Chapter 285: Chapter 285: Options

Axel didn’t respond.

So Lana continued instead.

“Yes. Lucian gave me a place to stay. Before that, Monka Anaro helped me rent a room. I lived in the temple, but Lucian worried about my safety and asked me to move in.”

Hearing this, Axel’s jaw tightened. He clenched his fist, then released it with a deep breath.

“There’s nowhere else in the city you could rent?” he asked.

Lana shook her head and explained the enemy she had made on her and how the Almond family had imposed a restriction on her, and how landlords became hesitant once they realized that she was siding with the Rivers family.

Axel narrowed his eyes and followed her inside.

The moment he stepped in, he noticed everything, the servants’ respectful attitude toward Lana, the way she moved comfortably, as if the mansion truly belonged to her.

After observing in silence, he finally spoke.

“I’ll give you two options,” he said. “You decide.”

Lana looked at him and gestured for him to continue.

“Option one,” Axel said, “I help you rent a place elsewhere. I’ll ensure your safety personally.”

“And option two?” Lana asked.

Axel met her eyes. “You leave Lucian’s mansion and move into mine.”

Lana fell silent.

After a moment, she shook her head. “I can’t.”

She wasn’t doubting Axel’s blood relation. She had already conducted a secret DNA test and confirmed that they shared an uncle–niece relationship. She trusted him completely.

But living with him, accepting that level of closeness, was something she couldn’t bring herself to do.

Not yet.

Even though Axel was genuinely kind, the truth lingered like a dull ache in her chest… in her past life, he had never come.

By then, he might have already been dead for all she knew, but Lucian had been the first person to extend his hand when she was drowning.

’How could I ever think of leaving him?’

That was why her words carried such unwavering determination, sharp enough to cut through doubt.

On the other hand, Axel felt a familiar headache creeping in, throbbing right between his temples.

He inhaled slowly, steadying himself, about to lecture Lana when she suddenly lifted her head and met his gaze head-on.

Her eyes were calm, yet there was a storm brewing beneath them.

“Also before you talk about keeping distance between men and women,” she said coolly, her voice steady but edged with something sharp, “if you hadn’t crossed paths with me, you wouldn’t have even known I was your niece.”

Axel froze.

“If that hadn’t happened,” she continued, her fingers curling slightly as if restraining herself,

“I would still be living with Lucian. No one would be here lecturing me about propriety or distance.”

Her lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.

“And maybe if I weren’t your niece, you wouldn’t even bother checking on me. You wouldn’t be this concerned at all.”

Axel’s expressio turned stiff.

“So instead of showing concern now,” she finished quietly, “I’d appreciate it more if you let me live the way I always have.”

Axel paused. Her words echoed in his mind, colliding with a memory he hadn’t meant to revisit.

A very similar girl surfaced in his thoughts, someone he had once confronted with harsh arguments under the guise of advice.

Back then, he had been relentless. But now, standing before Lana, whom he cherished deeply as his niece, all he felt was helplessness.

With a tired sigh, his shoulders slumped. “Fine,” he murmured.

“Looks like I can only opt for the other option…” He glanced at her carefully. “Would you like to try something else?”

Lana frowned slightly, confusion flickering across her face.

“I’ll move into this mansion,” Axel proposed.

She blinked, then narrowed her eyes, her brows knitting together. “I don’t think Lucian would allow that.”

Axel chuckled softly, the tension easing from his expression. “I don’t need Lucian’s permission,” he replied.

“I just need yours.” His gaze softened. “I’m worried about your health. I want to stay with you.”

Lana let out a slow sigh and fell silent, her thoughts tumbling one after another.

Over time, she had grown accustomed to Axel’s presence; his quiet presence and constant care had made her a bit moved.

Finally, she looked at him, hesitation clear in her eyes.

“If that’s the case,” she said reluctantly, “I’ll allow you to stay.”

Then her tone sharpened. “But remember one thing…I hate people interfering in my matters. And I especially hate being lectured.”

Axel raised his hand immediately, solemn. “I swear I won’t interfere,” he said seriously. “Unless I believe your life is truly at stake.”

She nodded once. “Good. Then you can move in.”

After a brief pause, she added stiffly, “But Lucian still…”

Axel laughed. “If Lucian thinks of not giving permission,” he said confidently, “he’d regret everything.”

Lana tilted her head, curiosity stirring.

’What kind of leverage does he even have?’

From everything she remembered, Axel had never been mentioned as one of Lucian’s allies in her past life.

Lucian used to spend every Friday in a strange, solemn place.

At first, she hadn’t understood why he visited a gravestone so regularly, but later she learned the truth… every ally who had helped him and died was laid to rest there. Lucian visited them all, paying his respects, silently expressing gratitude.

She had gone with him a few times. Eventually, she remembered every name carved into stone.

Axel’s name had never been among them.

Just then, Axel took out his phone and dialed Lucian’s number.

Once the call connected, he spoke plainly, “I’m moving into the mansion.”

There was a brief silence before Lucian responded calmly, “You’re not allowed.”

Axel chuckled. “I wasn’t asking for permission,” he replied lightly. “I’m stating a fact. If you have an issue, we can discuss it privately.”

Lucian was about to speak again when Axel’s tone turned measured.

“Think this through carefully. If circumstances change later and you ask me for help,” he paused deliberately, “as your ally, I’ll have to remain silent.”

Lana, sitting a little distance away, heard every word. Her eyes narrowed. ’Since when did Axel become Lucian’s ally?’

On the other end, Lucian’s voice grew aggravated. “Fine.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep