Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Love Rival

“I understand, Mr. Lucian, that you are worried about Lana; however, you can’t control her!” Naina interrupted, her cold voice increasing the tension in the air, while the other maids looked at the scene with pride.

Their face was screaming, ’Young Miss, go and fight your love rival head-on! ’

Lucian shot an indifferent glance in Naina’s direction, his gentle mask still on his face. “Oh? Miss Naina, I am surprised you still have the audacity to speak.”

His icy tone made both Lana and Mr. Crow shiver in fright.

Naina smirked, not a single ounce of guilt on her face. “Why should I? I like her. I will try my best to fight if someone dares to impose unreasonable demands on her.”

Lucian’s face darkened slightly; his blue eyes stayed trained on Naina’s beautiful eyes. “Like her? You met her just three days before.”

“What? Does Mr. Lucian want me to even ask permission for that? What are you? A live guru or something?” Naina’s teasing voice was filled with possessiveness.

Lana’s gaze shifted to Naina, then to Lucian, and then again to Naina.

’Um… Mr. Crow… Did I somehow mess up? Why do I smell the gunpowder in the air? ’Lana frowned in confusion.

Mr. Crow stared at Lana and finally realized Lana had a problem.

She was dense… when it comes to love matters. It was as if all her IQ and EQ were allocated to strategic planning, ghost exorcising, and being paranoid.

’Did you forget? You kissed Naina, and now Lucian is trying to act as a lover… Won’t Naina feel triggered? ’Mr. Crow reminded.

’But it was because I wanted to save her life…’ Lana retorted.

At the same time, she stepped in to mediate, “Alright! Alright! It was my mistake! Don’t fight because of me.”

Naina and Lucian stared at Lana simultaneously, and Lana could swear… she almost felt as if… They were brother and sister.

’Strange… Naina clearly has brown hair and completely different features… so why do I feel…’ Lana blinked while Naina worriedly asked,

“Lana, why are you zoning out?”

Lana snapped out of her daze and gave a smile. “Hey, I’m fine. Don’t fight, and Mr. Lucian… I truly appreciate your sincere concern, but I prefer to have my own thought process. I hope you understand.”

Lucian was silent for a moment before proposing, “At least let some shadow bodyguard follow you.”

This time, Naina didn’t argue at all. Only she knew how frightened she was when she saw Lana unconscious.

What stunned her the most was… She survived… Wasn’t she supposed to die? And why did Lana faint instead of herself?

But when Lucian arrived and inspected Lana’s condition, he described how Lana might have used some kind of forbidden method to convert the internal energy into life force.

In other words… because Lana transferred life force to Naina… Naina survived.

The realization hit Naina, and she was filled with guilt.

Even her thumping heart couldn’t make her feel better. And all she wished for was… Lana gets better.

When Lana indeed got better, Naina was thrilled and even felt gratified.

However, what Naina hated the most was Lucian’s sudden arrival and his possessive tone toward Lana.

’Who does he think he is? Does he think he has any right to act like that around her? ’

The moment the word boyfriend flashed in her mind, her blood boiled. Rage surged in her chest, sharp and hot, and for one brief moment, she genuinely felt the urge to strangle him.

’Where is Lucian, and where is Lana? Lana is a goddess. And he… he is just a mutt who wandered in.’

Her smile, however, remained elegant and calm.

She looked at Lucian for a breath, then turned toward Lana with a bright, almost overly sweet grin.

“As long as Lana agrees, I am fine with shadow guards protecting her. I will assign them.”

Lana felt her scalp tingle. She suddenly got the feeling of being… pampered? Smothered? Surrounded?

It was confusing.

’Why does it feel like both of them are… treating me like something precious? ’

Before she could speak, Lucian cut in smoothly.

“Lana is my responsibility. It was my negligence that led to her condition. Naturally, the shadow guards shall be mine.”

Naina’s smile dropped immediately. She rolled her eyes.

“Your negligence is exactly why we are in this situation. How can you guarantee that your shadow guards will be any more reliable than you were?”

Lucian’s eyes narrowed, the temperature in the room dropping.

He opened his mouth to retaliate… But Lana lifted her hand.

“Enough. I really don’t have energy for the two of you to argue.”

Her voice was firm, though clearly tired. She turned her head to Naina.

“Naina, how is your condition? Do you still feel the presence?”

Naina paused and nodded, her body trembling ever so slightly.

Seeing that, Lana’s fingers curled into a fist.

“The ghost will continue to haunt you until it is completely exorcised. Now, since the process has been reversed, there is a high chance you can defeat it without dying.”

Naina’s eyes widened. Her lip trembled. And then… She launched herself at Lana and hugged her tightly.

“From now on, Lana… you are my best friend!”

Lana blinked, stunned.

Lucian’s jaw tightened so hard the sound was almost audible.

He remembered the report.

The one about Lana repeatedly kissing Naina’s cheeks.

His mood darkened instantly.

Watching Naina hugging Lana again felt… unbearable.

Friend? Did Naina truly see Lana as a friend? He bets his entire fortune that she doesn’t!

He forced himself to stay calm.

“Naina, do not crush her. She is still recovering.”

Naina shot him a withering glare but still eased her hold, noticing Lana’s paleness.

Lana let out a small breath and spoke, “Our priority now is…”

“You need to rest first,” Lucian interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lana shook her head, expression serious.

“If I rest now, the ghost will retaliate. The reverse process is only fifty percent complete. If I stop here, it may return to full strength. Naina will die.”

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