CHAPTER 238: CHAPTER 238: FIRST "HUNT

Mason Sheridan saw the Jade Token, and his face stiffened for a moment as he turned towards the utility room.

A small hole had been made in the door of the utility room to facilitate meal delivery.

Leona Sheridan had to eat, drink, and use the bathroom in this little room of less than three square meters every day.

When had she ever suffered like this, having always lived in comfort?

Mason Sheridan stood in front of the door, disdainful to bend over, and spoke condescendingly to the inside: "Sister, you are not as pretty as Rosalind Linton, nor can you give birth like her. I think you better sign the divorce agreement, and worst case, ask your husband for more child support."

Squatting behind the door, Leona Sheridan stared at his legs through the small hole. Her voice was hoarse but carried a fierce determination, determined to go down fighting.

"Mason Sheridan, I’m ruined, but don’t think you’ll get away with it! I will let all the Sheridans know about you secretly swapping and selling the treasures from the old ancestral hall. See if they’ll kick you out of the family tree!"

Mitchell Shepherd’s face turned ashen.

In truth, being kicked out of the family tree was not the worst of it; if the elders forced him to bring back what he sold, that would kill him.

Suppressing his anger with difficulty, he asked in a low voice, "What exactly do you want?"

"Let me out of here, help me win back Victor Langley, and kill that vixen for me!"

Mason Sheridan couldn’t stand the foul smell emanating from the utility room, so he covered his nose and quickly thought of a "wonderful plan" for her.

"Jared still hasn’t woken up—that’s your only excuse. I heard there’s a place called Serenity Temple in Kenton where the incense is known to be effective. I’ll persuade your husband to pray there for Jared, which will allow you to get out first."

"As for what happens after..." Mason Sheridan paused, "let’s plan it out slowly."

He agreed to help, and Leona was eager to take him up on it. "Alright, alright, go quickly."

Mason Sheridan replied with annoyance, "Back then, you took a Jade Token from me and promised to keep my secret. If you dare to go back on your word and expose me, I’ll drag you down with me."

With that, he went off to find Victor Langley.

It was a tumultuous time for Blackstar Technologies, and Victor Langley returned home late.

Upon returning, the first thing he did was go to Jared’s room.

Rosalind Linton was taking care of him, and Jared’s condition was relatively stable.

Just as Victor was about to speak, Mitchell Shepherd walked in.

Rosalind Linton saw this and tactfully withdrew.

Ensuring she wasn’t eavesdropping outside, Mitchell Shepherd then spoke to Victor Langley: "Brother-in-law, we’ve invited so many renowned doctors to examine Jared in his coma, yet there’s no improvement. Why not believe in some spiritual beliefs? I heard the incense at Serenity Temple is quite effective—why don’t we go and pray together?"

Initially, Victor Langley scoffed at superstitions, but the love of a parent is universal. Jared’s prolonged coma, with all tests showing normal, challenged his disbelief in the supernatural.

"Alright, let’s go the day after tomorrow."

Mitchell Shepherd was very pleased and pushed further: "Since it’s for Jared’s blessing, it would be more sincere if both spouses attend. When the time comes, why not bring my sister too?"

Victor Langley looked at his lifeless son on the hospital bed; although reluctant to let that woman out, he reluctantly agreed in the interest of his son: "Alright, but someone has to watch her carefully."

Mitchell Shepherd promptly assured: "I’ll keep a close watch on her!"

He then took a step forward and lowered his voice: "Brother-in-law, if the person Jared longs for can go with us, it may show greater sincerity and might yield a better result."

Victor Langley noticed his implication to invite Juliana Jacobs and frowned: "That’s not appropriate; their relationship was never real. Her presence won’t make a difference."

Mitchell Shepherd quickly countered: "Miss Jacobs has contributed to Jared’s condition. If she’s there, Jared might sense this blessing in some mysterious way."

"Are you sure you don’t have any ulterior motives?" Victor Langley questioned.

Mitchell Shepherd pounded his chest, "How could I exploit Jared to satiate my personal desires? Rest assured, I harbor no ill intentions."

Of course, this was a hypocritical excuse.

His true plan was to make his move at the temple, obtain Juliana Jacobs’ biological sample, and go back to report to his master.

He was 80% sure that Juliana Jacobs was the missing Sinclair Family heiress.

Outside, Rosalind Linton heard this and quickly messaged Juliana Jacobs in the courtyard.

"Whatever the Langley Family asks you to do, don’t agree—be careful of Mitchell Shepherd."

Juliana Jacobs had been disturbed by Elias Langley for two hours and hadn’t yet slept.

Upon reading the message, just as she put down her phone, Victor Langley’s call came through.

Elias Langley happened to emerge from the bathroom.

Juliana Jacobs answered the call, her voice flat and unremarkable, "It’s late—what does Chairman Langley need?"

Victor Langley explained his intent over the phone and promised a large fee if Juliana Jacobs agreed to go.

Juliana Jacobs chuckled, "Given such sincerity from Chairman Langley, I don’t mind going. I hope Jared will wake up soon."

Victor Langley had readied a speech but was surprised by Juliana Jacob’s quick agreement.

Just as he felt touched, Elias Langley abruptly spoke on the other end of the line.

"Did you dry your hair?"

Juliana Jacobs was momentarily flustered and quickly hung up the phone, looking at Elias Langley, torn between anger and amusement.

"You did it on purpose, didn’t you?"

Elias Langley smiled slightly as he climbed into bed to cuddle her.

"Our situation should’ve been known to him long ago."

"Aren’t you worried as his younger brother that he might not handle the shock?"

His son-in-law turned brother-in-law—Victor Langley’s likely to be infuriated.

Juliana Jacobs leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeats as sleep slowly overcame her.

"I have commitments and can’t go the day after tomorrow. If anything arises, call me anytime." Elias Langley said.

"I wasn’t planning to take you anyway," Juliana Jacobs chuckled with her eyes closed. "For my first ’hunt,’ I won’t enjoy it if you’re there."

Elias Langley’s eyes glinted darkly.

She certainly had changed, but he found it wonderful.

He was willing to see her clad in armor, for it could protect her well.

As for who might be hurt beyond that armor, he didn’t care at all.

Meanwhile, Victor Langley stared at the disconnected phone, dumbfounded and lost.

They... had reached that point already?

The next day, Juliana Jacobs headed to Serenity Temple alone.

She was familiar with the route, having gone with Evan Grant before, and Raine Kane was responsible for her safety in secret.

Upon arrival, Victor Langley’s group had just gotten off the car as well.

As they would stay overnight at the temple, Victor Langley worried Juliana might fear being alone at night, so he summoned Sylvia Sheridan.

Sylvia Sheridan was upset over Jared’s situation and kept a distant attitude towards Juliana Jacobs.

Juliana Jacobs paid it no mind.

Leona Sheridan’s air of arrogance had diminished; upon seeing Juliana, even that foul mouth surprisingly went silent.

Mitchell Shepherd had his own agenda and wasn’t planning to provoke Juliana Jacobs at this moment.

"Today I’ve rented the temple—all in our own circle—all here for Jared’s sake, hoping our devotion will move Buddha."

Victor Langley finished speaking and casually invited Juliana Jacobs into the sanctuary.

The abbot, Master Kasyapa, knew Juliana Jacobs and gave her a slight nod upon seeing her.

Master Kasyapa personally presided over the blessing ceremony.

Everyone stood solemnly while Juliana Jacobs positioned herself in the front, bowed her head, and calmed her mind.

She was sincere in wishing Jared would wake up soon.

As everyone followed the abbot in bowing, Mitchell Shepherd, standing to the rear side of Juliana, "accidentally" slipped, hurling himself forward.

In the chaos, his hand "coincidentally" swept across Juliana’s back, then deliberately tugged firmly.

A few strands of hair with follicles fell into his palm.