"Did you spread the news directly?" Leonardo asked.
"Of course not. We don’t want unnecessary attention on ourselves either. Why are you asking?" Mary replied.
"Anderson, after you told us, we went back to the Transmission World. Then we created a fake account using my new phone—one that’s never been used—and posted it on the City Z forum," Elsa added.
"Anderson, what’s really going on? Why are you so worried about this?"
"In short, I don’t want anyone tracing this back. You should understand why. And that phone—destroy it," Leonardo said before leaving.
He had almost killed them.
Fortunately, they were smart enough.
Of course, there was still a risk once the effects of the Phantom Veil Orchid wore off. They could beco leaks.
But there was still one week before that.
After a week... everything would depend on them.
---
Mary and Elsa looked at each other after Leonardo left.
"Damn... this is way too intense," Elsa said.
She had already forgotten the fact that Leonardo had essentially enslaved her.
How could she not?
The effect of the Phantom Veil Orchid wasn’t just obedience.
Her body felt light and comfortable, while her mind was filled with joy.
Her dopamine was surging nonstop.
Mary felt the sa.
All her past troubles—family issues, painful exes—felt like they had completely disappeared.
"Let’s find out why Leonardo doesn’t want others to know about this," Mary said.
Elsa nodded.
---
When Leonardo arrived near the gate, he finally relaxed a little.
He returned to Earth and sat at a café not far from the portal.
DING!
(Liam’s EXP is full. Liam has leveled up to Level 15!)
DING!
(One of your Monsters has reached Level 15. You have also reached Level 15. You gained 14 Evolution Points!)
After sitting for a few hours, the level-up finally ca.
(Beast Buff Power: 12.2) 2
(Strength: 4.3)
(Defense: 8.2) 1
(Agility: 9.4) 1
(Intelligence: 20.6) 3
(Vitality: 8.3) 1
(Stamina: 20.6) 3
(Mana: 24.5) 3
Right then, it was also ti to claim a System reward.
Leonardo thought for a mont before writing:
(If True Shadow can be given to Ellie, grant it to her as well!)
DING!
(A Class SS Skill, True Shadow, has been granted to Ellie!)
Leonardo smiled slightly.
This skill was extrely useful—whether for survival or offense.
For himself, borrowing from Liam was enough.
But having Ellie possess it too... was even better.
---
Not long after, his phone rang.
It was Margaret.
He picked up casually.
"Leonardo, you caused trouble again," her voice ca through.
"What trouble?"
"Stop pretending. What did you steal from that ruin? Do you know the Association needed it for a transaction?"
"A transaction?"
Leonardo narrowed his eyes.
So the Association Head... wasn’t lying?
But what kind of transaction?
And with whom?
"I don’t know the details yet. That’s what my father said. Hmph... if you get exposed, I’ll be dragged into this too. You really are the kind of boyfriend who brings endless trouble."
"So you don’t want anymore?" Leonardo sneered.
"Don’t talk nonsense. I still want you. Our relationship just started—we’ve barely even gone beyond kissing. I’m not losing my boyfriend that fast."
She paused slightly.
"What I don’t want is you getting involved in sothing you can’t handle. Are you sure everything is under control?"
"Why wouldn’t I be? I’m not involved in anything."
"Oh, damn... you still treat like an outsider. If I didn’t support you, I’d already go to the Association and report you for a reward."
"That would be baseless slander."
"Hahaha... you really are smart. That’s what I like about you. With that attitude, you’ll survive a long ti as a villain."
"..."
---
Leonardo left the café.
Just as he was about to get into his car, Elsa approached him.
She and Mary had just exited the portal.
"What is it?" Leonardo asked.
"Co on, why rush off? How about we hang out a bit?" Elsa said with a smile.
Mary rolled her eyes at her behavior.
Unlike Elsa, she seed more composed.
After a mont of silence, Leonardo tossed the car keys to Elsa.
"You drive."
"What?" Elsa was stunned—but she couldn’t refuse.
Leonardo got into the back seat.
He glanced at Mary before closing the door.
He didn’t say anything—
but the aning in his eyes was clear.
Elsa felt slightly uncomfortable.
It was obvious—Leonardo preferred Mary over her.
Without a word, Mary entered from the other side and sat beside him.
Elsa quickly got into the driver’s seat, not wanting to miss anything.
Leonardo leaned his head against his hand, resting by the window.
He lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly.
"Where to?" Elsa asked.
"Sowhere fun. I’m stressed," Leonardo replied.
Mary glanced at him strangely.
Elsa chuckled.
"I didn’t think soone like you could get stressed."
It was inevitable.
Leonardo was still young.
Yet he had already stepped too deep into dangerous territory.
One mistake—
and everything would collapse.
His calm expression hid it well.
But his mind wasn’t calm.
And his heart beat uneasily.
He looked at Mary.
Her red hair.
Her pale skin—just like Margaret’s.
Her beauty wasn’t far behind either.
Margaret only stood out more because of her dominant aura, her more seductive figure, and her overwhelming status.
After observing Mary more closely—
Leonardo realized sothing.
She was... more suitable for calming him down.
More than a cigarette.
He flicked the cigarette away—
and leaned toward her.
"Do you have a boyfriend right now?" Leonardo asked, placing his palm on her thigh, exposed beneath her shorts.
"No... we already broke up," Mary shook her head.
"I see..." Leonardo slid an arm around her waist, then pulled her onto his lap.
In her current heightened state, Leonardo’s touch made Mary feel like she was floating among clouds.
Even so, her heart pounded uncontrollably, a mix of nervousness and sothing harder to resist.
"Anderson... Margaret might get angry," she said softly.
"Why? Are you afraid?" Leonardo asked.
"Of course I am. She could easily ruin my life."
"It’s not a problem as long as she doesn’t know."
His hand grew bolder, wandering without restraint.
"Co on, Anderson... don’t be so impatient," Elsa chid in from the driver’s seat.
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