After this question, he finally accepted his defeat. The judge delivered his verdict: “Finding not enough evidence against Layla. This court dismisses the case filed against Miss Layla and finds her innocent. I order her immediate release and instruct the police to file a case against Mister Lin Chen for providing false evidence and misleading the court.”

  After the verdict, small tears welled up in Lu Xiaoran's eyes, while Layla smiled. Without waiting for the officers to remove her handcuffs, he rushed to her and hugged her tightly, breaking the cuffs with his hands.

  My plan worked, and I feel happy about that, but it went too smoothly. I can’t shake the feeling that something is off, as if Lin Chen wanted us to win this case. My intuition tells me that something isn’t right.

  Just as I was thinking this, Roman came to my side and said, “Master, we need to complete more paperwork before we can leave.”

  So, I finished the paperwork and left the court with my group, but this time Layla was with us. Without wasting any time, we headed back to the mansion. After we arrived, I left Layla with Lu Xiaoran and Roman, as they had many things to catch up on, and I didn’t want to interrupt their family reunion. I told Roman to prepare a room for Layla since she would be living with us until Lu Xiaoran’s father returned. I then went to the living room, where Lina and Sherry were sitting, staring at each other.

  Lina was trying to talk to Sherry, while Sherry was ignoring her like a child, trying to pet Pushpa, who was also there. When Sherry spotted me, she ran towards me, jumped on my shoulder, and licked my face.

  Seeing this, Lina immediately stood up and said, “Master, I want to ask you a question.”

  I stopped her with a raised hand and said, “I already know what you’re going to ask, Lina. You’re curious about your situation and memories. I’ll explain everything, but not now. Go back to your room and get ready. I’m starting your first class in half an hour. You’ll get answers to all your questions then.”

  Her expression turned resolute, and she headed to her room. Now I was alone with Sherry, who was still acting childlike, while Pushpa licked my face. I carefully placed Pushpa down from my shoulder and put the cursed doll I found near the sofa on her paws.

  I looked back at Sherry and said, “Sherry, you don’t need to act anymore. I know you’re alright now.”

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  She looked stunned, and after hesitating for a moment, she said, “When did you know?”

  I replied, “When you gave your statement in court. You included details that were impossible if you had lost your memory. I only trained you to provide a few statements.”

  Sherry said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to act, but I didn't feel I had another option. Knowing that I helped Lin Chen trap Lu Xiaoran’s mother, you might do something to me. I realize I can’t resist you.”

  I reassured her, “You don’t need to worry. I’m rational and believe in talking things out. I don’t have a habit of attacking everyone who disagrees with me.”

  I continued, “Now I’m giving you a choice. You can apologize to my disciple and his mother, or I can ask Roman to give you another beating.”

  She shuddered and said, “It would be better if you asked him to beat me more.”

  I raised my eyebrows in confusion, as her expression clearly showed she wanted to be punished by Roman. Did she have a masochistic personality? It seemed like she still had some issues in her mind.

  To clarify, I asked, “Do you have a problem in your mind? I’m letting you go after you apologize, but you’re asking to be beaten up by Roman.”

  She hurriedly explained, “I didn’t mean that. I have a special physique that absorbs thunder and electricity to train my body. After getting hit by Roman’s thunder attack, I think I became addicted to it. It’s not my fault; his thunder feels like an addictive drug to me.”

  I could tell she had some issues with her mind and body. To confirm her choice, I asked again, “So what do you want? Be clear.”

  Sherry replied, “I want to be with you guys for a few more days, at least until the admission process for my academy finishes. As you may know, I came here to scout talented individuals, and I chose Lin Chen as a promising candidate. That's why I helped him so much. But now I’ve sided with you because I have no other choice, so reconciling with Lin Chen is out of the question.”

  She continued, “So please let me stay with you until my academy's admissions finish. I can’t go back without my student, but once the date expires, I can make up excuses. Please! I’ll help with anything. I’ll even do chores around the manor, but just let me have a few more thunder strikes from Roman. I can feel my blockage breaking; a few more strikes can help me advance to the next stage.”

  While she said this, she bowed, getting on her knees with puppy dog eyes. Sighing, I looked into her eyes. I didn’t see any conspiracy or malice there. As the soft-hearted person I am, I agreed to her request and asked her to apologize to my disciples. She nodded and smiled in response.

  After that, I got up and walked toward Lina’s room to start my first class with my third disciple. But before I could reach her room, I saw Lu Xiaoran hurrying toward me, followed by Roman.

  When he reached me, he said, “Master, there’s an emergency. I just got a message from Jessica. Many people from Azure Mountain villages went missing after returning yesterday. She’s asking for help, and I hope you’ll allow me and Roman to go check on the situation there.”