Chapter 168: A Little More About Sarah Shelby

Chapter 168: Chapter 168: A Little More About Sarah Shelby

He would bring Maya Knox back, regardless of who opposed him.

After leaving the family residence, Liam headed straight for his eldest sister’s villa.

Although Sarah Shelby’s husband, Desmond Hale, was the son of the Mountain Venerable, the couple had lived within the Shelby family estate since their marriage. They rarely appeared in public and hardly ever left their residence.

Even Liam, who usually paid little attention to family affairs, understood what their marriage really represented.

It was nothing more than an arrangement between two powerful families.

His eldest sister and brother-in-law had become pieces in a political marriage, and neither seemed to have much freedom.

Over the past few years, however, Desmond’s cultivation had advanced at an astonishing rate. Through the continuous use of some kind of medicinal resources, he had risen from the Fourth Level of the Star Sea Realm to the Third Star of the Divine Power Realm.

With the Mountain Venerable backing him, his position within the Shelby Family had become increasingly important.

But Liam wasn’t intimidated.

So what if Desmond Hale was a Third Star Divine Power Realm expert?

Liam had defeated powerful opponents before. Besides, he had recently broken through to the Second Star of the Divine Power Realm himself. His combat strength had increased considerably, and he was confident he could handle a confrontation if one became necessary.

His purpose was simple.

He wanted to bring Maya home, and before doing so, he needed to hear what her biological mother had to say.

After arriving at the villa, Liam didn’t bother using the main entrance properly. He leaped over the gate and landed inside the compound.

The tall gate might have been an obstacle to ordinary visitors, but it meant nothing to a Divine Power Realm martial artist.

"Big Sister! I’m here!"

Sarah was surprised when she heard his voice. A warm smile immediately appeared on her face.

"Little brother, what brings you here?"

Of everyone in the Shelby Family, Liam was the only person who could still make her feel the warmth of having a real family.

But when Liam got a good look at her, he suddenly froze.

His eldest sister was only four years older than him. Yet her hair had turned gray, and she looked almost as old as their mother, who was already over sixty.

For a moment, he couldn’t find the words to say.

He had been so focused on his cultivation that he had failed to notice how much his sister had changed.

"Is Desmond Hale at home?" Liam eventually asked.

Sarah looked at him with confusion.

"He went out to take care of something. Why are you looking for him?"

Liam shook his head.

"I didn’t come here for him. I have something important to ask you, and I need you to answer me honestly."

His serious expression made Sarah put aside her curiosity.

"All right. Go ahead."

Liam looked directly into her eyes.

"Big Sister, do you want to bring your daughter, Maya, back home?"

Sarah went completely still.

For a moment, she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

How could she not want that?

She wanted it more than anything in the world.

There had been countless nights when she dreamed of returning to the days eighteen years ago, when she was still with the man she loved and their little daughter. Back then, she had believed she could have a happy life with her husband and child.

But those days were long gone.

And now, whenever she thought about bringing Maya back, one person immediately came to mind.

Desmond Hale.

A trace of fear flashed across her face.

"No! You mustn’t do that!"

Sarah suddenly grabbed Liam by both shoulders. Her hands trembled as she spoke.

"You cannot bring her back! Do you understand? Don’t do it!"

Liam stared at her, taken aback by her reaction.

"Big Sister, don’t you want to acknowledge your own daughter?"

He had expected her to be happy at the suggestion. Instead, she seemed terrified.

Sarah opened her mouth, but no words came out. She could only shake her head repeatedly.

"You can’t..."

Liam misunderstood her silence.

"I understand, Big Sister. But this is my decision, not yours. I’ve made up my mind about Maya."

He gently removed her hands from his shoulders and stood up.

"Even if the entire Shelby Family refuses to accept her, she still has me. I’m her uncle. I’ll make sure she has a peaceful and happy life from now on."

With that, Liam turned and walked out of the villa.

He didn’t see the tears sliding down Sarah’s cheeks behind him.

For the first time in many years, someone had openly acknowledged Maya as family and promised to protect her.

Those simple words touched a part of Sarah’s heart that she had long believed was beyond saving.

Late that night, Desmond Hale returned to the villa.

"I heard your younger brother came to visit you tonight."

Sarah remained silent.

Desmond Hale glanced at her and gave a cold laugh.

"You don’t have to answer. I already know."

He walked farther into the room, his expression growing more sinister.

"There are plenty of people in the Shelby Family who would do anything to please me. Do you really think I wouldn’t hear about something like this?"

He stopped in front of her.

"Your brother wants to bring Maya back, doesn’t he? That’s why he came to ask for your opinion. So, what did you tell him?"

Sarah lowered her head and said nothing.

Desmond Hale laughed again.

"You must be delighted, aren’t you?"

His expression twisted with resentment.

"After all, I’ve spent my entire life chasing after you. I was practically your servant when we were young, yet you abandoned me to run away with some worthless farmer. You even gave birth to that shameless girl!"

Sarah’s body stiffened.

Desmond Hale’s voice grew colder.

"Then your family forced you to marry me. But even after all these years, you’ve never been willing to share a room with me. Did you really think I had no pride? Did you think I would tolerate this forever?"

He leaned closer, staring down at her.

"Listen carefully, Sarah Shelby. If your brother dares to bring that little bitch Maya here, I’ll make sure she doesn’t survive until the following day!"

"No!"

Sarah finally raised her head, panic filling her eyes.

"Desmond, you can’t do this to me!"

"Why not?"

He smiled cruelly.

"Your Shelby Family patriarch has always been nothing more than my dog. What makes you think I can’t do whatever I want?"

His eyes narrowed.

"One day, I’ll make you kneel before me willingly. I’ll make you beg for my forgiveness!"

People experienced happiness and sorrow in different ways.

While one family was falling apart over old grudges and painful secrets, another was enjoying a peaceful night together.

It was late at night at Arcadia Academy.

Inside a villa on the second floor, Xavier and Mira were still busy cultivating.

"Honey, it’s not that late yet. Let’s practice the Peak Qi Cultivation Technique one more time. I still have plenty of energy!"

Mira looked at her husband with an eager expression.

Xavier glanced at her, then smiled.

"You’re really that eager to cultivate? All right. Since you’re so enthusiastic, let’s do another round."

And so, the two continued their cultivation.

They practiced for so long that neither could remember exactly how much time had passed before they finally completed another round.

Mira was drenched in sweat. She had put so much effort into their cultivation that she was now lying beside Xavier, clinging to him like an octopus.

The saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder certainly applied to them.

Although they hadn’t been separated for very long, Mira had spent the past ten days staying at the Extraordinary Department. Victoria Quill had been preparing to break through to the Divine Power Realm, and the threat posed by Shadow Ring assassins meant Mira couldn’t afford to leave her protection.

Now that Victoria had successfully survived her Heavenly Tribulation and entered the Divine Power Realm, Mira was finally free to return to her husband.

Victoria also understood that the young couple had been apart for days. Since Mira would soon be leaving Valemont for the Tree Demon’s territory, she deliberately stayed at Arcadia Academy that night. Her presence would also discourage anyone with bad intentions from approaching the academy.

That gave Xavier and Mira the chance to spend some time together.

And judging by Mira’s enthusiasm that night, she had clearly been making up for the days they had spent apart.

If Xavier hadn’t possessed such exceptional physical strength, he might have struggled to keep up with her.

"Honey, I’m going to the Tree Demon’s territory soon. I have no idea how long I’ll be away, so you must promise me something."

Mira raised her head and looked at him.

"What is it?"

"Don’t get too close to other women while I’m gone!"

She puffed out her cheeks as she spoke, making sure he understood how serious she was.

Even a confident and independent woman could become possessive when it came to the man she loved.

Mira was no different from countless newly married women who worried that their husbands might become interested in someone else while they were away.

Xavier chuckled and gently twirled a strand of her hair around his finger.

"So that’s why you were so enthusiastic about cultivating tonight. You’ve been thinking about this all along?"

He smiled at her.

"Don’t worry. I’m not that kind of man. Besides, I already have you as my wife. Why would I need to look at anyone else?"

As he said that, a certain face unexpectedly appeared in his mind.

Maya Knox.

In terms of appearance, Maya was certainly no less beautiful than Mira.

However, Xavier quickly dismissed the thought.

Maya was his disciple, and that was all. He had no intention of crossing that line or developing any unusual relationship with her.

He was perfectly content with his wife.

Mira smiled happily.

"I love you, honey!"

Xavier was about to respond when he suddenly felt a sharp sensation.

"Ah! Careful!"

He couldn’t help but remind her.

By the time they finally finished, it was already four in the morning.

Mira was completely exhausted and soon fell into a deep sleep beside her husband.

Xavier also rested for a while.

When he eventually woke up again, it was already lunchtime.

He didn’t bother preparing anything. Instead, he ordered some food for the two of them.

After Mira woke up, they sat together and ate while catching up on the things they hadn’t had time to discuss.

At last, they could focus on something more important.

"Honey, I brought back some useful things for you. Take a look and see what you can use."

Xavier waved his hand, and a collection of resources appeared before Mira.

There were pills, demon cores, two runestones, and a martial arts manual.

The manual was for the seventh-grade movement technique, Ghost Shadow Flash.

He had prepared twenty bottles of pills in total.

Among the fifth-grade pills were five each of Creation Pills, Lesser Enlightenment Pills, and Saint Essence Pills.

The sixth-grade selection included five Evergreen Pills, Saint Healing Pills, and Qiankun Pills.

He had also brought one seventh-grade Saint Purification Pill and one seventh-grade Great Enlightenment Pill.

The demon cores were fewer in number. There were only two: one high-grade fourth-tier core and one low-grade fifth-tier core.

The two runestones were also different. One was a space-type runestone, while the other was designed to strengthen willpower.

Although the collection looked impressive, Xavier had deliberately held back some of his resources.

He had already learned from previous investments that giving Mira too many items at once could cause problems. Even when the resources were fifth-grade pills, she might not be able to absorb or use everything properly, which could result in a failed investment.

There was no need to rush.

After all, he would be accompanying her to the Tree Demon’s territory under the identity of Mr. X. He could provide her with more resources along the way.

Mira’s eyes lit up when she saw the gifts.

"Honey, you’re the best!"

She was already accustomed to receiving resources from her husband. After giving him a loving kiss, she began examining the items.

The moment she accepted them, notifications began appearing in Xavier’s mind.