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    Chapter


    178


    Keh held Ophelia in his arms, his thin lips brushing against her ear.


    "Little one, you''re still not giving up?


    Kemeth knew Ophelia buying the Hastings Group''s real estatepany to develop the slum


    Ophelia telt an itch in her ear, scratched it, and then turned around, curling up against Keh''s chest like a kitten.


    Keh stroked her soft body and thought, What should I do with her?


    63%


    The lights of the houses around Rosewood Manor went out one by one.


    In the silent night, a thin trail of white smoke drifted into the air next to a ck SUV.


    Not a single star in the sky, only a lone crescent moon hung there.


    At the door, a slim figure squatted with his chin resting on one hand, his hair tied back, bangs swaying in the breeze, his youthful brows tightly knitted in a frown.


    A low, raspy chuckle echoed from behind.


    The boy''s frown deepened.


    Suddenly, a de glinted in the moonlight, flying directly towards where theughter originated.


    Ray quickly turned his head as the dagger brushed past his ear, sticking into the tree trunk behind him.


    a "If you kill me, there won''t be anyone to buy you medicine. It''s your own fault for eating too much candy and getting a


    toothache."


    Ray took deep drag on his cigarette, tossed the butt to the ground and stomped it out, then carelessly threw a white stic bag next to Eric.


    Various painkillers and anti-inmmatory drugs were scattered all over the ground.


    "Take the medicine. It will make you feel better." Ray handed Erie a bottle of chilled mineral water. "Rinse your mouth first."


    Eric turned his head, seeing a rough hand holding a bottle of water, and didn''t take it.


    "Still holding a grudge? I''m willing to let you pay back the two shots you got from me, but you refused, didn''t you?" Ray threw the water to Eric..


    Eric unscrewed the cap and took a sip: the cold water temporarily eased his toothache.


    Ray lit another cigarette, standing beside Eric, his shiny ck leather boots catching the light.


    "Why would someone your age choose to be a killer?" Ray asked, bringing the cigarette to his lips and taking a deep drag, filling his mouth with nicotine.


    His index and middle fingers, from constantly holding cigarettes, had be a bit yellowed.


    Eric kept his chin on his hand, feeling a toothache was more unbearable than getting shot.


    He impatiently muttered a few words, "I don''t know."


    Eric thought, My foster father was a fugitive, so I became a kille After he died, I stayed in this line of work as I didn''t know what else I could do or was good at: Maybe to distract himself, Fric casually turned his head and asked. "Why do you do it?"


    "Me! It''s because this job pays well. A few years ago, I almost died Then, by chance, Ujoined the guild and gained some stability. At least with the guild''s protection, enemies don''te knocking." Protection? What''s that? Eric dish''t understand.


    Ray furrowed his brows. Just protection."


    He took another long drag, finishing the cigarette in no more than three puffs as usual. "Take your medicine."


    "It''s bitter,"


    "Afraid of bitterness but want to be a killer? Ray squatted down, opened a box of medicine, took out a capsule, and handed it over. "This one isn''t."


    Eric looked at the blue and white capsule in his palm. His eyshes fluttered slightly, then he tilted his head back and swallowed the pill, chugging the rest of the water in the bottle. "Cut out the candy.


    Eric replied. "If you quit smoking. I''ll quit sugar."


    Ray tapped the back of Eric''s head. "Kid, quitting smoking would be tougher than dying for me."


    Eric thought, ''Same for me. I''d rather die without sugar.


    The next day. Ophelia was going to teach at Denex University


    Keh lifted Ophelia from the bed and carried her to wash up while she thought, Thanks to Keh, I didn''t make any preparationsst night as I nned.


    Ophelia sat on the bathroom counter, still half-asleep, her forehead resting against Keh''s chest.


    Keh held theb, brushing her hair gently, his fingers asionally sliding through her soft strands.


    "Need help brushing your teeth?" Keh asked, squeezing out the toothpaste for Ophelia.


    "Yeah."


    Ophelia thought. He was indeed wildst night. Even my pleading didn''t help


    "Open your mouth."


    Ophelia obediently followed his order.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ""Rinse now."


    Then, Keh said, "I''m going to Waston in a few days. Do you want toe with me?"


    Ophelia felt the fresh mint of the toothpaste. After brushing her teeth, she felt sober and jumped down from the counter ssh some water on her face. "Going to Waston to meet Noah?"


    "Why would I see him? Ken th narrowed his over and hily tucked Ophelia''s forehead. Tll tell you once the schedule is


    set


    In the past few days. Keh was busy and couldn''t pick Ophelia up himself, which almost made her miss the times when Caleb and Barrett drove her around Drive slow today. I''m in no hurry. Ophelia instructed Ray, thinking. There''s no need to drive like we''re running for our lives


    "Alright" Ray agreed, opening the door for her.


    Ophelia wore a pair of ck pants and a brows trench coat, the top two buttons of her khaki shirt left undone, revealing her swan-like neck. It was simple but elegant. With the warning, Ray drove slower than the day before.


    "Mrs. Sinir, I think you should get sses to look more like a teacher."


    Ophelia raised an eyebrow, ncing at her reflection in the ss


    Half an hourter, the three of them arrived at an eyewear shop,


    Ophelia chose a pair of rimless sses, which immediately gave her a schrly vibe. Combined with her pure, charming face, she looked both innocent and alluring Turning her head, she saw Ray picking up a pair of oversized sunsses.


    Ray had a tough look that could scare kids to cry, and he looked even more like a bodyguard with the sunsses on.


    "How do I look? Do the shades suit me?"


    "Looks good, Eric replied casually, thinking, ''Ray does appear kinder with the sunsses covering his intimidating eyes Ray quickly took out his wallet and bought the sunsses. While paying, he asked Eric beside him, "Aren''t you getting one I''ll treat you."


    Eric shook his head.


    Later, the sleek ck SUV pulled up at the entrance of Denex University.


    Ophelia adjusted her sses a bit. "You two don''t need to follow me anymore."


    "But Mr. Sinir gave strict orders-"


    Eric interrupted, "With Elia''s skills, no one can mess with her."


    Ray hesitated. "But-


    "Eric''s right. It''s inconvenient with you two tag


    along to me at the university


    Ophelia thought. Besides, ever since myst kidnapping, Keh has put a system on my to call for help if I was in danger


    phone


    Actually, having Eric around isn''t such a bad idea. He looks just like a student and could help me avoid unnecessary troub But considering Keh''s jealousy, it''s better not to. 15:04 Wed, Nov 20