[Chapter 114: Obedient Scarlett]
Scarlett quickly introduced him. "Mom, this is Mr. Cross -- the one I told you about. It was his Seal that saved Hunter from Amy's attack. Well, not Amy herself, but whatever was possessing her."
"So he's Mr. Cross," Melanie's eyes lit up. She hurried down the stairs and approached Daniel to shake his hand. "Thank you for saving Hunter." Her tone grew warm, almost enthusiastic.
Daniel shook her hand politely. "You're welcome, ma'am."
Melanie then asked Scarlett, "You mentioned on the phone two days ago that Hunter's problem was completely solved. Was that also because of Mr. Cross?"
Scarlett nodded. "Yes, Mr. Cross is incredibly powerful. The thing tormenting Amy for so long was easily handled once he showed up."
Melanie thanked him again. "Thank you for saving Hunter, and thank you for saving Amy."
Daniel corrected gently, "To be precise, Amy isn't completely saved yet."
Scarlett explained, "Yes, Amy was possessed for such a long time that her soul was damaged. Right now, she can't wake up. Mr. Cross..." She glanced at Daniel. "He said it might take fifty years for Amy to recover."
"Fifty years?" Melanie's eyes widened in shock, then a sudden worry settled on her face. "Then what about Hunter...?"
Daniel understood what Melanie meant. She worried her son would foolishly wait fifty years. Wouldn't that be the end of things? It was a bit selfish, maybe, but also perfectly human.
Scarlett reassured her, "Mr. Cross is currently working on a way to wake Amy sooner. He should be able to speed up her recovery."
Melanie sighed with relief and asked Daniel, "Can she really wake up earlier? How much earlier?"
Daniel shook his head slightly. "I can't say exactly yet, but making her wake up sooner definitely isn't impossible."
Melanie nodded, dropping the subject. "It's getting late, Scarlett. You have filming early tomorrow, so go wash up and get some rest. Mr. Cross, I'll arrange a room for you."
"Wait, Mom, I have something for you." Scarlett dug into her bag.
"You can give it to me tomorrow," Melanie said casually.
She wasn't concerned -- Scarlett often gave her gifts, all valuable but nothing unusual. The only rare thing was Scarlett's thoughtfulness.
"No," Scarlett insisted. "This gift is different. I have to give it to you now."
From her bag, Scarlett pulled out a small crystal bottle, poured out a shimmering liquid, and handed it to Melanie.
Melanie looked puzzled and curious. "What is this?"
Scarlett smiled. "Don't worry about it. Just drink it."
"This is drinkable?" Melanie examined the bottle closely. She couldn't identify it, but the scent was unusual and pleasant.
"It smells amazing," she said.
Without hesitation, Melanie took a sip.
Suddenly, her eyes widened, and her face registered shock and disbelief. "Oh my god, this... this..." She kept stammering but couldn't find the words. Her expression grew more stunned by the second.
Scarlett laughed. "See? This gift is different, right? Mom, go look in the mirror, quick!"
"In the mirror?" Melanie caught on and hurried to the bathroom.
Moments later, a startled cry echoed, "Oh my god, this is incredible!"
"Mrs. Sloan? Miss Johansson? What's going on?" The noise woke the maid, who got up to check.
Scarlett waved her off. "It's nothing. Go back to sleep."
The maid paused but then quietly left -- though she still glanced at Daniel with curiosity.
After a while, Melanie came out of the bathroom, her face glowing with surprise and delight. She gently touched her cheek. "Scarlett, am I imagining things? My skin actually looks better... my wrinkles have faded. Am I really younger?"
Scarlett smiled warmly. "Yes, Mom. You look younger and more beautiful."
Melanie blinked, unbelieving. "How can something so miraculous exist? Scarlett, where did you get this?"
Scarlett tilted her head subtly toward Daniel.
"Oh," Melanie said, realization dawning. "You mean Mr. Cross gave this to you?"
Scarlett nodded. "Yes. Only Mr. Cross could create something so extraordinary."
"Oh my heavens." Melanie approached Daniel and shook his hand again. "Mr. Cross, thank you for the amazing surprise."
Scarlett pouted. "Mom, I was the one who gave it to you. Shouldn't you be thanking me?"
Melanie laughed. "Without Mr. Cross, you couldn't have gotten it."
Scarlett argued playfully, "Even so, you should thank me."
Melanie chuckled. "Alright, thank you, Scarlett. This is the best gift you've ever given me."
Scarlett smiled as she added, "When we came back today, we had a pretty exciting flight."
Melanie was curious. "Exciting how?"
Daniel interjected gently, "Scarlett, it's late. Don't you have to be up early tomorrow?"
Scarlett grinned. "Oh, right. Mom, I'll tell you all about it after work tomorrow. Now I'm going to wash up. Please arrange a room for Mr. Cross."
As Scarlett rushed upstairs, Melanie's gaze lingered on Daniel, her expression complicated. Scarlett seemed almost too obedient to him.
"Mr. Cross, this way, please," Melanie said, leading him through the house while continuing to touch her smooth cheek.
A faint smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
...
Deep into the night, Melanie and Scarlett were both asleep, as was the maid.
Daniel rose silently, slipped downstairs, and entered the living room.
He formed intricate hand seals, activated the magic within, and chanted in a soft, rhythmic cadence:
By quieted light, let all disturbance be stilled.
Let gentle grace descend; let the body be at rest.
Mind untroubled, spirit settled, no shadow may intrude.
Under sealed protection, enter stillness and remain undisturbed.
As he recited the Peaceful Sleep Incantation, a calming power radiated through the house.
The three women sank into even deeper sleep, now unreachable even by thunder.
Daniel stepped outside into the garden.
All around, silence reigned, broken only by the soft chirping of a few insects.
"Come forth," Daniel murmured.
Immediately, bursts of dark wind stirred, and shadowy figures drifted in.
As they appeared, the insect sounds abruptly ceased, as if someone had flipped a mute switch.
*****
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