Ghost Exorciser: The Oust Fake Heiress Strikes-Chapter 212: Kevin’s Past
As Lana reached that conclusion, she stepped outside. The faint scent of old incense and damp stone drifted through the air, clinging to the ancient pillars of the temple.
Her gaze landed on Kevin at once. He stood with his chin lifted, arrogance written plainly across his face as his eyes roamed over every corner of the temple, measuring, calculating, as though the place were nothing more than merchandise.
Lana did not need a second thought to understand his intention.
’He’s planning to sell it.’
The realization weighed heavily on her chest. She had chosen to involve herself in this matter precisely because she knew the root of this disaster traced back to her.
Kevin and Monk Anaro had not fallen into this mess by chance. Even if Kevin had been chased by gamblers, it was the Almond family who had fed them information about Monk Anaro’s temple.
That single act had dragged Anaro into danger and nearly cost him his life.
’All of this... because he helped me.’
Lana’s fingers curled slowly at her side. She had never tolerated anyone being harmed for her sake. Never.
Her eyes sharpened as she looked at Kevin again. Despite being called a public temple, Monk Anaro held forty-nine percent of the stake.
Temples here were officially registered under the government to ensure priests and celestial masters maintained them, but the city governor had long established an unspoken rule.
Each appointed priest would hold forty-nine percent ownership as compensation.
Of course this move ties the preist with temple, making them think 10 times before they take any action.
From the looks of it, Kevin was preparing to sell that very share.
’How could I let him succeed?’
A faint, dangerous smile tugged at her lips as she stepped forward, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor.
"Kneel."
Her voice was calm, yet it sliced through the air like a blade.
Kevin stiffened. The moment he sensed Lana’s presence, his pupils expanded in fear.
Unlike before, when he had dropped to his knees without resistance, hesitation flickered across his face. His thoughts raced wildly.
’That old foggy must have begged her already. She won’t force me this time. Kneeling... that’s impossible.’
He straightened his back, forcing a brave front, lips parting as though to argue...
Lana lifted her hand.
The world seemed to freeze.
She had no interest in hearing excuses, nor did she care to unravel his tangled thoughts.
The next instant, Kevin’s legs buckled on their own, and he crashed down onto his knees with a dull thud. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Pain bloomed inside his body without warning, familiar and merciless. It crawled through his limbs, gnawing at his bones, making his breath hitch as cold sweat soaked his back.
"Stop...please! I’ll listen! I’ll do whatever you want... just stop!"
His voice cracked, desperation spilling out with every word.
Lana watched him quietly, her gaze unreadable. A heartbeat later, the torment vanished, leaving Kevin trembling on the ground, gasping like a fish dragged ashore.
"How much debt have you accumulated?"
Her tone remained even, almost gentle.
Kevin turned his head away, eyes darting around the courtyard as though avoiding her gaze could erase reality itself. Silence stretched, thick and suffocating.
’If I don’t say it... maybe it won’t exist.’
"If you prefer, we can revisit that pain."
Her voice dropped a fraction, cold enough to send a shiver through his spine.
Fear shattered his resolve.
"Almost... one hundred million dollars."
The words fell heavily between them.
For a fleeting moment, Lana felt a dull ache in her chest. She exhaled slowly, as if steadying herself.
’So this is the child Anaro raised...’
It did not matter anymore. She would correct what had gone wrong.
A soft laugh escaped her lips, devoid of warmth. She looked down at Kevin, eyes sharp.
"Then repay it yourself. Do not involve Monk Anaro."
Kevin’s head snapped up, disbelief flooding his face.
"How? How am I supposed to repay one hundred million? I don’t even have a job!"
Her laughter rang clearer this time, tinged with mockery.
"Did you not consider that question when you were drowning yourself in debt?"
Kevin clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath his fear.
"He should repay it! Monk Anaro owes me! He has to give me money!"
Lana’s eyes narrowed, the air around her turning faintly oppressive.
"In this world," her voice resonated coldly, "no one owes anything to anyone."
Kevin sneered, bitterness twisting his expression.
"You only say that because you think he’s innocent. You know nothing. My father died saving Monk Anaro."
Lana froze.
The temple seemed to dim as her vision shifted. Grey and white hues swirled faintly around Kevin, intertwining in a way that made her frown.
’White... and yet so much grey?’
The moment her sight pierced deeper, understanding dawned.
Kevin had not always been like this.
He once came from a warm family. A kind mother. A responsible father. A younger brother whose laughter had filled their home until illness struck. His brother’s heart condition worsened by the day.
They admitted him to the best hospital they could afford and even hired a healer, yet nothing worked.
Desperation drove them to seek a higher-ranked healer. The price shattered them. One billion dollars.
Kevin’s real father began taking on odd jobs, working until his hands bled. It was during those days that he met Monk Anaro.
Their paths intertwined slowly, naturally. Fate shifted again when his father awakened a talent and stepped onto the path of Taoism, becoming a celestial master.
As his rank rose, so did his income. Hope returned. His younger son’s healing finally seemed possible.
Then, everything collapsed. An unknown incident.
His father vanished.
Monk Anaro appeared with grief in his eyes, carrying news of death.
Kevin refused to believe it. He searched endlessly, clinging to denial, until footage surfaced. A single clip from a roadside camera showed the truth with brutal clarity.
In that accident...
It was his father who had pushed Monk Anaro out of harm’s way.
