Chapter 424: Stabbing a Knife in the Body
Amelia remained silent, weighing the merits of the deal. Elvis, without pressure, gently reminded her, “Once you miss this chance, it's gone. Living in that bar, even selling yourself won't bring in much. This world is harsh and expensive; to gain anything, you must first sacrifice something.” Amelia's loosely hanging hands clenched into fists. The man before her was the epitome of capitalism—he set the rules, she was his pawn, and she had to play by his rules. Yet, his offer was undeniably tempting. She nodded, “Okay.”
Elvis curled his thin lips. “Get ready. Jean needs a maid; I’ll get you in, then it’s up to you.” With that, he left.
Jean, having moved from Paulo’s house to a private villa, possessed a backup copy of One Snap’s recipe, stored on a small chip whose location only he knew. His confidant, Luke, approached, whispering, “Young master, everyone we sent to Paulo’s house was expelled. I heard the old master suffers daily because of Necro. He scolded Olive, and… he scolded you for being unfilial.” Luke watched Jean's face closely. Jean merely curled his lips in a contemptuous sneer. Filial piety was a foreign concept; no one had ever taught him. His upbringing had been a relentless cycle of his grandfather's pronouncements: “As long as you master poisons, the Paulo family's hope rests on you.” His childhood world was confined, a sunless space of loneliness, gloom, and dampness. His grandfather had also instilled in him that Joyce Brown and her descendants were the Paulo family’s greatest enemies. For years, he had researched antidotes to the immortal blood, seeking to eradicate Joyce Brown’s lineage. Had he done wrong? This game had begun long ago; now his grandfather wanted to stop, but how could he? Grandpa, don’t blame me for neglecting you! “Got it,” Jean replied softly.
The villa door opened, revealing Daniel. “Young master, brother, the maid has arrived. Amelia Garcia.” Jean, engrossed in his documents, didn’t look up. Luke intervened, “Daniel, what are you doing? I told you to find a maid, not… she's so young! Isn't she still in high school?” Daniel, hesitant, looked at Amelia’s beautiful face. “Bro, she's small but works hard and cooks well. Let's keep her.” Luke saw through Daniel’s intentions. “Let her work first. She can stay if she's good.”
Amelia’s apricot eyes met Jean’s. He remained seated, reading, seemingly unconcerned, leaving Luke to handle the mess. Amelia, without a word, rolled up her sleeves, heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner. The Garcia family had been bankrupt for years; Amelia and her younger brother had lived together, with her acting as both mother and caretaker. Despite her youth, she was adept at housework and cooking.
Luke reprimanded Daniel, “Daniel, what are you doing? Do you have a crush on her? How old is she? Why would you do that to such a young girl?” Daniel, a man of strong desires, especially for young women, sadly wiped his hand. “Brother, I haven’t found anyone to my liking in a long time. Please overlook it.”
Jean, outwardly calm, slowly raised his head, his blue eyes shifting from the file to Amelia’s slender figure in the kitchen. Though delicate and beautiful at eighteen, her features lacked sharpness; her face was small, framed by black apricot eyes like grape seeds, conveying a cool aloofness. She was unique, like an orchid in the breeze. Jean’s thin lips curved into a mischievous smile. He recognized Amelia—the girl who had bitten him years ago. Years later, the tooth mark remained on his arm. A strange coincidence. How could such a coincidence happen? He smirked, a dark, malevolent smile playing on his lips.
He went downstairs, intending to get water, when he heard the sounds of disrobing. In the kitchen, Daniel had forcibly embraced Amelia. “Amelia, I like you so much. I fell in love with you at first sight. Just come with me, I’ll make you incredibly happy.” In an instant, he tore her clothes. Amelia shielded herself with her arms, only to see Jean in the doorway. Daniel, pleading, held Amelia tightly. “Young master, I…”
Jean stood in the dim light, his expression unreadable. His blue eyes moved from Daniel to Amelia, a fleeting glance, before he calmly stated, “Hurry up!” He then left.
Daniel, elated, resumed his assault, throwing Amelia to the floor and removing his trousers, exclaiming, “Amelia, I've been waiting for you! It's about time!”
Jean took only two steps before a sound echoed, “Plorkk!”—the sound of a knife piercing flesh. He turned to see Amelia, a fruit knife plunged into Daniel's stomach. Blood spurted forth.
Blood stained the girl's youthful face, yet she didn't flinch, her cold, lonely almond eyes fixed on him. “Daniel!” Luke rushed in, catching the falling Daniel, frantically pressing on the wound. “Somebody, help!” His men arrived, carrying Daniel to the hospital. Soon, only Jean and Amelia remained.