CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 154: TRIP

Once Naina was ready to leave, one of the household staff stopped her and informed her that her mother had called.

Naina’s mother had requested that Naina attend one of the blind dates the family had arranged.

Hearing this, Naina laughed as if she had just heard the funniest joke.

Not once did they come to check whether she was alive or not when she was possessed. Hell, she might have died, but they didn’t think of checking on her or leaving a single message for her.

But now... when it comes to family interest, they are suddenly free to drop messages?

"I’m not going to meet any blind dates," she said calmly. "I’m going to find someone I love. I don’t need my parents dictating my life anymore."

Hearing those words, the maid paused and looked at Naina with shining, emotional eyes.

She had watched Naina grow from a tiny toddler into the woman she was today, and she could say only one thing: Naina was pitiful.

Never once had her parents truly fulfilled their responsibilities.

Instead, they constantly reminded Naina that she must perfect herself, achieve something extraordinary, or contribute in some way to be worthy of their attention.

It was one of the cheapest tricks parents could play, yet Naina’s parents had mastered it.

To the maid, Naina’s parents were nothing more than occasional visitors... people who appeared a few times a year, pretended to care, and then vanished again. They acted more like sponsors than actual parents.

In the beginning, Naina had tried her best to win their affection. But after a near-death experience, she had completely given up on her family.

Now, hearing Naina speak so confidently against them, the maid finally felt reassured.

Children like Naina were destined to live stagnant, miserable lives if they remained chained to their parents’ control. Breaking away was necessary.

"By the way, what’s this smell?" Naina sniffed when a greasy smell assaulted her nose.

"A construction work has started nearby." The maid replied, and Naina nodded before leaving.

At the company, Naina sighed as she parked her car.

’To say I’m not disappointed would be a lie... I always hoped they’d understand me someday. But it looks like I really need to let go of that expectation.’

She had even thought about cutting ties entirely.

Even though she wasn’t earning a huge salary yet and wasn’t fully financially independent, she earned enough to live peacefully, far away from her family if needed.

The moment the thought became solid in her mind, she sighed again. ’Yes. That’s what I’ll do.’

Just as she was about to get out of the car, something caught her eye... a stack of talismans in the side compartment. She paused.

Earlier, after talking with Lana, she had tossed the talismans into her car and promptly forgotten about them.

Now, seeing them again reminded her just how valuable they were.

Talismans are one of the most precious commodities in their world and carrying them was like buying a over priced branded phone.

She immediately put them into her bag.

Even if she didn’t encounter any ghosts during the field trip, she felt safer knowing she had a way to deal with whatever might come her way. After all, she now had an OP friend with a third eye.

The moment she tucked the talismans into her bag, the dark cloud looming above her head unknowingly decreased by more than two-thirds.

With that, she entered her workplace.

Earlier, her parents had expected her to become a teacher at some prestigious university or join her mother’s maternal family business. Naina had refused both.

She was exceptional in finance, and instead of joining that family’s corporate empire, she wanted to build her own company someday.

But instead of opening a business right away, she had chosen to gain experience first by joining a corporate job.

Currently, she is a manager at the well-known Sunshine Corporation.

The moment she entered, employees greeted her respectfully. Even though she had joined only a few months ago, she had made remarkable progress... so remarkable that all those who once questioned her abilities had been forced to shut their mouths.

Now, almost everyone in the company respects her.

Naina nodded back politely as she walked.

Their company specialized in finance... stocks, mutual funds, and other investments.

Once she reached her office, she packed a few items into the bag she was carrying and contacted the CEO directly.

Because of her outstanding performance, many higher authorities had acknowledged her capabilities, and she had even been introduced to the CEO.

Now, she could contact him directly for instructions. Despite being only a manager, half her responsibilities involved assisting the CEO since his official assistant was on leave.

After briefing the CEO, she asked, "Should I assemble all employees?"

When the CEO responded with the opposite instruction, she noted all of them down and asked,

"What about those who are backing out at the last moment?"

The CEO told about the necessary actions before hanging up.

She stepped out of her office and instructed her assistant:

"Send an email. Notify everyone that a meeting will be held in the conference room. Tell them to bring their bags."

The entire company felt a strange excitement even though it was still early morning. Everyone eagerly waited for Naina’s message.

Meanwhile, Naina contacted the bus driver who would take them to the field trip location. Once she confirmed that the schedule had no changes, she calmly waited in the conference room.

When everyone arrived, she waited for her superiors to join. Once they did, she briefed them about the arrangements, including the drivers and logistics. She also handed them printed schedules.

Then, she addressed the employees:

"We’ll be heading to the Valor Mountains. There’s a high chance we won’t encounter any ghosts. However, to ensure no one gets into trouble, a priest will accompany us. Defensive equipment will also be provided."

In fact, what Naina didn’t tell others was... she had made last minute addition to the defensive equipment list after hearing Lana’s warning.

With that, Naina nodded at her assistant.

The assistant immediately stepped forward and made a call.