Since the broadcast of this episode of Mysterious Files, the doubts about Linen on the Internet had gradually disappeared.
There was no way around it— even the leader of the doubting team, Professor Elvin Loggins, had defected.
He even took the initiative to stand before reporters and media to announce that Linen was a trustworthy psychic.
In that case, what was the point of the doubting team anymore?
The doubting team vanished and was replaced by a group of people who admired and worshipped Linen.
After all, in Europe and the United States— places that are actually very "superstitious"— Linen, a confirmed psychic, was the first of his kind!
In the East Coast studio—
"Huh…"
After a long sigh of relief, Linen returned to his seat and drank the ice water.
"Feeling the people's enthusiasm?"
Seeing Linen's relieved expression, Barbara smiled and poured him another glass.
"From the moment we opened the door this morning until now— just two hours— more than three hundred people have enthusiastically asked if they could take a picture with me."
"This is more tiring than exorcising spirits ten times!"
Hearing Linen's exhausted tone, Barbara smiled even brighter. "But in just two hours, our studio's turnover has already exceeded 200,000 today!"
"To be honest, I kinda want you to come in every day now."
"Please spare me!"
Leaning back in his chair, Linen shook his head. "This is the first time I've realized that being too popular is also exhausting."
"By the way, where's Jessica?"
"Today is her father's birthday, so she went out to buy him a gift."
Sitting in front of Linen's desk, Barbara took off her shoes and rested her black-stockinged legs on Linen's lap. "The studio's dividends over the past two months are enough for her to buy her dad a car."
Looking at her slender legs rubbing lightly, Linen froze and stopped her movements.
"Huh?"
Seeing that Linen actually stopped her instead of enjoying it like before, a trace of surprise flashed in Barbara's eyes. "Are you worried about Miranda and Emma downstairs? Don't worry, they won't come up~"
"I'm not worried about that. Someone came to see me."
Pointing outside, Linen replied.
Hearing that, Barbara got down from the desk and walked to the window. "Tsk, they really came at the wrong time."
"But that lady with the long burgundy hair is pretty. Have you slept with her?"
Seeing Linen flip her off, Barbara laughed happily. "I'm going downstairs. I won't bother you!"
Blinking playfully, she left his office.
A few minutes later—
"The office is nicely decorated."
Looking around, Natasha praised.
"Thank you. What would you like to drink?"
"Coffee."
Hearing her answer, Linen turned toward Jessica Drew. "Ma'am, what about you?"
"No thanks."
She waved her hand politely.
Standing up and pouring Natasha a fresh cup, Linen asked, "Natasha, what did you come here to ask me?"
"If it's a commission, forget it. I'm going back to school the day after tomorrow. I don't have time to handle the kinds of problems even your S.H.I.E.L.D. struggles with."
Although the girl who came with Natasha seemed capable…
Linen simply assumed she was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
After all, the organization was massive. It wasn't strange for some agents to have abilities.
"Linen, I'm not the one looking for you this time— she is."
Taking a sip, Natasha set down the cup. "Her name is Jessica Drew. She saw the stone Professor Elvin Loggins gave you last night, so she came to find you."
After Natasha finished the introduction, Jessica immediately spoke.
"Mr. Linen, I don't know if you're aware of what that stone is or what it does, but I've seen one before."
"The Contract Stone— it's also a contract trap. Anyone holding it can sign a contract with Satanish, one of the lords of the Hell Dimension."
Nodding, Linen said, "Yes. With the Contract Stone, you can obtain any ability, knowledge, wealth, fame— anything— from Satanish."
"But in exchange, Satanish will take the contractor's soul. Within a year of signing, the person becomes Satanish's puppet."
Seeing that Linen understood, Jessica sighed in relief. "Good. I thought you had no idea what it was."
"Seems I was overthinking. That's expected— Mr. Linen, being known as the first psychic in Europe and America, you'd have to know these things."
As she finished speaking, Jessica suddenly stared at Linen's neck.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing her gaze, Linen asked with a smile.
"It's nothing, sorry. I just suddenly felt that your necklace… contains a very powerful energy. Something that could easily destroy everything."
Hearing that, Natasha also looked toward the necklace hidden beneath Linen's clothes.
She remembered seeing it in the theater— the symbol of Nemesis, the Lady of Vengeance— the object that formed his contract.
Seeing both women staring, Linen simply pulled the necklace into view.
The golden Self-Gem shone brilliantly in the sunlight, its radiance almost unearthly.
"Just as I thought."
After seeing the gem, Natasha sighed inwardly.
This was the curse Linen could never escape.
"Your perception is impressive, Ms. Drew."
"Just call me Jessica."
Putting the necklace back, Linen smiled. "Alright, Jessica. Your perception is sharp, but I need to remind you…"
"Your soul isn't compatible with your body right now. If you want to fully control your abilities, you need to resolve that issue soon."
Hearing this, Jessica's eyes widened. "How do you know?"
Of course her soul wasn't compatible.
She subconsciously rejected this body.
Her soul was male— but her body was female.
This made Jessica… or rather, Peter Parker's soul… struggle to accept reality.
"Of course I know. I'm a psychic."
As he spoke, Linen opened a drawer and took out a pendant.
Channeling golden magic through two fingers, he infused energy into the ornament.
Then he handed it to Jessica.
"This can only temporarily stabilize your turbulent soul."
"I don't know what happened to you, Jessica…"
"But if you want your soul and body to truly fit… you must accept your body."
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