Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Department

He had expected Lana to decline and make things difficult for him, but she didn’t! What a nice girl!

After ending the call, Lana set her phone down, her gaze thoughtful.

’So, it wasn’t really their decision…,’ she mused. It was clear to her that someone powerful had intervened.

The Almond family had previously ordered the bank to reject her, and they would never willingly retract their command. Their pride wouldn’t allow it.

That meant only one thing: someone stronger, perhaps an even greater influence, had stepped in on her behalf.

Her lips curved into a mischievous grin. “Heh… so my white moonlight is still looking out for me,” she whispered, her eyes gleaming with amusement and warmth.

Mr. Crow, perched on her shoulder, gave an exaggerated flap of his wings.

“Or maybe you’re overthinking again. Could be a secret admirer.”

Lana burst into laughter. “Please! With my personality? Anyone who admires me probably hit their head too hard.”

Mr. Crow clicked his beak in protest. “Don’t say that. You’re quite desirable, you know.”

She rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Sure, sure. I’m gluttonous, chaotic, and definitely not wife material. Why would anyone like me? I wasn’t born to please others, Mr. Crow. I’m not money, no one’s printing my face on bills anytime soon. If I were, maybe everyone would love me. But since I’m not, I’ll just live as I am.”

After dinner, Lana spent hours making talismans.

It was grueling, but the results fascinated her so much that she could hardly stop.

As the hours slipped by, night gradually gave way to dawn.

Finally, she set aside her brushes and began cultivating. The faint dark circles under her eyes faded as her energy steadied and circulated.

Mr. Crow watched her with quiet admiration.

He couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take her to break through the next two Yellow Ranks.

She had already reached stage one of Black Rank in just a month, a speed unheard of for most cultivators.

In his mind, Lana was easily among the most talented mystic practitioners he had ever seen, fully deserving of the best resources and training.

Still, he kept his thoughts to himself. If he praised her aloud, her ego might inflate beyond saving. With a faint chuckle, he simply continued to watch her meditate in peace.

By morning, Lana appeared at the school gate, refreshed and in a bright mood. But before she could step inside, someone blocked her path.

It was none other than Brenda, accompanied by Riley and her entourage.

Brenda’s expression burned with fury as she snapped,

“Lana! Were you the one spreading rumors about me using the broadcast room?”

Lana blinked innocently, her eyes wide with confusion.

“Rumors? What are you talking about?” Her tone was calm, but the corners of her lips twitched, betraying the laughter bubbling inside her.

’To think that the mighty Brenda from my previous life, always cold and arrogant, would one day lose her temper like this…’

The thought made Lana’s heart twist with dark amusement. Outwardly, though, her face remained composed, almost indifferent.

Brenda clenched her fists.

“Don’t pretend! I know exactly what kind of blood flows in your veins; it’s filthy! An ordinary couple with a twisted mind who switch children and harvest benefits. Evil runs in you, Lana. It’s in your nature.”

Lana let out a small, humorless chuckle.

“If that’s your idea of provocation, you’re doing a terrible job. Because honestly? I couldn’t care less about your little world.”

Her dismissive tone only fueled Brenda’s anger. She narrowed her eyes sharply.

“Then answer me this: what department are you in? I checked, and you’re not part of the Weapon Design Department or any Awakened Division. So how exactly are you still attending this university? What are you even studying here?”

Lana smiled faintly. “I don’t see any reason why I should report my course details to you. Mind your own business, Brenda.”

Brenda bristled instantly, like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.

“You should! I asked you a simple question! After all, you’ve eaten the Almond family’s food for years; you should at least have some shame! Lower your eyes when you speak to me. You and your parents destroyed my life. You should show some respect to the victim.”

Lana’s expression turned cold. “You’re mistaken. My parents made their mistakes, not me. I don’t owe you anything.”

Brenda sneered.

“Oh really? You sure about that? You still have an IOU of thirty million dollars to the Almond family. Until you pay it off, you owe us everything.”

Lana tilted her head slightly, her tone calm but cutting.

“You’re right. I owe thirty million, and once I pay it, I won’t owe the Almond family a single cent, let alone you.”

Brenda smirked, folding her arms. “Then why don’t you pay it right now, if you’re so confident?”

Lana chuckled softly.

“I already told the Almond family before, if they want their thirty million dollars, they can come collect it themselves. But since they haven’t shown up, what can I do?”

Her calm, mocking tone made Brenda’s confident smile falter.

For a brief moment, her certainty wavered. But when she remembered that Lana had nothing without the Almond family’s name, her arrogance returned in full force.

“You should have some shame,” Brenda spat. “You don’t even have thirty million! Stop pretending to be some rich woman when you’re not.”

Lana’s smile deepened, her eyes glinting with amusement.

“Really? Then tonight, in front of all our classmates, no, in front of the entire university, I’ll pay the thirty million. Do you have the courage to tear up the IOU after that?”

Brenda froze for a heartbeat, then smirked. She assumed Lana was bluffing and crossed her arms.

“Fine. I’m confident enough. Let’s see what tricks you’ll pull.”

Inside, Lana was quietly thrilled. Perfect.

Until now, she had struggled to find a way to get rid of the IOU, especially since the Almond siblings were so cunning.

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