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nBrian Bell had never expected to encounter his daughter Bella in such a situation. Although he had indeed promised not to force her into marriage, the commercial landscape of New York had recently undergone significant upheaval. Evelyn’s emergence disrupted the existing business order, and the Soulmancer families from Texas seemed to be undergoing changes, increasingly getting involved in the business world.

nBecoming a Soulmancer is an extremely expensive endeavor, especially for independent Soulmancers not backed by large Soulmancer organizations. Lacking sufficient resources, they were forced to seek lost treasures in the ordinary world. Previously, due to the oversight of the 13th Bureau, these families kept a low profile.

nHowever, Evelyn’s arrival changed everything. As long as the 13th Bureau didn’t take action against Evelyn first, they had no legitimate reason to regulate these families.

nMeanwhile, due to the previous energy revival event, an increasing number of unaffiliated Soulmancers have emerged, attempting to find opportunities.

nBusiness magnates like Brian Bell and Anthony Carter realized that under the current circumstances, they needed the backing of a Soulmancer family.

nThis was why a meeting between Lila and Wesley had been arranged before.

nThe Carter family was in this situation, and so was the Bell family. Brian Bell had connections with one of Texas’s top five families, the Adams family. Jordan Adams, the young master of the Adams family, came to New York City for a visit and fell for Bella at first sight.

nBrian Bell and Jordan had come to the department store because Jordan wanted to buy Bella a gift. They finally decided on a watch, and Brian Bell had set aside all other business to accompany him.

nBut they hadn’t expected to run into Bella right at the entrance.

nMost importantly, Bella was arm in arm with William…

nJordan stared at the two, unable to control the surge of energy within him.

nAfter her ability enhancement the previous night, Alice’s power had become even more refined and solid. Jordan, being just a junior Soulmancer, couldn’t discern Alice’s strength at all.

nWilliam didn’t want to reveal his power either, so to Jordan, William appeared to be an ordinary person.

nAt twenty-five years old, being a junior Soulmancer, Jordan was considered a genius among the younger generation and had his own pride.

n“Bella, who is this guy?” Jordan’s eyes were filled with murderous intent as he looked at William.

nBella, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, felt uneasy under Jordan’s intense gaze and didn’t appreciate his tone. Frowning, she retorted, “Who he is, what does it have to do with you?”

nBrian turned pale upon hearing his daughter’s words. Even though the 13th Bureau always proclaimed that Soulmancers were subject to the same legal consequences as ordinary people, which ordinary person would willingly offend a Soulmancer?

nEven if they are subject to the same laws, evidence is needed!

nHow much evidence can a powerful Soulmancer leave behind after killing an ordinary person?

n“Bella!” Brian was keen on setting her up with Jordan. Even if they didn’t end up together, they certainly couldn’t afford to offend him.

n“Let’s go! We don’t need to bother with him.” Bella, not realizing whom she had offended, pulled William towards the store.

nJordan’s expression darkened. His fingers came together, flicking a slender steel needle, thin as a hair, towards the back of William’s head.

nIf this needle struck an ordinary person, it would instantly kill them.

nWilliam, being led by Bella into the store, seemed completely unaware.

nHowever, Alice subtly waved her finger, releasing an invisible arcane pulse that shot out and deflected the steel needle mid-air.

nA stone pillar 10 feet away suddenly burst, scattering debris and startling the nearby pedestrians who hurriedly dodged for cover.

n“Hmm?!” Jordan’s brow furrowed as his gaze landed on Alice, realizing he couldn’t see through her strength.

nThis essentially meant that Alice’s power surpassed his.

nMoreover, the release of that arcane pulse suggested significant strength.

nAlice glared fiercely at him. How dare he make a move on her master without her consent?

n“Interesting!” Jordan sneered. “Mr. Bell, it seems you’ve got some formidable people backing you up!”

nBrian had no idea what had just happened, but Jordan’s words made him uneasy.

n“This…” Brian looked at the shattered stone pillar, momentarily at a loss for words.

nWas this the power of a Soulmancer?

nWhat would be the outcome if such force was used on a person?

nBella, noticing the exploded pillar, was also startled. She turned to look at Jordan, thinking he was responsible. Was it a threat?

nWilliam had revealed to her before that he was also a Soulmancer…

n“Let’s go, weren’t we here to shop?” William remained calm, not even looking back as he continued into the store.

nNowadays, these young people are so rash, always ready to put someone in mortal danger.William’s temper had mellowed significantly over the years,otherwise, Jordan might not have been left with even a body to be found.

nWhat pleased him was that the way Alice released the arcane pulse just now showed a bit of mid-level Soulmancer’s strength.

nOther mid-level Soulmancers could fly or pass through walls, almost god-like as per the rumors. Alice, at her mid-level Soulmancer status, struggling even with swordplay, was a bit embarrassing.

nWilliam even considered teaching her how to fly someday, something a mid-level Soulmancer should be able to do easily.

nSeeing Jordan make no further moves, Bella followed William into the store.

n“I’ll buy you a watch,” Alice quickly offered. As his disciple, she hadn’t yet given him a gift; how could another woman step in to do so?

nBella was clearly using William as a shield. If both he and she were ordinary people, William could have been dead by now.

n“Sure.” Once inside the store, William also noticed the prices of the watches – all quite expensive.

nThey were just devices for telling time, yet they could sell for tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars, almost overturning William’s understanding of pricing.

nBella didn’t insist on buying, as giving such an expensive gift had a different significance. If she offered, knowing William’s temperament, he might not even accept it.

nJust like when William worked at the bar before.

nHearing William agree, Alice quickly started selecting a watch for him.

nShe looked around and, without considering the price, picked a pair of couple’s watches. This set was valued at $120,000, certainly not cheap.

n“These two watches, bring them out for us to try!” Alice couldn’t help but beam with joy upon seeing the couple’s watches. Excluding the belt and wallet she had just bought, wouldn’t this be the first gift she was giving William? 𝘦𝑎.𝒸ℴ

nAnd most importantly, they were couple’s watches. Hehehe!

n“Miss, you have excellent taste. This pair is…” The salesperson, noticing Alice and Bella’s attire, knew they were wealthy and was about to compliment their choice.

n“Just swipe the card, no need to say anything else.” Alice really feared the salesperson might mention that the watches were a couple’s set. Would William still want them if he knew?

n“Miss, are you sure you want this pair of watches?” The salesperson, accustomed to dealing with the wealthy in such a store, had rarely seen someone as straightforward as Alice.

n“Yes! It’s this pair! And you don’t need to introduce them.” Alice’s heart was almost in her throat. She figured William, being somewhat old-fashioned, probably didn’t even know the significance of couple’s watches.

nNew novel chapters are published on .

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