Chapter 212

Julian Chase's back was drenched in cold sweat.

Trembling, he pulled out a pinch of black ash from his pocket. "This talisman saved me."

"Are you insane?" His friends exchanged bewildered glances.

"A bulletproof talisman? That's ridiculous!"

In the past, Julian would have scoffed too. But now, the searing heat still lingered on his fingertips.

"The moment the bullet hit me, the talisman burned hot," he said hoarsely. "Then I felt something push me away."

His grave expression made them hesitate.

"Call the experts," someone suggested.

Three phone calls later, the scene was cordoned off. Bodyguards found the sniper's nest on the opposite rooftop—empty.

Two hours in, the forensic and ballistics teams delivered a shocking verdict:

"The bullet did strike its target."

"But it ricocheted as if hitting armor—deflected by some unknown force."

Meanwhile, the Chase family uncovered the truth through their connections—a scorned lover from Julian's past abroad had ordered the hit.

"Lucky she only wanted to cripple you," his father roared over the phone. "Or you'd be dead ten times over!"

The office fell silent.

Asher York swallowed hard. "So... it really was that talisman?"

"The sniper acted on impulse," another muttered. "How could Lucy White have predicted this...?"

Julian stared at his phone, fingers shaking.

At exactly six, the call connected.

"Seems the talisman worked," Lucy's voice carried morning drowsiness. "Five million for your life—worth it?"

Julian's throat went dry. "It was really your talisman..."

"Obviously." The sizzle of frying eggs crackled through. "I told you disaster was coming."

"You didn't say it'd be a gunshot!"

"I'm not omniscient." Her light chuckle grated. "Predicting an assault was impressive enough."

A sudden thought struck him. "Does this talisman... work against car crashes?"

"Even if a truck flings you a hundred meters, you'll survive," she chirped. "Starting to appreciate my talismans now?"

In the background, his friends' overlapping voices chanted, "Sweet truth!"

Julian stared at the ashes in his palm, laughing bitterly. "Sweet. Too sweet."

He lowered his voice. "So... got any more?"