Before Ava Carter could speak, Leo had already read her silence like an open book.
He grinned, fully confident in his own ability to predict her thoughts. To him, her speechlessness could only mean one thing — she was deeply moved by what he had done for her the day before.
Maybe right now, she was amazed and grateful beyond words.
He leaned closer and whispered smugly, "Don't worry, Miss. Damian Langford really wants to serve under us now."
"I repeated your reputation to him yesterday. Told him all about your name."
Ava's eye twitched.
Reputation? What reputation?! You slapped the man! What part of that was prestige?
Her mind was a hurricane of disbelief, yet she couldn't openly confront Leo here.
Yes, Leo's intentions were… technically on her side. But the way he executed them? A nightmare.
How on earth did he manage to convince Damian Langford — the head of the Langford family in their previous life — to switch sides?
This wasn't something she could unpack here, not in front of everyone. Not now.
So Ava suppressed the explosion building in her heart. She forced a polite smile, slightly raised her eyebrows, and said calmly, "President Langford, thank you for your interest."
At that, Damian finally relaxed, visibly relieved.
Still, he hesitated. His eyes sparkled with anticipation and a mix of complex emotions.
Ava blinked.
Why does this guy look like a child waiting for approval?
Three parts hopeful, two parts nervous, four parts scared... and one part dejected?
What the hell?
Before she could figure out what kind of emotional soup Damian was stewing in, Leo stepped forward confidently, waved a hand, and declared, "President Langford, my lady understands your intent."
"Remain loyal and do honest work — and she'll help you ascend to the throne you seek!"
Ava snapped her head toward Leo, eyes wide.
Wait—WHAT throne?!
Who agreed to this?! What "intent" are we pretending I understand now?!
But Damian Langford lit up. His back straightened. He cupped his hands together and shouted with conviction:
"Thank you, Miss Ava!"
Who said yes?! I didn't say yes!!
Ava stared at him, flabbergasted. What the hell was happening?!
Why did it feel like everyone was having a conversation she wasn't invited to — and her name was being used as a seal of approval?
This must be a joke. A chaotic, escalating joke.
Just then, Leo turned to her and whispered close to her ear, "I'll explain everything after we leave."
His warm breath brushed her ear, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. Her cheeks flushed.
She instinctively moved away, quickly covering her ear.
Now is not the time for that kind of reaction! Get it together!
She turned and glared daggers at Leo.
This man keeps causing chaos wherever he goes!
Meanwhile, Sophia, who had been watching quietly, clapped her hands together and declared loudly:
"Congratulations, Miss Ava! With the president of the Antique City Club by your side, your future as head of the Carter family is guaranteed!"
"We'll follow you forward and fight under your banner!"
No. No, you won't.
Ava's eyebrow twitched again.
Why hadn't she noticed this crowd of opportunistic bootlickers in her past life?
One by one, they praised her, placed her on a pedestal—only to abandon her when the tide turned.
Before she could finally dismiss everyone, a loud, desperate shout echoed through the villa—
"NOOOOOO!!"
Everyone turned.
It was David, his eyes bloodshot, his face twisted in emotion as he shouted out with all the breath in his lungs.
Leo scoffed and barked, "You pathetic trash! What's wrong with you now?! You scared the young lady with your sudden barking!"
Ava: "... →_→"
Sophia's face contorted. She looked at David with deep frustration. "What are you trying to do now? We're already divorcing!"
David stumbled forward, voice hoarse. "You can't divorce me yet!"
Tears welled in his eyes. "For five years, I worked night and day to help your family."
"I brought your business from nothing to a medium-sized enterprise in Riverdale! And now, just like that…"
SMACK!
Sophia struck him across the face, again.
"Don't flatter yourself!" she snapped. "Our current success is thanks to my strategy and business skills! Not a loser like you!"
"If you say one more word, I swear I'll beat you until you crawl!"
Leo chuckled beside Ava. "Tsk tsk. This David guy is down bad."
Ava nodded slowly, murmuring, "It's kind of pitiful, really... I thought it couldn't get worse, but here we are."
Both of them froze.
Their eyes met. Then widened.
Wait—why are we... sympathizing with the Dragon King?!
Leo blinked. "Miss?"
"Shut up and watch," Ava hissed quickly.
Oh no. No, no, no. Don't tell me I'm getting soft.
Leo watched her with a puzzled expression.
Something was off.
In the original story, villains at this point would be sneering, mocking David with cruel lines like:
"He was a loser from the start. If he drops dead, he'll just pollute the air."
But Ava hadn't said anything even remotely cruel. In fact, she sounded… concerned?
Leo narrowed his eyes.
Ava, still pretending to be cold and aloof, could feel Leo's stare burning into her.
Stop looking at me!
I can't keep pretending I'm heartless if you keep watching!
She finally turned, growled at him, and snapped, "What are you staring at?! One more look and I'll gouge your eyeballs out!"
Leo chuckled and looked away. "Yes, Miss."
Ah, there's the villainess I know. He smiled in relief.
But Ava felt a strange sense of injustice.
Why is it that people only feel reassured when I act cruel?
What if I wanted to be kind for once?!
At that moment, David, now covered in bruises and red handprints, lifted his face and shouted:
"You can't divorce me! Because… Mr. Carter still needs my help!"
Everyone went still.
Sophia froze mid-slap.
"My grandpa?" she repeated.
"You're saying... you're the only one who can help him?"
David nodded solemnly. "Yes. It's time for his treatment again."
"This session is critical. If it goes well, Mr. Carter can finally be discharged from the hospital."
"Without me, no one in this world can treat him."
Sophia's lips parted in disbelief, then curled into a smirk.
"Oh? So my grandfather's life depends on you?"
"Let me tell you somethin—"
RING RING!
Her phone suddenly rang.
She glanced down. It was her mother.
A bad feeling settled in her chest.
David's tone suddenly changed. His posture straightened. His eyes sharpened.
"It's about Mr. Carter," he said softly. "He's in critical condition, isn't he?"
Sophia's heart dropped.
She picked up the call.
Seconds later, her face went pale.
"WHAT?! Grandpa's in critical condition?!"
Ava Carter's expression also changed. She knew — this was the turning point. The moment that, in her previous life, had changed everything.
Leo grinned faintly. "It's here…"
The first time David reveals his true abilities. The first step toward becoming the Dragon King.
Sophia hung up, turned to Ava in desperation. "Miss Ava, I…"
Ava nodded. "Go. We'll discuss our partnership later."
"Thank you!!" Sophia bowed, then turned toward David with hesitation.
"…Was what you said true?"
David gave her a small, gentle smile. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it."
Just as they prepared to leave—
Damian Langford stepped forward, raising a hand.
"Wait!"
"Miss Sophia, don't act in haste. If this man is lying, Mr. Carter's life could be in danger!"
Sophia paused, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
She was right. She couldn't risk her grandfather's life.
She turned to Damian. "Then… do you know anyone else who can help?"
"Of course!" Damian pointed with confidence.
"Miss Ava has a miracle doctor by her side — Master Leo!"
Ava Carter: ???
Leo: :^)
Wait a minute—Miracle doctor?!
Leo stepped forward, smirking. "I can come along. If this loser is truly powerless, I'll save your grandfather."
David just shook his head, silent.
Without his Seven Tai Chi Needles, no one could cure the old man.
Let them try. He would show them.
Sophia breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to Ava with gratitude.
"Thank you, Miss Ava! You truly are our guardian angel!"
Ava forced a smile. "Haha… don't mention it. Let's go."
Leo leaned back beside her, grinning. "Miss, how'd I do?"
Ava gave him a blank stare. "You… are so… incredible."
Leo!! I'm going to grill you the second we get home!!
Miracle doctor?!
If you're a miracle doctor, then I, Ava Carter, will take YOUR last name!!