However, because Jason Brooks was present, Mr. Warren did not punish Franklin Warren further. He said, “Fu’er, you keep Ethan company. I’ll go to the back and tell them to prepare a meal. Ethan, you must stay for dinner later.”

Jason Brooks thought to himself: I really hope I don’t have to stay later…

Mr. Warren had just taken a few steps when he suddenly seemed to remember something and said to Franklin Warren, “Fu’er, didn’t I ask you yesterday to invite Ethan to write a ‘fu’ character? Where is it?”

Franklin Warren yawned, scratched his head, and racked his brains for a long time but still couldn’t remember where that piece of calligraphy had gone missing.

Seeing this, Mr. Warren sighed and cupped his hands, saying, “Ethan, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to write another one.”

Jason Brooks returned the gesture and said, “It’s no trouble at all, not worth mentioning.”

Mr. Warren shook his head, sighed, and left.

Franklin Warren yawned again and asked, “Ethan, what did you want to see me about?”

In truth, he was a bit annoyed. He’d just woken up and was in the middle of a passionate moment in bed with Daisy when Arthur came to interrupt, completely ruining the mood. On top of that, Daisy was a bit resentful, and the first time he tried to brush her off. Unexpectedly, the old man sent Arthur a second time to urge him, so he had no choice but to hurry back.

Jason Brooks remained expressionless, looking at him coldly, and said, “I want to ask Brother Futai to go somewhere with me.”

Franklin Warren absentmindedly asked, “Where to?”

Jason Brooks smiled, “Just come with me and you’ll see.”

He got up and led the way.

Franklin Warren hesitated for a moment but reluctantly stood up and followed him out.

They left the Wang residence and came to the edge of the village. Franklin Warren grabbed Jason Brooks and asked in a low voice, “Ethan, where exactly are you taking me?”

Jason Brooks didn’t answer. He kept walking, leading Franklin Warren to a secluded hollow on the west side of Shuyang Village before stopping.

This hollow was sparsely covered with a small grove of trees, very quiet and secluded.

Seeing Jason Brooks’s serious expression, Franklin Warren asked, “Ethan, what is this all about?”

Jason Brooks said, “Brother Futai, if I told you that there’s something wrong with Daisy, would you believe me?”

Franklin Warren was taken aback. “Something wrong? What do you mean?”

Jason Brooks enunciated each word: “She’s not human!”

“Not human? Then what is she?” Franklin Warren asked instinctively.

“Either a ghost or a demon!”

Upon hearing this, Franklin Warren was first stunned, then burst out laughing, clutching his belly. “Ethan, for all your scholarly learning, how can you spout such nonsense? This is utter absurdity, the most ridiculous thing in the world!”

He shook his head and sighed, “The wise do not speak of chaos, strength, monsters, or spirits. I really don’t know why you’re talking such nonsense today. To be honest, Daisy came back with me, but I was afraid my father would get angry, so I had her wait in the carriage outside. If you think she’s a demon, I can take you to see her right now.”

What?

Jason Brooks was startled, and his first reaction was to want to slap Franklin Warren to the ground—this man was so obsessed with lust it was beyond saving.

Now, the original plan was completely thrown into chaos and had to be rearranged.

Jason Brooks really disliked such unexpected events. He sneered inwardly, wanting nothing more than to just leave, and said, “Brother Futai, you’re really in high spirits!”

Franklin Warren tilted his head and suddenly asked, “Ethan, could it be that you’re jealous I’ve won the beauty and are deliberately trying to sow discord?”

At these words, Jason Brooks almost burst out laughing.

But the more Franklin Warren thought about it, the more it seemed plausible, and his expression actually changed a bit. “Jason Brooks, that’s not the behavior of a gentleman. A friend’s wife must not be coveted—how could you have such a sordid thought…”

He grew more and more agitated as he spoke, the veins on his forehead bulging. “I really misjudged you. From now on, I’m severing ties with you.”

Jason Brooks looked at him coldly, saying nothing—truly, the pitiful always have something detestable about them.

“Daisy…”

Franklin Warren was in the middle of his rant, spittle flying, when he suddenly stopped short, because he saw, outside the hollow, a seductive figure appear, swaying her hips as she walked over.

“Daisy, why did you leave the carriage and come out?”

Franklin Warren hurried to greet her.

Without thinking, Jason Brooks suddenly reached out and grabbed the back of Franklin Warren’s neck, holding him in place.

Franklin Warren’s body was now extremely weak. Being caught like a chick by an eagle, he couldn’t break free at all. His face changed dramatically, and he felt that all his earlier suspicions were true—he’d made a bad friend and let a wolf into his house. Regret and anger mixed, and he nearly fell into a hysterical frenzy. “You treacherous Jason Brooks, what are you trying to do? Let me go!”

As he struggled, he shouted to the approaching Daisy, “Daisy, run!”

Even now, he still wanted to play the protector.

But Daisy didn’t listen at all, continuing to approach step by step. When she was about ten meters away, suddenly—jingle jingle jingle—a piercingly rapid bell rang sharply from Jason Brooks’s body.

At the sound of the bell, Daisy’s face changed dramatically.

Chapter Fourteen: The Demon Revealed

The shrill bell rang out suddenly, vibrating so intensely it hurt the eardrums. Not only Daisy, but even the nearly-crazed Franklin Warren instantly quieted down, as if struck by a thunderbolt. His bloodshot eyes stared wide at the calm and solemn Jason Brooks, as if seeing him for the first time, a nameless panic and dread rising in his heart.

What’s going on? What exactly is happening?