Calvin then left Miranda Dew's house and headed directly to the address his lawyer, Samuel Reed, had provided. As he drove through the city, his mind raced with thoughts of the pendant and the impending meeting with Matthew Greene. Soon, he arrived at a luxurious condominium complex and parked his car.He approached the front door and pressed the intercom button. A moment later, a well-dressed butler answered and invited him in. "Please come in, Dr. Hudson. Mr. Greene is expecting you."Calvin followed the butler into a lavishly decorated living room. He was asked to wait there, and a few minutes later, Matthew Greene entered the room, looking composed but curious."Dr. Hudson," Matthew greeted him, extending a hand. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."Calvin shook his hand firmly. "Of course, Mr. Greene. I'm here to help. How can I assist you today?"Matthew motioned for Calvin to sit down. "At the gala dinner, you mentioned something about my condition—how I often experienc
Matthew flexed his hands, astonished at the immediate relief he felt. He turned his palms up, examining them as if they were foreign objects. "I can already feel a difference," he said, his voice tinged with awe. "It's like a weight has been lifted. Thank you, Dr. Hudson. I admit, I was skeptical, but you might just be the real deal."Calvin couldn't help but smile, relieved and pleased to see Matthew's reaction. "I'm glad I could help, Mr. Greene. Your trust means a lot, especially after what happened at the gala. However, there's something I need from you as well."Matthew raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What is it?"Calvin's expression grew serious. "If I can successfully treat your condition, I need you to ensure that my clinic's license is reinstated. Your influence could make that happen. My clinic helps a lot of people, and without it, many are left without proper care."Matthew considered this for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. The room fell into a contemplative sile
Calvin sped his car towards home, the streetlights casting long shadows as dusk settled in. His thoughts were a jumble of concern for Lizzie and the weight of the day's revelations. Pulling into the driveway, he scanned the quiet neighborhood, hoping to catch a glimpse of his sister through the windows. His heart sank when he didn't see her inside the house.With hurried steps, Calvin unlocked the front door and stepped inside, calling out, "Lizzie? Are you home?"Silence greeted him initially, amplifying his worry. Just as he reached for his phone to dial her number, relief flooded through him as he heard the front door creak open behind him. Turning around, Calvin's tense expression softened as he saw Lizzie walking in, juggling several grocery bags in her arms."Calvin, why do you look so panicked?" Lizzie asked, her brow furrowing with concern.Calvin quickly composed himself, offering a reassuring smile. "Oh, it's nothing serious, Lizzie. I was just
In the grand mansion of the Johnson family, Christina was abruptly awakened by the piercing ringtone of her phone, echoing through the silence of the expansive bedroom. Her hand fumbled clumsily across the smooth surface of the nightstand, searching blindly until her fingers finally closed around the cool metal and glass of her smartphone. With a groggy sigh, she lifted it to her ear, blinking against the darkness of the room."Hello?" Her voice was thick with sleep, carrying a hint of confusion and irritation at being woken so suddenly. The line remained ominously quiet, devoid of any response. A chill ran down her spine as she furrowed her brow, about to end the call when a voice, distorted and unfamiliar, shattered the silence."Stay away from Calvin if you want to stay alive," the voice warned, its words chillingly clear despite the distortion.Christina's heart raced in her chest, adrenaline flooding her veins as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the message. "Who is thi
"What do you need from me, Christina?" Calvin asked gently, his brow furrowing with concern as he sensed her unease.Christina hesitated for a moment, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her coat. "This might sound surprising, but I need your help to set a trap," she finally admitted, her voice tinged with urgency. "I believe whoever is behind this will reveal themselves if we follow my plan."Calvin leaned forward, his eyes searching hers. "What plan are you talking about?" he inquired, trying to piece together the fragments of information she had shared.Taking a deep breath, Christina composed herself. "We need to check into a hotel tonight," she stated firmly, her gaze unwavering. "I suspect Alana is behind this, and if she's jealous, she'll expose herself. I have a strategy to draw Alana out. I know someone has been tailing me, observing my every move, including right now. So, please, Calvin, help me with this."Calvin listened intently, a mixture of worry and determination et
Matthew took a deep breath, his expression shifting to one of contemplation. "Calvin, your treatment has been remarkable, but we need to ensure that its effects are permanent and not just temporary."Calvin could sense the hesitation in Matthew's voice, understanding the underlying fear that lay beneath his words. "How much time do you need to prove that my treatment is permanent, Dr. Greene?" he asked gently.Matthew hesitated, his eyes betraying a flicker of unease. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly weighing his options. "At least give me one week," he said finally. "If there are no recurring symptoms within that time, I'll approve the reopening of your clinic. However, if even the slightest symptom reappears, I will have no choice but to revoke your license immediately, even if it has been reinstated."Calvin nodded, his expression resolute. "I understand the power that the Lang family wields, and it's only natural for you to be cautious. But remember, the people need a heale
Calvin's heart pounded as he sifted through the notes scattered across the desk. The more he read, the heavier his heart grew. He found detailed accounts of how, in ancient times, Miranda's ancestors revered the hosts of the pendant, treating them as important and highly respected figures due to the extraordinary powers they possessed. However, the reverence came at a great cost. Many hosts met tragic ends, often unable to handle the immense power the pendant bestowed.One passage in particular caught Calvin’s eye, describing a host who had tried to sever the connection with the pendant. The attempt had led to catastrophic consequences, resulting in the host’s sudden and inexplicable death. Calvin's breath caught in his throat as he read about the host’s agony and ultimate demise. The words on the page blurred as fear and despair clawed at his heart."No... Lizzie," Calvin whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. He could feel his legs weaken, and he sank into a nearby chair, t
After about an hour of tense waiting, with no sign of anyone making a move, both Calvin and Christina began to feel the weight of boredom settling in. The silence in the room was palpable, broken only by the occasional creak of the building and the distant hum of the city outside. The room felt both expansive and claustrophobic, every second stretching out interminably.Christina glanced at Calvin, who was pacing the room, his footsteps a rhythmic counterpoint to the ambient noise. She sighed deeply, the sound almost echoing in the stillness. "This is getting us nowhere," she said, her frustration evident. "If Alana was going to make a move, she would have done it by now."Calvin paused mid-stride, running a hand through his hair. "You're right," he conceded, his voice tinged with resignation. "Maybe we need to wait a little longer. But for now, there's no point in just sitting here doing nothing."Christina stood up and walked over to the minibar, her movements purposeful. "How about