I Read Their Tragic Fates, and My Family Reads My Mind?

At Arabella Donovan’s words, the hairs on the back of Warren Jennings and his son’s necks stood on end.

Something from a dead person? Did she mean what they thought she meant? Why on earth would Eugene have anything to do with something like that?

Before they could even process it, Arabella Donovan was already frowning in frustration.

’If that’s really the case, this is going to be a problem.’

She had learned how to exorcise evil and dispel malevolent energy, but before coming down from the mountain, she had always thought it was all just theory with no practical application.

Besides, she had spent all her time on the mountain and never had a chance to practice. Who knew if it would even work?

She had only ever heard of this so-called negative energy; this was the first time she had actually seen it.

However...

’...my master once said that all things in the world generate and overcome one another. Things of a harmful, negative nature fear a few things above all else: Magic Artifacts, Polar Energy, and... Merit.’

The Donovan family reacted instantly. Serena had mentioned before that the reason she could see things others couldn’t was because she had changed the predetermined tragic fates of several people, thereby gaining Merit.

In other words, Arabella Donovan now possessed something that this entity feared.

But this Merit was invisible and intangible. How could it be used?

Warren Jennings and his son’s hearts leaped into their throats at Arabella Donovan’s words.

Magic Artifacts, Polar Energy, and Merit all sounded so ethereal and unobtainable. Where were they supposed to find such things at a time like this? Was there... any hope for Eugene?

’Whatever. I need to find a way to touch my older cousin’s hand first.’

Touch his hand? Brandon Jennings was taken aback, not yet understanding Arabella Donovan’s intention, but Warren Jennings’s eyes gleamed as he reacted instantly.

"Brandon, bring over the gift your mother prepared for Arabella. See if she likes it."

The Donovans also instantly understood Winston Donovan’s intention and chimed in, "Your aunt is so thoughtful, preparing a birthday gift for Serena despite her busy schedule. Serena, hurry and see what your aunt got for you. See if you like it."

Arabella Donovan hadn’t expected an opportunity to present itself so quickly. She hurried forward, took the gift box from Brandon Jennings, and, as she did, feigned carelessness, making sure her hand touched the one he had that was tainted with negative energy.

Instantly, a glimmer of light was seen traveling up from the back of Brandon Jennings’s hand. In the blink of an eye, it devoured the wisp of negative energy, which vanished without a trace.

Although Brandon Jennings couldn’t see this, he tangibly felt the exhaustion and chill that pervaded his body recede the instant Arabella Donovan touched him.

In its place, a continuous warmth spread through his limbs, and as the fatigue vanished, his mind grew clearer than ever.

’It worked! It really worked!’

Arabella Donovan’s exclamation of thought and the visible change in his son happened almost simultaneously. Warren Jennings nearly lost his composure on the spot, unable to contain his excitement.

He had a feeling—his younger son could be saved!

The Donovan Family also breathed a subtle sigh of relief. A moment ago, they had almost been unable to stop themselves from speaking up to prevent it. After all, none of them understood this damned negative energy. If it could latch onto Brandon Jennings, perhaps it could latch onto their child, too.

But they also knew that if they had really spoken up to stop her, their relationship with these relatives would have been over.

Of course, the most important thing was that they could see Arabella Donovan was genuinely worried for the Jennings family and truly wanted to save them. Deep down, much like Warren Jennings and his son, they were clutching a sliver of hope that Eugene Jennings could be saved. After all, he was a child they had watched grow up.

Arabella Donovan was unaware of the inner turmoil of those around her. Seeing that the Merit she possessed could truly dispel the negative energy invigorated her, but she still felt uncertain about the situation without seeing the person in question.

’The negative energy on my older cousin is gone, but I don’t know what my second older cousin’s situation is. Is the Merit I have enough to save him? It’s all just talk until I see him in person. It looks like I’ll have to find a chance to meet this second older cousin.’

When Brandon Jennings heard that Arabella Donovan wanted to save his brother, he subconsciously took two steps forward. Just as he was about to speak, Justin Donovan cut him off.

"Uncle, Brandon, I heard you mentioning Eugene just now, and I have a slightly different take on it."

Brandon Jennings paused. "What kind of take?"

"Since the equipment at all the major hospitals can’t find anything wrong, what if it’s not an illness? One hospital might misdiagnose, but surely not all of them would, right?"

Brandon Jennings wasn’t slow; he instantly understood Justin Donovan’s intention and smoothly picked up the thread: "But if it’s not an illness, what could it be?"

"It’s possible he ran into some kind of unspeakable, unclean thing, or offended something, don’t you think? I remember when we were little, we went back to our old hometown once, and Hannah suddenly came down with a high fever and started talking nonsense for no reason. Medicine and injections didn’t help at all. In the end, Grandma had to ask the local elders, and she only got better after they burned incense and performed rituals."

Hector Donovan’s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, I remember that too! I remember Grandma said that Hannah was playing around and followed the neighbor’s kids to the back mountain. There happened to be a cemetery there, and she must have disturbed something."

Listening to the two brothers’ coordinated performance, Mr. Donovan played along, adopting a pensive expression. "That really did happen. It sounds a bit superstitious, but if they still can’t find anything, we might have to find someone to give that a try."

Warren Jennings furrowed his brow, looking troubled. "I understand what you mean, but I don’t know who to find on such short notice. As you know, there are too many charlatans and swindlers these days. Not long ago, an old woman in our neighborhood got scammed. Losing money is one thing, but I’m worried about wasting time and causing more harm."

"Isn’t that simple? If you’re looking for a master, we have one right here in the family!"

"Who?"

"Serena, of course. Serena grew up in a Sacred Temple, studying exactly this sort of thing. Since she came home, she’s already done character readings, told fortunes, and analyzed feng shui for several people, with a one-hundred-percent approval rating."

Hector Donovan said this with such pride, you’d think he was the one getting all the rave reviews.

Arabella Donovan, already used to being suddenly put on the spot, met the gazes gathering on her and offered a cryptic smile. "It’s all thanks to my lineage. My master’s ancestors were quite skilled. Though the art has become more low-key and has declined by his generation, the fundamentals haven’t been completely lost."

As if to prove her words, the originally noisy banquet hall suddenly fell silent. Everyone stared, wide-eyed with astonishment, as a snow-white pigeon flew in with some difficulty from the entrance, wobbling toward Arabella Donovan and the others.

Arabella Donovan and her family were in the middle of talking when they were startled by the sudden silence. They subconsciously turned to look and were jumped by the sight of a white figure fluttering toward them.

"What is that?"

"A carrier pigeon! It’s Master’s carrier pigeon!"

Arabella Donovan’s eyes lit up. The moment the words left her mouth, something was dropped right at her, and she instinctively reached out to catch it.

Just as the object landed in her palm, a weight settled on her shoulder.