A Costly Parting Gift

"A small amount? Darius, you have an incredible amount of nerve. If you honestly believe that sum is insignificant and care so much for Lyra, you should just pay off the debt yourself. With the discount I graciously offered, it is merely 1.8 million. Surely a man of your wealth can handle that."

Kaelen let his words hang in the air. He stared down the traitorous worm from his past life, his expression dark and unyielding.

Darius stiffened. He had expected to play the white knight, not to have a massive financial burden shoved directly into his hands in front of a growing crowd. However, the public confrontation had him cornered. Outright refusal would ruin his billionaire heir facade. Beyond the public pressure, Darius harbored a secret, burning interest in Lyra. He did the math in his head. If spending 1.8 million meant he could win her heart and bed her, it was a relatively cheap price to pay.

"1.8 million? Fine. Give me the account number. I will cover Lyra's debt." Darius locked eyes with Kaelen, feigning disdain.

Kaelen hid his calculated amusement. He had not anticipated recovering a single cent today. The massive number was meant to be a tool for psychological torture, a weight to crush Lyra. He possessed countless methods to destroy her before Clash of Immortals and the Blue Planet underwent their apocalyptic merger. If she failed to pay, he would have ruined her reputation online or wielded the law against her.

Since this arrogant fool wanted to step in, Kaelen gladly provided his bank details.

A few tense moments passed. Kaelen's phone buzzed in his palm. The screen lit up with a notification from his bank, confirming the massive transfer of 1.8 million.

"You got your money. Stay far away from Lyra permanently." Darius glared at him, feeling victorious in his own twisted mind.

Kaelen smiled and pocketed his phone. "That is very generous of you, Darius."

He took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between them. He leaned in close to Darius's ear, his voice dropping to a devastating whisper.

"Lyra has a very lively mole on her butt."

Kaelen pulled back, offering no further explanation. He did not wait to witness the fallout of his words. He turned on his heel, hailed a passing maglev car, and departed the scene.

Left behind on the crowded sidewalk, the color drained from Darius's face. His stomach churned with a toxic mix of jealousy and realization.

Lyra approached him with tentative steps, her eyes wide with confusion. "Darius? What did Kaelen say to you? Why do you look so devastated?"

Darius turned on her. His expression was dark and furious. "Does your butt have a mole on it?"

Lyra gasped, her jaw dropping in shock. She took a step back, her cheeks burning crimson. "How do you know that?"

"You swore to me that you had never slept with Kaelen! You played the innocent victim! So tell me, how does he know about the mole? Damn it, Lyra! Exactly how many times did you give yourself to him?" Darius roared, his voice cracking with rage.

Inside the speeding maglev car, Kaelen stared out the window, indifferent to the explosive argument his past-life knowledge had just ignited. His focus had already shifted to building his future forces.

The vehicle glided to a smooth halt in front of Portstone Medical Center. Kaelen stepped out, bypassing the lobby and purposefully navigating the sterile corridors. He took the elevator up and did not stop until he reached Room 602.

He knocked three times.

The door creaked open.

A striking young woman stood in the doorway. She was undeniably beautiful, possessing a graceful frame and delicate features, but heavy exhaustion marred her pale face. She looked incredibly frail.

Kaelen recognized her instantly. This was Serena Ashwood. She was the bearer of the Widowborn Saint Physique. In the future timeline, this fragile woman was destined to become the terrifying Crimson Empress. She would rise as a supreme powerhouse, and her soulbound forbidden spell would annihilate tens of thousands before she suffered a tragic betrayal and met her death.

"Who are you?" Serena asked softly, her eyes wary.

"You are Serena Ashwood." Kaelen kept his tone even, stating a fact rather than asking a question.

He pulled out his phone and brought up a saved image. He held the screen up to her face, displaying a screenshot of a desperate online post. The bold title read: 'Selling Myself to Save My Mother.'

A dark flush of shame crept up Serena's neck, mingling with her wariness. "How did you track down my physical address?"

"Is your offer to sell yourself for five million still valid?" Kaelen cut straight through the pleasantries.

Serena bit her lower lip. Quiet desperation battled with her pride, but the reality of her dying mother forced her hand. She gave a stiff nod.

"It is valid. As long as my mother is saved, I will do whatever you command." Serena forced the words out, her voice trembling slightly.

"Give me your account number. You belong to me now." Kaelen declared boldly, maintaining his calm demeanor.

Serena stared at him, searching his face for any sign of a cruel joke. Finding only cold authority, she haltingly recited her bank details.

Kaelen tapped the screen of his phone. He instantly transferred the 1.8 million he had just extorted from Darius into her account.

"I just sent you 1.8 million for immediate use. The remaining 3.2 million will be delivered within seven days. Use this week to make all necessary medical arrangements for your mother. Pay the hospital, hire the best caretakers, and settle your affairs. Once the seven days are up, you are to come with me." Kaelen explained plainly, outlining his terms without leaving room for negotiation.

Serena turned her head, glancing back at her dying mother in the hospital bed. The sudden influx of cash was a miracle, but the reality of selling her life weighed heavily on her shoulders. She looked back at Kaelen, her eyes swimming with complex emotions.

"Why do you trust me so easily?" Serena asked softly.

"Because I want you." Kaelen replied simply, stripping away every shred of pretense.

The blunt honesty stunned her into silence. She had expected him to dress it up in false charity. Instead, he claimed her with terrifying directness.

Serena took a deep breath, resigning herself to her choice. She formally dipped her head in agreement.

"I understand. In seven days, I will follow your orders." Serena said stiffly.

Kaelen checked the time on his smartwatch. His first crucial piece was secured.

"Give me your phone number. We need to maintain contact."