Chapter 67: The Noblewoman Who Came Calling

Leading Will through the forest and climbing up the hillside, Lin Xiao saw, at the foot of the slope, the place where his family’s haunted house stood. He scanned the area, noting the ground was covered in chaotic footprints. Among them, besides a few slender prints, there were some enormous ones—the unmistakable marks of werewolves.

A chill ran through his heart. It seemed the fleeing leader of the werewolf clan, Lucien, had indeed come seeking trouble. He must have observed from the shadows, uncertain whether he could prevail, and thus dared not appear. Yet this did not mean they were safe. Will, Joey, and Sheriff Hope had no means of defending themselves. If these lurking enemies decided to target them, the consequences would be unthinkable.

This was why he had agreed to Zoe’s request. He desperately needed Number Eleven to grow stronger, to shoulder part of the burden. Otherwise, if the weight pressed solely upon him, he feared he would be crushed. No matter how powerful one may be, it is impossible to cover every angle, and mistakes are inevitable. This is the meaning of partners and family—bound together by fate, opposing the perils of survival.

Returning home, he found Joey and the others had already arrived and were cooking in the kitchen. The family sat at the table, discussing the day’s events.

Joey and Number Eleven served the dishes. Tonight’s dinner was unusually lavish: the main course was pan-seared filet steak, each person receiving a generous portion, accompanied by Alaskan fried cod fillets and a large bowl of vegetable salad. The family ate heartily.

Lin Xiao naturally understood the reason for the improved fare—Joey had finally loosened her purse strings. Gone were the days of boiled potatoes and fried beans for every meal.

Ding dong... ding dong...

As they ate, the doorbell rang urgently. Lin Xiao walked over and opened the door, only to be greeted by a familiar face, which instantly ignited his anger. He slammed the door shut.

“Who was that? Jonathan, how can you be so rude?” Joey gently reproached, hurried over, opened the door to glance out, then slammed it shut again.

Lin Xiao shrugged. Joey sat down, fuming, saying nothing, but silently placed several pieces of cod fillet into Lin Xiao’s bowl.

Ding dong... ding dong...

The doorbell kept ringing. Sheriff Hope, puzzled, stood and said, “What are you two up to?” He walked over, opened the door, and a richly dressed, fashionable woman entered, facing them.

It was none other than the lady who had previously clashed with them—Mrs. Barham.

Mrs. Barham had not fared well these past few days. She had thought that selling them the haunted house would lead to their miserable demise. Yet not only had they survived, they all appeared healthy and well, while her own son was the one who met with trouble.

“You are not welcome here. Please leave our home,” Joey said, her tone cold as she issued the eviction order. She had recently learned that the haunted house they purchased belonged to the estate company under the woman's husband. After analyzing the situation, they concluded that this venomous woman had deliberately sold them the haunted house, hoping to see their family slaughtered by its ghosts.

Fortunately, Jonathan and Eleven possessed supernatural abilities and had rescued them from the spirits’ clutches. Now, with the culprit at their door, Joey was in no mood for pleasantries. Had it not been for Jim’s sake, she might have shot her on sight.

“Joey, be reasonable. This is Mrs. Barham—her husband is a state congressman and has donated a great deal of equipment and supplies to our precinct,” Sheriff Hope explained. His position as sheriff naturally involved connections, and Mrs. Barham had been one of his supporters.

Joey snorted and ignored her. Lin Xiao continued eating, while Will and Number Eleven watched in confusion, unsure of the villain’s purpose.

Mrs. Barham, now utterly haggard, was nothing like the domineering figure she had been that day. Lost and desolate, she approached the table, bowed deeply, and spoke with a quavering voice:

“My Honey seems possessed by a demon. At home he became wild, destroying things, killing our two pet cats, and even threatened Darling and me with a knife.

We had to hire professionals to restrain him and tie him to the bed. He keeps shouting 'Jonathan, Eleven,' and after two days of investigation, I discovered those are your names.

I beg you, for the sake of him still being a child, help my Honey return to normal. He is my only child—I cannot bear to see him become a madman.”

She took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. Honey was her greatest treasure; the prospect of losing him was unbearable.

Lin Xiao was quietly intrigued. He had sensed something off about the boy that day, but never expected he would become demon-possessed. Could this be related to Melissa?

But Melissa’s spirit had been slain by himself, and the source-energy had been accounted for. How could it return to cause harm?

“Could it be...”

Lin Xiao vaguely suspected a possibility, though he dared not confirm it. Besides, what concern was it of his? Mrs. Barham was no saint; she had purposely sold them the haunted house, intending to see their family wiped out. Such a person losing her child was nothing but fitting retribution.

“Sorry, we’re busy. We don’t have time to help your child,” Lin Xiao said, taking a big bite of cod fillet, crunching loudly, treating her as if she were air.

Sheriff Hope was about to speak when Joey shot him a glare, silencing him immediately.

The family continued to eat as if nothing was amiss, leaving Mrs. Barham stranded and awkward, uncertain whether to stand or leave, wishing she could sink into the floor.

Given her status, when had she ever humbled herself so? Or been so thoroughly ignored? This humiliation far exceeded mere insults or blows.

“I’ll pay, I’ll pay to hire you. As long as you cure my Honey, I will not be stingy,” Mrs. Barham declared, slapping the table, glaring at them as if ready to throw money at their feet.

Lin Xiao snorted. He loved money, true, but only depending on the person. No sum could tempt him from someone like her.

“Go. We won’t help you. Our family doesn’t need money,” Joey replied coldly, flush with confidence. With Jonathan’s abilities, they would surely be wealthy in time.

Mrs. Barham looked to Sheriff Hope, her sole lifeline, hoping he would speak on her behalf out of gratitude for past support.

Sheriff Hope coughed, glanced at Joey, and finally spoke:

“Well, Jonathan, a child shouldn’t bear the sins of the parents. No matter what, we can’t just stand by and do nothing, can we? Joey, you’re a mother—you should understand what it feels like. Please, persuade Jonathan.”

Mrs. Barham looked at Sheriff Hope with gratitude. Her previous investments had not been wasted—they were paying off at last.

“Fine, if you want our help, it won’t be cheap. I want a luxury yacht. Are you willing to pay?” Lin Xiao said lazily. He had been wanting a yacht lately, and if she walked into his trap, why not take advantage?

“What? A luxury yacht? This is extortion—blatant extortion!” Mrs. Barham shrieked. A luxury yacht cost at least a hundred thousand dollars, no less than a grand villa.

The haunted house had sold cheaply only because few who moved in ever left alive. Who would dare buy such a cursed residence?