While in Hollywood, I used Taoist magic to quell American terrorism.

"Then I won't leave tonight."

Ivanka's voice became somewhat shrill due to fear and urgency.

But then it quickly dropped again.

With a hint of weakness and pleading rarely seen in the Dong family, he said, "Cao... stay here."

I could feel the mark burning hot.

I believe that once you leave this room, the red door will reappear.

As she spoke, she moved closer and closer to Cao Kun.

The delicate fragrance between the strands of hair, mixed with the fine sweat produced by fear, fermented within the confined space.

Cao Kun looked at her.

This woman, who wields immense power in the New York business world, is now clinging to him like a drowning person.

"The guest rooms are very large."

Seeing that Cao Kun didn't speak, Ivanka lowered her voice even further.

The tip of her nose almost touched his chin. "I can sleep on the other side of the bed, or I can sleep on the sofa."

As long as you let me see you the moment I open my eyes...

"Cao, I am your employer. You must guarantee my absolute safety."

It's a rather blunt reason, yet it carries an irresistible, sticky quality.

Cao Kun felt a wave of fatigue wash over him.

Simulating that kind of power in the spiritual world does indeed consume a great deal of the soul.

"Go take a shower."

Cao Kun released his grip, leaned against the headboard, and closed his eyes to rest. "I'm not leaving tonight."

A look of relief flashed in Ivanka's eyes as she got up and went into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Cao Kun sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the sound of water.

But in his mind, he was reviewing the strength of that red-faced demon from before.

The waters behind the Gongyang School are deeper than he imagined.

Half an hour later, Ivanka came out.

She changed into a large shirt worn by Cao Kun, her long hair half-wet and draped over her shoulders.

Instead of going to the sofa in the distance, she quietly climbed to the other side of the bed and slipped under the covers.

Cao Kun lay down fully clothed, leaving only a warm yellow wall lamp on.

In the darkness, Ivanka turned to the side, staring at Cao Kun's profile from a distance of about a foot.

"Cao?"

"Um."

"That red-faced monster... will it really come back?"

"As long as the mark is there, it will always be there."

Ivanka was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached her hand out from under the covers...

She reached out along the bed sheet and gently grasped Cao Kun's hand.

Cao Kun's hands were cold, and his palms were even slightly damp due to exhaustion of his mental energy.

But Ivanka seemed to have grasped the strongest shield in the world.

His previously tense shoulders finally relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

"Go to sleep. You'll be fine before you pay the bill," Cao Kun said with his eyes closed.

Ivanka's lips curved into a slight smile.

This was the first genuine smile she had seen in the past two weeks.

She moved closer to Cao Kun, resting her forehead on his shoulder.

Inhaling that faint fragrance, and feeling an unprecedented sense of security, I drifted off to sleep.

That night, the evening breeze in Beverly Hills was unusually gentle.

There was no knocking, no ticking of the clock, only the steady breathing of the two of them intertwined.

The next morning, sunlight bathed the carpet.

When Ivanka opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the man still lying next to her.

The suffocating feeling of being shrouded in the shadow of death completely dissipated.

Instead, there is an ambitious vitality unique to the early morning.

Good morning, Ivanka!

Cao Kun smiled and spoke.

"Good morning, Cao!" Ivanka looked into Cao Kun's eyes, unable to look away.

Cao Kun: "We should get up. I forgot to arrange your bodyguard yesterday. It seems he slept in the car all night."

Ivanka slapped her forehead: "Oh dear, I completely forgot about him."

She sat up abruptly, completely unconcerned about the large expanse of snow-white legs exposed beneath her shirt.

Take the checkbook out of the Hermès handbag.

"Swish swish—"

"This is the final payment of $90."

Ivanka placed the check on Cao Kun's chest, her eyes filled with a complex emotion.

"Master Cao, this money is just to buy your dream from last night."

As for the mark on my lower back... that's for the next big deal, right?

Cao Kun opened his eyes, picked up the check, flicked it, and a smile curved his lips.

"Of course, what I like to do most is big business."

Ivanka smiled, and with that smile, she regained her composure and confidence.

She leaned down and left a very light, yet provocative kiss on Cao Kun's cheek.

"Then I'll be in NY, waiting for your quote."

Cao Kun straightened up and called out to Ivanka, who was about to head to the restroom.

"Wait a moment."

Ivanka stopped and turned to look at him. "Is there anything else?"

Cao Kun flipped his hand, and several talismans and a wooden bracelet appeared in his hand.

"Take these with you." Cao Kun gestured for her to come over.

Ivanka walked back to the bedside and curiously took the talismans: "What are these?"

"Amulet." Cao Kun pointed to the bracelet: "It's made of peach wood struck by lightning."

The mark on your lower back hasn't faded yet. Until it's completely resolved, this thing can save your life.

Ivanka looked at what was in her hand and felt a surge of emotion.

She knew very well that these seemingly insignificant little things...

At times, he was far more effective than the armed bodyguard outside her door.

"Thank you, Cao."

Ivanka's eyes sparkled, and she suddenly leaned down and kissed Cao Kun on the lips again.

It was just a thank-you kiss, but Cao Kun had no intention of letting her take it back so easily.

He stretched out his long arm, grabbed the back of Ivanka's head, and with his other hand he wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her sharply into his embrace.

"Ugh—"

Ivanka gasped and stumbled back into Cao Kun's arms.

Cao Kun's kiss was domineering and direct, carrying an undeniable sense of power.

Ivanka first made a symbolic struggle twice, then her body went limp.

She wrapped her arms around Cao Kun's neck and responded enthusiastically.

Morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the two people entangled together.

The temperature in the room rose rapidly, and the air was once again filled with a thick, ambiguous atmosphere typical of adults.

"Miss! Are you awake?"

A rough shout suddenly came from downstairs.

It was the bodyguard who huddled in the car all night.

He had clearly timed it perfectly to Ivanka's wake-up time, wanting to demonstrate his diligence.

The roar was particularly jarring in the quiet villa, making the chandelier on the ceiling seem to sway.

Ivanka suddenly snapped back to reality.

She pushed Cao Kun away like a startled rabbit, hurriedly straightening her crumpled shirt and messy long hair.

The flush on her face hadn't faded yet, but her eyes regained their composure.

"I...I have to go." Ivanka gasped for breath, her chest heaving.

Cao Kun released his grip, leaned against the headboard, and looked at her slightly flustered appearance with a playful smile on his lips.

Ivanka took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

She went to the restroom and quickly changed out of Cao Kun's shirt.

She touched up her makeup and then put the lightning-struck peach wood bracelet on her wrist.

She then carefully put the amulets into her handbag.

She walked to the door, put her hand on the doorknob, and glanced back at Cao Kun.

"Cao, remember my phone number."

Ivanka's voice returned to its usual cool tone: "If I die in New York, it will be a loss for the Dong family."

But if it's due to your negligence, I'll be waiting for you in hell to settle the score.

Cao Kun smiled faintly: "Don't worry, I don't like doing business with dead people."

"goodbye."

Ivanka pushed open the door and stepped out, the sound of her high heels clicking rapidly and crisply on the floor.