Chapter 757: It’s Over

Reuben asked cautiously, “Sir, shall we return to the old house?”

Alpha pursed his thin lips. “Where is the old lady? Is she still at the temple?”

“Sir, Miss Hart and Lady Anabelle collected her from the temple upon arriving in Imperial. They should be at the old house now.”

Mrs. Samantha was unaware of Bounty’s predicament. Olive’s personal welcome, however, suggested no intention to conceal anything. The old lady was overwhelmed, yet Olive’s bold actions seemed to initiate a significant event. She had gathered the Augustine family, and a dramatic confrontation was about to unfold.

“Sir, the old lady has always adored Miss Hart, and she possesses considerable medical skill. I don’t believe her health is at risk. In fact, Miss Hart’s instructions to return to the old house suggest a plan. She possesses a pure heart and clear mind; nothing is beyond her capabilities. Sir, let us return to the old house,” Reuben urged. Alpha remained stoic. The old lady’s deep affection for Olive was undeniable; even Reuben, his long-time companion, found Olive convincing. His only concern was the persuasive power of Olive’s words.

Alpha, equally curious, conceded. “Then let’s return to the old house. I want to see what Olive will do this time.”

“Yes, sir.”

The luxury car was parked on the Augustine family’s old house lawn. Reuben respectfully opened the back door. “We’re here, sir.”

Alpha exited the vehicle. Standing beside it, he gazed at the Augustine family’s old house. Years had blurred, his mind momentarily adrift. He recalled the night he brought Anabelle home, on Bounty’s birthday.

Alpha strode towards the old mansion’s gate, pushing it open with a resounding clang. Inside, the lights were ablaze.

He was startled. They hadn’t visited the old house in years; they expected it to be cold and deserted, but it wasn’t. Everything remained exactly as he remembered: the tea table was pristine, the lighting warm and inviting.

Laughter, both familiar and distant, reached his ears.

Alpha entered, stood in the living room, and turned towards the dining room. His pupils constricted. The dining room was full; Mrs. Samantha, Anabelle, Bounty, and Rory were all present.

Mrs. Samantha raised her glass of red wine, gazing lovingly at Bounty. “Bounty, happy birthday. You’re a year older.”

Bounty smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Mom.”

Alpha observed, his sharp gaze quickly noting Bounty’s protruding belly—she was more than nine months pregnant. Time had reversed; it was thirty years ago, the same night, the same scene, Bounty’s birthday, everyone present except him.

“Jingle—”

A bell chimed, the sound strangely pleasant, almost hypnotic. Anabelle frowned at the dinner table, clearly unwell.

“Jingle—”

The bell rang again; the scene shifted to Anabelle and Rory together, their conversation inaudible.

Alpha clenched his hands, wanting to move, but his legs felt heavy, immobile. Anabelle ascended the stairs; her face was pale, her eyes vacant, her movements mechanical, as if controlled.

“Jingle—”

The bell’s chime was followed by a shout! Alpha saw Bounty, nine months pregnant, walking towards the stairs—the very steps where she had fallen years ago.

After all these years, reliving this scene, his eyes burned, the blue veins on his forehead throbbing. He shouted, “Bounty, that’s dangerous!”

He wanted to intervene, but a small hand grasped his sleeve. He turned to see Olive’s delicate face.

She wore a beautiful dress, her eyes bright. In her hand, she held a small red bell—the source of the chimes he’d heard upon entering.

He began to speak, but Olive smiled, moving her hand. The bell’s melodious chime echoed again.

“No!”

Alpha saw Bounty reach the top of the stairs, trip, and fall. Blood blossomed, spreading rapidly.

He gasped, tears welling, and struggled towards her. He knelt, reaching out, but his touch met nothing; Bounty, and the scene, vanished.

Everything was an illusion. Alpha’s hands remained suspended. Olive approached, her skirt gracefully sweeping the carpet. Holding the small red bell, her hands clasped behind her back, she spoke in a calm, gentle voice. “Uncle Augustine, it’s over.”

Alpha rose to see Mrs. Samantha, Anabelle, and Rory emerge, the latter pushing a still-unconscious Bounty. Everyone was present.

Alpha’s intense gaze fixed on the red bell. “What is this?”

“This is the red demon bell of the mermaid tribe. It controls the human heart. During Aunt Bounty’s birthday, Aunt Anabelle, Uncle Rory, and Aunt Bounty were all controlled. That night, sadness consumed everything, plunging the Augustine family into darkness for thirty years. This cycle of love and hate buried everything; no one was spared,” Olive explained softly.

“The truth is revealed. It began with the devil’s bell, and now it ends with it,” she concluded.

Mrs. Samantha’s eyes were red, her voice choked with emotion as she took Olive’s hand. “Olive, what is the feud between the Augustine family and the mermaid clan? Why did they harm us thirty years ago?”