My Substitute CEO Bride
Chapter 1976

Cormick threw his cigar onto the ground and stomped on it.

"How childish! I never expected someone like you to have such childish daydreams.

"So, what's next, Val? What will we have solved? If the Illuminion escapes to the East, will they stop collecting the powers needed to awaken the gods there?"

Val shook his head.

"They will continue."

"So, what's the point of doing this? Who on earth will we be stopping?"

"Well, at least as I envision it, that's all there is—"

"Vision? Another vision? Is there any end to this?" Cormick said as he strode forth and grabbed Val by the collar. "I'm telling you, one day, something that you didn't envision will happen! We might as well die if we continue living a predicted life!" "I know that! I do!" Val yelled in response. Both sounded like they were about to start crying.

"But Cormick, do you know how many times the sight of you guys dying has appeared in my mind? I've witnessed you guys getting killed countless times because you kept getting involved with the Illuminion.

"I don't want you to die. I want all of us to stay alive. Once this mission ends, I can avenge my mother, and I don't want to be bothered about the rest! I would like to spend the remaining years of my life in peace!" Cormick let go of his collar.

"R-Remaining few years? What on earth..."

...

At a shopping strip in the Southern Territory, Zaafea could be heard complaining, "Come on, Mr. Melton. I feel like I'm turning into your footman."

Clint was taking Deluca out on a shopping trip, and he had asked Zaafea to tag along.

Clint smiled lovingly at Deluca as he

a

as he

expression changed ab conte

turned to look at Zaafea.

"Stop complaining. Do you know how much of my food you ate while I was unconscious?"

Zaafea grinned sheepishly as he ruffled his hair.

"Haha, what do you mean? There must be some misunderstanding here, Mr. Melton."

"Misunderstanding? I don't care if you ate my food, but you even chose the best stuff I had at home! You ate my Maine lobster and Angus beef and didn't even leave the shell behind when you devoured the king crab! Should I thank you on the housekeeper's behalf for making life easier for them?"

"Haha, it's alright. It was no trouble."

"Trouble, my foot!" Clint said as he pointed at Zaafea, his lips tugging upward into a cruel smile.

An uneasy feeling washed over Zaafea.

"W-What are you trying to do?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that since you ate my food, you should..."

"Alright, alright. Just tell me. Don't smile like that. It looks terrifying."

Clint pointed at Deluca, who was playing by himself.

"Go practice with my nephew."

"Huh? Practice? What does he need to practice?" Zaafea asked, confused. "His cultivation skills, of course!"

"Cultivation? think you should do that. Why are you asking me, an outsider, to practice with him? I don't know my limits, and it would not do

if I injured your darling nephew

Zaafea said as he backed away.

QUMS