"It's time for me to go. Please take care of yourself." Blackscale Prison, Josenburg. Archer bowed deeply to the scruffy old man in front of him. His eyes were full of reluctance. The old man gave a slight nod and said, "Don't forget what I told you. Once you're out, deal with the Dragon's Fury in your body as soon as possible. If it spreads to your heart, you're in serious trouble." Archer nodded firmly. "I understand." Three years ago, he had taken the fall for his older brother, Ethan Young, and went to prison in Ethan's place. He had only been fifteen, and was a target for constant harassment. Had it not been for the old man stepping in and taking him as a disciple, Archer wouldn't have made it. The old man taught Archer everything he knew. The old man also told Archer that he carried the True Dragon Bloodline. For some reason, the True Dragon Bone inside him had been taken. Its absence caused the Dragon's Fury to form, and this Fury had been slowly eating away at his body. If nothing changed, Archer wouldn't make it to 18. Thanks to the old man's training in martial arts and special blood-boosting techniques, Archer managed to hold off the effects for the time being. Alas, this was only a temporary fix. There were two real solutions. The first was to find a woman with a rare, special form or constitution. Dragons were naturally lustful creatures, and since Dragon's Fury came from dragon energy, dual cultivation with the right kind of woman could balance it. The best matches were those with the True Phoenix or True Dragon Forms. The second option was to retrieve his lost True Dragon Bone. Since Dragon's Fury came from the bone being stolen, returning it would wipe the Fury out completely. The old man waved Archer off. "Go. Just don't forget that you carry my name." Archer bowed respectfully, his posture carrying humility and reverence. Then, he stood and walked out of Blackscale Prison. Moments after his exit, the whole prison erupted with cheers. "Finally! That annoying Archer is gone!""Best news all day! Let's drink to that!" - The Youngs were one of the four powerful clans in Duskhallow. Inside the Youngs' estate, Truman and his wife Caroline sat, their faces etched with worry. "What are we going to do? There are only three days left! If we don't come up with something soon, I'll be forced to step down as head of the family," Truman said, his brows furrowed tight. "Your dad is clearly doing this on purpose!" Caroline snapped. Truman let out a long sigh. "Of course I know that! He's just trying to push me out." Caroline's voice shook. "What now?" Truman gritted his teeth. "If it comes to it, we'll have to use Vincent." Caroline's face dropped. "Will Vincent agree to that? That girl from the Jensons is a vegetable! And didn't they say her face was ruined, too?" Over a year ago, the Jensons' eldest daughter got into a car crash and ended up in a coma. After trying everything to cure her, the Jensons had recently decided to bring in a live-in son-in-law in hopes of bringing her some luck and turning things around. The Youngs jumped at the chance, hoping it would secure their wealth and future. Truman's father, Alfred, called for a family meeting. Yet, they couldn't come up with a suitable candidate. Eventually, the pressure landed squarely on Truman's shoulders. As the couple remained steeped in worry, the butler stepped into the room. "Mr. Archer has returned," he announced. Caroline frowned. "Who?" Truman frowned as well—and then, something seemed to click. "It's your son," the butler clarified, "the one who went to prison three years ago." They both paused, finally remembering who Archer was. It had been over three years since they had last seen him. Honestly, they had almost forgotten he even existed. But now, their eyes lit up at the same time. Caroline suddenly smiled. "Maybe Archer should marry into the Jensons!" Truman nodded in agreement. "Not a bad match—a convict and a coma patient. Sounds perfect!" Caroline hesitated, though. "But Archer's an illegitimate child, and he has a criminal record. Will the Jensons be okay with that?" Truman thought for a moment. "I'll give them a call and find out." He pulled out his phone and contacted the Jensons. After hanging up, Caroline asked right away, "Well? What did they say?""They said they'll think it over," Truman replied. Just then, the butler returned—this time with Archer. Seeing Archer walk in with faded, overwashed clothes, disgust flashed in Truman and Caroline's eyes. Thinking of their plan, however, they forced themselves to smile. Truman walked up and held Archer's hand warmly. "Oh, Archer! You've been through so much these past three years.""Wait right here, sweetie," Caroline chimed in. "I'll cook something for you." She headed to the kitchen. Truman sat with Archer, acting like a concerned father, and began asking about life in prison. He explained how things had been so busy at the company that he hadn't been able to visit. Archer didn't respond and just listened quietly. Inwardly, however, he was laughing coldly. He wasn't the same person he had been three years ago. No matter how sweet their words sounded, he didn't believe a single one. Back then, he had had no standing in the family at all. He was always getting scolded and beaten. Three years ago, Truman forced him to take the fall for his older brother, Ethan. They had told him that since he was underage, his sentence would be lighter. They promised that when he got out, he would enjoy a life of wealth and luxury. But… What really happened in the end? None of his family ever visited him. In the past, Archer was young and powerless. He had no choice but to agree. Truthfully, he had no intention of returning here after prison—until his mentor told him that he carried the True Dragon Bloodline. Neither Truman nor his late mother had any special bloodlines. In that case, either of them might not be his real parents. Archer's return was for one sole reason—to uncover the truth. Truman's sudden kindness made no sense—and anything that didn't make sense usually meant something shady was going on. Archer was curious as to what they were really up to. Over an hour passed, but Truman was still talking nonstop. Archer finally had enough. "Cut the crap," he said coldly. "Just spit out what you want." Truman froze for a second, then laughed awkwardly. "Come on, Archer! Can't a father show his care for his son?" Archer replied with a silent stare. Under his scrutiny, Truman began to feel embarrassed. At that moment, his phone rang. He answered, and his expression quickly changed to excitement. After a few more words, he hung up and turned to Archer with a big smile. "I've arranged something for you to make up for the last three years. A marriage!" Archer's heart sank slightly. There it was. "The bride is the Jensons' eldest daughter. If you marry her, you'll be set for life." Archer almost laughed. He had expected something shady, but this was shameless even for Truman. He had once heard about the Jenson girl from an inmate. She used to be the pride of the family, until a horrible accident turned her into a vegetable. And now, fresh out of prison, they wanted him to marry a woman in a coma. A great father, indeed! Truman kept talking. "The Jensons are a powerhouse in Duskhallow; they're way more influential than we are. You can't miss this chance!" Archer looked at him, eyes full of sarcasm. "If it's such a great deal, why not have Vincent or Ethan marry her?" Chapter 2 Truman's brow twitched just slightly, but he kept smiling as if nothing was wrong. "In the three years you were gone, Ethan and Vincent both got girlfriends. Besides, this is your reward! They're your older brothers—they wouldn't try to steal what belongs to you." Archer didn't bother arguing. "I'll agree," he said calmly, "but I have one condition." Truman's eyes lit up. "Name it. What is it?" Archer took a deep breath. "I want to know who my real father is." He was certain now—Truman wasn't his biological dad. Truman's face froze for a moment. He glanced nervously toward the kitchen, where Caroline was busy, and let out a small sigh of relief. From Truman's reaction, Archer knew he was right. Truman's face darkened. "What nonsense is that? I'm your real father.""Oh, really?" Archer let out a cold laugh. "What kind of father makes his son go to prison for someone else, and then wants him to marry a girl in a coma right after getting out?" Truman was speechless. He hadn't expected Archer to know that much. He planned to trick Archer into marrying into the Jensons. Even if the truth came out later, it'd be too late. "Tell me the truth of my origins," Archer said quietly, "and I'll marry the Jenson girl." Truman's expression turned harsh. "You ungrateful brat! Are you threatening me?" Archer's eyes were cold. "Don't act like a father. You don't deserve that title." Truman's face flushed with anger. "Do you really think I can't deal with you just because you've been locked up for three years?!""Are you threatening me?" Archer's tone turned icy. Suddenly, a powerful aura surrounded him. "Do you think I'm still the clueless illegitimate child you could control from three years ago? Spare me! To me, you're nothing. In fact, I could destroy the Youngs with a flick of my hand!" Truman trembled, and his breathing grew shallow. He felt like an ancient beast was staring him down. If Archer wanted to, he could crush him on the spot. Archer pulled back the force, his voice cool again. "Give me the truth, and I'll go through with the wedding. Consider it my way of repaying the Youngs for raising me." Truman stared at Archer, a little dazed. In just an instant, Archer had returned to normal—like nothing had happened at all. What the hell was that just now? How could a brat like him have that kind of presence? Truman figured he had imagined it. Still a little shaken, he forced himself to stay calm for the sake of the marriage plan. "Fine. I'll tell you." Archer leaned in to listen. "You're right. You're not my real son. Your mother was my first love. Back then, she had fallen ill. With no parents left, she asked me to look after you. I agreed, out of respect for what we once had. As for who your real father is… I honestly don't know." Archer watched Truman closely and could tell he wasn't lying. So, the trail was cold again. But now, he could be sure that his real father carried dragon blood. If he could find the man, he would probably uncover the truth about the missing True Dragon Bone. Still, in a world this big, where would he even begin looking? "I've told you everything," Truman said stiffly. "I hope you remember what you promised. And don't let this get out! No one else can know. It'd ruin the Youngs' reputation.""Don't worry," Archer replied coolly, "I keep my word. When is the wedding?""Tomorrow," Truman said. "Stay home today. I'll send someone to let you try on outfits." Soon after, Caroline brought out a whole table of delicious food. When she heard that Archer agreed to the marriage, she was thrilled. After dinner, the couple sent piles of clothes and had a maid help Archer try them on. - The next day, Archer sat in the living room of the estate, fully dressed and waiting for the wedding procession to arrive. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuated his sharp features, Archer exuded quiet confidence. His short, neatly groomed hair added to the impression. "I won't forget what you're doing for us today," Ethan said, giving Archer a friendly pat on the shoulder. "If you ever need help in the future, just come to me." After hearing about the wedding, Ethan rushed back overnight from out of town. Secretly, he looked down on Archer for being an illegitimate child. As the eldest son, however, he still had to keep up appearances. Archer shook his head. "No need. From this day forward, I have nothing to do with the Youngs." He had finally seen them for what they truly were—shameless. Ethan's smile faded. Inwardly, he cursed Archer for being so ungrateful. Not long after, the Jensons' wedding entourage arrived. Archer stepped out without hesitation, never once looking back at the others. Caroline fumed. "What kind of person gets out of prison and forgets basic manners?""He's just an illegitimate son, Mom," Ethan comforted her. "Not worth your anger.""No point getting upset over a convict. Once we pull this off, we'll go ask Dad for some rewards," Truman added. Outside, Archer sat in the wedding car. He could hear every single word they uttered. He chuckled coldly to himself. The Youngs had better watch out. They would lose everything soon enough. Meanwhile, the convoy headed straight for the Jensons' estate. The Jensons were an old family in Duskhallow, with deep roots and much greater influence than the Youngs. Soon, they arrived at the estate. Archer followed the butler inside. In the living room, Howard Jenson and his wife Marianne were hosting a stern-looking older man with a square jaw. "Dr. Hampton, we really appreciate you coming," Howard said gratefully. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help," Zach Hampton said, his tone laced with regret. "If I hear anything about the Supreme Apothecary, I'll let you know right away." Zach Hampton was a well-known physician, hired by the Jensons at great expense. Yet, even he couldn't wake Juliette Jenson from her coma. And so, he recommended a legendary healer instead, one known as the Supreme Apothecary. "Thank you, Dr. Hampton," the Jenson couple said in unison. Zach nodded, then stood up to leave. Howard got up to walk him out. As Zach left, he passed by Archer at the door. Archer's curiosity was piqued. This man knew the Supreme Apothecary? The Supreme Apothecary was called the King of Medicine, a master who could identify and craft any medicine known to man. He was the unrivaled master of alchemy and martial arts, with skills so profound they seemed almost supernatural. He was said to be able to cure any disease known to man. However, very few outside of the martial or alchemical circles even knew of his existence. The reason Archer knew so much? The Supreme Apothecary was his mentor. Soon, a cold voice interrupted his thoughts. "Are you Archer?" Looking up, Archer saw Howard staring at him with clear disapproval. Archer gave a slight nod. "I heard you just got out of prison," Howard said, his tone sharp. Archer nodded again. Howard's face turned even darker. "So, the Youngs actually had the nerve to send an ex-convict into my family. Do they think we're weak enough to be insulted in this manner?""Enough!" Marianne snapped, glaring at him. "Today is a happy day, so stop it. Besides, I agreed to this." She looked Archer up and down, eyes softening with approval. "Not bad. He's handsome. He's a good match for Juliette." Howard gave a cold snort and stormed upstairs, clearly unhappy with the choice. "Bring Juliette out," Marianne said to the butler. Then, she turned to Archer with a smile. "Let's go upstairs." Archer followed without a word. In the upstairs sitting room, a few maids wheeled in a stunning young woman. She looked about twenty-something, with flowing red curls, flawless features, and a curvaceous figure that a top model would envy. If not for her pale, sickly skin, she would've looked breathtaking. Archer was surprised. Didn't they say she was disfigured? She was gorgeous! Soon, with Howard and Marianne as witnesses, Archer and Juliette went through a simple wedding ceremony. After that, the butler left to register their marriage. "Archer, I'm entrusting my daughter to you now," Marianne said seriously. Archer nodded. "You have my word. I'll make sure Juliette lives a happy life, and I'll treat you like my own parents." Hearing that, Howard snorted loudly and left the room. "Don't take it to heart," Marianne said, a little embarrassed. She handed him a bank card. "There's 200 thousand in here. Consider it a gift from me." Archer was stunned. Two hundred thousand dollars as a wedding gift? And on the first meeting, at that? It sounded too good to be true. "Mom, I can't accept this," he said quickly, unsure of her intentions. He started to wonder if Marianne was being too kind. What he didn't know was that the Jensons weren't so desperate that they would let just anyone marry into their family. When the Youngs offered Archer, Marianne immediately ordered a background check. A young man who went to prison for his brother at fifteen, and was willing to sacrifice for the family again right after getting out? Marianne found it hard not to like someone with that much loyalty and character. Sure, she would've preferred someone successful. But with Juliette's condition, she knew no top-tier man would say yes. Besides, the Jensons weren't short on money. What mattered more was character. Chapter 3 In the end, Marianne forced the bank card into Archer's hands before he could say no. After she left, Archer stepped into the bedroom and looked at the unconscious Juliette lying on the bed. "Being a live-in son-in-law might not be so bad after all," he murmured to himself. Marianne's kindness reminded Archer of his late mother. Unlike Truman, his mother, Serena Manning, had truly cared for him. He took Juliette's smooth hand in his and gently checked her pulse. After a moment, his brow furrowed. "Wait, is this actually…?" He examined her again, more carefully this time, and a flash of excitement lit up his eyes. "No way. It really is the True Phoenix Form! My luck's unbelievable." He was thrilled. According to his mentor, people born with special constitutions were extremely rare. And now, he met one the moment he stepped out of prison and ended up married to her by pure chance. Trying to stay calm, he focused on finding the root cause of Juliette's coma. A few minutes later, he raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Looks like she isn't as simple as she seems." He formed a hand seal with one hand; strands of internal energy flowed from his fingertips, transforming midair into shimmering energy needles—needles made from energy alone. Anyone with real knowledge of healing arts would've been stunned, as this technique only existed in ancient texts. Archer pulled back the blanket to reveal Juliette's beautiful, curvy figure. For a second, his eyes burned. After three years locked up without ever seeing a woman, it was hard not to react. He was young and full of energy. His heart skipped a beat. But he quickly took a deep breath and pushed the feeling down, shifting his full attention back to the treatment. With quick, practiced movements, nine energy needles pierced into key points on Juliette's body one after another. A low hum vibrated from the ends of the needles as they slowly changed colors, from clear to deep crimson. Within minutes, they were the color of fresh blood. With a flick of Archer's palm, the nine needles rose from Juliette's skin and hovered over a trash bin, turning into nine drops of thick, red liquid. A faint sweet scent drifted into the air. Archer checked Juliette's pulse again and found some toxins still remained. He transferred a stream of energy into her to help reawaken her body's vitality before continuing treatment. Just then, the door burst open. The housemaid, Wanda Tate, walked in carrying a basin of hot water. She froze at the sight. "Wh-what are you trying to do to Ms. Jenson?" Archer frowned and withdrew his hand, about to explain, but Wanda had already bolted from the room. Moments later, she returned with Howard and Marianne right behind her. "You creep! What the hell were you doing to Juliette?" Howard roared as he stormed in. Marianne rushed straight to the bed. Seeing that Juliette was unharmed, she let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Archer and asked calmly, "What were you doing just now?" On the other hand, Howard didn't wait. "Do we even have to ask? This creep was clearly up to something disgusting! I told you he's no good. He went to prison! But you never listen!" To be fair, it wasn't hard to jump to conclusions. Howard had never liked Archer to begin with. With what Wanda had seen, anyone would start suspecting the worst. The thought that someone might try something on his comatose daughter infuriated Howard. "Calm down," Marianne snapped at her husband. "You don't even know what happened yet." She turned back to Archer. Archer didn't bother hiding anything. "I was treating Juliette's illness." Marianne blinked. "You know medicine?" Archer nodded. "A little." Howard let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, come on! Don't give me that! You dropped out of middle school and went straight to prison. Where'd you learn medicine—some back-alley con artist behind bars?" Archer didn't care to explain. "Believe what you want. I was treating her." Howard sneered. "Then tell us—what's wrong with her?""She's poisoned." Howard burst into angry laughter, then snapped, "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Juliette was in a car accident. That's why she's unconscious. And you tell me she's poisoned?" Archer didn't bother responding. Yes, Juliette's brain had been injured—but it wasn't enough to put her in such a long coma. The real problem was a rare toxin in her system: corpse bloom toxin. It had no color and no taste, and was nearly impossible to detect once it entered the bloodstream and nerves. That was why, in the past year, even after seeing dozens of famous doctors, no one had been able to wake her up. Without knowing the real cause, how could anyone cure her? Still, Archer didn't bother explaining because he knew they wouldn't believe him anyway. Just as Marianne was about to say something, the butler rushed in. "Mr. and Mrs. Jenson, Mrs. Eileen and Ms. Laurel are here." As he spoke, two figures walked into the room. It was Eileen Jenson, the wife of Howard's elder brother, and her daughter, Laurel. "Howard, I heard you brought in the Youngs' son as Juliette's husband. Where is he? Let me take a look." Laurel curled her lip. "Ugh, Mom, stop calling him the Youngs' son. He's just an illegitimate kid who just got out of prison!" The mother-and-daughter duo kept going, taking turns poking fun at Howard and Marianne. Their faces turned dark with anger. Howard glared at Marianne. "This is all your doing!" Marianne's expression soured. She snapped coldly, "My son-in-law's background is none of your business." Eileen smiled sweetly at Marianne. "Oh, that's not very nice. I am Juliette's aunt, after all. Of course it's my business. Even if Juliette's in a coma, you don't just hand her off to some random stray. That makes it look like she's unwanted." Every word struck like a dagger. Marianne trembled with fury, but before she could lash out, Eileen kept going. "Prisoners carry bad luck. We don't want that rubbing off on Juliette. Instead of helping her get better, you might make things worse." She turned to Howard and sighed. "Why don't you say something? If this goes on, Juliette may never wake up again.""Are you seriously cursing my daughter right now?" Marianne shrieked. Eileen waved it off. "Don't take it the wrong way. I'm just being honest." Before Marianne could fire back, Archer cut in. "Hey, Wrinkles. When it comes to marriage, you shouldn't focus on one's past. It depends on fate and energy. When I was a kid, a fortune teller told me that I was a lucky star and that I'd bring good luck wherever I went. Who knows? Maybe Juliette will wake up real soon." Eileen was stunned for a moment, then her face turned red with rage. "Who are you calling Wrinkles, you jail rat?!" Archer grinned. "Come on. You could paint a whole wall with all that makeup on your face. Are you hiding indoors because you can't bring yourself to show your ugly face outside?" Everyone turned to look. No one expected Archer to be so vicious with his words. "You brat! I'm gonna tear you apart!" Eileen screamed, lunging at him, claws out. However, Marianne quickly stepped in to stop her. "Why are you arguing with someone younger? People might laugh at you!" Eileen was shaking with rage, but she knew she couldn't do anything here. She swallowed her anger and gave a cold sneer. "Marianne, don't get too cocky. I came here to tell you that Dad has decided on Timothy as the new CEO. The appointment ceremony is next month. Also, the deal with the Windsors will be handled by Timothy alone. Don't get in the way, or don't blame us for what happens next!" Marianne's expression immediately turned grim. A year ago, the Windsors planned to invest in Goldridge. The Jensons' patriarch had promised that whoever could land the deal would become CEO of Jenson Corporation. Juliette had worked tirelessly to win them over. Just before sealing the deal, however, she got into the accident. While she was unconscious, Timothy's family stole all the credit and started suppressing her allies in the company, either forcing them to switch sides or firing them. Now, Howard's family had almost no say in the company. "Dad is clearly playing favorites! We won't accept this," Marianne hissed through gritted teeth. Eileen looked proud. "And what can you do about it? Your daughter is a vegetable. Who else can you count on? Your spineless husband? Or that ex-con son-in-law of yours?" The atmosphere in the room turned suffocating. Marianne's face was cold and stiff. She wanted to fight back, but didn't know what to say. Eileen gave a soft chuckle. "Face it, Marianne! The Jensons will belong to us. Stop dreaming. You'd better learn your place, or you'll be the one crying later." Just as her voice rose with triumph, a sudden coughing sound came from the bed. Everyone turned toward it and saw that Juliette had opened her eyes. Chapter 4 "Juliette!" Marianne rushed forward. "Thank god… I knew you'd pull through! You've always been lucky." Howard's face lit up, and he instantly pulled out his phone to call their private doctor. Wanda and the butler were both smiling in relief. On the other hand, Eileen and Laurel's faces fell. Before long, a few medical staff arrived with equipment to do a full checkup on Juliette. "How is she?" Marianne asked anxiously. "She's in great shape, just a bit weak," the doctor replied, still looking stunned. As the Jensons' private physician, he had examined Juliette regularly. Just a few days ago, her brain activity was barely fluctuating, and her muscles were severely atrophied. But now, she had miraculously woken up. Even her weakened muscles had also completely recovered. It was hard to believe. Howard burst into laughter. "Ha! Lady Luck is smiling on us!" With his daughter awake again, all the gloom in his heart had vanished. Marianne, though, couldn't help but glance at Archer and recall what had happened earlier. Could it just be a coincidence? She didn't dwell on it. Instead, she turned smugly toward Eileen. "Oh, would you look at that? My son-in-law really does bring good luck! Right after they got married, Juliette woke up. With Archer in the family, our future's looking bright. You all had better watch out, or you'll lose the CEO title you snatched with your dirty tricks." Eileen's face turned an ugly shade of gray. She never imagined her smug moment would get interrupted this quickly. "Hmph! He's just an ex-con. What's there to brag about? You all are shameless," she muttered bitterly, shooting Marianne a glare before leaving with Laurel in tow. The doctors soon followed. Once the others were gone, Marianne walked straight up to Archer. "You really are a blessing to this family. I know Juliette's going to be happy with you." Her approval of Archer only grew stronger. Howard, however, scowled. "Now that Juliette's awake, let's just call off this whole marriage." He hadn't liked Archer even when Juliette was in a coma. Now that she was conscious, it was even worse. Juliette was a well-known beauty in Duskhallow. She came from a respectable family, and was smart and gorgeous. She had no shortage of successful suitors. There was no way Howard would accept her being married to someone with a criminal record. Marianne's temper flared. "What do you mean? You just want to ditch Archer after he helped us out? He's the reason Juliette woke up from her coma!" Howard snapped coldly, "No, she woke up because she's blessed, and Lady Luck was on her side. What does that punk have to do with anything? Don't tell me you actually believe the marriage brought her good luck!""Oh, really? Then explain this! Why did she wake up now, right after Archer arrived?" Marianne shot him a glare. "Did you already forget what just happened?""Those were all just coincidences," Howard grumbled. "Do you actually believe that guy? What would an ex-con—""Stop!" Marianne shouted, furious. "Archer is my son-in-law now. If you ever bring up his past again, I won't let it slide!" Howard was stunned. He couldn't believe that his wife was yelling at him, much less for some brat who had only just joined the family. That set him off. "I've gone along with you on a lot of things, but not this. This time it's non-negotiable. He has to divorce Juliette!""Oh, so now you're yelling at me, huh?" Marianne barked. Just as they were about to explode again, a calm voice spoke up from the bed. "Dad, Mom. Please stop arguing. I just want some peace and quiet," Juliette said. Both of them froze. Marianne gave Howard one last glare, then turned to her daughter. "Get some rest. I'll make you some soup." She left the room in a huff. Howard shot Archer a death stare before following after her. That look said it all: he was ordering Archer to divorce Juliette on his own accord. The maid and butler quietly slipped away, too. Archer was just about to leave when Juliette spoke up again. "Wait. I need to talk to you." He turned and looked at her. Even pale and tired, she was breathtaking. Her eyes were like black gems—deep and cold, with a touch of arrogance. Juliette slowly sat up against the headboard and glanced at him. "I've more or less figured things out. My mom was desperate, which is why she came up with such a ridiculous plan. You and I are complete strangers. Getting married makes no sense. But when my mom was at her lowest, you gave her hope. As thanks, I'm willing to pay you two million." Archer raised an eyebrow. Two million? Was that supposed to impress him? "What are you really trying to say?" he asked, unimpressed. Juliette looked slightly surprised. Most people would've jumped at that offer, but Archer didn't even flinch. Two million wasn't pocket change. She finally got to the point. "Let's find a time to divorce. We come from completely different worlds. Forcing it won't help either of us." Her voice was calm, with no trace of superiority or aggression. Even so, that calm was a kind of pride in itself. Maybe in her eyes, Archer was a nobody, while she was the phoenix soaring above. Once they divorced, their paths would never cross again. She didn't even feel the need to intimidate him. After all, why would a phoenix concern itself with a nobody? Archer almost laughed. "And how exactly do you know we're not from the same world?" he asked. "Do you even know me?" Juliette sighed and rubbed her temples. "I don't like people who cling. I hope you'll know your place." Even though this was her first time meeting Archer, she had already learned enough through her parents. He had been to prison and then got roped into this marriage. She figured a man like him was way too ordinary and definitely not her type. Juliette had made herself clear. Archer had no reason to push it any further. Sure, he needed the True Phoenix Form to suppress the Dragon's Fury inside him, but he wasn't going to grovel for it. If this didn't work out, he would find another way. Simple as that. "I'm fine with that. As long as your parents agree," he said. He didn't shut it down completely, because he really did like Marianne. After the passing of his mother, Marianne was the only one who made him experience that familiar warmth again. "I'll talk to my mom," Juliette said, lying back down. "You can go now. I want to rest." After Archer left, she sighed softly. What she did might have been a little harsh, but given her background, keeping him around would only cause trouble. Downstairs, Marianne was busy cooking. Soon, she had a full table of food ready. Wanda helped the still-weak Juliette down the stairs. "Juliette, come sit. I made your favorite chicken soup," Marianne called warmly. Everyone took their seats. Just as they were about to eat, Juliette turned to her mother. "I talked with Archer. We're not a good match, so we plan to get divorced." The smile froze on Marianne's face. Howard laughed out loud. "Ha! Just what I was thinking. That guy doesn't belong in our family. We'll go file the paperwork after dinner." Smack! Marianne slammed her utensils on the table. "I dare anyone to try! Juliette, you can't just turn your back on people like that! I won't allow it! "When you were in a coma, all the men who used to chase after you disappeared. None of them were willing to marry into our family. "But Archer stepped up. And you woke up right after he got here. He's your lucky star, and he's a good man! What more do you want?" She rattled it all off in one go, clearly siding with Archer. Howard scoffed. "A good man? He's been to prison." Marianne shot him a look. "You don't know anything! I've looked into it. He went to jail for taking the blame for his brother. And now, he's sacrificed himself for his family again. If that's not a good man, then what is?" Howard was left speechless. After a long pause, he mumbled, "But he's still an illegitimate child. How could someone like that be worthy of Juliette?""Shut your mouth!" Marianne's glare was ice-cold. She turned to Juliette. "I'm saying this now, Juliette. If you dare divorce Archer, I'll disown you." With that, she stormed upstairs. Juliette rubbed her forehead. She could tell Marianne was truly furious. She figured she would wait and bring it up later. Howard looked at his daughter. "Just know that I'm on your side." Juliette said nothing and quietly returned to her room. Meanwhile, Archer offered to help clear the dishes. Howard glared at Archer—he just couldn't stand the latter! Frustrated, he stormed out of the house. Archer didn't care. He brought a bowl of food upstairs for Marianne. "Don't skip dinner, Mom. You need to take care of yourself." Marianne took the food, even more impressed by Archer's thoughtfulness. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Juliette won't get to divorce you." Archer smiled and nodded. Of course, he didn't want a divorce. In the next room, Juliette had heard it all. Her head was pounding. She pulled out her phone and made a call. A surprised voice answered. "Ms. Jenson? Are you awake?""I need you to look into my car accident," Juliette said solemnly. "I already did. It was Timothy and his crew." The voice on the other end was filled with rage. "Should I send someone to take care of them quietly?" Juliette had expected this, but hearing it out loud still stunned her. Timothy truly couldn't care less about blood ties. Fine! If that was how it was going to be, then she wouldn't show mercy either. "No need. What's the situation with the Windsors?" Juliette asked. "They've successfully entered Duskhallow, but they're having some disputes with the Frostclaw Order over demolition projects.""What happened?""They can't agree on the price, apparently." Juliette frowned. "Frostclaw Order, huh? They're not easy to deal with. Keep an eye on the south district. Update me the moment something changes." As she was about to hang up, she added, "Also, look into someone for me." Afterward, she ended the call and sat cross-legged on the bed. She focused inward and sensed the changes in her body. After a moment, confusion and surprise filled her eyes. "That's strange... The corpse bloom toxin feels so much weaker. Did something happen while I was unconscious?" Chapter 5 News of Juliette waking up spread quickly through Duskhallow's upper circles. One by one, all the handsome, ambitious young men who had once chased after her showed up to visit. Marianne kicked every single one of them out, telling them plainly that her daughter was already married and that they should stop bothering her. Juliette brought up divorce several times, but every time she did, Marianne scolded her like she had committed a crime. Left with no other choice, Juliette finally went to find Archer. "Honestly, you're a good guy with a strong sense of responsibility. But the truth is, we're just not right for each other." After digging into Archer's background, Juliette had a clearer picture of who he was. He was a bit passive, sure, but he had decent character. If she were just a regular daughter from a wealthy family, having someone like him as a husband wouldn't have been too bad. Unfortunately, her identity was far more complicated. There was no way she could be with someone so ordinary. Forcing it wouldn't just make things miserable—it might even ruin his life. It sounded cruel, but that was the reality. Archer nodded. "You want a divorce? Fine by me. As long as your mom agrees, I've got no problem." Juliette rubbed her temples. "You saw how she is. Divorce is off the table for now. The reason I asked you here is to clarify that we're married in name only. Once she comes around, we'll divorce right away. Until then, let's stay out of each other's lives. You can see other women if you want. Just don't bring them home. I know that's kind of—""That's fine by me," Archer cut in before she could finish. Honestly, he was wondering what he would do if he ran into another woman with a special constitution. Marianne had been so good to him; to get involved with another woman would feel wrong. Now that Juliette was the one making the offer, that made things easy. If things went sideways later, it wouldn't be on him. Juliette blinked. She hadn't expected Archer to agree so quickly. He didn't even put up a fight, as if he didn't care if she saw someone else. Most guys would lose their minds at the thought of their wife cheating, even if the marriage was just on paper. Juliette wasn't sure whether she didn't have any charm, or Archer was just that spineless. Thinking back to what she had read in his file, she figured it was probably the second one. He was an illegitimate child who went to jail for his brother and then got sold off by his own family as soon as he got out. Through all that, he never fought back. That was just classic spineless behavior. Upon that thought, she felt even more disappointed. It only solidified her opinion that he was definitely not someone from her world. Just as Archer came downstairs, Howard gave him a sour look. "How could you just sit around at home all day? Do you think the Jensons are going to support you forever?" Hearing that, Marianne snapped, "Howard, what's with the attitude? Why should he work? It's not like we're short on money." Then, she turned to Archer. "Just ignore him." Archer smiled. "No, he's right. I really should be earning my keep." Marianne's expression lit up. "That's my son-in-law! So ambitious! Let me check if the company has any job openings." She frowned thoughtfully. Howard suddenly chimed in, "Doesn't the company still have a bunch of unpaid invoices? Why not let him try collecting them?" Marianne instantly shook her head. The people who owed that money were tough to deal with. Archer was still young—there was no way he could handle it. Howard shrugged. "Come on. The kid's been in prison. Maybe that experience will come in handy." Marianne was just about to object again, but Archer spoke up first. "He's got a point, Mom. I'll give it a shot." Howard smirked. "See? Even he's up for it. Don't crush his confidence." He then turned to Archer. "Go on. I'll have someone send you the list of overdue payments in a bit." Archer nodded and walked straight toward the door. "Don't push yourself, okay?" Marianne called out behind him. "Just do your best.""Got it," he said with a smile. He had just stepped outside when his phone rang. He glanced at the number and hung up. A moment later, the phone rang again. His expression darkened. This time, he answered. "What do you want?" Truman's voice came through the other end. "I heard Ms. Jenson woke up. Do you think you could talk to her for me? I'd really like to meet her." Truman was full of regret. Had he known Juliette would wake up, he never would've let Archer marry her. He would've sent Vincent instead! Juliette wasn't just rich and accomplished—she hadn't even been disfigured in the accident. She was still the Jenson family's pride. A daughter-in-law like that was almost impossible to find! Truman believed that getting close to the Jensons would guarantee Ethan's future. His father, Alfred, had been disappointed in his family for years and had been grooming his brother's family recently. Now that Juliette was awake, Truman's first thought was to visit. But remembering that he had sent an illegitimate child like Archer to marry her in the first place, he didn't dare show up uninvited. So he called Archer to test the waters. Archer almost laughed out loud. He couldn't believe the nerve Truman had to call him for help. Talk about shameless! "Not interested. And don't call me again. I've got nothing to do with the Youngs anymore," Archer said coldly before hanging up. Back at the Youngs' estate, Truman was fuming. "That damned brat hung up on me!" Caroline chimed in, fanning the flames. "Looks like he thinks he's hot stuff now that he's got the Jensons backing him.""He wouldn't dare!" Truman yelled. Vincent scoffed, "He's just a live-in son-in-law. Do you think the Jensons actually care about him? He's just full of himself!" Truman tried calling again, only to be rejected. After a few more tries, he realized Archer had blocked his number. "That ungrateful little punk! He blocked me!" Truman's face turned purple with rage. Ethan started to panic. "Dad, what do we do? The deal with the Jensons could make or break my future!" Truman's mood soured further. He had no answer. Caroline's eyes narrowed as a dark thought crossed her mind. "Didn't he have some girl he was close with back in school? We could use her as leverage. He's sentimental. He won't just sit back if we threaten someone he cares about." All three men's eyes lit up. Vincent jumped in. "I'll handle it right away!" Truman nodded. "Make sure it's clean. I don't want this coming back to bite us." Chapter 6 After leaving the Jensons' estate, Archer didn't rush off to collect debts. Instead, he took his time strolling around Duskhallow. Around noon, he stopped by a small restaurant for lunch. Even though he had money now, he still preferred these simple, roadside places. He had just sat down when a bright, cheerful voice rang out. "Archer!" Archer looked up, and was met with a beautiful face. Her skin was flawless and supple. Behind rimless glasses, her bright eyes sparkled with life. With her well-shaped nose and small cherry lips, her features were perfect. She wasn't just pretty—she had an incredible figure, tall and elegant. She was definitely the kind of girl people would call a goddess. Archer blinked, a little confused. What were the odds of running into someone like her in a random restaurant? If she were still in school, she'd definitely be the most popular girl on campus. As he stared at her, something clicked. She looked familiar. He hesitated for a second before asking, "Wait… Are you Rachel?" The girl smiled sweetly. "I can't believe you still remember me!" Now that he was sure, Archer froze for a moment. A memory surfaced—an awkward, quiet girl with thick black-rimmed glasses and bangs that covered her forehead. He could hardly believe it. That shy, invisible girl had turned into this stunning specimen? Rachel Hines was a classmate from middle school. Back then, she was a total nobody and was always getting picked on. The only reason Archer remembered her was because he had helped her out once when she was being bullied. That one moment turned into a friendship. "Wow, you look completely different now. I should've made a move when I had the chance," Archer joked, grinning. Rachel blushed and rolled her eyes. "You weren't this smooth back then." In middle school, Archer had been quiet and withdrawn, mostly because of the way he was treated at home. He barely talked to anyone. It wasn't until he went to prison that his personality began to shift. "Well, people change." Archer chuckled. "You here to eat too?" Rachel shook her head. "This place is actually my mom's. I'm just helping out today since it's Sunday.""Rachel, the food's ready!" someone called from the back. She quickly ran over and then returned a moment later with a plate of spaghetti. "A beauty like you serving me food? What an honor," Archer teased as he took the plate from her. Rachel laughed and sat down across from him, resting her chin in her hands. "So Archer… Why'd you suddenly disappear from school back then?""Something came up," Archer said vaguely, not wanting to explain too much. Rachel didn't push and instead changed the subject. "So, are you still in school now?" Archer shook his head. "Nah. I'm actually married." Rachel gasped. "Wait, what?" She looked completely shocked. Archer wasn't even 20 yet! "I just got married a few days ago," Archer replied with a smile. "What about you? Got a boyfriend?" Rachel quickly shook her head. "Nope. I'm still in college, so I'm not in a rush." Archer nodded. "That's smart. Focus on school. Don't end up like me." Rachel gave a soft hum in response, but deep down, she felt a strange twinge of disappointment. Right then, a group of thugs burst into the shop. Rachel's expression changed instantly, and she glared at them. "What are you doing here again?""Well, well, the boss's woman is here, too," said the red-haired thug to his friends with a creepy smile, his eyes roaming over her. Rachel's face turned red. "Don't call me that! I'm nobody's woman!" A middle-aged woman stepped out from the kitchen—Rachel's mother. Her face fell the moment she saw the men. "Gentlemen… Are you here for a meal?" The redhead grinned. "So, have you thought it over?" Sharon Hines's face went pale. She clearly didn't know what to do. The redhead kept going. "Mr. Bourn said if you agree, not only can you stop paying us, but he'll even help expand the shop." Sharon forced a smile. "Rachel's still in school, and we're not looking to get her involved in any relationships. But thank Mr. Bourn for the offer. I promise I'll pay the fees on time." Crash! The red-haired thug kicked over a chair and growled, "Don't make us play rough. Mr. Bourn likes your daughter. She should be honored. Quit talking nonsense. Either she goes with us today, or we trash this dump!" The customers quickly got up and ran out in fear. "You're breaking the law! I'm calling the cops!" Rachel shouted. One of the thugs snatched her phone. "Call the cops all you want. We'll be out in a few days, then we'll come right back—unless you plan to close down forever." The redhead stepped closer, still smiling. "Come on, sweetheart. If you agree to Mr. Bourn's offer, you'll live the good life. No one will ever dare mess with you again." Rachel was scared, but her voice stayed firm. "Forget it! I'll never agree to that." Sharon quickly stepped in front of her daughter and begged, "Please, gentlemen. We're just trying to run a little shop. Can't you leave us alone?" The thugs weren't having it. Their patience had run out. "Damn it! You two are asking for it. Smash the place up and drag them out!" the redhead barked, and his men moved fast. In seconds, tables and chairs were flying. Half the place was wrecked. Sharon and Rachel scrambled into the kitchen, terrified and heartbroken. Rachel's eyes darted toward Archer. Deep down, she hoped, just for a second, that he would step in like he did back in school. But she quickly dismissed that thought. What could he do against a gang like this? She just hoped he would get out while he still could. The thugs noticed him, too. The blonde-haired one sneered, "Hey, kid. Get lost. Don't stick your nose in this." Archer stood and looked over the wreckage calmly. "You guys seem to be having fun.""Didn't you hear me? I said get out!" the blonde thug snapped. "If you're not moving, you might as well stay here!" He raised his hand to slap Archer, but Archer grabbed his wrist mid-swing and twisted it. Crack! A sharp snap rang out, followed by the thug's agonized scream. Without even flinching, Archer threw him aside like trash. The others jumped into action. The redhead was furious. "You little punk! You're gonna get it! Do you even know who we are?" Archer nodded casually. "Yeah. A bunch of scumbags.""Get him!" the redhead yelled, pulling out a knife and charging forward. "Archer, watch out!" Rachel screamed in panic. But what happened next made her jaw drop. Archer took down all of them with just a few punches and kicks. It was done so effortlessly, as if it were nothing. The redhead lay on the floor, groaning in pain, but still tried to act tough. "You're dead… Mr. Bourn won't let you off the hook…" Archer stepped forward and planted his foot on the guy's face, pressing down just enough to make him scream. "What was that? Couldn't hear you," he said calmly, increasing the pressure. The thug felt like his skull was going to split. Still, he refused to give in. "Y-You idiot… Mr. Bourn is with the Frostclaw Order. You're dead meat! Not even God can save you now…" Archer pressed harder. The redhead's face twisted in pain. He felt like his head would pop. Finally, he broke down. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please stop! I give up!" Archer stepped back before glancing at the others. Not one of them dared to speak. The redhead slowly staggered to his feet, ready to run, but Archer's voice rang out behind him. "Hold it. Did I say you could leave?"

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The mag-lev train screamed past, wind tearing at my coat as I crouched on the edge of the carriage, the city lights a thousand feet below. Cold metal bit into my back. They were closing in—I could hear their boots on the roof.

In my hand, the stolen data-slate pulsed with encrypted files. One contained the coordinates of the man who stole my True Dragon Bone. The other held proof that Juliette Jenson's accident wasn't random—it was murder.

Ahead, the maintenance hatch offered a perilous climb down. Behind, the passenger car door led back inside—straight into the guns of corporate enforcers.

My phone buzzed. A single message: They have Rachel.

I had two seconds to decide: save the girl who once looked at me like I mattered, or vanish into the night with the truth.