Chapter 295: The Savior (1)

"Village chief, danger!"

The two young men who had been spying on Nolan as he entered Claire’s house rushed toward a stern-looking old man.

He was short and dressed in simple, unremarkable clothes. His brown hair had already turned almost completely white.

Seeing the two men approaching, his eyes narrowed in anger.

"What is it?" he demanded sharply.

The two men trembled but tried to steady themselves. One whispered urgently, "Chief, we’re in danger! The witch has brought a man to her house. It looks like they’re planning something big—something that could threaten the village!"

The village chief’s face went pale. He panted heavily, his fists clenching tightly.

"Damn it! How dare she? Not only has she disturbed this village with her presence, but now she’s plotting to destroy us? I’ve been too lenient with her. Gather the villagers—now! We’ll catch them before they can carry out their plan!"

The two youths nodded quickly and sprinted off toward the gathered villagers.

***

Inside the wooden house, Nolan and Claire sat facing each other in silence. The atmosphere was tense, but Nolan didn’t seem to care.

He crossed his legs, resting the right side of his face on his palm.

’Will she agree or not?’

he muttered to himself.

Ownership of the Red Obsidian Trading House was still entirely in Claire’s hands. If he wanted control, he needed her signature.

Of course, it would have been easy to take it by force, threats, or other means.

But he didn’t want to. Such methods were not only crude but also ineffective. He had bigger plans—and they required Claire’s cooperation.

Seconds passed. Claire remained silent, her head bowed.

Finally, she took a deep breath and lifted her face.

Though both her eyes were blind, Nolan could sense a determined gaze behind the white blindfold.

"I agree to it. But first, I want to hear your plan," she said calmly.

"Good," Nolan said, nodding in satisfaction. "A few days ago, I met with your father and proposed a full purchase of the Red Obsidian Trading House. I already have his signature. Since you own 90% and he only 10%, I need both of your approvals. You only need to sign the documents I’ve prepared."

He pulled the papers from his pocket and placed them on the table.

On closer inspection, they were identical to the documents Belfor had signed.

What Belfor hadn’t realized yesterday was that Nolan had prepared two signature columns, spaced far apart.

The second column was for Claire’s signature, as the rightful owner of the Red Obsidian Trading House. Had Belfor known, Nolan was certain the man would have choked on his own grief.

"You’re buying the Red Obsidian Trading House?" Claire’s voice trembled in shock. "Are you serious? How could you possibly have that much money?"

Although she had been isolated all this time, she still knew the true value of her father’s trading house. If her memory served her correctly, it was worth hundreds of billions of Sharn.

Even if its value had dropped, it should still be at least eighty to a hundred billion Sharn.

And now, a young man she didn’t even know was claiming to have bought it. It sounded completely absurd.

"Pfft," Nolan chuckled softly. "I know it sounds impossible, but it’s true. After everything that happened, the Red Obsidian Trading House has been severely weakened. Its market value is probably only tens of billions of Sharn now. But I struck a deal with your father and bought it for just two billion Sharn."

"Two billion Sharn?" Claire’s brows knitted. "That’s still a huge amount, you know."

Nolan shrugged casually, as if he hadn’t heard her, then pointed to the spots she needed to sign.

Claire paused for a moment, uncertain, but said nothing and began signing the documents.

Ten minutes later, she finished and let out a long sigh.

"Does this mean I’m free from future punishment?" She asked weakly.

"Yes, absolutely," Nolan replied with a small nod. He tidied the documents and added, "Don’t worry—you’ll be safe. I guarantee it."

Claire nodded lightly, but a faint sadness lingered in her expression, catching Nolan’s attention.

"Are you sad because your father will face severe punishment? Or because the trading house was sold to me?" Nolan asked, half-jokingly.

Claire shook her head gently. "Neither. My father never loved me. He saw me as a burden to be discarded. And the trading house—I didn’t even know it was under my name. He used me as a sacrifice, so there’s nothing left for me to grieve over regarding his fate."

Nolan blinked, then asked again, "Then... what makes you look sad?"

Claire was silent for a moment, then lifted her head as if gazing at the blue sky hidden behind the wooden ceiling above.

"I only feel sad because all the suffering I’ve endured has finally paid off. It feels relieving... even victorious." She pressed her left hand to her chest, gripping it tightly. "But after that—what then? The satisfaction I was waiting for never came. My heart feels empty. I’ve never known love, and I’ve missed it so deeply. And now, after my father’s trial, I know all my hopes will be completely shattered."

"I was always an outcast, unwanted by anyone. My sister never cared for me either—she married Emperor Ragan and became one of his concubines. And me? I am just a lonely woman. Perhaps this is my fate."

She lowered her gaze, a wry smile on her lips. She did not yearn for wealth, glory, or the grand ambitions that so many others chased.

All she had ever wanted was attention, love, and recognition—nothing more. Yet even that small wish had been denied to her. The thought of enduring years of loneliness was unbearably painful.

Well... she wasn’t too surprised. After all, it was her destiny.

"You’re wrong, Claire Horven. Fate does exist, but you have the power to change it. And even if you can’t, there are others who can help you."

Nolan’s sudden voice startled Claire. She turned toward him, and though she couldn’t see, she could feel the smile on the young man’s face.

"You..."

Before she could speak, Nolan stood and walked toward her, stopping just in front of her.

He took Claire’s left hand gently, lifting it slightly, his fingers brushing the back of her soft hand.

"What if I became the one who could change your Fate? Would you accept it?"