Carl knew deep down that his plan was a bit underhanded. It was mainly out of laziness; he intended to act first and settle the details later. If the gym leaders didn't come to him, it would save him a lot of trouble. But if they did, he could always pay up later.
He never expected Sabrina to show up personally, and she brought up the issue of likeness rights.
"I can pay you," Carl attempted to resolve the issue with money.
Sabrina simply looked at him, her gaze unwavering. Carl then realized that Sabrina wouldn't care about money.
"I want to live here permanently," Sabrina demanded outright.
"Absolutely not!" Carl refused without a second thought. What was she thinking? She wasn't his wife, so why would he let her stay indefinitely? Besides, Carl wasn't the kind of man to be led by a woman.
"Then I'll have to sue you," Sabrina said calmly, "Remember, I'll sue you personally, not the XY Gaming Company."
Carl was at a loss for words. This was clearly a threat! She must have known about his desire to remain out of the public eye. Imagine the sensational headline: "The Psychic Queen of the Westvale League sues the mysterious game designer of the Havenport League." His true identity would be revealed in an instant.
This move was brutal. Carl thought to himself, this woman appeared as cold as ice, but inside she must be as dark as night.
But could a man of honor give in so easily? Of course... there was room for negotiation.
"Perhaps we can discuss this further," Carl quickly changed his tone to one of friendliness. A true gentleman knows when to bend and when to stand firm.
"I need to consult with others first," he diverted.
"Aren't you the master of this house?" Sabrina's red eyes flashed a hint of blue.
"Yes, I am, but there are others living here too, and I must consider their feelings." Carl had already noticed Serena and Lillie hiding nearby. Perfect scapegoats. If they could stop Sabrina from moving in, all the better. He still didn't fully understand Sabrina's true intentions and had to stay cautious.
If Sabrina could win over Serena and Lillie, it might actually be beneficial for Carl. It would mean Serena's jealousy wouldn't affect him, avoiding any emotional complications. Either way, it was a win-win situation for him.
"He's so impressive."
"Carl is truly a man among men."
Serena clenched her fists in excitement, listening to Carl's steadfast reply. She felt a warm glow inside.
But how could she help Carl refuse Sabrina's request to move in? Serena frowned. Though seeing Carl and Sabrina interact did stir a bit of jealousy, she knew better than to interfere or show displeasure. After all, she wasn't the lady of the house. Since Carl didn't want Sabrina to stay, she would certainly help.
"Lillie... hey, why are you standing so far away?" Serena wanted to discuss with Lillie but found her a meter away.
Lillie smiled softly as she brushed her arms. Didn't Serena realize why she was keeping her distance?
Suddenly, Lillie widened her eyes, pointing behind Serena. "Behind you..."
"What?" Serena grew tense from Lillie's reaction. She dreaded sudden surprises the most.
Serena's heart raced in fear. When did Sabrina appear behind her, watching with those gem-like red eyes, filled with an indescribable allure?
"Hello, Serena," Sabrina broke the silence first.
"Miss Sabrina knows me?" Serena was astonished. She knew Sabrina was a celebrity on par with the likes of Cynthia and Diantha, but how would someone like Sabrina know her?
"I've seen you in the future."
"The future?" Serena was startled, thinking Sabrina might be a time traveler.
"The foreseen future," Sabrina added, seemingly reading her thoughts.
"What kind of future?" Serena couldn't help but ask, her eyes full of anticipation. Sabrina's ability to foresee the future wasn't a secret.
In gym battles, Sabrina could always foresee the outcome, and to this day, she had never been wrong. If she foresaw a loss, she would simply concede and hand over a badge.
Serena was puzzled by Sabrina's ability to see her future but was more curious than anything else.
"I saw us lying in bed together," Sabrina said flatly, though her eyes carried a subtle nuance.
Serena was bewildered.
Carl, watching the scene unfold, widened his eyes: This plot twist is getting bizarre.
Lillie displayed a knowing smile.
"There was a man between us," Sabrina added.
Serena was instantly shocked.
"The image was blurry, I couldn't make out the details. But I recognized your appearance and name, and I knew the man," Sabrina turned to Carl. "It was him."
Carl was dumbfounded: This joke was going too far.
"And her," Sabrina pointed at Lillie.
The innocent Lillie looked aggrieved.
Serena was torn: Should she believe this prophecy?
Carl felt overwhelmed by the information.
Seeing Sabrina was about to reveal more, Carl quickly interrupted, "Isn't it time for dinner? Let's chat while we eat, Sabrina, you're welcome to join us."
Serena and Lillie, minds in chaos, instinctively agreed.
"Since you all invited me," Sabrina nodded slightly.
No one noticed the fleeting smile at the corner of her mouth.
Meanwhile, in a private dining room of a high-end restaurant in Fairfield, two young men were having dinner. If Carl were present, he would surely recognize them.
A sturdy young man sat at the table, the same challenger who lost to Carl earlier. Next to him, a bespectacled man, his opponent for tomorrow.
"Old Shaw, I couldn't even make him use a second Pokémon," the brawny man took a swig of his drink, his tone dejected.
"This guy's got layers, hiding a MEGA evolution," the bespectacled man pushed his glasses up, the lenses glinting. "But you did well. I've already figured out how to beat him."
Back at Carl's home, a cozy dinner unfolded.
The trio kept piling food into Sabrina's bowl, forming a mountain of dishes that nearly touched her nose.
"Enough," Sabrina set down her chopsticks. "One more bite and I'll burst."
Lillie blinked her big eyes and asked, "Did you see the future again, Sabrina?"
Sabrina glanced at Carl and replied lightly, "It's basic reasoning."
Lillie's face turned apple-red. Carl quickly signaled Serena to change the topic.
"Sabrina, could you tell us why you want to live here?" Serena asked, picking up on Carl's cue.
Sabrina's voice suddenly choked up. "I want to save my mother."
The unexpected answer left them all stunned.
"What happened to your mom?" Lillie asked softly. Mentioning her own mother made her think of the issues needing "treatment."
"Look at this," Sabrina didn't answer directly, instead pulling out a doll.
"A doll?"
Carl's eyes focused, as if realizing something.
Lillie and Serena were baffled.
Did Sabrina's mention of her mother not mean literally, but as a code for something else?
"This doll is my mother," Sabrina said, lowering her voice, a certain emotion suppressed within.
"What?"
Lillie and Serena were more confused than ever.
Sabrina wanted to save her mother, but her mother was a doll? Did she want to live with Carl to save this doll?
What was the connection?
Unexpectedly, Carl changed his mind. "I agree, you can stay as long as you like."
"I knew you would say yes," Sabrina's voice remained calm, though a tremor was noticeable.
"Foreseeing the future again?"
"Naturally," Sabrina looked directly at Carl, "How else would you become the most important person to me?"
Carl shifted his gaze uncomfortably.
It felt like a flirtation.
Serena and Lillie stared wide-eyed.
This was rather blatant!
What was going on? Serena inquired further.
She understood that Carl's sudden change in attitude must have underlying reasons unknown to them.
Carl and Sabrina exchanged a look, and with her silent approval, Carl explained, pointing at the doll, "This indeed is Sabrina's mother. Becoming like this, you could say, is Sabrina's 'creation'."
Sabrina's eyes flickered.
"A creation? Maybe once," she murmured.
Serena and Lillie were utterly baffled.
The doll was Sabrina's mother? A result of Sabrina's actions?
How was that possible?
"Carl, are you saying Sabrina turned her mother into a doll?" Serena asked incredulously.
Leaving aside whether it was possible, what daughter would treat her mother this way?
Lillie shook her head beside her.
Though she wouldn't turn her mom into a doll, she felt if her mom had the power, she'd likely stuff her in a pocket and carry her everywhere. Having a mother with such a strong controlling streak was quite a headache.
"She's correct," Sabrina suddenly interjected, startling Serena.
"Really?" Serena's eyes widened.
"Do you think it's impossible?" Sabrina tilted her head, suddenly pointing a finger at her, "Want to try it?"
"No, no, no!" Serena darted behind Carl. Turned into a doll? Just the thought gave her goosebumps.
Carl sighed, exasperated. The ice queen had quite the dark streak beneath.
"You should explain it clearly to them, to avoid misunderstandings," Carl suggested. He could guess the reason, but the details needed to come from Sabrina.
Sabrina lowered her hand, her gaze drifting into the distance, as if lost in memories. The others respectfully remained silent.
After a long pause, she spoke softly, "Ever since the day I bent a spoon by accident, I've been labeled as a psychic."
"My parents discovered my talent and began to nurture it."
"But they didn't expect my abilities to grow too fast, soon surpassing theirs."
"People think using my powers is easy, but maintaining this strength takes immense effort."