Ghost Exorciser: Is Loved By All
Chapter 616: Bruno

Chapter 616: Chapter 616: Bruno

She stepped closer and patted his arm affectionately.

"And you’ve been patient and thorough. Victory will be yours tonight, I’m sure of it."

Uncle Miller glanced toward the hallway as if expecting someone to emerge.

"I’ll need to leave soon. The timing is critical. Are you sure everything will be fine here?"

Aunt Mila waved a dismissive hand, her confidence unshaken.

"Of course. I have everything under control. Vivian is ready for the ritual, Qiao Jun is in position, and the celestial master will arrive shortly with Yu Holea. By the time you return, everything will be in place."

Her husband’s grin widened.

"Good. Then I’ll take my leave now. Wish me luck."

"You don’t need luck," she replied with a chuckle.

"You’ve already won. But go ahead—show him who truly holds the power."

Uncle Miller leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"I’ll see you later tonight, Mila. And when I return, we’ll celebrate our triumph together."

Aunt Mila watched as he strode toward the door, his step lighter than it had been in years.

She waited until the door closed behind him before allowing herself a small, triumphant laugh.

Humming a cheerful tune, she ascended the staircase, her mind racing with the events of the evening.

Everything was falling perfectly into place.

Her son’s resurrection, Vivian’s happiness, and now her husband’s long-awaited revenge—all within her grasp.

"Today truly is a good day," she murmured to herself.

The ceremonial room was dimly lit, the glow of flickering candles casting eerie shadows across the walls.

There was a circular symbol made from red crimson blood, with some strange characters inside.

The servants carried Qiao Jun into the room and placed him carefully within the large, circular symbol in the center of the floor. His body was limp, his breathing shallow as the effects of the drug continued to render him almost entirely incapacitated.

Moments later, Vivian entered, now dressed in a ceremonial gown of deep crimson. The dress hugged her frame modestly but allowed her bare arms and collarbone to display runes etched into the fabric. Her face was flush with excitement as her gaze immediately fell on Qiao Jun.

"Mother, he looks so peaceful," she murmured, her voice filled with adoration.

Aunt Mila, standing near the ceremonial altar, turned to her daughter with a satisfied smile. "He’s ready. Everything is proceeding as planned."

Just then, the door to the room creaked open, and two burly men entered, carrying an unconscious Yu Holea between them.

Her limp body was dropped unceremoniously onto the stone floor within a smaller circle to the side of the room.

Aunt Mila’s gaze lingered on Yu Holea, a cold smile spreading across her face.

"Well, well," Aunt Mila muttered, her voice laced with mockery. "Yu Holea, you really are a fool. Falling for my plan so easily—it’s almost laughable."

Vivian, noticing Yu Holea’s presence for the first time, turned to her mother with a puzzled look. "Mother, why is she here? Isn’t this supposed to be about Qiao Jun and me?"

Aunt Mila chuckled softly, her tone indulgent.

"Patience, my dear. Yu Holea’s role is equally important. She’s here for the sacrifice."

Vivian’s eyes lit up with glee as the meaning of her mother’s words sank in.

"She’s going to die?" she asked, her voice tinged with incredulous joy.

Aunt Mila nodded, her expression serene.

"Yes. Her life will fuel the ritual. Her energy will be transferred to Qiao Jun, ensuring the bond between you two is unbreakable."

Vivian stared down at Yu Holea with a proud, triumphant gaze.

"Serves her right," she said coldly. "She’s always been in the way. But not anymore."

As Vivian basked in the moment, the door opened again.

A tall, imposing figure entered the room: Celestial Master Huo.

She was clad in flowing robes adorned with intricate, glowing symbols that shimmered with a faint golden light.

Aunt Mila stepped forward to greet her, bowing slightly.

"Celestial Master Huo, we’re honored by your presence. Everything is prepared as per your instructions."

Celestial Master Huo barely acknowledged her, her sharp gaze immediately landing on Yu Holea. Her lips curled into a vicious smirk.

"So," she muttered, her voice low and venomous. "Fate brings us together again, Yu Holea."

Aunt Mila’s brow furrowed in confusion at the venom in the celestial master’s tone.

"Master Huo, do you... know her?"

The celestial master turned her head slightly, her smirk deepening.

"Know her? Oh, yes. She once interfered with my plans, ruining months of effort. That girl has a knack for meddling where she doesn’t belong."

Aunt Mila turned her gaze back to Yu Holea, her expression darkening. "A troublemaker, then," she muttered.

"She truly has a talent for getting in the way of others’ plans. No matter. Tonight, her meddling ends."

Taking a deep breath, Aunt Mila composed herself and addressed the celestial master again. "Shall we begin, Master Huo?"

The celestial master inclined her head. "Yes. Everything is in order. The ritual can commence."

Vivian’s heart raced as she stepped forward, moving toward Qiao Jun’s still form. Her hands trembled slightly, but her resolve was steady.

This was the moment she had dreamed of—the moment when he would finally, irrevocably become hers.

Meanwhile, Celestial Master Huo strode toward Yu Holea, her expression twisted with a mix of satisfaction and malice.

"You," she murmured under her breath, her fingers tracing an invisible line in the air as she prepared the spell.

"You thought you could stop me. But now, I’ll take everything from you. This is the end for you, Yu Holea."

Vivian reached Qiao Jun and knelt beside him, her movements slow and reverent.

She glanced at her mother, who gave her an encouraging nod. With trembling hands, she placed her palm against Qiao Jun’s chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

The celestial master raised her hands, her voice ringing out in a chant that seemed to reverberate through the walls of the room.

But just as the power began to coalesce, a loud, authoritative voice shattered the moment.

"STOP! EVERYONE, STAND DOWN!"

The sudden command reverberated through the room like a thunderclap.

Aunt Mila’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she faltered, her knees buckling as a wave of dread washed over her.

She turned sharply toward the source of the voice, and her blood ran cold.

It was Bruno, her superior, dressed in his dark blue special forces uniform, flanked by a team of agents in matching attire.

Their faces were hard, their gazes piercing as they surveyed the scene.

Bruno’s glare fell on Aunt Mila, disappointment and anger etched deep into his features.

"No," Aunt Mila whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her chest tightened, and she instinctively clutched the edge of the altar for support. This can’t be happening.

Celestial Master Huo paused her chanting, her expression darkening as she turned to face the intruders. Her sharp eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Who dares to interrupt my ritual?" she hissed, her tone venomous.

Bruno stepped forward, unflinching under the celestial master’s piercing gaze.

"Mila," he said coldly, his voice a blade cutting through the tension in the room.

"Move aside. We’ve seen enough. We know exactly what you were about to do."

Aunt Mila’s face turned deathly pale.

Her pulse pounded in her ears as panic set in.

She couldn’t afford to be caught now—not when she was so close to resurrecting her son, to fulfilling everything she had worked for.

Her career, her freedom, and her family—all hung precariously in the balance.

"Bruno," she started, her voice shaky but desperate.

"This... this isn’t what it looks like. I can explain—"

"Explain?" Bruno’s voice was cold and unforgiving.

He waved his hand dismissively, gesturing toward the glowing symbols, the unconscious Yu Holea, and Qiao Jun’s drugged form.

"Do you think I’m blind, Mila? Do you think we haven’t been watching you? There’s no explaining your way out of this. Step aside, or face the consequences."

Aunt Mila’s mind raced. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

I can’t let this happen. Not now. I’m so close.

She opened her mouth to protest again, but before she could speak, Celestial Master Huo interjected.

"Enough!" the celestial master snarled, her patience snapping. She had no interest in the squabbles of mortals.

"I don’t care who you are or why you’re here. You dare to interrupt my work?" Her hands raised, crackling with malevolent energy.

"You will regret this intrusion!"

"Master Huo, no!" Aunt Mila shouted, but it was too late.

With a sharp motion, Celestial Master Huo unleashed a blast of dark energy toward Bruno and his team.

The power surged forward, a violent wave of shadow and fire, aimed to obliterate the intruders in a single strike.

But the special forces team was ready.

With practiced precision, they dodged and countered, activating energy shields that shimmered with a brilliant blue light, deflecting the celestial master’s attack.

The room erupted into chaos as Bruno’s team moved swiftly, their advanced training evident in their coordinated responses.