Shia abruptly took two steps back, his expression calm, but a volcano of fury roiled within.

"Get out. You’re not welcome here right now!"

"Listen to me—"

"Get out!" Shia’s voice was sharp, his gaze icy.

Ella was still reeling as she found herself outside the door.

---

Her mind replayed Shia’s cold, distant expression.

*Why won’t he listen to me?*

A wave of grievance surged within her chest, her eyes beginning to sting.

Turning to look at the luxurious villa behind her, she felt an overwhelming sense of despair.

*So this is what it feels like to be distrusted?*

Her heart ached so deeply it felt as if it were folding her in half.

*Why wouldn’t he even let me explain?*

She had done nothing to betray him, and she hadn’t disclosed the Witch’s Night Banquet’s plans precisely to avoid worrying him unnecessarily.

Yet, he had been so merciless, driving her out without even hearing her side.

Ella turned away, her steps heavy with sorrow.

---

Shia, however, wasn’t concerned about her departure.

His priority was to ensure Nia hadn’t been harmed by anything that might have been implanted in her.

Grabbing Nia’s hand firmly, he declared, "We’re going to the headmistress!"

The headmistress was powerful and surely had a way to deal with any potential issues.

Whatever it took to solve this problem, he was willing to pay the price.

Watching Shia’s frantic concern for her, Nia’s heart softened, a warm and indescribable emotion blooming within her.

It was a mix of gratitude and something tender.

But she didn’t let him drag her along.

"You don’t need to worry. I’m fine," she said gently, her soft voice like a balm easing Shia’s tension.

Shia turned to look into her eyes, his brows furrowed in concern.

Nia smiled at him softly.

"She didn’t do anything to me. I’m perfectly fine."

Shia hesitated, scrutinizing her from head to toe with skepticism.

"You’re sure nothing happened?"

Nia nodded firmly, her smile as bright and pure as ever.

"I’m sure."

Her radiant expression was convincing, but Shia’s worry didn’t completely dissipate.

"You can’t be so naive. Not everyone has good intentions. The headmistress is incredibly strong; she’ll know what to do. We should still—"

"Do you really think I’m so weak, Shia?" Nia interrupted, standing tall. Her youthful face now carried an air of confident determination.

"Don’t underestimate me, okay~!"

"I might look easy to fool, but trust me, I’m not!"

She added with a playful wink, her usual airheadedness replaced by a quick-witted charm. It was adorable in a way that was completely unexpected.

Nia felt deeply moved by Shia’s concern.

Having someone who cared so much about her, someone who would even confront Ella on her behalf and insist on seeking the headmistress’s help—it was a warmth she hadn’t expected.

*Shia really is such a kind person.*

Shia froze momentarily.

Could it be that nothing really happened?

"You were wrong to accuse Ella," Nia said, shaking off Shia’s grip on her hand.

"I’m not that easy to fool, and she’s not as bad as you think. She didn’t do anything to me."

Nia gently pushed him away.

"But you were so harsh to her just now. Aren’t you going to apologize?"

---

Shia’s mind flashed back to Ella’s tearful, aggrieved expression. She had tried to speak, but he hadn’t given her the chance.

At the time, he had been so certain of his assumptions.

A pang of guilt hit him as he turned and left.

---

When Shia entered Ella’s home, the smell of alcohol filled the air.

She was sitting alone at the bar, surrounded by several empty bottles.

Her eyes were glassy, her lids swollen and red. The beautiful woman looked utterly despondent as she took another swig from a bottle in her hand.

Clear liquid dripped down the corner of her lips, sliding over her collarbone and soaking into her clothes, leaving a faint stain on the fabric.

Hearing footsteps, Ella turned towards the door.

When her eyes landed on Shia’s face, her expression became even more sorrowful and pitiful. She looked utterly heartbroken, as though staring at a callous lover who had abandoned her.

Her devastated expression struck a chord of guilt in Shia’s heart.

He stepped forward, closing the distance between them one slow step at a time.

Perhaps he had been too focused on the game narrative, letting it blur into reality.

In the game, Ella’s wrongdoings were a direct consequence of her desperation to revive her husband.

But here, in reality, she wasn’t yet the villain who had committed countless crimes.

Shia reached out to take the bottle from her hand.

"Drinking too much is bad for your health."

Ella slapped his hand away.

"Mind your own business."

Her tearful expression hardened, her tone laced with disdain.

"What right do you have to lecture me?"

Her sharp gaze locked onto him, filled with bitterness.

But beneath her sarcasm was an unmistakable look of grief and accusation.

Shia hesitated for only a second before ignoring her protests and forcibly taking the bottle from her hand.

His actions were assertive, radiating a domineering presence that left no room for negotiation.

This only made Ella angrier.

She stood abruptly, her violet eyes burning with fury.

"You were the one who drove me away. You were the one who doubted me. And now you’re barging into my home uninvited. What exactly do you want from me!?"

Her voice rose in volume, trembling with emotion. Her reddened eyes glistened with unshed tears, her tone a mix of frustra tion and sorrow.

"I’m sorry. I was wrong to accuse you," Shia said firmly and without hesitation.

Ella froze, stunned by his unexpected apology.

*That’s it?*

His quick admission left her momentarily speechless.

She didn’t feel as angry anymore.

*This guy doesn’t play by the rules at all. He was so fierce just a moment ago, and now he’s apologizing so quickly?*

But forgiving him right away seemed too easy. Shouldn’t she at least make him sweat a little?

Still, Shia wasn’t done. Owning up to his mistakes was one thing, but addressing the bigger issue was another.

"However, you were wrong to hide the truth. The Witch’s Night Banquet gave you a mission, and you chose to conceal it."

That statement struck a nerve, reopening wounds Ella had tried to numb with alcohol.

"What choice did I have!?" she burst out.

"They hold the key to reviving my husband. If I don’t follow their orders, I’ll never get the information I need. And you—" she choked on her words, her voice breaking as she curled into herself, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"You do nothing but bully me. You refuse to help me."

Tears silently fell as she hunched over, her long violet hair cascading around her like a curtain.

Shia sighed softly, watching her fall apart.

Setting the bottle down, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.

Perhaps it was the alcohol dulling her senses, but Ella instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her tear-streaked face gazing up at him.

Her large, watery eyes shimmered, as if on the verge of breaking into fresh tears at any moment.

Shia didn’t simply stand idly by.

His efforts, however, were always understated, never seeking credit or flaunting his deeds.

Quietly, he grabbed a damp towel and gently began wiping Ella’s face. His movements were tender, his voice low.

“There’s already some progress on reviving the dece ased.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com