Chapter 251

Phoebe saw the light rekindle in Claire’s eyes, which had once been as lifeless as a stagnant pool of water. A faint smile spread across Phoebe’s lips.

“Give me both your and Una’s birth charts. Also, find a way to get a strand of Una’s hair. At the right moment, I’ll sever the connection between you and her. And when the time is right, I’ll turn the tables on her—forcing her to return the luck she stole from you.”

Although reclaiming the luck Claire had willingly given up would be complicated and cause some backlash for Phoebe herself, she was willing to do it. She could always recover after some time. That was why, back then, she could have taken back the luck Cain borrowed from her—but she simply hadn’t wanted to. Cain wasn’t worth the price of her own suffering.

Claire nodded. “Alright, I know my birth chart.” She then recited both her and Una’s birth charts to Phoebe. “So, my next task is to get a strand of Una’s hair, right?”

Phoebe nodded. “Yes, preferably before the public auction begins. I want to strike right when Una has used her luck to pick out the best raw jade tones—but before she actually bids on them. That way, she’ll have to watch helplessly as someone else snatches them away. Knowing she could have had them but lost them… that’ll make her truly miserable.”

Claire’s eyes lit up. “That sounds amazing!” Just hearing about it made her feel satisfied. She thought for a moment and asked, “So, if she’s already chosen the stones she wants but suddenly loses her luck and it returns to me, she’ll be hit with misfortune and end up unable to bid on them?”

Phoebe chuckled. “Exactly. See? You’re smart—just as sharp as Una, if not more. Judging by your facial features, if that so-called master hadn’t interfered when you were born, your natural path in life would have been extraordinary. You would have been far more capable than the talisman master and Stanley combined—you could have built something of your own.”

Claire had always been overshadowed and put down by her family. Aside from occasional praise from teachers for her academics, this was the first time anyone had ever recognized her potential so sincerely. She smiled. “Thank you. And after this succeeds, how can I repay you?”

Phoebe was indeed doing this to take down the people backing Una, but she had genuinely helped Claire. If she could truly start a new life and live for herself, then Phoebe would be her salvation, the light that had broken through her dark existence. She had to repay Phoebe. Phoebe smiled. “Alright. If I ever need your help in the future, you can pay me back then.”

Now was the time to give Claire encouragement. After all, only people who understood gratitude were worth helping. Claire nodded firmly. “If you ever need me, I’ll be there without hesitation.”

Phoebe took Claire’s hand, then pulled out a talisman brush from her crossbody bag, dipped it in cinnabar, and infused it with her own energy before drawing a talisman on Claire’s palm. As soon as Phoebe finished, the talisman vanished into Claire’s skin. Claire watched in astonishment.

Phoebe explained, “This talisman will protect you for the time being. It will also prevent Una from using any dark sorcery to harm you if she gets desperate.”

Claire clenched her hand into a fist. Whether it was just her imagination or not, she felt a newfound sense of security. She murmured, “Alright, thank you.” She could feel Phoebe’s kindness toward her.

12:11 AM

Chapter 251

So, she was willing to take a risk and trust her. Besides, at worst, she would just be jumping from one den of wolves into another tiger’s lair. As long as she could get her revenge, she was willing to take that risk.

Phoebe checked the time and said, “I leave first. Wait a couple of minutes before you go. Later, act like we don’t know each other. Once you get the hair, find a way to pass it to me. Let’s add each other as contacts to stay in touch.”

Claire hesitated. “Una checks my phone all the time. If we add each other, she might notice.”

Phoebe smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a solution. I’ll hack into your phone and install a hidden, anti-surveillance system. Our messages will delete themselves immediately after you read them—completely untraceable.”

Claire nodded and immediately handed over her phone. “Alright.” They added each other as contacts, but under Phoebe’s manipulation, her profile picture and details were hidden. She then taught Claire how to access the hidden chat when needed. That way, even if Una checked her phone, she wouldn’t notice anything unusual.

Afterward, Phoebe casually walked out of the room, returning to her seat as if nothing had happened. She started chatting with Maddox. A few minutes later, Claire came out as well. She sat down next to Una.

Una glanced at her. “What took you so long?”

Claire replied nonchalantly, “My stomach was upset, so I stayed a little longer.” Una discreetly tilted her head, stealing a glance at Phoebe, who was chatting with Maddox. Then she turned back to Claire and said, “Let me borrow your phone for a game. Mine’s out of battery.”

Both of them had gone to the restroom one after the other. Una was worried that Claire had secretly spoken to Phoebe or done something suspicious. Claire, as if she had nothing to hide, casually handed over her phone. Una took it and checked her messaging apps and call logs. Finding nothing unusual, and seeing Claire’s relaxed demeanor, she felt reassured.

There was no way she would allow Claire to escape her grasp. She played a round of a built-in mobile game before returning the phone to Claire. Then she closed her eyes to rest—but she wasn’t sleeping. Her attention remained on Claire.

Claire had battled Una for years and knew how cautious and suspicious she was. She also knew that Una had noticed her following Phoebe to the restroom earlier. So, to completely erase Una’s doubts, she had to stay patient. She leaned back and pretended to nap, waiting for the right opportunity to take her hair.

Often, the person who understands you best is your enemy. By remaining calm, Claire managed to completely allay Una’s suspicion.

After landing at the airport, the group disembarked. This time, Una and Stanley didn’t say a word. They simply took their people and left for the hotel they had booked. Emnett and his group did the same.

After lunch and some rest at the hotel, Phoebe, Gauge, and Maddox took a separate car that had been prepared in advance and left the hotel. Their car headed toward the border. More than three hours later, Gauge pulled over on a narrow mountain road.

“This is where his last signal was sent from,” Gauge said.

Phoebe nodded. “Alright, I’ll try to use divination to find him.”