- Awakening

"Babe, hurry up! My husband's going to be back soon!"

I stood frozen at the bedroom door of our luxurious villa, listening to the anxious voice coming from inside. The voice was unmistakably familiar to me—it belonged to my wife, Lyla Lucas.

"He's a useless loser. So what if he comes back? Even if he sees us, he'll just have to swallow it!" A gruff male voice responded, the words piercing through my ears like daggers.

My entire body trembled uncontrollably as I remained rooted to the spot. Rage boiled inside me, threatening to rob me of my sanity. With a loud "bang," I kicked the door wide open, my bloodshot eyes flashing with fury!

Inside the room, there they were—a man and a woman, alone together, disheveled and half-dressed. Seeing Lyla's submissive pose on the bed made me seethe with rage; tears betrayed me, trailing freely down my cheeks.

"Lyla! Why would you do this to me?" I stared her down with unrelenting fury, my teeth clenched tightly, my gaze wrought with pain.

A flicker of panic flashed in Lyla's eyes, but it quickly evaporated, replaced with a chilling look of indifference.

"Well, since you caught us, there's no point in hiding anymore," Lyla sneered coldly.

"Why? Why would you treat me this way? Three years. I've spent three years in your Lucas family, living like less than a dog! If you told me to squat, I wouldn't dare to stand. And yet—and yet you would still betray me!" My voice nearly broke into a scream, my face drenched in tears.

Lyla let out a cold laugh. "Someone like you—an absolute nobody—how could any woman ever love that?"

Then, she shifted her gaze to the muscular man by her side. "Do you know who he is? Harvey Brown, of the Brown family! Truth be told, we've been together in secret for a long time now. If it weren't for Grandpa insisting we stay married, I would've kicked you out ages ago!" Her eyes gleamed with disdain as she smirked.

Harvey snorted and chimed in, "Quit wasting time telling this loser anything. There's no way he can comprehend the Brown family, let alone The Sean Family of the Capital City."

My face twisted into a bitter smile. Although I didn't know much about business, I was at least aware of the Sean family from the Capital City. Recently, all of River City's media had been buzzing about them. It would've been hard for me not to know.

Looking at Lyla's stunning yet utterly cold face, I couldn't help but let out quiet sobs. "For three years, I've served you—I've served you like a dog. Even dogs develop feelings after a while..." I choked, sobbing uncontrollably.

Lyla sneered, "You? You're worse than a dog."

Harvey broke into mocking laughter. "Idiot, if you know what's good for you, just pretend you didn't see anything today. The three of us can still live together happily, and you can even keep serving your goddess like you've been doing."

"But if you don't know what's good for you, pack up your things and get out." Harvey's demeanor was lofty and commanding, as though he were the master of the house.

I felt a crushing sense of powerlessness. When Lyla's grandfather, Calvin Lucas—obsessed with divination at the time—insisted I would bring good fortune to the family, I had been taken in as a live-in son-in-law. For three years, I endured humiliation. Apart from Calvin Lucas, no one in the Lucas family ever respected me. This only deepened my insecurity, driving me to placate the family incessantly, terrified of offending anyone. But in the end, all my efforts had led to this bitter reality.

"I really am a worthless fool," I muttered to myself with self-deprecation.

"Three years of this. Maybe it's time I grew a spine, don't you think?" I fixed my gaze on the shameless couple in front of me. My eyes suddenly took on a sinister gleam.

"What, are you mad now?" Harvey noticed the look in my eyes but remained utterly unfazed, his expression brimming with mockery.

My glare didn't waver. Seizing my resolve, I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. "You piece of garbage—I'm coming for you!"

With that, I lunged at Harvey with all my might!

But a man like me, frail and utterly lacking in physical strength, was no match at all. Before even landing a blow, Harvey effortlessly sent me sprawling onto the ground with one swift kick.

The searing pain in my abdomen made standing up almost impossible. "Damn it, how dare a useless piece of scum like you swing at me?" Harvey roared in anger.

He stormed toward me, pummeling and kicking me relentlessly. This pushed me to the brink of despair. I lay motionless on the cold floor, taking blow after blow without resistance.

"What a pathetic existence I lead," I mused bitterly, cradling my head. "I can't even avenge myself—is living even worth it for me?" My eyes began to glaze over with hopelessness.

The unrelenting assault left my mouth smeared with blood.

"Enough, enough. Beating up this loser is beneath you," Lyla cooed, pulling Harvey away sweetly.

Harvey spat on my face for good measure and pointed to the door. "Get out of here now, or I'll kill you!"

I struggled to rise from the ground, dragging myself step by step toward the exit. Hatred burned in my heart—for this vile pair of adulterers. But more than anything, I loathed my own weakness, my failure to exact justice.

I refused to leave in such utter humiliation. Not without a fight. "Lyla, you'll regret this," I turned to say coldly.

Harvey pointed at me, erupting in curses, "Get the hell out right now, hear me?"

Wiping the blood from my lips, I staggered out of the Lucas family home. As I reached the entrance, I ran into my mother-in-law, Maeve Lucas, who had just arrived.

Maeve's eyes briefly scanned the Mercedes parked outside, and an immediate understanding seemed to dawn within her.

"Mom..." I called out weakly, my voice tinged with wounded pride.

Maeve's expression mirrored the others—cold and detached. Annoyed, she waved me off. "If you know everything now, then do the smart thing and leave peacefully! Let me tell you, everyone in the Lucas family agrees it's time for you to be kicked out!"

Despair gripped me even tighter upon hearing this. "Does Grandpa agree to this too?" I asked, unwilling to give up just yet.

Maeve sneered, "He doesn't have a choice this time! The Brown family already finalized their cooperation with The Sean Family of the Capital City. If we manage to hitch ourselves to their wagon, the Lucas family may even get a taste of that success!"

"This involves the future of the entire clan. Do you honestly think some old man can go against it?" Maeve's voice dripped with contempt. "And as for his talk about good luck? Clearly just outdated superstitions," she scoffed.

I didn't say another word. The cold indifference of everyone in the Lucas family shattered my spirit. I wiped my lips clean, striding out of their home with large, determined steps.

The pain coursing through my body, combined with the heartbreak tearing at my soul, was agony I could no longer endure. At last, I collapsed onto the street in exhaustion.

Just then, a Maybach with Capital City plates came to a smooth halt before Mason.

The car window rolled down slowly, revealing a long-haired, elegantly poised girl scrutinizing Mason's limp figure with a frown.

"So he's the fiancé Grandpa chose for me?" The girl blinked her wide eyes, carefully studying Mason.

Seeing his sorry state, her expression soured into visible distaste.

"Miss, could there be... some mistake? Didn't the old master say he wouldn't be an ordinary man?" A man dressed as a bodyguard questioned, furrowing his brows.

Mabel Sean didn't reply. Instead, she waved her hand and said, "Bring him into the car."

"Yes, miss." A few bodyguards swiftly stepped out and hauled Mason into the vehicle.

Gazing at the pitiful man before her, Mabel's brows furrowed even deeper. "Does Grandpa really mean for me to marry this kind of loser?" Mabel sighed, her mind drifting to the solemn words her grandfather had left her before passing:

"Mabel, we Sean family owe him a great debt! If not for Mason's father, we would never have achieved what we have today!"

"Mason's father left behind a token for him. I promised to hand it over once Mason turned thirty."

"Mr. Raymond was a man of extraordinary power, and I trust his son will be the same. Mabel, you must treat Mason well."

Grandpa's repeated reminders echoed through Mabel's thoughts, her exquisite face breaking into a faint, resigned smile.

"If he turns out to be someone with potential, then I'll honor Grandpa's wishes," Mabel muttered internally.

"But... if he's truly a waste, then I can't bring myself to comply." Mabel sighed heavily.

She began tracing her fingers along a piece of jade-green pendant—the very keepsake her grandfather had entrusted for Mason.

With deliberate care, Mabel slipped the pendant around Mason's neck before coldly turning away.

"The token has been passed on; the Sean family has fulfilled its agreement," Mabel thought to herself.

But she failed to notice that, as the bloodstained pendant brushed against Mason, a soft glow emanated from it before rapidly merging into his body.

- Mystic Healer

"Miss, the River City Lord and River City's business circle want to invite you to dinner," Mabel Sean's secretary suddenly announced.

Mabel Sean resumed her typical cold demeanor.

"Reject them all, take Mason Raymond to the hospital first," she commanded icily.

The secretary smiled awkwardly. "Miss, you...aren't really going to marry such a loser, are you?"

A flash of frost passed through Mabel Sean's eyes at these words.

"Do I need your approval for my decisions?" she replied coldly.

The secretary's expression changed instantly. He hurriedly slapped himself. "Miss, I... overstepped my bounds."

After he spoke, Mabel Sean covered her mouth with her delicate hand and began coughing violently.

"Miss, it's time for your medicine..." The secretary quickly reminded her.

"Start the car," Mabel Sean ordered expressionlessly, ignoring his concerns.

The vehicle sped toward the hospital.

Meanwhile, I drifted in unconsciousness, lost in what seemed like a dream.

I floated in an endless pitch-black void.

Within this darkness stood a man, staring at me with cold eyes.

He had an imposing figure and carried himself with sovereign authority, like a god descended to earth! His presence commanded absolute reverence!

"Where...where is this? And who are you?" I asked, feeling panicked.

The man turned, fixing me with his icy gaze.

"I never thought my son would be such a loser," he stated coldly.

Son?

His words pierced my heart like a dagger!

Since childhood, I'd never seen my parents!

Family affection was something I desperately longed for but could never grasp!

Though I'd never seen this man before, I felt an inexplicable connection to him!

"Are you...my father? Dad, I've missed you so much..." I anxiously reached out, trying to touch him.

But my hand passed straight through his form.

"At thirty, a man should have accomplished something. My inheritance is now yours," the man said without emotion.

"If you remain a failure, the Sean family will support you for life, and I'll never see you."

"If you have ambition, nothing in this world can stop you!"

"I look forward to meeting you."

As he finished speaking, the scene before me began to dissolve.

I screamed like a madman: "Dad, don't go, Dad!!"

But no matter how I shouted, I couldn't prevent the scene from vanishing.

I collapsed to my knees, tears filling my eyes, overcome by unbearable pain.

I had always dreamed of meeting my birth parents, wanting to share my troubles like others could.

But nothing I did stopped the scene from crumbling away.

Suddenly, mysterious knowledge flooded into my mind!

Sacred medical arts, cultivation methods, ancient and modern arcane techniques...

In my dantian, a hint of green energy slowly circulated.

Before I could react, everything went black.

When I regained consciousness, I was lying on an enormous double bed.

Before me stood a girl with flowing long hair and slender legs.

"You're awake?" Mabel Sean examined me carefully, as if trying to see through me.

I hurriedly sat up and nervously asked, "Who... who are you?"

Mabel didn't rush to reveal her identity. "My name is Mabel. I found you collapsed on the street and saved you."

"But what's strange is... the doctor says there's nothing wrong with you." Mabel blinked curiously, studying me.

I frowned slightly, murmuring, "Could it be that wasn't just a dream?"

With this thought, I quickly closed my eyes.

Indeed! The memories remained! They seemed to be merging with my own!

And the energy in my dantian showed no signs of disappearing!

"It's really... true!" Hope ignited in my heart after such desperation! Medical scriptures, cultivation techniques... all these could help me completely transform my situation!

"I saved you, and you're not even going to say thank you? How rude." Mabel Sean rolled her eyes.

Only then did I snap back to reality. I quickly stood and bowed to her, saying awkwardly, "Mis...Miss Mabel, thank you for saving me..."

Seeing my embarrassment, Mabel couldn't help but laugh.

For some reason, she seemed to find my awkwardness endearing.

"Alright, I was just teasing you," Mabel waved dismissively.

After speaking, she covered her mouth and started coughing violently.

At that moment, a man dressed like a doctor entered the room.

"Miss, it's time for your medicine," he announced, carrying a medical box.

Mabel nodded.

Warm water was already prepared on the table, and the doctor arranged numerous medications.

I watched Mabel, and countless medical texts suddenly appeared in my mind.

This excited me tremendously.

After hesitating briefly, I approached and asked, "Miss Mabel, are you unwell?"

Mabel glanced at me and replied casually, "Yeah, I have asthma. Since childhood."

Asthma!

Instantly, a treatment method materialized in my thoughts!

However, years of diminished self-confidence made me hesitant to speak up.

I simply stood there, watching Mabel consume all the medicine on the table.

But after taking the medication, her symptoms showed no improvement.

I took a deep breath, mustering courage to step forward. "Miss Mabel, would you let me try? Perhaps I can cure your condition."

Hearing this, surprise flashed through Mabel's beautiful eyes.

She laughed. "Asthma is incurable. You should know that, right?"

I quickly explained, "I don't know how to explain it, but... I'd like to try. Maybe it'll work..."

Mabel's brow furrowed slightly.

Even the doctor scoffed, "Kid, you're not even a physician. What makes you think you can cure her?"

My face turned completely red with embarrassment.

"I've seen many like you. You just think our miss is pretty and want to take advantage," the doctor continued.

"If I'm not mistaken, your treatment requires skin-to-skin contact, right?"

I opened my mouth, forcing myself to admit, "It does need..."

"Hahaha, Miss, see? This kid is nothing but a despicable wimp," the doctor sneered.

Mabel's expression grew colder.

She fixed me with a hard stare. "Do you know the consequences of trying to take advantage of me?"

I hurriedly defended myself, "No... that's not it. I really don't want to take advantage. I can actually cure your disease!"

"What nonsense," the doctor snorted.

"Although asthma isn't serious, it's a chronic problem that's difficult to cure! Miss, I suggest cutting off this kid's hand and throwing him out!" he said coldly.

Mabel remained silent.

She examined me thoroughly, contemplating something.

"I can give you a chance," she finally declared.

"But if there's no effect, you'll face dire consequences." Mabel blinked meaningfully.

I could tell Mabel wasn't someone to trifle with, but at that moment, I felt completely confident.

I was eager to test whether the medical knowledge in my mind was genuine.

"Alright!" I nodded vigorously.

"Miss, you really believe him? He's obviously..."

"Shut up!" The doctor wanted to continue, but Mabel's sharp rebuke silenced him.

He immediately fell quiet, reluctantly stepping aside.

"How should I cooperate, Dr. Mason?" Mabel asked playfully.

My face flushed red, and I whispered, "I... I need to place my hand on your chest..."

After saying this, my face burned all the way to my neck.

I lowered my head, unable to ignore the snowy white expanse of Mabel's chest—truly a beautiful sight.

- Divine Touch

"Kid, you really have some nerve!" The doctor exploded with fury!

In their hearts, Mabel Sean was an untouchable goddess, a heavenly beauty! How could they tolerate someone like me dishonoring her?

Even Mabel's bodyguards stepped forward in unison, ready to pounce!

Mabel looked at me with an icy expression on her face.

After a moment of silence, Mabel finally agreed.

Mabel lay on the bed, her white chest exposed before me.

I felt my cheeks burning red as I approached her.

"Miss Mabel, I... pardon me," I whispered.

Gathering my courage, I reached out my hand and slowly placed it on Mabel's body.

Mabel was simply breathtaking! Compared to her, Lyla Lucas couldn't even compare!

And her figure was truly extraordinary, making it nearly impossible for anyone to maintain their composure in her presence.

The doctor and bodyguards nearby were practically bulging their eyes out.

If it weren't for Mabel's forbearance, they probably would have torn me into pieces!

I suppressed my wild thoughts and focused on stabilizing my mind.

Following the method in the medical scriptures, I channeled the qi in my dantian like a swimming dragon and put it to use.

A warm current flowed from my palm and slowly entered Mabel's body.

Mabel only felt warmth, her entire body slightly heated, as if she was submerged in a hot spring.

Time ticked by, and sweat began to roll down my forehead.

In the blink of an eye, ten minutes had passed.

This made Mabel somewhat angry.

There had to be a limit to taking advantage! Wasn't it enough?

Moreover, besides the warmth in her body, Mabel hardly noticed any improvement!

On the contrary, she felt breathless and stifled in her chest, unable to help but cough!

"It seems that grandpa really overestimated him," Mabel secretly thought to herself.

At this moment, I finally took my hand away from Mabel's body.

Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I whispered, "Miss Mabel, I've just finished your treatment. You should recover in about ten minutes."

Mabel sat up on the bed and couldn't help but sneer, "Ten minutes to recover? Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

After saying this, Mabel coughed violently again, her face turning somewhat pale.

I stood there, looking uneasy and not knowing where to put my hands.

"Miss, let us chop him up!" The burly bodyguards shouted.

However, Mabel waved her hand and glanced at the clock on the wall, saying, "I'll give him ten minutes."

I was also unsure deep down.

This fantastic encounter made it hard for me to distinguish between reality and a dream.

The bodyguards came forward and surrounded me, as if fearing that I would run away.

In the blink of an eye, nine minutes had passed.

Mabel looked at the clock and coldly said, "It seems you really are lying to me. How was it? Did you enjoy touching me?"

I couldn't help but give a bitter smile, knowing that there was no point in explaining myself at this point, so I simply said nothing.

The bodyguards stepped forward, seemingly ready to take action.

There was no panic on my face.

I had completely lost hope in the world. Death, perhaps, would be a relief.

"Forget it." At this point, Mabel waved her hand.

"For some reason, I'll spare your life, but don't let me see you again," Mabel said coldly.

I didn't say much; I stood up and bowed to Mabel.

"Miss Mabel, I'm sorry for bothering you," I said. After that, I turned around and prepared to leave.

"Miss, are we really letting him go?" After I left, the bodyguards said with dissatisfaction.

Mabel glanced at them without saying a word.

"Consider it a favor to his father," Mabel sighed with some regret, but there was still a hint of disappointment on her face.

Because before she came to River City, her grandpa had praised Mason Raymond to the skies, which filled Mabel's heart with expectations.

"Grandpa, it seems you really misjudged him," Mabel sighed softly.

At this moment, Mabel suddenly felt a wave of warmth!

Then, she coughed once – a mouthful of black filth spat out from her mouth!

"Miss, are you alright?"

"What the hell did that guy do! I'm going to catch him right now!"

"I want to skin him alive!"

Mabel, however, quickly waved her hand.

She felt her chest, surprised to find that the suffocating sensation that had lingered for years was gone! The itchiness in her throat had also completely disappeared!

"It really worked?" A touch of surprise appeared on Mabel's cold and beautiful face.

"Quick, go and bring him back!" Mabel hurriedly ordered.