Chapter 424: Protective Brother
A faint smile appeared on Lana’s lips as she typed back a reply.
Then there were messages from James and Luke as well, casually talking about their day, their tone relaxed.
Lana skimmed through them, her expression softening slightly.
Then...another message caught her attention.
It was from Naina
She had sent a few pictures: beautiful vacation spots, beaches glowing under golden sunsets, mountains wrapped in mist, and cities lit up like constellations.
Along with them, she had written, "Once I earn a billion dollars... I’ll definitely visit all these places."
Lana couldn’t help but chuckle softly. ’Ambitious... but not impossible ...’
Just then...another notification appeared.
This time...from her website. Her gaze sharpened slightly as she opened it.
Someone had sent repeated messages.
Desperate. Urgent. It was Baron.
He described the situation in detail: his friend’s sister was possessed, and they couldn’t afford the exorbitant fees demanded by other priests or celestial masters.
Nor did they have the luxury of waiting months.
Then...another account sent a message. Begging. Pleading for help.
Lana narrowed her eyes slightly.
’This must be... Baron’s friend ...’
She leaned back slightly, taking a slow breath as she thought.
Then she decided to contact Baron directly for more details.
Beside her, Mr. Crow watched silently before frowning slightly.
"I’ve noticed something lately," he said.
Lana paused, glancing at him. "You’ve become... kinder."
She froze for a brief moment.
Mr. Crow continued, his tone thoughtful,
"You’re helping almost everyone who asks now. You’re starting to feel like... someone who saves people without hesitation."
Lana remained silent for a second.
Then she spoke softly, "Maybe... it’s because I understand now how important kindness is... for people who are barely holding on."
Her voice was calm, but there was something deeper beneath it.
Mr. Crow didn’t reply immediately.
But he understood.
’This change... started because of James...’
When Lana realized that James had needed help but didn’t dare ask for it because he wasn’t sure she would respond, it had changed something in her.
Now...she was reaching out. Helping more.
Trying not to miss anyone who might be silently struggling.
Mr. Crow sighed inwardly. ’Is this better... or worse...?’
The Lana who didn’t care about anyone... Or this Lana, who cared too much?
’As long as she doesn’t hurt herself in the process ...’
After receiving the details from Baron... Lana let out a slow breath.
"I was right," she murmured.
Mr. Crow looked at her. "What do you mean?"
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"My decision to help them... was the right one."
She paused briefly before adding, "I found someone... from my past life."
Mr. Crow’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"His name is Sean."
Lana’s gaze turned distant as memories resurfaced.
"He was one of my teammates... in my previous life. A mercenary."
She continued softly, "He was also Jenny’s boyfriend... for a long time."
Her expression dimmed slightly. "But things never progressed beyond that."
She fell silent for a moment before speaking again, her voice quieter.
"His sister... died due to possession."
Mr. Crow didn’t interrupt.
"After that," Lana continued, "he set a goal for himself, to become rich... to earn a billion dollars ..."
Her eyes lowered slightly.
"And then donate it all... so people in need could afford exorcisms."
Then Lana let out a small chuckle, though it carried a hint of nostalgia.
"The funny thing is... he was the only one who treated me like a little sister."
A faint warmth appeared in her eyes. "Maybe because I was the same age as his sister ..."
She smiled faintly.
"He would always bring me small treats, ask if I was tired, and make sure I was okay ..."
Her voice softened. "From sweets... to clothes... he always had something for me."
She paused, then murmured quietly, "I wonder... what the 28-year-old Sean looks like now." ..."
A flicker of curiosity passed through her. She stood up.
Mr. Crow, however, frowned slightly. "Those people belong to your past life. Do you really need to be this good to them?"
Lana stopped. Then slowly turned toward him.
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"What suddenly made you so... unkind?" she asked, her tone calm but pointed.
Mr. Crow hesitated, then muttered, "It’s because of those people around you... those so-called siblings... they’re disgusting..."
Lana cut him off. "People treated me badly in my past life," she said firmly.
Her voice didn’t rise...
"But the good ones... treated me well."
She took a slow step forward.
"And even in this life... when they don’t know who I am... they still treat me well."
She inhaled deeply. "When I had nothing... they were kind to me."
Her eyes steadied. "So now... it’s my turn."
Silence followed. Mr. Crow realized...she wasn’t angry at him.
She was simply... resolute.
He lowered his gaze slightly. "I’m sorry."
Lana’s expression softened a little.
"I’m not angry," she said quietly. "I just want you to understand ..."
She paused briefly.
"...sometimes, the fate I love so much... is shaped by what we choose to do in unexpected moments."
With that, she changed her clothes and prepared to leave.
When they arrived at the location... Lana immediately spotted Baron.
The moment she saw him...she froze. A memory surfaced abruptly.
’He... looks like ...’
Her heart skipped a beat. ’Sean’s friend... who died ...’
For a brief second, the present and the past overlapped in her mind.
She took a slow breath, steadying herself.
’Life... really is strange ...’
Her gaze softened slightly as she looked at Baron again.
’And fate... even more so ...’
As Lana walked toward Sean and Baron, her steps were steady, her expression calm, yet her eyes carried a faint trace of nostalgia.
Sean noticed her first.
He blinked, clearly puzzled, his gaze lingering on her as confusion flickered across his face. ’A... little girl?’
Almost instantly, his instincts kicked in.
His brows furrowed, and a protective edge crept into his voice as he stepped slightly forward, placing himself subtly between her and the house behind him.
"What are you doing here, little girl?" he said, his tone firm but not harsh. "Did you get lost?"
He glanced around briefly, as if expecting an adult to appear at any moment.