Ghost Exorciser: The Oust Fake Heiress Strikes-Chapter 402: Talisman

James sat stiffly in his chair, staring blankly at the overwhelming spread in front of him.

There was too much. Far too much. His fingers curled slightly against his lap as his throat moved in a small gulp.

Lana, sitting across from him, watched quietly, her eyes soft yet observant.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "There’s... no need for this much food."

That small gulp didn’t escape her notice. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she suppressed a laugh.

"This?" she leaned back slightly, her tone light. "This is just a small compensation."

Her gaze softened. "From now on... I’ll take care of you."

Then she paused, her expression turning thoughtful.

"Why didn’t you come to me earlier?" she asked gently. "You had your grandmother’s letter... you could’ve found me."

Her eyes lingered on him. ’He could have come in my previous life too...’

James remained silent for a moment before lifting his gaze toward her.

"I saw the news," he said quietly. "About you... being called a fake daughter."

His grip tightened slightly. "You were already in trouble."

A faint pause. "I didn’t want to bother you."

His words were simple, but the meaning behind them was heavy. Even when she had been confronting the Almond family earlier, he hadn’t spoken the truth.

’He was protecting me...’

Lana’s eyes softened. ’Even when he needed help... he chose to stay silent...’

A small smile appeared on her lips. "If that’s the case... then stay here."

Her voice was gentle. "Live here."

James froze slightly. For a brief second, something flickered in his eyes. But then... he shook his head.

His fingers clenched, and he bit down lightly on his lip before speaking, his voice firm. "I want to go to the ghost zones."

His gaze hardened. "I need practical experience. I don’t plan to live... a sheltered life."

The determination in his expression was unmistakable.

Lana pressed her lips together. ’Even now... his path doesn’t change...’

She could see it clearly. Even if she had appeared in this life, the trajectory of his life remained the same.

After a moment of silence, she nodded slightly. "Fine."

Her voice was calm. "You can go."

James blinked, clearly surprised. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"But," she added, her tone leaving no room for negotiation, "you’ll stay here for at least one week."

He paused, then nodded slowly. ’...That’s it?’

A strange thought crossed his mind. ’I thought she would insist... maybe try to stop me...’

But she didn’t. ’Maybe... I really am just a burden to her...’

His gaze shifted toward her. For a brief moment, he truly looked at her.

Compared to what his nanny had described... she was even more beautiful.

Almost unreal. Like a fairy untouched by the world, her presence so ethereal that even approaching her felt intimidating.

He quickly looked away.

That night, he returned to his room and fell asleep almost instantly.

Days passed. One week slipped by quietly. James’ routine became steady, almost mechanical.

He woke up early each morning, the cool air brushing against his skin as he trained his body, pushing himself through physical exercises until sweat clung to him like a second skin.

After breakfast, he practiced survival skills then more training. Then short breaks filled with snacks and occasional television, though he rarely paid attention.

Dinner was the only time he sat across from Lana. The rest of the day passed in silence.

Before sleeping, he would train again, his body aching, his muscles screaming, yet he never stopped.

It was repetitive. It was exhausting. It was... boring. But he endured it.

’The ghost zones won’t be forgiving...I need to be ready...’

At least here... No one disturbed him. No one interfered.

For one week... he allowed himself to live like this.

On the last day, James had already packed everything.

His bag rested neatly by his side, straps tightened, every item arranged with careful precision. He stood near the entrance, his fingers brushing lightly against the handle as if grounding himself. ’It’s time...’

Just as he was about to step out... Lana appeared in front of him.

He paused. She looked... different. A little disheveled.

Her hair wasn’t as perfectly arranged as usual, a few strands falling loosely around her face, and there was a faint trace of exhaustion in her eyes, as though she hadn’t rested properly.

’Was she... in a hurry?’

James hesitated for a brief moment, but then straightened slightly.

Since she had come to see him off... he offered a small, polite smile. "I’ll be leaving now."

Before he could take another step, Lana raised her hand and stopped him. "Wait."

Her voice was calm, but there was something firm beneath it. From her sleeve, she took out a small piece of yellow paper and handed it to him.

James blinked.

The paper felt light between his fingers, but there was something unusual about it. ’A talisman...?’

His eyes widened slightly. From what he had heard, even a single exorcism talisman could cost anywhere from a hundred thousand to a million dollars.

If this really was one... he looked up at her, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "This is... too much."

But before he could finish... Everything happened too fast.

A sharp glint flashed. Lana suddenly pulled out a knife. James barely had time to react before she grabbed his hand firmly. Her grip was steady, unyielding.

"What..."

A sharp sting cut through his finger. The blade sliced across his index finger cleanly. A drop of blood welled up instantly.

Before he could even process the pain, Lana pressed his hand down, forcing the blood to fall onto the talisman.

The moment the crimson drop touched the yellow paper... It lit up.

A bright glow burst forth, illuminating the space between them, casting flickering reflections across their faces.

Then the light condensed. The paper returned to its dull appearance.

James froze. His mind went blank.

He blinked, once... twice... as if trying to wake himself from a dream.

’What... did she just do?’

He stared at Lana, his eyes silently demanding an explanation.