Chapter 6: Clarity Talisman

Words : 1834 Updated : May 15th, 2025

"Dad, why are you back?" When Lia arrived at her family's private care facility, the first person she saw was her father—something she hadn't expected. Ever since her mother became a vegetative patient, her father had poured almost all his energy into his political career. Lia was even running her mom's company, but the business was pretty much a mess because of everything going on with her mom. Even so, her father never got involved and rarely visited the family's private care center to see her mom. Therefore, the woman couldn't figure out why her dad was at the care facility today. "Hmph. If I didn't come, who knows what kind of trouble you'd get into? The house is full of all sorts of random junk, and now you're actually believing in talismans. What, are you planning to hire a shaman next to dance around the house?" Nixon Scurr's face was clouded with anger, obviously very unhappy with his daughter. Lia immediately realized Ashton must've snitched, and she looked down on him even more. He was all flash on the outside, but nothing but crap inside. But she was just as unhappy with her dad, so she stayed silent and didn't bother to answer. "What's the matter? Nothing to say now? Go throw out all this junk in the house right now," Nixon barked. "Dad, after Mom fell ill, what did you do? You only visited her once while she was unconscious. Where have you been all these years? Can you honestly say you've been there for Mom? I know exactly what I'm doing, and I don't need you meddling in my life. Mom never even blamed you for keeping another woman outside, but did you ever think about her?" Lia suddenly burst out after a long silence. "You..." Nixon's face turned red, then pale. He raised his hand, about to slap her, but when he saw the stubborn and exhausted look on her face, he put his hand down. He knew he had no right to criticize his daughter, for he had failed both. His daughter was managing his wife's company, and he hadn't helped. "Alright, I get it. I can't control you anymore. I just hope this is the last time you get caught up in this superstitious nonsense. You're an educated woman, aren't you? Don't let some street scammer come between you and Ashton. Remember, the truth is often hard to hear," Nixon said with resignation. Lia sneered inwardly. She knew exactly why her dad wanted her close to Ashton. If he wanted to move up in politics, he'd need help from Ashton's dad. Even though Nixon was already a city mayor, the Scurr family wasn't grooming him for bigger things. Without their support, he'd probably be stuck as mayor forever. In fact, Nixon was thinking just that. The Weltz influence was no less than the Scurrs, and the Scurrs weren't one of those top-tier clans in the Capital City. Only a few with real potential were selected for grooming. Becoming mayor was likely the peak of his career. At nearly fifty, he might gradually fade from his family's radar if he didn't find outside support. But if he could rise further with the Weltz's help, his dad might start reassessing his value. Even though she knew what her dad was up to, Lia didn't say anything. Ashton might be good-looking, but to her, he was just a pretty boy without smarts. When Lia turned to head into her mom's room, Nixon started to say something but stopped himself. He knew his own plans weren't really good for his daughter. So, he just stood at the door. The man didn't have the guts to actually face his wife, who'd been in a coma for three years. Lying in bed was a beautiful woman who looked like she was only in her thirties. She bore a clear resemblance to Lia, but her eyes were shut and her brows slightly furrowed. As soon as Lia walked in, the nurse sitting by the bed got up, said hi, and left. Looking at her mother, still unconscious after all these years, Lia's eyes turned red. It had been years, and although she never gave up hope, she couldn't confide her sorrows to anyone. Only in the dead of night would she cry by her mother's bedside. Lia took out the Clarity Talisman she'd bought from Keanu for twenty thousand, feeling dazed. She knew deep down it was probably a scam, but she couldn't stop getting her hopes up, as if the talisman might bring her mom back. Watching his daughter act like a street magician, Nixon shook his head but didn't say anything. He planned to talk to her once she was done with the talisman. Suddenly, Lia stood up, took two steps back, raised her hand, and tossed the Clarity Talisman onto her mother's bed. Nixon didn't even feel like laughing at how ridiculous his daughter looked—he just felt uneasy and guilty. An educated woman, she was resorting to such measures for her mother's sake. Nixon thought he must be seeing things, though. After Lia threw out the talisman, it actually turned into several streaks of white light that shot into his wife's body, and little bits of gray ash floated down everywhere. The whole room suddenly felt cooler, and the brightness made his eyes sting. What the hell was going on? Lia was totally stunned, too. She'd thought the talisman would land on her mom's blanket, and then she'd go on calling for her mom. But the outcome was far from what she had anticipated. The talisman transformed into cool white light, entering her mother's body, leaving only fine ashes in its wake. Lia felt chills go down her spine. She knew many con artists pulled off tricks using chemistry, but even as a top science student, she couldn't explain this with any chemical reaction she knew. Could it really be a genuine talisman? Just thinking this talisman might really work made Lia's hands shake. If what that guy who sold her the talisman said was true, her mom should be waking up any minute now. The woman couldn't hold back anymore and rushed over to her mom's bedside, her heart pounding.

Chapter 6: Clarity Talisman

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