[Chapter 274: Meeting the Parents]
The thrill of surviving a disaster, mixed with her admiration for strength, made this New York socialite unusually eager.
By noon, Ivanka had slipped into a deep sleep.
Daniel stood in the study, turning over a palm-sized antique mirror in his hand. The mirror's surface was now as clear as water, reflecting Daniel's cold, stern face.
"Can you hear my voice?"
He tapped the mirror lightly with two fingers, sending a faint ripple of magical energy through it.
[Master...]
Words appeared on the mirror. Because the mirror was small, the text was tiny.
With a wave of his hand, Daniel tossed the mirror out, and it instantly expanded into a full-length mirror taller than a person.
The text grew larger with it.
"How did you get into this apartment?" Daniel came straight to the point. "In Ivanka's memory, there's no record of where you came from. What methods did you use?"
The ghost mirror's text twisted anxiously: [It was... an order. I was suppressed by an irresistible force. The master behind that power commanded me to come here and hide in this apartment.]
"An order?" Daniel frowned. "What did he want you to do?"
[He wanted me to use illusions to erode her Soul. When her Soul withered completely, I was tasked with pulling her into the world inside the mirror and imprisoning her.]
The ghost mirror's text trembled slightly, as if carrying a deep fear.
[That person said that once I caught her, he would come to collect her personally. I could only use mental induction to convince the property manager -- while they were replacing the furniture -- to bring me inside.]
"Who is the master of that power?"
[I don't know...] The ghost mirror's text rushed out. [I've never seen his true form, only sensed an aura. That aura was as powerful as an abyss. An evil spirit like me wouldn't even dare to struggle before him. Master, please stop asking. Even thinking about that aura makes me feel like it's breaking apart.]
Daniel narrowed his eyes and swept his Spiritual Sense across the ghost mirror.
It wasn't lying. When mentioning that person, the mirror's mental fluctuations were wildly chaotic -- almost to the point of self-annihilation.
Daniel shrank the mirror back to its palm size and tucked it into his robe.
He walked over to the window and stared at the spire of the Empire State Building in the distance.
The other side hadn't hesitated to use a malevolent artifact like the Mirror of Russell against Ivanka. That meant the 'coordinate' tattooed on Ivanka's lower back was even more important than Daniel had thought.
Were they selecting the perfect vessel for some entity's 'descent'? Or was this part of an even bigger scheme? Or, like him, did they sense how events would unfold in the future?
Were they setting the board well in advance?
...
For the next hour, Daniel paced through every corner of the apartment. It seemed casual, but in truth, every step landed on a node of Geomantic Energy Flow.
...
When Ivanka awoke, she noticed that although nothing seemed different in the apartment, just standing in the living room made her breathing feel much easier.
The lingering chill had vanished completely.
"Daniel, is this a Ward?"
Ivanka approached and naturally took Daniel's arm.
"Yes," Daniel nodded. "Now, even if I'm not by your side, you'll be much safer."
Ivanka smiled. The look she gave Daniel in that moment even held a hint of infatuation.
After they shared some closeness, Daniel said, "I should head back to Los Angeles. There are still plenty of things waiting for me there."
Ivanka tugged at his sleeve, her eyes showing an unusual flicker of unease. "Daniel, don't go yet. My father... he wants to see you."
"Your father?"
Daniel's expression stiffened as he turned to look at her.
This pace was a bit unexpected. Though, knowing Donald Trump's personality, it wasn't surprising that he wouldn't be able to sit still after learning his daughter had been... intimate.
Still, the idea of 'meeting the parents' felt strange to Daniel.
"He's already made arrangements. We'll see him together tomorrow morning," Ivanka said, sounding a bit apologetic. "He's always like this -- he doesn't like to ask for others' opinions."
That was his style, Daniel thought to himself.
He paused a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Let's go see him."
...
The next morning, Daniel and Ivanka arrived at the famous skyscraper together. Inside, the 24-karat gold decorations sparkled so brightly that Daniel's eyes twinged with dizziness.
Entering the massive penthouse, Daniel saw Donald Trump.
He wore a deep blue suit paired with his signature bright red tie. His blonde hair shone under the sunlight pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Daniel looked him over, and Donald Trump appraised Daniel with the sharp scrutiny of a seasoned businessman -- and a subtle hint of pride.
"So, you're the Exorcist who handled the... 'trouble'?"
Donald Trump's voice was deep and resonant, carrying the habitual command of a man used to control.
Daniel had expected to feel nervous or excited meeting Donald Trump. But he wasn't. His mind was calm as still water, without a single ripple.
It was as if he were meeting an ordinary person. With his current power as a Dominion Incarnate of the Higher Ascendant Order, he already stood on equal footing with this man, if not greater.
Not to mention, Donald Trump was still just an ordinary businessman at this point.
Daniel stayed composed, but Ivanka at his side looked very tense.
She knew both men had imposing personalities. She feared these two strong men might clash.
Fortunately, their conversation remained civil. Though the atmosphere was heavy, it was far from hostile.
After a bit of small talk, Donald turned to Ivanka.
"Ivanka, go make us two cups of coffee. I have a few private things to discuss with Mr. Cross."
Ivanka glanced at Daniel, who nodded. She turned and headed to the kitchen.
Only Daniel and Donald Trump remained in the living room.
The door closed gently behind Ivanka.
...
In the kitchen, Ivanka ground the coffee beans, her heart pounding with nervous energy.
Various scenarios flashed through her mind.
Her finger pressed hard on the grinder's switch, but the hum sounded sharp and piercing in the quiet apartment -- much like her chaotic thoughts.
Different images raced through her mind:
Maybe her father's relentless arguing would enrage Daniel and lead to a fight right there in the living room.
Though Daniel looked younger and stronger than her father, he might hesitate to strike back and get pinned to the ground by the elder man.
Or worse -- Daniel losing patience.
If he used supernatural power against her father... with a single bolt of lightning, her father might be reduced to a pile of ashes.
Ivanka shuddered, and her hand froze.
Then--
BANG!
A dull thud echoed from the living room.
Ivanka's heart leapt wildly as the coffee cup in her hand nearly slipped from her grasp.
Ignoring the half-finished brew, she flung open the kitchen door and rushed back toward the living room.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.