[Chapter 241: Sleep]
"Then I won't leave tonight."
Ivanka's voice was sharp with fear and urgency. But just as quickly, it softened again, carrying a rare trace of weakness and pleading -- something seldom seen from the Trump family.
"Daniel... stay. Right here. I can feel that mark burning. It feel like as soon as you leave this room, that red door will appear again."
As she spoke, her body edged closer to Daniel. The delicate scent of her hair, mingled with the faint sweat born of fear, hung thick in the narrow space between them.
Daniel looked at her.
This woman was clinging to him desperately, like a drowning woman reaching for a lifeline.
"The guest room is spacious."
Seeing Daniel remain silent, Ivanka's voice dropped even lower.
Her nose nearly brushed against his jaw. "I can sleep on the other side of the bed, or take the sofa. As long as I can see you the moment I open my eyes... Daniel, I am your employer. You have to guarantee my absolute safety."
Her reason sounded stiff, yet somehow it held a sticky, hard-to-refuse quality.
A wave of weariness washed over Daniel's mind. Simulating that kind of power in the mental realm had seriously drained his Soul.
"Go take a shower."
Daniel released her hand, leaned back against the headboard, and closed his eyes. "I won't leave tonight."
Relief lit Ivanka's eyes briefly. She got up and walked to the bathroom.
Soon, the steady sound of running water poured from the shower.
Daniel sat on the edge of the bed, listening, but his mind was still fixated on the strength of that Red-Faced Demon from earlier.
It seems the Ram Cult ran far deeper than he'd imagined.
...
Half an hour later, Ivanka emerged.
She'd changed into one of Daniel's oversized shirts; her long hair was damp and draped over her shoulders.
Instead of heading for the distant sofa, she slipped quietly onto the other side of the bed and slid under the covers.
Daniel lay down fully clothed, leaving only a warm yellow wall lamp on.
In the darkness, Ivanka turned onto her side, staring at Daniel's profile just a foot away.
"Daniel?"
"Hmm?"
"That red-faced monster... will it really come again?"
"As long as the mark remains, it never truly goes away."
Ivanka was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out beneath the covers. She let her fingers trail across the sheet, gently grasping Daniel's hand.
His hand was cold, even slightly damp from Mental Energy exhaustion, but to Ivanka it felt like holding the world's strongest shield.
Her previously tense shoulders finally relaxed, and she let out a long, relieved sigh.
"Sleep. You'll be fine until the bill is settled," Daniel said with closed eyes.
A faint smile touched the corner of Ivanka's mouth. It was the first genuine smile she'd worn in the past half-month.
She shifted closer, resting her forehead against his shoulder. Breathing in his faint, clean scent, she slipped into a deep and unprecedented sense of security.
...
The next morning, sunlight spilled across the floor.
Ivanka opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the man still lying beside her.
The suffocating shadow of death that had haunted her was gone. In its place came a vibrant, morning-kindled will.
"Good morning, Ivanka!" Daniel greeted her with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Daniel!" Ivanka returned the look, finding it hard to look away.
Daniel stretched. "We should get up. I forgot to arrange for your bodyguard yesterday. He probably slept in the car all night."
Ivanka slapped her forehead. "Oh, I completely forgot about him."
She sat up, unconcerned by the expanse of pale, slender leg exposed beneath the shirt.
From her Hermes handbag, she pulled out a checkbook.
Scratch-- scratch--
"This is the remaining $900,000."
Ivanka placed the check on Daniel's chest, her eyes reflecting a complicated mix of gratitude and worry.
"Daniel, this money only covers last night. The mark on my lower back... that's the next big job, isn't it?"
Daniel opened his eyes, took the check, flicked it with his finger, and a faint smirk touched his lips.
"Of course. Big business is my favorite."
Ivanka smiled, the grace and confidence returning with it.
Leaning down, she left a light, deliberately provocative kiss on Daniel's cheek.
"Then I'll be waiting for your quote in New York."
Daniel sat up straight and called after Ivanka, who was heading toward the bathroom.
"Wait a moment."
She stopped and glanced back. "Is there something else?"
Daniel turned his palm upward, revealing several glowing Seals alongside a string of wooden beads.
"Take these with you." He beckoned her closer.
Ivanka walked back and studied the items curiously.
"What are these?"
"Body protection seals." Daniel pointed to the string of beads, "This is crafted from lightning-struck ashwood. The mark on your lower back hasn't faded yet. Until it's fully resolved, this will protect your life."
Holding those small objects, Ivanka felt a surge of gratitude welling inside.
She knew these humble little things might prove far more reliable in certain moments than the armed guard waiting outside.
"Thank you, Daniel."
Her gaze softened. Suddenly, she leaned down and kissed Daniel on the lips.
It was meant as a simple thank-you kiss, but Daniel had no intention of letting her pull away easily.
He reached out a long arm, cupping the back of her head, while his other hand wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her firmly into his embrace.
"Mm--"
Ivanka gasped in surprise, her body toppling back into Daniel's arms.
His kiss was commanding and direct, filled with undeniable power.
She put up a brief resistance, but her body soon softened.
Wrapping her arms around Daniel's neck, she returned the passion.
Just as the heat in the room climbed rapidly,
"Miss! Are you awake?"
A gruff shout came suddenly from downstairs.
It was the bodyguard who had huddled in the car all night, clearly timing his call to Ivanka's usual waking hour, showing off his diligence.
His shout was especially jarring in the quiet villa, shaking the chandelier on the ceiling.
Ivanka snapped back to reality.
She pulled away from Daniel like a startled rabbit, hurriedly straightening her rumpled shirt and messy hair.
The flush on her face hadn't quite faded, but reason had returned to her eyes.
"I... I have to go," she said, breathless, her chest rising and falling.
Daniel released her, leaned back against the headboard, watching her flustered state with an amused smile.
Ivanka took a deep breath to steady her heartbeat.
She walked to the bathroom, quickly changed out of Daniel's shirt.
She touched up her makeup, then slipped the lightning-struck ashwood beads onto her wrist.
Carefully, she placed the body protection seals into her handbag.
She walked to the door, hand on the handle, then looked back at Daniel.
"Daniel, remember my phone number."
Her voice regained its cool, steel edge.
"If I die in New York, that's the Trump family's loss. But if it's because of your negligence, I'll be waiting in Hell to collect what you owe me."
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. I don't like doing business with the dead."
"Goodbye."
Ivanka pushed open the door and left, the sharp tap of her high heels striking the floor echoing rapidly behind her.
*****
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