âSpeaking of which, you might not believe me,â the young taoist priest said, his eyes darting around as he glanced left and right before lowering his voice to add, âAbout half a year ago, he performed a soul-returning ritual for someoneâ¦â
Upon hearing this, Nathaniel Summersâs head buzzed with activity and he found it hard to stand.
Half a year ago⦠wasnât that when Suzanne Saunders died?
Could it beâ¦
His heart pounded furiously, daring not to think further.
ââ¦but it failed,â the young taoist priest said, âIt is said that the person who asked him to perform the ritual is very powerful, and Mr. Ghost Hayes went into hiding to save his own life.â
âIt failed?â Nathaniel asked, somewhat beside himself. He didnât understandâSuzanne Saunders came back to life, didnât she? Why say the ritual failed?!
Could it be that Mr. Ghost Hayes did not perform the ritual for Suzanne Saunders?
Seeing Nathanielâs expression, the young taoist priest thought he was questioning Mr. Ghost Hayesâs abilities and explained, âEven the scientists at the Aeronautics Institute, with all their precise calculations, canât guarantee that a rocket will launch successfully, let alone the enigmatic nature of soul-returning rituals. Any uncertain factor could affect the outcome.â
Nathaniel was utterly bewildered.
He asked a few more questions about the soul artifact.
The young taoist priest, having received a fair amount of money from him, was an open book, sharing everything he knew. However, being a mere priest, his knowledge was limited; he could only clarify so much, leaving much still in doubt.
After coming down the mountain, Nathaniel walked slowly back to the parking lot and sat in his car.
Continuously, tourists carrying talisman paper and incense headed up the mountain. The taoist temple was thriving with devotees.
Nathaniel sat in the car, silently watching them.
In this life, it seems like weâre always asking for something: wealth, children, smooth careers, academic honorsâ¦
Nathaniel had always had a smooth life. Whatever he desired would be handed to him by his family before he could even ask, so he had nothing to want for.
But now, he wished he could turn back time, to the day before their anniversaryâ he wouldnât throw a yacht party, nor would he get entangled with Jade Carlson. He truly wished he could start everything afresh!
His cellphone rang, and Nathaniel answered it absentmindedly.
On the other end was an unfamiliar female voice: âIs this Mr. Nathaniel Summers?â
âThis is he,â Nathaniel asked, âWho am I speaking with?â
âMy name is Evelyn Willard, Iâm Jade Carlsonâs mother, and Iâd like to meet in person to talk about something,â said Evelyn Willard.
âIf itâs about Jade Carlson, I donât think thereâs anything to discuss,â Nathaniel replied coldly, ready to hang up.
âMr. Summers, donât you care about your own illness?â Evelyn Willard suddenly said, âWhat if reporters found out that the third young master of the Summers Family actually has a sexual dysfunction⦠oh, I apologize, no offense meant. How has your health been recently?â
Nathanielâs face turned ashen, clutching the phone, âAre you threatening me?â
âWhat good is threatening you to me? Mr. Summers, Iâm only after money, not enemies,â Evelyn giggled over the phone. âI have some interesting news for you. If the price is right, Iâm willing to sell it to you.â
Nathanielâs expression steeled as he flipped through his schedule, speaking in a cold tone, âTomorrow afternoon at three oâclock, Flourishta Plaza, first-floor cafe.â
Evelyn Willard laughed, âMr. Summers, letâs not miss each other tomorrow.â
Nathaniel gripped the phone, lost in thought.
He had never heard Jade mention her mother. How had this individual suddenly come into the picture, insisting on selling him information⦠This news was obviously something sheâd learned from Jade, which meant that Jade had secrets she was keeping from him?
With a troubled frown, Nathaniel decided to wait and see what was really going on tomorrow.