Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Sleep

If she knew the reason, she might have laughed in disbelief.

In her past life, Yuna and Loco had taken this case.

This time, circumstances shifted, and Monica became the one standing at the center.

Lana looked at her and smiled. “If that’s the situation, I can help.”

Monica laughed softly, bitterness lacing her voice.

“If that were possible, I would’ve asked already. You’re a talisman practitioner, Lana. How could you help the police?”

Lana’s smile deepened. “I have another identity.”

Monica stiffened.

“But first,” Lana added calmly, “you’ll need to sign an NDA. And an agreement stating you’ll never harm me.”

Monica’s curiosity flared. After a long moment of thought, she nodded firmly. “Alright. I’ll sign.”

Lana took out the document and placed it in front of Monica.

Monica didn’t rush.

She read every line carefully, her fingers brushing the crisp paper, the faint smell of ink lingering in the air.

Only after going through it thoroughly did she pick up the pen and sign her name.

As she did, she let out a quiet breath and smiled faintly.

’This case really taught me something,’ she admitted inwardly.

’Otherwise, I would have signed anything without thinking.’

Once the contract was sealed, Lana lifted her gaze calmly. “I’m a yellow-rank mystic cultivator.”

The words hit Monica like a bolt of lightning.

Her eyes widened, her body stiffening as she froze in place.

Before she could react, Lana continued in the same steady tone,

“At my current level, I can deal with a ghost that has cultivated for at least ninety years.”

She paused briefly. “If I combine my energy with a talisman, I can handle a hundred-year-old ghost.”

Monica’s eyes lit up instantly.

On impulse, she almost reached out to grab Lana’s hand, desperate to confirm that she wasn’t imagining things.

Seeing Lana’s calm and unshaken expression, Monica stopped herself and instead laughed softly, excitement bubbling beneath her composure.

“As long as you can truly help me,” she said earnestly, “I’ll repay you someday.”

Lana smiled in response.

Then Monica’s expression faltered.

Her smile faded as something occurred to her.

She looked at Lana hesitantly. “But even so… this is still difficult.”

She swallowed.

“A yellow-rank mystic cultivator can usually deal with, at most, a fifty-year-old ghost. How can you handle one that’s a hundred years old?”

Lana’s smile didn’t waver.

“Because my yellow mystic energy is different,” she replied evenly. “It allows me to deal with ghosts at twice the level an ordinary cultivator can.”

Monica’s eyes shone. This time, she didn’t hesitate.

She reached out and clasped Lana’s hand tightly, her grip warm and firm.

’If I beg her now,’ she thought urgently, ’as long as she helps me through this, I’ll repay her no matter what.’

“If you help me with this case,” Monica said without restraint,

“I’ll let you take part in major decisions of the police station. In the future, you can treat it as something under your control.”

Lana’s eyes gleamed.

She chuckled softly. “If that’s the case, then I’ll definitely help.”

She extended her hand, and Monica immediately shook it, her emotions nearly overflowing.

“Where do we start?” Lana asked.

“If we act now, that would be best,” Monica replied.

Lana nodded. “Tell me everything.”

After Monica finished explaining the details, Lana returned to her mansion.

That night, she stayed awake.

Scrolls, notes, and records lay scattered around her, the room faintly lit as she continued researching without pause.

Sleep tugged at her eyelids, her body aching with fatigue, but she suppressed it and pressed on.

Elsewhere, Lucian lay on his bed, eyes closed, quietly guiding his energy, trying to coax Lana into sleep as he often did.

When she didn’t drift off at all, his brows knit together.

He opened his eyes slowly, gaze sharpening in the darkness.

’Who is keeping her awake tonight?’

At first, Axel came to mind. But after a moment’s thought, Lucian dismissed it. ’That doesn’t suit him.’

When Axel learned about Lana’s erratic sleep schedule, he had personally set a rule for himself, every single night, and again at midnight, he would check on her to make sure she was asleep.

It had become almost obsessive, born from worry rather than control. Because of that, Lucian knew one thing for certain.

Axel would never be the reason Lana stayed awake.

’Then who is it?’ Lucian wondered.

He thought carefully, his brows knitting together.

Slowly, a realization settled in.

’She’s forcing herself to stay awake.’

The question that followed made his chest tighten. ’Why?’

Had she begun to suspect something?

Did she realize that the reason they could enter each other’s dreams had something to do with the jade bangle on her wrist?

Lucian exhaled deeply. ’Direct methods won’t work.’

He decided to try another approach.

He picked up his phone and dialed Lana’s number.

Lana was still awake, exhaustion clinging to her like a heavy fog.

Her head tilted from side to side as she struggled to focus when her phone began to ring.

She glanced over, and when she saw Lucian’s name on the screen, she answered immediately.

Her voice lifted instinctively. “Why did you call?” she asked lightly. “Is something wrong?”

Lucian paused, then smiled as he spoke. “I left an important document in my study. I tried calling Lucy, but she’s busy.” He hesitated briefly. “Did I disturb you?”

Lana waved her hand unconsciously, even though he couldn’t see her. “No, no. I’m free.”

Lucian continued gently, “Then why are you still awake? Shouldn’t you be sleeping by now?”

Lana smiled faintly, rubbing her eyes. “I’m working on a case. I can’t sleep yet.”

Understanding dawned on Lucian, and he released a quiet sigh of relief.

For a split second, he had nearly convinced himself she had secretly found a boyfriend, and the thought made his mood sour.

He cut that train of thought short and refocused.

“When are you planning to sleep?” he asked.

Lana frowned slightly. “Why do you want me to sleep so badly?”

Lucian replied calmly, “If Axel finds out that under my watch you still didn’t go to bed, he’ll lecture me endlessly.”

Lana blinked in surprise. ’Axel can lecture Lucian?’

That was new.

Taking a slow breath, she said casually, “Then maybe I won’t sleep at all tonight.”

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