Cain’s arms ached, his back ached, and his knees screamed in protest. The morning had been a chaos of scrubbing, mopping, and dusting every corner of the house, and yet here he was, still bent over the wet floor, eyes bloodshot and muscles trembling. Every breath he took felt heavier than the last. He needed to rest, but before he could, a sharp thud echoed behind him.“Cain!” His mother-in-law, Madam Loretta, appeared at the doorway, her heels clicking with authority and her face twisted with disdain. Without a word, she tossed a neatly wrapped paper package across the room. It landed with a soft thump near his hands.“Go deliver this to your wife. And get back to your chores instantly. I would not have you be useless and also be a slacking mutt." She glimmered with disdain, her voice cold.---It's been five years since Cain got married to his lovely wife. He was trying to gather the tiny shreds of his life at that time. The last thing he remembered was finding himself on the str

Cain moved through the narrow streets, boots scuffing wet asphalt, mind sharp. He had little time. Every second wasted could mean failure. The Ethereal Root had been sighted with the Hart family, and nothing about this job allowed mistakes.“Last seen with the Harts… third most powerful in the city… got it,” he muttered under his breath. His eyes scanned the street, calculating the quickest path. Alone. No entourage, no witnesses. Just him, a poor man in tattered clothes, stepping into the lion’s den.The Hart estate loomed ahead: massive gates, polished marble floors, ornate carvings catching the faint light of lanterns. Guards glanced at him suspiciously as he passed, lips twitching in amusement. A poor man wandering into the house of the powerful? Bold, or stupid. But Cain didn't careSomehow, it seemed today was a good day because the mansion was filled to the brim.A grey-haired man lay on a silk rug in the center of the room, surrounded by frantic family members. Every remedy k

Margaret’s jaw tightened. “Impossible,” she breathed.Dr. Selwyn’s face went pale. “That… that’s… how could you…?”Cain’s voice was calm, almost casual. “Observation. Understanding. Knowing where to look."He continued. "The hands are obviously slummed, the neck is swollen and the eyes are reddish showing a failed filtration system!"Anger flashed through the doctor's eyes. And Aria lets out a sigh of relief. She wasn't wrong about the young man.Margaret’s hands shook slightly. “This isn’t real… he… he could be guessing…”"He definitely guessed the answer, there's no other way in this life that he could have gotten it right"Cain didn’t answer. He simply handed the photograph back. Every eye in the room followed him, tension crackling like electricity.Margaret drew close to Cain, the vines on her neck firmly popped."Tell me right this instant, where did you get the answers from!""That wasn't part of the test!" Cain responded, shaking her off easily and calmly.Dr. Selwyn regained

A black sedan slowed alongside him as Cain replaced his cell phone back to his pockets and a familiar voice crept from behind.. Doctor Rhode rode down, each step echoing with what seemed like a mixture of respect and curiosity for such a young man with powerful medical skill. “It's late, how about you hop into my car for a ride? I would be more than glad to take you anywhere in the city." He motioned with a calculating voice. Cain twitched slightly. "Thank you. But I would prefer to clear my head with a walk!" Cain turned down the request politely. Rhodes’ brow arched. Surprise flickered across his features. It wasn't normal for anyone to turn down the offer from one of the most powerful medical prodigies in the country. But he didn't push further, quickly masked by his usual composure. The doctor straightened, curiosity sharpening. "Alright if you say so!" He produced a small envelope, sleek and official-looking. “But at least take this. It's a ticket to the Wor

The crowd’s laughter hit Cain like a physical blow. Faces twisted with malice, eyes gleaming with ridicule. “Look at him! The infamous Jon family son-in-law! A stalker! A nobody!” someone sneered, pointing a finger like a dagger. “Did he really think he belongs here?” another voice shouted, echoing across the hall. “Pathetic. Just a dog sniffing at wealth he’ll never touch!” Cain’s jaw remained tight. Eyes scanning, calm, unshaken, as the mocking continued. Mrs. Jon’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and scalding. “You think you’re anything? My daughter would never even glance at the likes of you. A horny dog, groveling for scraps!” The words were meant to wound, to break him, yet Cain’s lips curved faintly—not with fear, but with the faintest amusement. "I'm sure he's broke and has nothing to feed on that's why he came around to beg!" Kane stepped forward. "And as a privileged person, I'm always honoured to help the poor." With that, he pulled out a few thick bundles of cas