Stanley signaled with a sharp wave of his hand, a squad of ck–d bodyguards streamed in, swiftly surrounding Ida and


    Jessica.


    Stanley’s voice was cold and resolute. “We’ve got you now. There no way out. If you don’t break the curse today, you won’t live to see another day!”


    Horace’s gaze hardened as he stared down at Ida. “Your time is up. Undo the curse right now!”


    But Ida showed no fear at all as she addressed Wendy, “You’re the wonder doctor, Dr. Cen, right? Don’t you realize that if I die, the curse inside Stanley will never be resolved? So really, you’re the ones who should fear what happens to me. You should pray that I live to a hundred!”


    Wendy’s brow furrowed tightly.


    Halsey snapped angrily, “Cut the crap! Get her!”


    The ck–d bodyguards advanced to seize Ida.


    Jessica tensed up, nerves tightening.


    But Ida remained calm, almost serene, as if nothing could touch her. When the bodyguards approached, she didn’t flinch. Instead, a strange, crooked smile curled at her lips. She softly whispered a few incantations under her breath.


    Suddenly, Stanley’s head was gripped by a fierce pain. Sweat poured down his forehead in heavy beads. With a loud thud, he copsed to his knees.


    Wendy’s face drained of color. “Stanley!”


    Halsey and the others rushed over, voices filled with rm.


    “Stanley!”


    “Mr. Hawk!”


    Wendy pressed her fingers to his pulse. His heartbeat was wildly erratic. Coldost witchcraft was so vicious and overwhelming, even she couldn’t counter it quickly.


    “Stanley, what’s happening?” Horace and Brittany stared anxiously at Stanley.


    Stanley clutched his head, wincing in agony. “My head… It hurts so bad…”


    “Hold on! The pain will pass soon!” Wendy swiftly pulled out silver needles and jabbed them into key pressure points on Stanley’s head.


    Stanley’s eyes darkened, and he copsed forward.


    Wendy caught him, cradling him gently in her arms. He slipped into unconsciousness.


    With no immediate cure, Wendy had no choice but to let Stanley rest in this briefa.


    Horace looked up at Ida with a sharp re. “How could you practice such wicked witchcraft? Aren’t you afraid it will backfire on you?”


    Ida only smiled defiantly. “Now that you’ve seen just how powerful this curse is, let’s see who dares to touch me!”


    Horace and Wendy exchanged a nce. Wendy slowly shook her head.


    Horace raised his hand. “Everyone, stand down.”


    The ck–d guards stepped back.


    Horace fixed Ida with a cold stare. “Enough games. What do you really want?”


    Ida’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Jessica is my daughter now. She loves Mr. Hawk, so I want him to marry my daughter and be my son–inw.”


    Halsey growled, “Don’t even think about it!”


    Ida shrugged, unfazed. “This isn’t a request. It’s an order. I picked date. In two weeks, I expect Mr. Hawk toe and marry my daughter. Otherwise, he can prepare to drop dead on the spot. hope you’ll make the wise choice.”


    With that, Ida nced at Jessica. “Let’s go.”


    “Alright,” Jessica replied, following Ida as they walked away.


    Brittany called out, “Jessica!”


    Ida stopped beside Brittany, her smile cold and triumphant. “Brittany, even though I didn’t marry Horace<b>, </b>thank you for giving me a daughter with him. Soon<b>, </b>I’ll have a fine son–inw too. After all these years fighting, you were always destined to lose.”