Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Bravado

Lana immediately straightened, her expression turning troubled.

“If that’s the case,” she muttered, rubbing her temples, “then I really do need to be careful.”

She sighed softly, leaning back in her chair. “After all, if my uncle becomes angry, then I would have to act like a wronged teenager… sigh… There is no one to protect me!”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the call.

“As long as you let me,” Lucian replied calmly, his voice low and steady, “I can protect you.”

Lana went quiet for a second before breaking into a soft chuckle. “If I didn’t know better,” she teased lightly, “I’d think you were flirting with me.”

She stood up and stretched, the chair scraping faintly against the floor. “So,” she added, “what kind of file are you looking for?”

Lucian gave a random file name.

Lana walked into the study, the faint scent of old books and polished wood filling her senses.

Her fingers moved swiftly. “Found it,” she said, opening the file. She snapped a few photos and sent them over. “If you forget things like this again, you can just call me.”

“Noted,” Lucian replied with a small smile. “I’ll remember.”

After a brief pause, his tone softened. “How’s university been?”

Lana hesitated, then decided not to hide anything. She told him about the case, the missing children, the trap, Monica, all of it.

Lucian listened carefully. When she finished, he didn’t scoff or brush it off. Instead, his voice grew thoughtful. “That’s strange.”

“How so?” Lana asked, narrowing her eyes.

“If they already know the ghost’s age,” Lucian continued, “they should have a rough idea of its location. Why wouldn’t they tell you that?”

In fact, from the memories that he have remebered, Lucian knew what this case was. However, he couldn’t tell that to Lana and hence decided to take a roundabout way.

Lana’s breath hitched slightly. “You’re right,” she admitted. “That does make sense.”

Lucian pressed on, his words deliberate.

“If you want to find the bodies, start with the child who was declared dead. Search the parents’ house. There’s a high chance you’ll find something underground. A cellar, perhaps.”

The moment those words sank in, Lana inhaled sharply.

’That’s it.’

A rush of memories flooded her mind. This case.

She remembered it now. In her previous life, it had happened around the same time.

Many children were kidnapped, and the investigation was first handed to a private police station led by Yuna.

That woman had followed every lead with apparent sincerity, gaining public trust, only for the case to stall completely. When nothing turned up, the responsibility was quietly passed on.

Eventually, even private authorities failed to uncover anything. The case went cold for nearly three years.

Until it was reopened. And the truth came out.

All the missing children had been hidden in the cellar of the very house belonging to the child who was declared dead.

The revelation had caused an uproar. The public had erupted in outrage, condemning the parents, calling them monsters unworthy of having children.

Lana’s fingers trembled slightly.

’If not for his hint…’

She almost wanted to kiss Lucian through the phone.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely, her voice steady despite the emotions churning inside her. “You’ve helped more than you realize.”

“It’s nothing.” Lucian smiled, then he thought about the gift which Lana had given and said softly, “By the way, did you check the gift you have given me before handing it to me?”

If Lana heard it carefully, she would have been able to hear the teasing in Lucian’s voice.

“Yes!” Lana said with confidence.

“Well, I don’t think so.” Lucian’s deep voice made Lana’s ears turn red. She almost felt as if they were lovers.

“I will not touch the gift for the time being. Do let me know what I have to do later on.” Lucian’s words made Lana frown, and she asked,

“What do you mean?”

“You will later realize,” Lucian said in a mysterious voice. “But in advance I would like to say that its alright.”

Lana: “…” What is he even talking about?

After ending the call, Lana immediately contacted Monica and relayed everything. The urgency in her tone left no room for doubt.

That night, Lucian stood alone, his phone slipping back into his pocket. His expression cooled rapidly. ’Looks like I won’t be sleeping peacefully either.’

He exhaled and headed out, knowing full well he was about to deal with someone particularly annoying.

The international hotel lobby was quiet, with polished marble floors reflecting soft lights. Just as he stepped out, he noticed a woman approaching, blonde hair, striking blue eyes, her presence impossible to ignore.

Lucian’s smile vanished.

She walked straight toward him, her gaze bold, then reached out and grabbed his hand. “You should start considering me seriously,” she declared confidently. “Your future fiancée.”

Lucian felt a headache coming on.

’I feel like killing someone.’

In his previous life, no such fiancée had existed. His uncle had always given him freedom, believing firmly that Lucian had no interest in women.

Someone, likely that so-called Quinn, must have whispered nonsense into his uncle’s ears, prompting this sudden arrangement.

Lucian pulled his hand back calmly. “I’m not interested.”

The woman frowned, clearly unused to rejection. “You really don’t know how to treat a beauty,” she scoffed.

She stepped closer, arms lifting as if to hug him.

Lucian’s eyes darkened. “Three seconds,” he warned quietly. “Leave.”

She laughed, unimpressed. “Even if you count to begative zero, I won’t go.” She leaned in, lips pursed.

Before she could get any closer, Lucian stepped back, his aura turning icy.

His eyes had darkened completely.

The woman finally felt it, a chill crawling up her spine. Fear flickered in her eyes, but she forced herself to remember the reassurance she had been given.

’Nothing will happen,’ she told herself. ’It was his uncle who had told me that Lucian was a gentleman; even if something troubles him, he would control his emotions.’

Still, her steps slowed as she moved toward him, uncertainty creeping in despite her bravado.

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