The Psychotic Girl’s Revenge

Jasper lay back in his rocking chair but became displeased when he overheard the servants whispering. He sat up and shot them a cold look. “What are you talking about?”

The two servants quickly approached and bowed their heads. One of them, sharper than the other, hurried to explain, “I was saying that we’ve received news from A Nation. Though the hospital was tightly secured, we’ve heard that Miss Paige is fine and has already recovered.”

Upon hearing this, Jasper’s tense brow relaxed, and he didn’t blame them.

It was good she had recovered. But why was the girl so stubborn? Even at death’s door, she refused to rely on the Folsom family. Did she think he’d treat her poorly?

As soon as Jasper lay down again, one of the servants added, “But Second Master just called, saying he has already reached an agreement with The Gustin family’s estate. They plan to invest in Artisans and assist the father and daughter in entering the finance summit.”

Jasper frowned deeply upon hearing this. “Isn’t there any other way? All they ever think about is killing my apprentice!”

Jasper was growing irritated. Paige had just been through a bloody battle and was only just recovering. How much more could she endure?

The servant, looking troubled, said, “Second Master mentioned that the Folsom family can’t easily enter A Nation, so many things are difficult to execute. This is a rare opportunity. Besides, Miss Paige refuses to rely on the Folsom family and has become resentful towards you. Keeping her alive… could eventually pose a threat.”

Jasper remained silent for a while, staring at the sky above. Finally, he said, “Forget it.”

“Understood.”

The two servants were about to retreat when Jasper stopped them. “Wait. Tell them that if The Capital descends into chaos, they must protect my apprentice and deliver her to me alive. Whoever ignores this order, I’ll take their life.”

This Emery… his actions had only worsened the relationship between Jasper and Paige. Even if Emery didn’t die at Paige’s hands, Jasper would ensure he paid upon his return.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

The two servants exchanged glances, realizing just how deeply Jasper cared for his apprentice. Still, with the upcoming finance summit in The Capital, they weren’t sure if the old master’s beloved student could survive the storm that was brewing.

…

As they left the hospital, the Temple in Heaven team boarded a bus to the airstrip. It was the arrangement Paige had made-they would leave the same way they came, symbolizing a return to balance.

Paige followed Enrico onto the bus, where most people had already boarded. Carrie sat in the back, holding several backpacks that belonged to Rey, Mira, and Bobby. The bags had clearly been washed, but some dark red stains remained, impossible to remove no matter how hard she tried. Her delicate hands, marked by the water’s wear, revealed how much effort she had put into cleaning them.

Nick sat in the front, cradling Angie’s urn, dressed in simple white and black. His once striking silver hair had been dyed black, and he wore Angie’s glasses. He no longer looked like himself, as if he’d become a completely different person overnight.

The bus, which had been full when they arrived, now had several empty seats. Everyone sat in silence, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

Enrico noticed it too. He glanced at Paige, frowning, clearly wanting to shield her from the sadness around them.

Paige smiled faintly at him, reassuring him she was fine, and took a seat beside him.

The bus slowly started, moving along the uneven road. As they passed by River Town, the bus hit a hard bump, causing Paige to lurch sideways. She looked out the window. In the distance, River Town lay in ruins, eerily silent, its devastation visible even from afar.

Where there had once been rows of tourist buses, only wreaths of white chrysanthemums remained, laid before the giant stone gates of River Town.

A hand suddenly reached around her waist, pulling her back to her seat. Enrico’s deep eyes locked on hers. “Are you alright?”

Paige shook her head, but at that moment, the bus filled with the loud, off-key sound of a song. Someone had accidentally turned on the TV during the jolt, playing an old video of Nick, Bobby, and Rey goofing around with a karaoke machine.

Nick stood up, stone-faced, about to turn off the TV, but Paige stopped him. “Leave it on.”

Nick froze.

“It’s good to bring everyone home in one piece,” Paige said softly. “We need their voices here.”

Nick hesitated but then sat back down, his hand slowly retreating from the TV.

The loud and off-pitch voices filled the bus, sinking into the ears of everyone aboard. Some of the women began to sob, trying hard to stifle their tears. The sorrow spread through the bus like wildfire.

Carrie clutched the backpacks tightly, her eyes red with unshed tears.

“Go ahead and cry,” Paige said quietly. “I’m giving you permission to shed your last tears for them. But once we return to The Capital, I want you to honor their sacrifice with your success.”

Her words opened the floodgates, and tears flowed freely from that moment until they boarded the plane.

…

Upon landing in The Capital, Paige let her subordinates carry her luggage ahead. She turned to face Enrico.

He stood before her, his intense gaze locked on hers.

“I’ll be very busy these next few days,” she said. “I’m guessing you will be too. We probably won’t see each other until next week.”

Enrico frowned as if she had just told a joke. “Next week?”

“I can’t get away right now,” Paige explained.

Temple in Heaven’s group stood a few steps away, waiting for her.

Enrico grabbed Paige’s wrist, dragging her to the other side of the plane. His eyes darkened, and he stared her down. “So, you’ve got important things to do, and I’m not one of them?”

Paige sighed. He really could get jealous over anything.

After a moment of thought, she pulled his coat closer, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear, “I’m busy with something for you.”

“Oh? And what exactly does that mean?”

Enrico sneered, though his expression didn’t match the amusement in his voice.

Paige quickly kissed the corner of his mouth and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Mr. Gustin, I’m gathering a dowry to marry you.”

The brief touch of her lips lingered on his skin, and the smile that crept across his face was unmistakable.

Paige chuckled inwardly-he was always so easy to cheer up.

A second later, Enrico grabbed her chin and looked at her with gritted teeth. “Paige, you’ve become quite bold. Are you so sure I’ll say yes?”

“Wouldn’t you?” she asked, blinking innocently.

“What do you think?” Enrico’s teasing reply was followed by a kiss, his grip on her chin softening into a gentle caress.

After that, there were no more arguments about which “important matters” took precedence over the other.