Chapter 3 

Back at the apartment, James decided it was time to move Michelle to a new place.

Even though he was sure Brian didn't have long to live, there was no telling if Brian might seek revenge before his time was up.

James had some skills to protect himself, but Michelle was just an elderly woman with a frail body. She couldn't handle any trouble.

It was better to hide early and avoid any regrets later.

James rented a small one-bedroom on the outskirts of town. It wasn't as bustling as the city center, but it was quiet and a good place to lay low.

Michelle's debts were paid off, but James still felt the weight on his shoulders. He had to pay off several online loans and repay Mary as well.

He had earned $100,000 from marrying into the Smiths, but that didn't include the loans Mary had helped him with. He didn't want to owe her any favors.

Moreover, James was also consumed with the need to find his adoptive father, Virgil, dead or alive, to bring closure for both himself and Michelle.

Three days passed quickly, and James was constantly on alert, worried that Brian might find them.

Fortunately, everything was calm. Brian hadn't shown up, perhaps too sick to seek revenge.

Just then, James's phone rang. It was Mary.

As soon as he answered, Mary's angry voice came through. "James, did you run away? I went to your place, but you were gone. The landlord said you moved out three days ago. What's going on?"

James quickly explained, "I'm sorry. I offended some people while borrowing money and was worried about retaliation, so I hid. I forgot to tell you."

"Who did you offend?" After a moment of silence, Mary's voice turned colder. "James, don't forget you're now the Smith family's son-in-law. If you bring trouble to us, I won't forgive you!"

"It's not anyone important. I can handle it myself. Even if something happens, I'll take responsibility and won't drag your family into it."

James had faced a lot of disdain from the Smiths, but the money he received from them kept him from complaining. To him, the Smiths were like a workplace—strictly business, no personal grudges.

Mary didn't dwell on it and ordered, "Send me your location. I'm coming to get you."

James hesitated. Even with Mary, he didn't want to reveal Michelle's location. "That's not necessary. You're busy. I can come back myself."

"I told you to send me your location. Don't you understand?" Mary's tone hardened. James had always obeyed her, but now he was trying to negotiate.

James reconsidered; although Mary looked down on him, she wouldn't harm him, especially after just helping him.

"Got it. I'll send it right away."

After hanging up, James sent his location to Mary. Fifteen minutes later, she arrived downstairs.

James was already waiting by the roadside. He quickly went over and opened the car door for her.

"You look more spirited than before," Mary said as she stepped out of the car and walked gracefully to James.

She was wearing a black evening dress, her slender arms exposed, and she lightly tapped James's forehead with her fingertip.

James was taken aback. It was a miracle that Mary was complimenting him.

Since practicing the magic book, James's energy and spirit had indeed improved.

Mary glanced at the apartment James had rented, her brows furrowing again. "You're letting your mom stay here?"

James smiled wryly. The apartment was old, and although he had tidied it up, it still looked abandoned from the outside.

"If I could afford a luxury villa, I wouldn't have borrowed money everywhere for a few thousand dollars," he replied, his tone tinged with irony.

Mary snorted, opened her purse, and took out a bank card. "The money you transferred to me is all in here. Use it to rent a better place for your mom."

James quickly shook his head, not wanting to accept the favor. "I'll repay every cent you helped me with."

"Didn't expect you to have some backbone?" Mary's face turned stern. "What are you pretending for? If you had any backbone, you wouldn't have married me."

James was silent. Mary was right, and he had no rebuttal.

Mary shoved the bank card into James' hand, then opened the trunk and took out several bags of well-packaged supplements. "These were gifts from others. I don't need them, so give them to your mom."

James knew that gifts to the Smiths came from influential people and were always valuable. He estimated that the supplements Mary brought were worth more than the bank card.

"What are you standing there for? Take these to your mom," Mary said impatiently. "Hurry up and come back. Don't keep me waiting."

James felt a warmth in his heart. Despite Mary's cold words, she did what needed to be done.

"May, thank you."

"No need to thank me. My family has spent a lot on you already. This is nothing," Mary glared at James and added, "And don't call me May."

James smiled wryly. Despite being nominally married, he wasn't allowed to call her by a more intimate name. He was indeed a failure as a husband.

After delivering the supplements upstairs, he quickly returned.

"You're so slow. Stop dawdling, get in the car," Mary was already in the car, rolling down the window to urge him.

James quickly slid into the shotgun seat.

Before he could fasten his seatbelt, Mary started the engine, causing James to lurch and instinctively reach out to steady himself.

Unfortunately, his hand landed on Mary's soft thigh.

Just as he was about to apologize, a message appeared in his mind.

Status: Possessed by an evil spirit, cursed, bringing misfortune to those around, life in danger.

Cause: The necklace was cursed.

Repaired or destroyed?

James was shocked. He hadn't expected Mary to be possessed by an evil spirit and endanger not only herself but also those around her.

Who could have cast such a vicious curse?

James chose to repair it, but Mary's cold gaze made him withdraw his hand, causing the message to disappear.

It seemed that the information only appeared with direct physical contact.

It was the same with Brian. James could only see Brian's status and choose to destroy him through physical contact.

To help Mary, he needed to maintain physical contact.

James raised his hand again, but Mary's icy stare made him hesitate to touch her.

"Mary, your face looks dark. You might be possessed by an evil spirit. I suggest finding a master to deal with it, or you might have trouble." James didn't dare touch her but couldn't ignore the situation, so he tried to warn her indirectly.

Mary sneered, not believing James' nonsense. "James, when did you learn exorcism? Are you asking for tens of thousands of dollars to help me?"

James scratched his head. This was tricky. He couldn't tell Mary he had inherited Apollo's legacy and could see people's conditions through touch.

Even if he told the truth, Mary wouldn't believe him.

"Are you wearing a necklace?"

Mary was startled, reaching into her collar to pull out a delicate necklace. "I've never taken it off. How did you know?"

"It's been tampered with. I advise you not to wear it anymore and avoid the person who gave it to you. Otherwise, you'll bring disaster to yourself and those around you."

"Shut up! You're the one with a dark face and a disaster coming!" Mary was furious, thinking James was cursing her. "If you keep talking nonsense, get out of the car!"

James sighed. Although he was telling the truth, it was understandable that Mary didn't believe him.

If their roles were reversed, he wouldn't believe such an absurd story either.

"May, I'm serious. If you don't believe me, you'll regret it later…"

James was cut off by Mary's icy glare.

"James, I told you not to call me May. And you still haven't explained how you knew about the necklace."

James lowered his head, unable to explain.

Mary's face was frosty. She could only think of one possibility: James had spied on her changing.

"James, once I'm done with my current tasks, we're getting a divorce," Mary said, her voice void of affection and filled with disappointment. "Don't worry, I'll give you $500,000 as a settlement."

Hearing 'divorce,' James felt a bit dazed as if he was back on that snowy night eighteen years ago.

Orphaned and alone, he had collapsed on the street from hunger and cold.

He thought he would die, but the door of a nearby house opened, and a little girl ran to him, pulling out a paper bag with a hot dog.

James couldn't remember her face, only the name "Mary" scrawled on the bag.

"James, did you hear me? I want a divorce!"

Mary's words were cut off as James suddenly grabbed the steering wheel, causing Mary to scream as he swerved sharply.

"James, are you crazy…"

Mary's words were drowned out by a loud crash. Dust and debris filled the air as a nearby building partially collapsed, sending steel and concrete crashing onto the road.