Chapter 106: Displeased

After leaving the hospital, they boarded the car Adam had arranged, following his instructions. From what Kai could tell, they were heading toward Bailey Hill, an area situated close to Kreacher’s Block and under the control of one of the most prominent guilds in the nation.

Elara, meanwhile, was in high spirits. Cradled in her father’s arms, she happily played with her mother, her earlier discomfort seemingly forgotten.

"Look at her. She was so drowsy and barely responsive just a few hours ago." Jean shook her head in disbelief as she watched her daughter tug at the side of her shirt. Whenever Jean turned to look at her, Elara would immediately let go and turn her face away, pretending to be innocent. It was as though the little girl had discovered a new game and was thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Isn’t that a good thing? Our daughter has a strong recovery ability. Isn’t that right, Elli?"

"Ehehe..." Elara flashed him a toothy smile, clearly pleased with herself.

Jean could only shake her head, the corners of her lips curling upward. After watching her daughter for a moment longer, she turned toward Kai.

"Have you received any other calls recently?"

Kai shook his head. "Not many. I received a call from the surveillance department, though. They said they’re doing their best to keep our location and contact information concealed."

Jean chuckled softly. "You certainly made the right person your friend."

Kai offered a wry smile. "Trust me, I had no idea I’d end up thanking Mister Adam so many times when we first met."

From keeping the reporters away from him to helping him secure a new, safe residence, Adam had been an enormous help.

Looking back, Kai couldn’t help but feel that having someone like Adam in his corner had made things considerably easier.

Just then, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, half expecting another call from someone in the media. To his surprise, the caller was Adam himself.

Without giving it much thought, he answered.

"Hey, Mister Adam. I’ve taken the car, and it looks like we’re heading toward Bailey Hill."

{Oh, yes. There is a house owned by me, but no one lives there. There is everything you may need immediately but if you might need anything, you can tell the one driving your car at the moment.}

Kai briefly glanced at the man behind the wheel. He hadn’t spoken a word after their initial introduction. Coupled with his strong built, black suit and serious personality, he gave the appearance of a bonafide bodyguard.

"I understand. But, Mister Adam, I might need to contact the hospital. They can provide medical assistance to my daughter. She is still not completely..." Kai paused before finishing the sentence, his gaze shifting toward the little thief who was once again reaching for his phone.

Considering the way she was eyeing it, there was a good chance she would toss it out of the window this time.

Jean noticed the little exchange and immediately took Elara from him, settling the child on her lap before giving her a stern look.

Elara’s lips quivered. Then, as if deciding that words were beneath her, she suddenly crossed her arms and turned her head away, making it abundantly clear that she was upset.

Both Kai and Jean stared at her in surprise. They watched the little girl for a moment before lifting their eyes to meet each other’s.

Smiles soon spread across their faces. This was the first time they had seen Elara express her displeasure so deliberately, mimicking the gestures of adults to make her feelings known. For such a little girl, she certainly knew how to make a point.

{Hunter Kai?}

"Ah, yes." His expression was still smiling as he said, "As I said, I would need to call the hospital. Is that fine?"

There was a brief pause from the other side before Adam asked,

{Hunter Kai, is the doctor who examined your child is your trusted family doctor?}

Kai was surprised. "Ah, no. I went there because I have heard good reviews of their behavior and medical treatment."

{Is that so? Then would you mind recommending me a doctor? They would arrive at the residence with every necessary equipment.}

A brief pause later, Adam explained,

{As of now, Hunter Kai, the less people you meet especially those whom you don’t know, the better it is. The doctors I would send over are the medical staff working for the Association.}

It wasn’t as though Kai hadn’t already understood the gravity of the situation, but hearing the seriousness in Adam’s voice reminded him just how significant the event he had been involved in truly was.

Well, perhaps involved in wasn’t quite the right way to put it. He hadn’t caused the incident. He had defused it.

Since there was little point in dwelling on it any further, Kai simply nodded to himself and replied, "I understand. Thank you for your assistance once again."

{Nothing to mention, Hunter. For what you have done to us, for humanity, this is nothing in comparison.}

Kai leaned back in his seat and murmured, "I only wanted to protect my family." His hand reached for Jean’s, and he gently intertwined their fingers. "And somehow, I managed to do that. There couldn’t be a greater reward for me."

Jean moved closer, resting her head against his shoulder. Kai was momentarily caught off guard by the gesture, but he soon relaxed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as their fingers settled comfortably together.

Elara, unwilling to be left out even in her drowsiness, wriggled between them and nestled against their arms. Within moments, her eyes drifted shut, the little girl seemingly exhausted from all the mischief she had caused throughout the day.

Kai lowered his gaze toward her sleeping face, and the corners of his lips lifted.

This was everything he had ever wanted. His family, their warmth, and these quiet moments when the world seemed to have nothing left to demand from him.

They were his greatest reward, his sanctuary in a world that offered little mercy, and the reason he would continue moving forward no matter what stood in his way.

And he would be damned if he ever allowed anyone to take that away from him.

Not some bastard rogue hunter.

Not a Void Monarch.

Not even the heavens themselves.