Chapter 81

Nash pulled his shirt down, saying, "I've been sleeping all day. Check the surveillance cameras if you don't believe me!"

Lauren was speechless, stunned. Something was definitely wrong. She searched the apartment thoroughly, but couldn't find Nash's Smiling Grim Reaper outfit.

Just then, Harrison called. "The Drake Group is here for an inspection; they're ready to pay a 150 million deposit. Get back to the company immediately!"

"Alright, I'll be right there!" Lauren hung up, staring at Nash, at a loss for words. After a moment, she asked, "When do you plan to register your marriage with Hera?"

Nash shrugged. "Anytime. It depends on Mr. Lewis and Hera."

Lauren left without further comment. Despite Nash's attempts at deception, her suspicions remained firm. At the building's front desk, she asked, "Is there a problem with the surveillance?"

"Yes, but don't worry. Maintenance is working on it; it should be restored tonight."

"Thank you," Lauren replied, leaving without looking back.

Nash's claim of sleeping all day, coupled with his suggestion to check the surveillance, indicated tampering. Such a ruse would only fool a child. His secrecy regarding his Smiling Grim Reaper identity suggested compelling reasons; the fewer who knew, the better.

Back in the apartment, Nash carefully removed the fake skin from his abdomen and began stitching his wound. Without anesthesia, he painstakingly sewed eighty-one stitches in ten minutes. Gazing at the centipede-like scar, he sighed. "Years of advanced cultivation have made me neglect my body-forging techniques. I need to improve them."

A true cultivator cultivates both internal energy and physical strength. While Nash's internal energy was at its peak, his physique remained relatively weak. Had he been stronger, he wouldn't have been injured.

After tending his wound, Nash sat cross-legged, cultivating to heal.

Meanwhile, at the Hills' mansion in Jonford, Hunter complained to his grandfather about Hera's coldness towards his proposal. Gaspard Hill, dressed in traditional white attire, stroked his long white beard. "Fate has its timing. The Lewises lack power and influence; Hera is unworthy of my grandson."

The Lewises' assets barely reached $1.5 billion; they were far from a third-rate family. Gaspard believed Hunter deserved a more suitable match.

Geoffrey Hill, Hunter's father, countered, "Hunter must marry Hera. Helena Lewis is Kai Watson's girlfriend—the Watsons are incredibly powerful. Baroque's deal with the Drake Group establishes a connection with the Lees, another formidable family. The Watsons and Lees are closely tied, surpassing the other three giants, with the warden and the Skyes supporting the Lees. If Herman leverages his granddaughters' connections, the Lewises could become Jonford's sixth commercial giant!"

Gaspard pondered his son's words. Hunter grumbled, "It's all Skadi's fault! She's always interfered."

Geoffrey's expression darkened. "Skadi's grandfather is the Martial Arts Association chairman; she's troublesome."

Gaspard sneered, stroking his beard. "She's just a girl. If I intervene, she won't see the sun tomorrow."