Chapter 79

Drake’s hand trembled as he clutched his phone.

His eyes lowered, and he gazed expressionlessly at the little creature nestled in his palm, the Ghost Baby.

The Ghost Baby seemed unfazed by his cold demeanor, its pea–sized eyes staring intently at him, its tiny face bearing a faint, ingratiating smile.

Then, while smiling, it rolled over in his palm.

A vein twitched in Drake’s temple. He then confirmed that this creature was the same one he had encountered a few days ago. So…

Drake looked up impassively, just in time to see someone running toward him and abruptly halting his car.

He knew it.

He stepped out of the car without a word, still holding the Ghost Baby.

Winnie almost immediately approached, drawn to the blinding gold aura.

Upon closer inspection, she found her Ghost Baby was rolling around in someone else’s hand.

Winnie seemed surprised. The little one had collided with the big boss more than once and didn’t seem concerned about being obliterated by his aura.

Not only was it not frightening, but it also seemed to be enjoying itself.

What the heck?

“Ms. Bryant, aren’t you going to take back what belongs to you?” Drake said, his voice tinged with discomfort as he emphasized, “belongs to you.”

Only then did Winnie snap back to reality and hurriedly reach to snatch the little one back from his palm.

Perhaps she moved too swiftly, and her hand inadvertently brushed against his, sending a fleeting itch through Drake’s palm before the sensation vanished.

Unaware of the contact, Winnie grabbed the still–flailing Ghost Baby and took a crimson out string to tie it up again.

Drake watched her actions and remembered what he had seen in Horace’s photograph earlier.

His gaze instinctively followed her movements toward her left palm.

Unfortunately, due to the dim lighting on the roadside and Winnie’s rapid motions, Drake couldn’t get a clear view before she had the creature tied up again.

“Sorry about that. I was about to send it on its way when it suddenly took off,” Winnie explained.

Ordinarily, a spirit cleared of its grudges would only be preoccupied with reincarnation.

But this Ghost Baby was drawn to the big boss‘ gold aura.

As Winnie eyed the almost blinding light, she grew more convinced of its uniqueness Hmm, she thought about trying to grab a handful secretly.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, Drake suddenly spoke , his curiosity piqued.

“Send it on its way?”

Winnie had to curb her impulse and explained, “I’ve cleared all the resentment from it. Without grudges to hold on to, the underworld’s messengers can take it for reincarnation.”

Though Drake had come to terms with the existence of spirits, he still found it odd to hear her speak so matter–of–factly about it.

Unable to help himself, he asked, “How are they taken?”

Winnie was about to answer when she suddenly pointed behind him.

“Oh?”

Drake turned to see a figure dressed in black, topped with a black hat and mask, standing under the streetlight but barely noticeable.

The driver standing some distance away also noticed the newcomer and felt a jolt of unease.

The security at Silver Lake Manor was top–notch throughout Emerald Bay, and someone in such a stealthy outfit shouldn’t have been able to enter.

But Winnie’s expression indicated she knew the person.

The man in black approached Winnie and spoke formally, “Ghostly Express, do you have a spirit for the underworld’s escort?”

Drake was shocked. He glanced at Winnie, unaccustomed to the modernization of the underworld’s messengers.

Winnie was also surprised. “When did spiritual affairs start offering escort services? I had no .”

The man in black explained. “This is a new partnership initiative between the boss and the underworld. Today is the first trial.”

Winnie quickly understood, and though she was curious about how the spiritual affairs‘ boss had such connections, she didn’t pry further She handed over the Ghost Baby. The man in black produced a miniature scale and placed the Ghost Baby on it, which read 9 grams.

He frowned slightly, replying. “This spirit is not heavy enough.” Inspecting the Ghost Baby, he continued coldly. “This is an undeveloped half–soul. The underworld is currently unable to accept it.”

Winnie wasn’t surprised, as she had expected this.

“It’s indeed an unformed infant spirit, born from resentment, but it’s clean now. It will fully develop if nurtured in the underworld for a few years. Take it back for now, and in a few years, it’ll be ready to join the queue..

The man in black cut her off unceremoniously.

“Impossible. The underworld is already operating over capacity. The agreement between the boss and the authorities specifies that non–eligible entities cannot be admitted without authorization!”

He placed the Ghost Baby back into Winnie’s .

“Sorry, this collection has failed.”

With that, he turned to leave.

Winnie was momentarily flustered. “Wait. Can’t you make an exception? I’ll pay extra!”

The man in black was immovable.

“Sorry.” Replying, he then turned and walked away without hesitation.

Winnie watched as he quickly disappeared into the darkness, feeling somewhat downcast.

The messengers from the underworld weren’t usually this difficult to negotiate with.

Even if a spirit was incomplete, a bribe with underworld money typically solved it.

What was this? Was she stuck with it?

Looking down at the Ghost Baby in her hands, which wore an innocent expression, the corners. of her mouth twitched slightly.

Drake watched the entire exchange in silence. He found the whole episode fantastical yet understood the concept of Ghostly Express.

After all, the company rules cannot be changed at will, From this perspective, that boss must know something about corporate management.

Turning around, Drake saw Winnie with a look of profound suffering on her face, which he believed he had never seen on Ms. Bryant before.

With a silent arch of his eyebrow, showing a rare flash of concern, he asked, “So, what happens when you can’t guide this restless spirit?”

Winnie pursed her lips, a shadow of gloom passing over her features. “If they don’t take it, I’m stuck looking after this Ghost Baby.”

It seemed she would have to raise until it was mature enough to be passed on.

3/4 12:35 It wasn’t a difficult task. But tending to a little ghost was not Winnie’s Since she got involved in the mystical arts, she had seen her fair share of spirit nurturers but always felt it wasn’t exactly a clean practice, not to mention she was from the School of Talismanic Magic herself.

Though she thought so, with the ghostly envoy refusing to take charge, she was out of alternatives.

Somewhat disappointed, she tucked the Ghost Baby back into her pocket, denying the little thing’s desire to bask further in the aura of the big boss.

Drake watched her movements, his eyes deepening. As she turned to leave, he suddenly called out to .

“That mark on the palm of my hand you mentioned before. What is it exactly?”

Caught off guard by his question about the mark, Winnie paused before explaining sternly. “It’s a protective sigil. Why do you ask?

“Nothing.” Drake replied, his voice indifferent and seemingly casual.

After seeing he had no particular reaction, Winnie didn’t press further and briskly walked back to the Bryant Manor Drake watched her retreating figure, his eyes deep and mysterious, eventually his expression settling into a cold smirk.

It was a lie again.