CHAPTER 158: UNSHAKABLE RESOLVE

Lethia lifted her shoulder and leaned it against the edge of the bed. She patted the oracle’s cheek a few times, trying to snap her back to consciousness.

"I know you can still hear me. Hey... I need you to do something for me."

The woman’s eyes slowly fluttered open. She tilted her head up weakly to look at Lethia.

"W–what do you w–want from me?" she stuttered, her voice trembling with fear.

Her body jerked slightly, and Lethia could feel her flinch, like she was trying to avoid Lethia’s touch.

But Lethia didn’t have the time or the patience to start talk over politely with this woman.

She grabbed the woman’s arm and pulled her up to her feet. And even though Lethia could feel the oracle half-heartedly trying to yank her arm back, she still followed her out of the master bedroom without protest.

"Wh–where are we going?"

"To my room. I need to talk to you before Varrel gets back. And..." Lethia cast her a sharp glare, "Do you have a phone with you?"

Her little prisoner gave her a weak nod.

They moved quickly through the hallways. The air had grown colder as night deepened, amplified by the chill of the plan she had in mind. Lethia used her hearing ability, tuning her ears for the faintest echo of Varrel’s voice.

Apparently, whatever Zeran had pulled off made a huge dent in Ashcroft’s stock value, and soon Varrel had to rush to Ashenhold for clarification and a press conference for the public.

They reached the first floor and were about to turn down the corridor toward her bedroom. Lethia suddenly yanked the oracle down and ducked behind the steps.

From that very corridor came Randa—her personal maid—her face showing worry as she paced restlessly, followed by two male guards. They were all combing the area outside her room, obviously looking for her.

Lethia’s breath caught. It grew heavier, more rushed. This would not look good if they caught her dragging the oracle around like this.

She glanced at the woman beside her, who still looked half-dazed, her hands trembling ever so slightly.

The strong momma turned to face her.

Lethia grabbed both of the oracle’s trembling arms, and her eyes caught the glint of the stone still clutched tight in her hand. She smirked.

’Right... if you can’t defeat your enemy, just befriend them.’

"Hey... listen! You’re curious about the power inside me, right? You wanna know what it is? Or maybe it’s better if you feel how powerful it really is. Wanna a taste?"

Just as she expected, the oracle’s expression shifted. The fear melted away, and curiosity surged forward with greedy sparkles in her widened eyes.

["Whoa whoa... I haven’t answered your request yet. What are you even doing now? With whose permission? How daring!"] Whisney’s voice protested in her head.

"R–really?"

Lethia smirked and gave her a single nod. "But you need to be on my side. And keep saying yes to whatever I say. Can you do that?"

To her surprise, the oracle nodded eagerly, like she’d just been offered a taste of heaven.

With full confidence, and a deep breath drawn into her lungs, Lethia tugged the oracle out from their hiding spot.

They walked out casually, as if they’d just come down the stairs. Lethia turned into the corridor, her face calm, though the weight in her eyes remained sharp and focused.

The oracle followed behind like a curious child promised cotton candy she craved.

Their echoing footsteps rang down the corridor, snapping the heads of Randa and the two male guards toward them.

"Oh Miss... where have you been? We were looking for—" Randa froze mid-sentence.

Her face shifted instantly to a suspicious look when she laid eyes on the woman walking next to Lethia.

"Ah... Varrel had something important to take care of. And..." Lethia turned to the oracle, "I had a little chat with her about awakening my power. You know... Varrel told me she’s the one who’s going to help me with that. Right?" Lethia widened her eyes with a sweet smile, coaxing a confirming answer from the oracle.

"Yes. She’s right. I will help her be free. You know who I am, don’t you? Even if you don’t, I know you... This morning, you and that blond omega had your little fun in the bushes near the lake."

An awkward silence fell instantly. Lethia blinked, confused, as the scene took a bizarre turn. She could practically witness the crimson embarrassment on Randa’s cheeks and the stiff tension from the men behind her.

"And not just that..." the oracle went on, "You swore like an unsatisfied virgin ghost when someone came looking for you and told you to stay by Miss Lethia’s side. You were pissed she interrupted your sexy time and—"

"Miss, I hope you have a restful night. Please call me if you need anything," Randa swiftly cut the oracle off with a strained smile, bowed politely, and turned on her heel to flee the scene, both guards trailing behind her like puppies with tails tucked between their legs.

The oracle waved enthusiastically at the humiliated group as they disappeared, grinning from ear to ear. Lethia couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. Alright, maybe this oracle wasn’t a complete fraud after all.

"You should be an actress, not an oracle. What a waste of talent," Lethia muttered.

"I’m doing exactly what you want. You want them gone, and to think we’re working on the same side." The woman who just moments ago looked half-dead suddenly appeared bright and lively, her voice practically chirping.

It sent a chill down Lethia’s spine. It was like she was facing a completely different person. Was she possessed?

["You fed her demon with a promise. She’s gonna riot when she finds out you’re just using her. That’s how greedy demons from the underworld work. She might just eat you alive later. And again, I’ll be the one cleaning up your damn mess."] Whisney grumbled in her mind, clearly annoyed.

Lethia could only grin sheepishly as she opened her bedroom door and gestured for the oracle to step inside. The woman obeyed without hesitation, cheerful and light on her feet, and plopped down on the sofa like an eager puppy.

Once the door shut and the lock clicked into place, the smirk on Lethia’s lips slowly faded.

’Who says I’m deceiving her? Whisney, you have no choice but to grant my request.’

["Hah! You think that kind of power’s child’s play?"]

’Of course not. But I know you can do it! Even if you’ve only grown six tails instead of nine, sure, there’ll be limits, but you still can, can’t you?’

["Oh, you stubborn little minx! And what exactly do you plan to do with an illusion like that?"]

Lethia stepped toward the oracle, who still stared up at her, full of hope and sparkly-eyed awe. She sat on the edge of the bed, facing the woman properly now.

’To bring Varrel down in one punch... using the very thing he desires most, having sex with Lethia.’

Her smirk deepened, darkening her eyes with full, unshakable resolve.