Chapter 4

Lucy White stepped out of her apartment in high heels and drove straight to the most renowned metaphysical shop in the antique district—Mystic Pavilion.

This century-old establishment had a dedicated talisman-making studio, and she rented the innermost room. Closing the door behind her, her fingertips brushed over the vermilion paper, the familiar texture transporting her back to her past life in the cultivation world.

"I need to hurry," she murmured.

Her experience in the arcane arts from her previous life had given her profound mastery over talismans. With a flick of her wrist, the vermilion ink flowed smoothly across the yellow paper, each stroke imbued with a unique energy.

Between strokes, she recalled her younger brother's pale face. That auction item was crucial, but her reality show fee wouldn’t be paid until after the broadcast—and even then, her agency would take a cut...

"Looks like I’ll have to rely on this," she muttered, eyeing the completed talisman on the table with quiet confidence.

By evening, she had finished five talismans. A sudden craving for the old-fashioned wontons from the west side of the city struck her, and despite the distance, she decided to drive there.

Night had fallen when she took a shortcut through a construction zone. The sparse streetlights cast long shadows as her tires crunched over loose gravel.

"BANG—"

A deafening crash ahead made her slam on the brakes. A massive truck was blocking the road, its cab empty but engine still running. In front of it, an SUV lay overturned.

Lucy quickly got out to investigate. The truck’s driver had fled the scene.

"Hit-and-run?"

She rushed toward the SUV. Through the shattered window, she glimpsed a figure slumped in the driver’s seat. After calling emergency services, she grabbed a crowbar from the truck’s toolbox.

"Hold on!"

The door was badly dented, but with a grunt of effort, she pried it open just enough. When she saw the injured man’s face, her breath caught.

"Ethan Smith?"

Those sharp, handsome features belonged to none other than the youngest Oscar-winning actor in the industry—the unattainable first love of the novel’s heroine, Lily Green.

In her past life’s memories, Ethan had vanished from the spotlight for two years after this accident. She remembered that during her darkest days, he had been one of the few who showed her kindness.

Her fingers found his pulse. His legs were the worst injured. Sensing his faint consciousness, she leaned closer and whispered, "Don’t worry. You’ll be okay."

From her bag, she pulled out a freshly drawn medicinal charm. She looped the red cord around his neck and pressed the talisman over his heart. A faint glow pulsed beneath it.

"Lucky you," she said with a soft chuckle.

Sirens wailed in the distance. After giving her statement to the police, she watched the ambulance speed away before melting back into the night.

Sophia Taylor’s apartment was brightly lit. The moment Lucy stepped inside, her best friend yanked her onto the couch.

"We have a problem!" Sophia shoved her phone at her. "Someone leaked that Michael Johnson picked you up from the police station last night!"

The hashtag #MichaelJohnsonPicksUpLucyWhite was already trending. The comments were a warzone:

[Useless pretty face at it again! Stay away from our king!]

[Rumor says she’s got a whole harem of sugar daddies. Maybe the wife found out?]

[Our Michael’s too kind—why bother with this gold-digger?]

[Fire her as his agent! Sick of this forced pairing!]

Lucy scrolled through the vitriol, a cold smirk curling her lips. The storm of public outrage had arrived even faster than she’d expected.