Just as that thought ford, a sudden sense of danger prickled at the back of her head.
She dodged instinctively, but it was too late.
Sothing hard slamd into her skull. Pain exploded, and she crashed to the floor, blood spilling from her lips.
No one noticed. All attention was focused on Lana.
Selena coughed violently, the tallic taste of blood filling her mouth.
Fury burned in her eyes as she looked around, but there was no one in sight.
’Who dared?’ she seethed. ’Who dared to attack ?’
Suddenly, she let out a piercing scream.
The sound sliced through the hall, snapping everyone’s attention toward her.
The mont eyes turned her way, Selena’s body went limp, and she pretended to faint.
Worry rippled through the crowd.
She had done it with two motives.
First, to force the culprit into the open under everyone’s watchful gaze, ensuring she wouldn’t be attacked again.
Second, to draw sympathy... especially from Lana.
If Lana rushed over in concern, Selena’s own status would rise, and new connections would naturally follow.
Yet no one expected what happened next.
Seeing Selena collapse, Lana took the opportunity to calmly slip away from the banquet. She leaned toward Betty and spoke softly.
"I’ll et you later. I’m exhausted."
Betty nodded imdiately.
She could already tell her sister was plotting sothing, and the last thing she wanted was for Lana to get dragged into another sche.
Across the hall, Sophia frowned when she noticed Selena on the floor.
Selena was her best friend, and for a mont, she hesitated.
Should she go help Selena or continue playing her role here?
As she turned, deciding that Lana was the bigger catch anyway, her heart sank. Lana was gone. Lucian too.
They had vanished without a trace.
With everyone’s attention fixed on Selena, Sophia quickly made her decision.
She rushed over, ready to harvest so sympathy for herself as well.
anwhile, Lana and Lucian were already in the car. Lana leaned back against the seat and patted her chest, letting out a relieved breath.
"Finally," she muttered, "we’re away from those hypocrites."
Lucian glanced at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"If you hate banquets so much," he teased, "why did you even agree to co?"
Lana rolled her eyes.
"I had to give my classmates so face," she replied. "Otherwise they’d isolate and then complain that I never socialize. I’m not that free."
Lucian chuckled softly, the sound low and smooth.
"You’re overthinking it," he said.
"As long as you want it, I can make sure none of your classmates ever dare to look down on you. How can a beautiful woman like you even have to worry so much."
Lana narrowed her eyes slightly, studying his expression. "Are you flirting with ?"
Lucian’s smile deepened. "What do you think?"
For a split second, Lana felt her guard slip.
Her lips parted as if she were about to respond, but before any words could escape, there was a sharp knock against the glass window.
The sound snapped her back to reality.
Only then did she notice Mr. Crow outside.
Without hesitation, Lana told the driver, "Roll the window down."
The mont the window lowered, Mr. Crow swooped in and entered with practiced ease.
Instead of taking a seat like a normal being, he directly landed on Lana’s lap, settling there comfortably as if it were his rightful perch.
He did not even pretend otherwise, lying down lazily with his feathers spreading slightly.
Lucian’s eyes darkened at the sight.
His fingers twitched, an urge rising to pull the black crow away, but he restrained himself. ’This is infuriating,’ he thought coldly.
Mr. Crow, completely oblivious to Lucian’s inner turmoil, spoke calmly, "I got the blood you were looking for."
Lana froze. "What?"
Only then did she notice the small bottle clutched in his claw.
Inside it was dark red blood, thick and ominous.
She raised an eyebrow.
Mr. Crow smiled smugly. "I made Selena cough up blood. The mont she did, I used my psychic power to transfer it directly into this bottle."
He puffed out his chest. "Once I got it, I left imdiately."
Lana shook her head, half amused and half impressed.
"You really are smart." She took the bottle, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Lucian glanced at the blood and imdiately asked, "What is that?"
Lana did not hide it. "Goddess blood."
Her gaze sharpened. "I want to see how much of it Selena actually has to act so arrogant."
Lucian stared at the bottle for a long mont before turning to Lana. "Do you trust ?"
Lana blinked, surprised by the sudden seriousness, then nodded without hesitation.
Lucian extended his hand. "Give it to ."
Lana hesitated briefly, then turned to Mr. Crow. "Is it alright?"
Mr. Crow was stunned for a second. Then a satisfied smirk appeared on his beak.
"Do whatever you want." His tone softened slightly. "If you had handed it over without even asking , I would’ve felt wronged. But you asked."
His ego was clearly soothed.
With his consent, Lana handed the bottle to Lucian.
Lucian pocketed it calmly, his expression unreadable.
The rest of the ride passed with casual conversation, as though nothing unusual had occurred.
Once they arrived ho, Lana went straight to her room.
She sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her temples. "I don’t know why," she murmured, "but I feel really hot."
Mr. Crow imdiately grew alert.
He placed his wing against her forehead, and the mont he touched her skin, he shrieked, "Why is your forehead burning like this?"
Lana shrugged weakly. "I don’t know either."
Mr. Crow clicked his tongue. "You really pushed yourself too far this ti."
Without wasting another second, he used his psychic power and gently placed Lana onto the bed.
Lana sighed softly, too tired to resist. Sleep pulled at her consciousness, and she soon drifted off.
Mr. Crow could only seek help clumsily and soon he brought Lucian in.
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