[Chapter 139: Success]
Just as Daniel was about to respond, Katherine's body suddenly straightened up. She looked around, dazed, then raised her hand and stared closely at it.
Frank watched nervously. Previously, Tanusha had inhabited that body. Now... Frank stared intently, opening his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"Dad!"
Suddenly, Katherine's voice rang out. She looked at Frank Douglas and exclaimed excitedly, "Dad, I did it! I switched back!"
Frank hesitated, reluctant to acknowledge her. Tanusha had called him "Dad" too, and to him, there was no way to tell for sure who was inside.
"Mr. Cross..." Frank helplessly turned to Daniel for help.
Daniel said nothing. He simply stepped over the scattered shards of mirror glass on the ground and strode over, placing his palm on the old woman's shoulder.
With the activation of his magic power, the old woman quickly regained consciousness. She looked around blankly, then raised her trembling hands, mimicking the same gesture Katherine had made moments before.
Tears suddenly streamed down her face as she opened her mouth to cry out, "No..."
The old woman's body was too weak to form complex words, but a single syllable like that was still possible. It sounded so fragile, so desperate.
"No..."
She swayed, as if ready to lunge at Daniel in a bitter fight to the death. But without any resistance from him, she collapsed to the ground herself. Her body was just too weak for such motions. Her head hit the floor, grazing some shards of broken mirror, and blood immediately began to flow.
"Hahaha..."
Katherine laughed bitterly. "Bitch, you finally know what it feels like, don't you? The utter despair. Hahaha... Dad, get someone! Bandage her up! Don't let her die like this."
"Katherine, you really switched back, my Katherine..."
Frank Douglas finally confirmed that the soul transfer had succeeded. The despair in the old woman's eyes was genuine. Katherine couldn't have faked such an expression.
Frank hugged Katherine tightly, tears streaming down his face. At this moment, he couldn't even recall how he'd endured the last few months. His business was suffering a massive blow. He had promised countless favors to rally support. But having Katherine back made it all worthwhile.
Katherine was crying too. At her lowest point, her father had never given up on her. He had saved her. That alone warmed her cold, desperate heart.
Then, Katherine let go of Frank Douglas, stood up, and embraced Daniel tightly.
"Thank you, Mr. Cross. Thank you for everything you've done for me. I will never forget it."
Frank felt a twinge of jealousy watching his daughter thank someone else so much. He saw Daniel pat Katherine's back, saying, "You should thank me, yes. But your father has sacrificed far more for you. He's the one you should truly thank."
Hearing that, Frank felt deeply comforted.
"Of course."
Katherine hugged her father once more. "Thank you, Dad, the most important person in my life."
Frank beamed. "To save you, I'm willing to pay any price."
As father and daughter shared that warm, touching moment, Daniel suddenly let out a cold snort.
Then came the sharp sound of glass breaking.
They turned toward the old woman, who was releasing her grip on her neck. The scattered mirror shards on the ground were still bouncing.
They realized immediately: the old woman had just tried to commit suicide with a piece of broken mirror.
"Ah..."
She roared and grabbed another shard, plunging it toward her neck again. But her movements were slow.
Daniel waved his hand, sending a burst of energy that caused her to collapse and lose consciousness.
"Let's move somewhere else. It's too dangerous here," Daniel said.
Frank and Katherine agreed without hesitation. They stepped out of the large area littered with mirror shards.
Daniel followed, picking up the old woman as they left the room together.
...
After placing Tanusha in the room she'd previously occupied, Katherine personally strapped her into a straitjacket and fitted her with a bite guard.
As she surveyed the scene, a joyful smile played on Katherine's lips.
But moments later, the smile froze. She clutched her head, screamed, "Ah!" and collapsed to the floor.
Frank hurried to support her, anxiety clear in his voice. "What's wrong, Katherine?"
He turned to Daniel. "Mr. Cross, what's going on?"
Daniel answered calmly, "It's nothing serious. Switching souls again takes a heavy toll. This is her second soul transfer, so the damage is worse. Headaches and dizziness are normal."
Frank asked eagerly, "Will that elixir you gave her before help?"
Daniel nodded. "Of course."
He took out a soul-condensing elixir and pressed it into Katherine's mouth.
Her cries of pain immediately subsided. She went limp, resting fully in Frank's arms.
Before, Frank had been too weak to carry her. But the elixir had transformed his body, his strength was no longer faltering. He easily lifted Katherine and carried her back to her room.
"No rush now," Daniel said. "Let her slowly absorb the elixir and wake up on her own."
Frank did not object. Then he asked, "What about Tanusha?"
"This is her third soul transfer," Daniel said. "Her soul has suffered even greater damage. Without a soul-condensing elixir, she'll only suffer more."
Frank Douglas sneered. "I'm afraid she hasn't suffered enough."
Daniel said, "Originally, I planned to return Tanusha after the soul transfer. But now, that's unnecessary."
"You're going to keep her?"
Frank Douglas's eyes widened in understanding.
"Yes. I'm going to do that important thing."
Frank Douglas was startled. "You mean..."
Daniel nodded. "If we don't deal with this cult, we'll always be on the defensive."
Frank hesitated. "But can you do it?"
"How will I know if I don't try? The real danger isn't the thief who steals, you can replace what's lost, but the thief who's always watching your things. That's the real threat."
Frank Douglas nodded, understanding. He'd had headaches too. Sheriff Ford had been suspended; the investigation dragged on. If they had dirt on him, he'd have been arrested by now.
He still worried. "Are you sure you can do it? Or is there anything I can do to help?"
"Not for now. I'll reach out when I need you."
"Okay." Frank agreed readily.
"I'm leaving."
Under Frank's watchful eyes, Daniel quickly drove away.
*****
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