Eon Ravencroft stepped into the study with ease.
Caelan Ravencroft had just finished a phone call and gestured for his sister to take a seat before turning his attention to the strange, vegetable-like concoction on his desk. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Eon, what is this...?"
Eon replied succinctly, "My way of repaying you."
Caelan: "..."
Unbeknownst to Caelan, Eon had plucked a few wild herbs from the garden, washed them, and tossed them into a blender. The result was this mysterious green liquid now sitting in front of him.
Not wanting to disappoint his sister, Caelan, ever the responsible older brother, picked up the glass and took a sip, despite the unsettling shade of green. The taste was... indescribable.
But Caelan, ever composed, showed no reaction and even managed to compliment it. "It's... not bad."
This time, it was Eon who fell silent. As a master alchemist in her past life, she knew exactly how vile the concoction tasted. She chose not to comment on her brother's blatant lie, but inwardly, she marked him as a good person—someone who would endure such torture just to spare her feelings. She decided to offer some encouragement.
"Good. Keep going."
"Believe in yourself. You can finish it."
Caelan: "..."
For the first time, Caelan truly understood the meaning of the phrase "you reap what you sow." Not wanting to let his sister down, he steeled himself and drank the entire glass without flinching.
Having completed her "repayment," Eon turned to leave, but Caelan stopped her. He looked hesitant, weighing his words carefully before speaking. "Eon, there's something I need to tell you."
Eon sat back down, ready to listen.
Caelan began, "Sera has a fiancé."
Eon raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Caelan continued, "He's the second son of the Drayden family. The engagement was arranged when Mother was pregnant with you. But then..."
Then, due to a mix-up at the hospital, Sera became the one engaged to Julian Drayden. With the verbal agreement between the parents, the two naturally grew closer.
Now that Eon had returned, the family had decided to keep the news of the mix-up private for the time being, planning to announce it at a formal banquet once Eon had settled in. However, Sera had already informed Darian, and the phone call Caelan had just taken was from him. Julian had made it clear that he had no intention of changing his fiancée—Sera was the only one he would marry.
Caelan explained the situation as delicately as possible, but Eon remained unfazed. She had always been indifferent to the world and its affairs.
Still, sensing her brother's concern and pity, she offered a brief response. "As I said before, I have no interest in taking what belongs to others—including a fiancé. So, I wish them well."
Caelan studied his sister. Her words were sincere, straightforward, and even magnanimous. It pained him to think of the life she had led—growing up in a family that favored sons over daughters, enduring hardships she should never have faced.
He wanted to reach out and comfort her, perhaps even ruffle her hair, but he held back, unsure if she would welcome such affection so soon after their reunion.
Instead, he said, "Don't worry, Eon. I'll find you a better match than Julian Drayden."
Eon's lips twitched, and the words she had repeated countless times in her past life slipped out. "No need. As an alchemist, my true companions are my cauldron and herbs, just as a swordsman's companion is his blade."
But then she paused, her brow furrowing. "Wait, what did you say Sera's fiancé's name was?"
Caelan was puzzled by her sudden interest but answered nonetheless. "Julian Drayden. Why? Have you heard of him?"
The study fell silent for a moment before Eon tentatively asked, "Does he... have a brother or relative named Julian Drayden?"
Eon asked this with a sense of disbelief, convinced that her sudden thought was absurd. But her brother's response shocked her.
Caelan nodded. "Yes. Julian's older brother is Lucian Drayden. He's quite famous—you can find news about him everywhere. Here, let me show you."
As he spoke, Caelan picked up the tablet on his desk and typed "Lucian Drayden" into the search bar. A page with Lucian's profile appeared almost instantly.
Lucian Drayden, 27. Chairman of Drayden Group. Entrepreneur. Philanthropist. Ranked among the world's most influential business leaders. Listed on the 3725 Global Rich List...
The accolades were impressive, but what caught Eon's attention was the man's appearance.
Lucian was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. His peach-blossom eyes were gentle, almost deceptively so, giving the impression of a warm and refined gentleman.
But this gentle gaze was at odds with the rest of his face—sharp, handsome, and almost devilishly charming. He looked more like a fallen angel than a business magnate.
Eon's heart sank. This man, with his striking resemblance to the swordsman she had known in her past life, was none other than the top disciple of the righteous sect.
Eon: "..."
She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and then looked at Caelan. "Brother, can you contact him? I mean, Lucian Drayden."
Caelan was curious about her sudden interest but decided not to pry. He pointed to a number listed under Lucian's profile. "This is his private number. If you want to reach him, you can call him directly. He'll answer."
Eon was baffled. "What kind of CEO just hands out his private number like that? Has he changed, or has the world?"
Caelan explained, "We have some connections. He told me he did it to find someone, but he never said who. Over the years, he's received countless calls, but the person he's looking for remains a mystery."
Eon had a strong feeling that the person Lucian was searching for was her.
Eon left Caelan's study, borrowing his tablet on the way out.
In the heart of the city, in a luxurious Neo-Gothic Château known as "Celestial Heights," Lucian Drayden sat by a tranquil lake, fishing. The autumn sun cast a golden glow over the water, and the leaves of the ginkgo trees rustled softly in the breeze.
Dressed in a hospital gown and seated in a wheelchair, Lucian held a fishing rod with a serene expression. To anyone passing by, he looked like a man at peace, patiently waiting for a catch.
But his assistant, Liam Windsworth, knew better. The fishing line had no bait, and the lake was empty.
"Sir, the new medication from America might help improve your condition. Are you sure you don't want to consider it?" Liam asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Lucian smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the water. "No need. Life and death are natural cycles. I prefer to let things take their course."
Liam sighed, unsure how to respond. His boss had always been proactive about his health, but in recent years, he had grown increasingly indifferent, as if he had nothing left to live for.
Just then, Lucian's phone vibrated on the small table beside him. The screen displayed an unknown number.
Without hesitation, Lucian picked up the call, his voice calm and smooth. "Hello, who is this?"
"Jerk." The voice on the other end was light, almost playful, but the word was delivered with absolute certainty.
The fishing rod slipped from Lucian's hand and fell into the lake with a soft splash, sending ripples across the still water.