[Chapter 270: Ivanka's Second Trouble]
The string of zeros on the check made his eyes spin.
"Fifty million dollars?"
Frank Douglas looked up, disbelief written all over his face as he stared at Daniel. "Mr. Cross, what exactly does this mean?"
Daniel's tone was calm and steady. "Introduction fee. This is what you deserve."
"No, no, this won't do." Although Frank's heart skipped a beat, he quickly pushed the check back. "I only introduced Raymond to you because I believed in your ability to save his life. We're friends -- I can't accept this money. Besides, Raymond is incredibly grateful that I got you to step in at that critical moment. He's made plenty of business concessions to me, and I've already received enough benefit."
Daniel reached out and pressed the check back toward Frank, locking eyes with him.
"One thing at a time. This is what you deserve." His voice was low but carried undeniable authority. "If things like this come up again, you can still come to me. But my elixirs are rare -- only very few people get introduced. Do you understand?"
If this were a one-time thing, Daniel wouldn't have offered such a huge sum. But going forward, to do more deals like this, that money is essential.
Daniel knew well that a matchmaker of Frank's caliber was worth far more than a simple middleman. He didn't just provide a name; he gave the seal of approval.
Without Frank's strong recommendation, Raymond's wife would never have trusted a young Exorcist.
Sometimes, resources are the most valuable thing.
Frank looked at Daniel, rubbing his hands repeatedly on his knees.
Fifty million dollars. Even for him, this was a massive windfall. More importantly, it represented Daniel's attitude.
"Alright." Frank hesitated, then finally reached out and took the check.
His movements were slow, but as his fingertips touched the paper, a complex emotion stirred inside him.
He remembered the first time he met Daniel in Cross Hall -- that condescending attitude felt like it was just yesterday.
Back then, he looked down on Daniel, the young Exorcist. But now, everything had changed.
The introduction fee tossed off so casually by that once obscure Exorcist was already a huge sum he had to respect.
"Thank you, Mr. Cross." Frank gave a self-deprecating smile as he put the check away. "If anything like this comes up in the future, I'll keep an eye out for you."
...
After seeing Frank off, Daniel pocketed the black gold card resting on the table.
"Chris, transfer the money to my account immediately. Otherwise, Frank's check won't clear."
"Understood, Master. I'll start right away," Chris responded.
A few minutes later, her voice rang out again. "It's done, Master."
Daniel was taken aback. "That fast?"
Chris appeared behind him, arms crossed over her chest, which made her chest look impressively large.
She reached up and brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. "Of course. Don't you know who I am?"
---
Late at night in Beverly Hills.
Daniel sat back in the leather chair in his study while Chris stood behind him, slender fingers gently pressing his shoulders in soft, soothing movements.
Ding-a-ling-ling...
The phone vibrated, breaking the silence.
Daniel picked it up. It was Ivanka calling.
Though late at night in Los Angeles, it was around three a.m. in New York.
Before Daniel could say a word, Ivanka's hurried, slightly panicked breathing came through the receiver.
"Daniel, something's wrong... something really weird."
Daniel's eyes flickered, but his tone remained calm, "Go ahead."
Ivanka fell silent for a few seconds, gathering her thoughts.
"I can't tell what's real and what's not. This afternoon, I saw -- right in front of me -- the glass of water on my desk fall and shatter loudly on the floor. But when I bent down to pick it up, there was nothing there. Then I looked back, and the glass was still sitting perfectly on the desk."
Daniel frowned. "Anything else?"
"And before that..." Her voice trembled slightly. "I clearly sent a very important email to the board. I watched myself click send. But when I checked my outbox five minutes ago, nothing was there. No record at all. I asked my secretary, and she said she never received it."
"Have you seen a doctor?" Daniel asked.
"I did. They said it's just stress -- transient hallucinations." Ivanka sneered. "But I know that's not it."
Daniel stood and walked over to the French window, staring out at the dark shadows of the trees. "Have you been to any unusual places lately or met anyone strange?"
"No," Ivanka's denial was firm. "To avoid the trouble from that mark, I've been staying at the office and at home. I've even turned down social events."
Daniel considered for a moment before asking, "Check the mark on your lower back. How does it feel now?"
There was the rustle of fabric on the other end of the line.
After a beat, Ivanka's voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "It... seems a little warm. Not much -- like a warming patch nearing expiration. The color hasn't darkened, and there's no bleeding."
Slight warmth.
That might signal the mark sensing some presence. Seems he'll need to make a trip to New York.
"Stay put in New York," Daniel's voice was firm. "Don't trust any sudden sights or sounds. If you see something in a mirror, or hear a voice right in your ear, grip tightly the prayer beads I gave you. They'll keep you safe."
Ivanka asked eagerly, "What about you? Are you coming?"
Daniel's tone remained distant, "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. Remember -- don't trust anyone until I'm there."
...
The next morning, at a private airport in Los Angeles.
Raymond came personally to see him off, looking remarkably well. If not for his white hair, he would have passed for a vigorous middle-aged man.
"Mr. Cross, the plane is ready, and the fastest route's been approved." Raymond held out a box, "I own several properties in New York. Stay wherever you like."
Daniel declined the offer, "No need. I have a place to stay."
He then stepped onto the ultra-luxurious Gulfstream G650.
...
Three hours later, at Kennedy Airport.
As Daniel walked through the VIP channel, he saw Ivanka waiting. She wore a black cashmere coat and oversized sunglasses.
Daniel noticed she bore no trace of Dark energy.
He wasn't surprised.
With the prayer beads he'd given her, ordinary Dark energy couldn't contaminate Ivanka.
But illusions target the mind and spirit directly, and the beads offered no defense against those.
Ivanka hurried over, ignoring the curious stares of passersby.
She grabbed Daniel's arm.
"You're finally here."
Her voice was low, tinged with relief and dependence after escaping a dangerous ordeal.
Daniel felt the chill of her skin through her palm. He took her wrist gently, and a pure stream of magical energy flowed into her.
*****
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