutes. He pleaded with Dr. Lang, desperation lacing every word that escaped his lips. "Dr. Lang, I beg of you, please help us. Lizzie's life hangs in the balance, and I'll do anything, anything at all, to save her. Please, find it in your heart to help."Kevin's response was nothing short of disdainful amusement. He chuckled condescendingly, his eyes alight with a cruel gleam. "Oh, Calvin, you're always the one in distress, aren't you? But perhaps there's a glimmer of hope for your dear sister."A flicker of optimism ignited in Calvin's eyes at the mere suggestion of a possibility. "Is there? Tell me, Doctor, what must I do?"Leaning back in his chair, Kevin's smirk widened, his demeanor oozing with self-assured superiority. "Well, well, well, it seems there's a chance to save Lizzie's life after all. But, Calvin, it comes at a price."Calvin's brows furrowed in confusion, his mind stru
With a tempest of emotions raging within him, Calvin stormed back to Lizzie's hospital room, his heart pounding with anxiety and anger.His mind is full with how to find a good doctor who will treat his sister. He was half regret his decision of not signing the divorce paper for his sister’s sake.However, just as he burst into the room, his eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of another patient occupying the space where his sister should have been.The shock sent a wave of panic coursing through him, and he frantically scanned the room, searching for any trace of Lizzie.Where was his sister?!Spotting a nurse hurrying past in the corridor, Calvin lunged forward, desperation evident in his voice as he called out to her."Wait! What happened to my sister? Where is she?" he demanded, his tone a mix of fear and frustration.The nurse, preoccupied with her duties, turned to face Calvin with a look of mild irritation. "Mr. Hudson, I am sure you know what happened. . Your sister's room