[Chapter 75: The Sexiest Woman in the World]
Through the Spiritual Perception Technique, a dark shroud of black energy cloaked the woman's face, turning the space between her eyebrows pitch black. This was pure Death energy. When Death energy covers someone's face, it's a death sentence.
Most people, upon hearing they were about to die, would rage uncontrollably. But this young woman only seemed mildly stunned, her complexion paling slightly, yet showing no anger. Instead, a glimmer of excitement sparked in her eyes, as if she had found a lifeline.
She removed her sunglasses and asked hopefully, "Mr. Cross, if you can see that I'm about to die, then you can save me, right?"
"Please, have a seat first." Daniel motioned toward the guest sofa.
She settled into the chair, and Daniel asked, "What should I call you?"
"Megan Fox. Just Megan is fine," she replied.
Daniel had recognized her the moment she walked in. After all, she would eventually become the female lead of Transformers, captivating many, especially the scene where Megan Fox was bending over to fix the car on a hot sweaty day.
Of course, that was in the future.
At this moment, however, she was still a hopeful outsider in Hollywood. Megan had only played minor roles in some TV shows, with a small movie credit this year that Daniel couldn't quite recall. She was just 18 but, having started as a model, she carried herself with an unusual poise and maturity for her age.
Unfortunately, aside from Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, she hadn't broken through to the A-list. She failed to maintain even B-list status, slowly slipping toward the ranks of the C-list.
Surprisingly, her romantic life was scandal-free. Only two public relationships marked her past -- a rarity in Hollywood.
...
Daniel studied the young woman sitting before him -- no, she was more like a young goddess with sun-kissed skin -- and asked carefully, "Have you recently got in contact with any tainted forces?"
Megan shook her head, "No."
"Have you played any spiritual games? Or shown disrespect toward any mysterious entities?"
Again, no.
"Moved into a new house, maybe? Any strange happenings?"
"No."
Daniel listed a few more potential causes: "Have you visited any notorious haunted sites? Places people avoid?"
At 18, many would be tempted by such dares, but Megan denied it firmly.
"This is strange," Daniel murmured, puzzled. "Ghosts and spirits don't just latch onto someone for no reason. Usually, it's triggered by some event or condition."
He paused and asked, "Has anyone close to you passed away recently?"
Megan's face shifted, a shadow clouding her expression. "Yes... everyone."
"Everyone?"
She nodded, voice barely steady. "Four people. They were all friends from my past. Their deaths were different -- a car accident, jumping from a building, hanging... one shot herself." Her breath caught as she continued. "All the deaths seemed like suicide or accidents, but I know they weren't..."
Fear grew with every word; Daniel poured her a cup of warm water. After taking a sip, she felt a little steadier.
"Mr. Cross, please save me. I don't want to die."
Daniel leaned in. "There must be a connection between all of you. Something common."
"We all received the same strange phone call," Megan replied.
Daniel's heart tightened. "What was in the call?"
Her face paled. Even recalling the memory made her tense.
"It was a time announced on the line, with static... then a scream. The call came from my own number."
Daniel knew exactly what Megan was facing.
This was One Missed Call.
The story was clear: a scheming ghost who, after death, killed her own family before turning the phone into a deadly medium. Anyone receiving her call, the person was cursed to die at the announced time, and nothing could halt the curse unless the ghost herself was destroyed.
No wonder Megan was veiled in Death energy, every second counting down.
...
Daniel's face hardened. This was no simple spirit.
"Did you get the call too?" he asked.
"Yes."
"What time?"
"Tomorrow night at 9:17 PM," Megan whispered, voice shaking.
"Not much time left," Daniel confirmed.
Panic rose in Megan. "Mr. Cross... you can save me, right?"
He thought for a moment. "For $100,000, I can save you."
Megan hesitated only briefly before biting her lip. "Okay. One hundred thousand."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect you to have that kind of cash."
"I made some money modeling, and last year I filmed Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, where I played the third lead. I still have over a hundred grand. After paying you, not much will be left."
Daniel nodded. "Twenty thousand now as an advance. The rest after you're safe. If I fail, the advance is refundable."
Megan's eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm used to saying that," Daniel added with a smirk. "Don't worry. I'll do everything to save you."
"I believe you," she said, pulling a checkbook from her bag. "Everyone says you're the best exorcist around."
Curious, Daniel asked, "How did you hear about me?"
"Most people in Hollywood know you. Everyone has your number. I asked around, and they said you're powerful, but expensive."
Daniel hadn't expected to have such a reputation among the industry elites.
Putting away Megan's twenty-thousand-dollar check, he said, "You'll be fine for today. Come see me again tomorrow afternoon."
"No," Megan shook her head. "I'm scared. What if the spirit attacks early?"
"In my experience, that rarely happens," Daniel replied calmly.
"But nothing's guaranteed." Her voice quivered.
Daniel was momentarily silent. "What's your suggestion?"
"I'll stay with you until this is over."
"You mean... sleep with me tonight?"
"Yes." Megan nodded quickly, then shook her head. "Not that kind of sleep."
Daniel blinked, surprised. "You're actually shy?"
She flushed a soft pink on her tanned cheeks.
Megan Fox was known for her sizzling sex appeal -- some magazines even crowned her the sexiest woman in the world. Daniel thought she hardly deserved such a title -- but even so, her sudden shyness was unexpected.
Megan rolled her eyes. "I haven't been in a relationship yet. Why can't I be shy?"
Daniel's surprise deepened. "You haven't been in a relationship? So you're still..."
*****
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