[Chapter 24: Pretty Woman]
The figure stepping out of the Porsche Panamera was none other than Katherine, Douglas's recently reunited daughter. Daniel was taken by surprise to see her alone. "It's you!" he said.
Katherine, striking with her sharp features and confident figure, entered the shop and fixed her gaze on Daniel. After a long pause, she finally spoke, "I can tell you actually have some skill, unlike all those frauds. You must have seen something about me, haven't you?"
Daniel's expression remained composed. "What exactly are you referring to?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, Katherine walked over to the guest sofa opposite Daniel and sat down. "Aren't you going to offer me something to drink?"
Daniel replied, "I only have instant coffee here. I'm afraid it won't be to your taste."
Katherine smirked, "I don't mind."
"Wait a moment," Daniel said and quickly made a cup of coffee, handing it over.
Katherine took the cup but nimbly set it down almost immediately, pinching her earlobe delicately. Daniel's eyes flickered -- this Katherine couldn't even handle a bit of heat. Her resilience was weaker than he had expected.
When the coffee had cooled enough, Katherine picked it up again and took a measured sip. "Not bad."
Daniel said flatly, "The coffee's been drunk, Miss Katherine. If there's nothing else, please don't delay my business."
Katherine smiled and then asked quietly, "Do you know anything about souls?"
"That depends on what you mean," Daniel replied cautiously.
"My kitten's behavior changed suddenly. Do you know why?" she asked.
Daniel narrowed his eyes. "I'm not well-versed in pets, Miss Katherine. I can't help you. You may leave."
Daniel delivered that eviction dismissively.
Katherine didn't get angry. She stood, grabbed her purse, and walked out. Soon after, the Panamera sped away.
Daniel's gaze lingered after her departure. 'Is she here to test me?'
'Seems like it.'
'Better not come bothering me again. I don't want trouble, but if it keeps knocking on my door, I'm not going to be polite anymore.'
...
Meanwhile, the Panamera pulled into the parking lot of a high-end Hilton Hotel.
Inside a luxurious suite, Katherine was locked in a fierce and passionate embrace with a handsome, well-built man. Their movements were urgent and intense.
After a while, the scene quieted.
The man's hands moved gently down her smooth back. "Your body's just incredible."
Katherine shot him a playful glare. "Are you saying I was old before?"
He immediately wrapped her in a tight hug. "I didn't say that. I love you anytime."
"Think I'd buy that?" Katherine laughed, her hand sliding over his sculpted chest. "Your body's not bad either."
Seeing her grow more eager, the man stopped her hand and said sharply, "Let's talk business. How was that Exorcist? Did he see anything?"
Katherine paused, then shook her head. "Not completely sure, but his eyes were sharp. He's a real Exorcist, not some con artist."
The man's expression darkened. "What are the chances he figured you out?"
"About thirty percent," she answered thoughtfully.
"That's not low," he said. "We can't keep him alive. He'll ruin our plans."
Katherine said nothing in objection.
The man's eyes glinted with malice as he made a cutting motion through the air. "We'll make sure he never speaks again."
---
Katherine's visit had unsettled Daniel's mood, keeping him cautious.
He spent most of the day practicing -- nearly mastering the Luck-Transfer Seal. He planned to try drawing it that very evening.
Just then, a dark minivan pulled up and stopped at the entrance of Cross Hall.
A tall, broad-shouldered driver stepped out along with a middle-aged white woman who exited the passenger seat.
The woman stood waiting as the driver pressed the electric sliding door open at the rear.
First, a tall white woman wearing a fedora and sunglasses climbed out, followed by a teenage girl whose blonde hair peeked out beneath a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses that masked her eyes.
Together, they sized up the storefront. Satisfied it was the right place, they stepped inside.
The driver and bodyguard stayed silently by the side.
The middle-aged woman approached Daniel and asked politely, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Cross?"
"I am," Daniel confirmed with a nod.
Relief washed over the group.
The woman then stepped forward and extended her hand. "Mr. Cross, we need your help."
Daniel gestured toward the guest sofa. "Please have a seat."
Once seated, Daniel offered, "I only have instant coffee here. If you don't want any, that's fine."
The three women exchanged surprised glances -- it was the first time they'd encountered such blunt hospitality.
The woman in the fedora shook her head softly. The middle-aged woman replied, "No, thank you."
Daniel smiled politely, his gaze lingering briefly on the middle-aged woman before moving over to the taller woman in the fedora.
"It's you." Though she hid behind her hat and glasses, Daniel recognized her immediately.
It was Julia Roberts.
Her role in Pretty Woman had become a landmark for Hollywood romantic dramas.
But Daniel's attention quickly shifted from Julia to the teenage girl, only a few years older than ten.
His brow furrowed.
It wasn't because she was Julia's niece, Emma Roberts -- well-known in Hollywood for a notorious domestic violence incident with her boyfriend.
What caught Daniel's eye was the faint swirl of dark energy entangling around her body.
He stared at Emma steady-eyed. "Have you recently provoked a restless spirit?"
Hearing Daniel address Emma this way, Julia smiled in quiet admiration. "Mr. Cross, you really have skill. You saw right away that Emma's troubled."
Julia took off her sunglasses, revealing eyes filled with genuine relief.
At 37, she was well-preserved. But obvious crow's feet had already appeared at the corners of her eyes, especially when she smiled.
He refrained from commenting further and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Julia introduced herself again and explained the others' presence.
It turned out the middle-aged woman was her agent, Meni.
Daniel was the expert Meni had actively sought out, strongly recommending Julia and Emma come for his help.
Meni, visibly pleased that Daniel immediately recognized Emma's problem, wore a smug expression -- a silent validation of her judgment.
After Julia finished explaining why Emma had attracted malevolent forces, Daniel's eyes darkened.
"You really aren't afraid of death, are you?" he muttered.
*****
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