Chapter 260

Marcus’s interest was piqued . “ Her name’s Sara Nicholson . Now that you’re here , she really does have hope . ”
He grinned . “ I’ve decided . From now on , Madelyn is my plaything .”
Madelyn instantly understood what he meant . Her expression unchanged , she looked up at the man who’d brought her . “ Where will I be staying ? ”
The man glanced at Sara . “ You two will bunk together . ”
With that , he left .
Madelyn walked over to Sara . “ Take me to the room now . Thanks . ”
Marcus’s eyes darkened with malice as he was ignored .
One of his lackeys leaned in and asked , “ Marcus , want me to take care of her ? ”
Marcus sneered . “ No rush . We’ve got all the time in the world . ”
Sara was safe , as Marcus had set his sights on Madelyn . But he never expected her to be such a formidable fighter . Once she confirmed the Solemnity Guild’s no – killing rule , she fought back every time – always targeting Marcus and ignoring everyone else .
She went from being covered in wounds to beating Marcus and his gang into submission , growing faster than anyone else .
Marcus set his sights back on Sara .
Sara turned to Madelyn , pleading , “ Madelyn , could y
you protect me ?
“ My brother’s rich . Once we get out , I’ll give you all the money you want . ”
Madelyn met her gaze . “ Do you really think we can get out of here ? ”
Sara fell silent , the light in her eyes instantly dimming .
Madelyn gently patted her head . “ Sara , as long as you’re stronger than them , they can’t hurt you . ”
Perhaps it was the warmth she felt from Madelyn , but from then on , Sara became her little shadow .
Two years later , it was their turn to join the team on a supply run .
The team returned . But Madelyn and Sara never made it back .
Marcus wanted Madelyn dead , yet it was Sara who perished .
Madelyn tried to save her with acupuncture needles but failed .
Sara was her first acupuncture patient .
After that , her needles became lethal weapons . She never healed anyone with them again .
Aria turned off the hot water . As the steam cleared , cold , damp air rushed over her , stinging her skin like countless tiny needles ,
Sara died in the bitter cold of winter .
She stood there for ten minutes , numb , then numbly put on her clothes , dried her hair , swallowed a pill , and collapsed onto the bed , drifting into sleep .
The rusted , broken lock gave way as the two men pushed the door open and entered .
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One of them , looking anxious , whispered , “ Hurry . Find it fast . ”
The traditional medicine shop was small . They rummaged through every drawer and cabinet , but came up empty handed .
One man spotted heavy dust beneath a chest of drawers , his eyes narrowing . “ Move this cabinet . ”
Once they shifted it aside , they found torn wallpaper and , behind it , a hidden hole in the wall .
The hole was empty , though it was clear something had once been kept there .
“ Must have been taken , ” one muttered .
After a moment’s thought , the other said , “ The villagers said Aria learned medicine from Dr. Todd as a child . Could it be her ? ”
“ Let’s check her place first . ”
“ Aria won’t be easy to deal with . This needs careful planning . ”
At eight at night , Aria woke to find Owen asleep on the couch .
‘ Why is he sleeping here ? ‘ Aria wondered .
She fetched a blanket from the cabinet and moved to cover him .
Just as she let go , Owen’s eyes suddenly opened , and he caught her wrist .
His hair was a bit long and tousled , a few strands dangling over his forehead . The sharp alertness in his newly awakened eyes instantly melted into soft warmth when he saw her .
“ You’re awake , ” Owen murmured softly .
His voice was hoarse with sleep , carrying a lazy , deep timbre .
They were so close that his words seemed to brush by her ear .
For no reason , Aria’s heart skipped a beat .
AD
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