Ghost Exorciser: The Oust Fake Heiress Strikes-Chapter 182: Bloodspire Mountain

Lucian skimmed through the stack of documents spread across his desk, the soft rustling of paper mixing with the faint hum of the air purifier at the corner of his office.

The scent of cedarwood polish lingered in the room, grounding his mind despite the chaos his decisions were brewing.

Behind him, Hector shifted uncomfortably. Lucian didn’t need to look up to sense the tension vibrating off his assistant.

"Are you... truly planning to buy Bloodspire Mountain?" Hector’s voice trembled despite his attempts to keep it steady.

Lucian did not respond immediately. He continued reading as though reviewing the budget allocations was far more important than Hector’s growing panic.

Hector swallowed hard.

"That mountain has been explored by countless experts. Every mineral found so far is worthless. Except that strange stone... LotusAether, or whatever name they decided to give it, and even that stone has absolutely no use. No wealthy family has ever bothered bidding for it."

Lucian finally lifted his gaze. His expression held its usual unreadable calm.

"It contains Lotus Aether."

Hector pressed his fingers against his temple as if massaging away a migraine. His frustration and confusion were palpable.

"Just because it has Lotus Ether, it doesn’t magically gain value. That stone is... useless. Completely useless. It cannot be forged, cannot be melted, cannot conduct energy, and cannot even be used decoratively. Why would you invest everything you have left into something the world has already dismissed?"

Lucian leaned back slightly, his fingers steepling together. The soft glint in his eyes was enough to chill Hector’s spine.

He spoke quietly. "I’m buying it because I want it."

Hector almost groaned, but held on because of his professionalism.

"Lucian, you’re planning to spend a hundred million dollars. A hundred million. Sir, that is your entire publicly visible fortune. Your uncle has already restricted every financial channel you could use. He ensured you only had this amount left after years of controlling your accounts. If this investment fails, he will suspect you the moment you take out even a dollar beyond his expected limit."

Lucian chuckled softly, and the sound held a strange, sharp edge.

"Hector, you worry too much. My uncle already suspects me of having a trump card. He is simply waiting to see what I do with it."

Hector stared at him helplessly.

"Sir... are you doing this because you think this stone will be useful someday? Or because you received some kind of news?"

Lucian’s finger tapped once on the file, a quiet sound that carried weight.

"Both. What about the AI company?"

Hector sighed.

"The AI division reports progress. Minor progress, but real enough to draw attention. They believe artificial intelligence will fill gaps in weapon design that even patentum paper fails to account for."

Lucian nodded in approval.

"Good. And what of the other company I asked you to establish?"

Hector hesitated.

Lucian’s gaze sharpened. "Speak."

"The materials required for the product... don’t exist." Hector finally admitted, sounding defeated.

"Not here. Not in this world, apparently. The formula you purchased contains ingredients... stones and herbs, that no researcher has ever documented. We can’t acquire any of them. Honestly, it feels like either the formula is flawed... or it belongs to a world we haven’t discovered yet."

Lucian didn’t look surprised.

Instead, memories flickered across his eyes.

The night he bought the formula. The desperate divinator who sold it for a fraction of its worth. The prophecy that accompanied it.

In fact, the formula was something that Lucian might not have been able to afford if it weren’t for the profits he had earned from his investments.

Even then... it was worth $10 billion, and for Lucian able to buy the formula for $1 billion was a huge bargain.

He bought it for one-tenth only because the divinator needed funds to survive. Whether the world recognizes its materials or not, it will not be wrong.

Hector stared at him like Lucian had just declared he planned to buy the moon.

Lucian waved his hand. "You may leave."

Hector nodded numbly and walked toward the door. His hand had just touched the handle when Lucian spoke again.

"Remind every department that the quarterly report meeting is today. They’ve had three weeks. I will not tolerate sloppy presentations."

Hector quickly agreed and stepped out, leaving Lucian alone.

Silence settled over the office.

Lucian’s eyes narrowed, his thoughts drifting back to Lana. ’She reached Yellow Rank... but she didn’t transform. Why?’

Every breakthrough should have teleported the silver kitten to his side. That was the rule. That was what always happened.

Yet during her Yellow Rank advancement... nothing.

The only proof he had was her expression, those fleeting flashes of panic whenever he hinted at knowing the truth.

And the DNA. The impossible match.

’She is the silver kitten. No doubt remains.’

But then... Why the missing transformation?

Lucian leaned back, closing his eyes for a brief moment as he sifted through every memory he possessed.

The room grew quiet...

Until a soft whoosh disturbed the air, gentle, like a breeze passing through an open window.

His eyes snapped open.

A small, warm weight landed on his lap with a muted thump.

Lucian lowered his gaze.

A silver kitten sat there, fluffy fur shimmering like moonlit frost. She blinked up at him with enormous crystal-blue eyes... eyes brighter and clearer than ever before, sparkling as if the night sky had been trapped within them.

The kitten looked around, visibly confused, tiny ears twitching.

Then she looked at him.

Recognition dawned in those eyes, followed by indignation, followed by something soft and unmistakably familiar.

Lucian exhaled slowly, the corner of his lips lifting in a faint, dangerous smile.

"So," he murmured, voice low enough that only she could hear, "you finally decided to show yourself."

The silver kitten froze, her fluffy tail puffing up like a startled pompom.

She looked malnourished again, its tiny ribs faintly visible beneath the dull sheen of its fur.

Lucian couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle the moment his gaze fell on her trembling little body.