The sound sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.

Out of the thick haze, a figure emerged.

A young man...no older than his early twenties...stumbled forward, his clothes torn and stained, his breathing ragged.

His face was pale, his lips trembling, and his eyes darted wildly as if something unseen was chasing him relentlessly.

He looked like prey being hunted.

The moment he saw the group, his eyes lit up with desperate hope.

"Help me...!"

But before he could reach them, his body jerked violently backward.

An invisible force seized him.

His legs dragged against the cracked ground, leaving faint trails as if something unseen had hooked onto him and was pulling him back into the depths of the ghost zone.

A cold chill ran down everyone’s spine.

Noah’s eyes narrowed. ’That must be him... George.’

Without hesitation, he dashed forward.

Just as George was about to be dragged away completely, Noah lunged and grabbed his leg.

The moment his hand made contact...

The pulling force faltered.

Then, as if burned or repelled, it vanished entirely.

George collapsed forward onto the ground, free.

For a moment, he simply lay there, gasping for breath.

Then, realization struck him.

He scrambled up and threw himself at Noah, clutching him tightly.

"Thank you! Thank you, mate!" he cried, his voice breaking. "Once I get out of here, I’ll repay you...I swear!"

Tears streamed down his face as he buried his head into Noah’s shoulder, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Noah stiffened slightly at the sudden contact, but he didn’t push him away.

’This... is my chance,’ he thought quietly, his gaze flickering.

Before anything else could happen, Liam rushed forward, his expression instantly shifting into one of concern.

"Are you alright, child?" he said, placing a hand on George’s shoulder as if he had been worried all along.

George frowned immediately. Without hesitation, he shoved Liam away.

Then he grabbed Noah’s hand tightly, almost desperately.

"Please... get me out of here," he said, his voice trembling.

Moments ago, when Noah had grabbed his leg, George had felt it clearly...

A warmth. A protection.

The suffocating cold and dread that had been choking him had vanished in an instant.

That single moment was enough for him to decide.

’This man... is the only one I can trust.’

Noah nodded slightly. "Stay close to me," he said.

Just as they began moving... a sudden force surged again.

This time, it struck Liam.

His body jerked backward violently, as if something had wrapped around him.

"Help...! Someone help me!" Liam shouted, his voice filled with panic.

For a brief moment, Noah hesitated.

’Why should I...?’

But the thought vanished just as quickly.

’If I abandon him now, it will be counted as betrayal...’

Clicking his tongue softly, he reached out and grabbed Liam’s hand.

"Hold on!"

With effort, he pulled him forward.

Soon, Sasha, Yasmin, and Celestial Master Li joined in, each grabbing onto one another.

The invisible force resisted for a moment... Then weakened. Then vanished.

Together, they moved quickly, not daring to stop until they finally crossed the boundary of the ghost zone.

The moment they stepped out... The oppressive weight lifted.

One by one, they collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily as sweat clung to their skin.

Meanwhile, Liam’s mind was already racing. ’I need the credit... I can’t let this slip away...’

Just as he was thinking, George suddenly spoke, his voice filled with excitement.

"From now on, Noah is my brother!" he declared. "He saved me, so I’ll definitely reward him. I’ll make sure my father rewards him properly!"

Noah let out a small chuckle. "There’s no need..."

But Liam immediately cut in.

"Yes, there’s no need for that," he said quickly. "After all, I was the one who led the mission and ensured your safety."

George frowned, clearly displeased.

"And who are you?" he asked bluntly.

Liam’s expression stiffened for a fraction of a second before he forced a smile. "I’m Noah’s superior."

George simply nodded faintly, not saying anything more, but the indifference in his eyes was obvious.

Soon, they arrived at the police station where George’s father was waiting.

The moment George stepped inside... a sharp sound echoed. Slap.

Everyone froze. George’s father had struck him across the face.

Before anyone could react, the man pulled George into a tight embrace.

Silence filled the room.

Noah stood there, stunned. ’I was told he deeply loved his son... then why...?’

But the next moment, the tycoon began scolding George harshly, his voice trembling slightly beneath the anger.

"Do you have any idea what you’ve done?!"

That was when Noah understood.

’This... is his way of caring.’

After everything was settled, the case was closed.

George’s father gave Noah a polite nod of acknowledgment, his gaze carrying a subtle hint of appreciation.

When Noah finally returned home, he saw Margaret sitting comfortably, browsing through items on her phone as usual.

In the past, he would have frowned, maybe even scolded her for spending so casually.

But today... everything felt different.

’If not for her...’

Without warning, he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her gently.

Margaret stiffened in surprise, feeling his sudden embrace.

She frowned slightly. "What’s gotten into you?"

Noah smiled faintly. "I thought I’d be gone longer," he said. "But I managed to finish early... thanks to this."

He lifted the jade amulet slightly.

Margaret’s eyes lit up instantly. "See? I told you!" she said with a proud smile.

"That amulet is from a very famous talisman shop. It’s extremely popular right now. I was lucky to get it in time."

She paused, expecting him to question the price or lecture her like before.

But instead... Noah pulled her closer.

"Thank you," he said softly.

His voice carried a sincerity she had never heard before.

Margaret blinked, caught off guard. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she lightly tapped his chest.

"Stop it... why are you being so corny all of a sudden?" she muttered, though her smile betrayed her.