She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother Chapter 421: Aunt...

Elyria Voss took her position at the room's center, her cascade of silver-white hair trailing behind her. After a thorough appraisal of Alex from head to toe, a subtle, mocking smile graced her lips.

"You possess a discerning eye, Mr. Alexander Hale..."

The oppressive aura that had saturated the space vanished the instant her words broke the silence.

Alex, unperturbed and without a trace of shame, met her gaze with a smile.

"Indeed, I do."

Emerging from behind Elyria, another woman stepped forward. She inclined her head slightly, addressing Alex with deference.

"Mr. Alex, allow me to introduce Mrs. Leera Langford, the proprietor of this establishment... We do apologize for intruding upon your private moment."

Her eyes briefly met Alex's unclothed form, eliciting an embarrassed smile before she quickly averted her gaze.

"However, she expressed a desire for a personal meeting."

She indicated Elyria with a respectful inclination of her head.

"You have indeed interrupted my quiet moment," Alex stated plainly.

He then directed his attention fully to Elyria, his expression serene yet tinged with irritation.

Without breaking their visual connection, he reached for his bathrobe, retrieved it, and casually fastened it around his waist.

Elyria Voss offered a slight nod, her demeanor composed and unruffled.

"I am Elyria Voss," she announced with evident pride, "a prominent figure within the Sacred Order... and these two are my disciples."

Alex's expression, which had been impassive and slightly vexed moments before, underwent a sudden transformation. His eyes widened, and he uttered under his breath:

"Sacred Order..."

He rapidly regained his composure, yet the fleeting shock remained etched on his features for a second.

Elyria appeared genuinely gratified by his reaction. A faint, self-satisfied smile played on her lips as she continued.

"Precisely, the Sacred Order. I trust you are acquainted with our name?"

Alex observed her intently. He could readily perceive the undisguised pleasure and almost smug satisfaction in her countenance, yet her system interface indicated a neutral status with a mere 1% interest.

’She seems genuinely pleased to encounter me…’ Alex mused, a sense of bewilderment settling in. ’Then why is the system issuing a warning about her being dangerous? Is it related to something I am destined to do... or is the true peril lurking elsewhere?’

He found it difficult to reconcile. Her current bearing exuded tranquility and posed no apparent threat, yet the Emergency Quest counter persisted in his peripheral vision.

Setting his confusion aside for the present, Alex offered a mild smile and responded.

"My name is Alexander Hale. I have already had the pleasure of meeting your students... I trust they were not overly intimidated by the encounter."

Elyria emitted a soft chuckle, clearly amused by the young man's audacious spirit. Her eyes gleamed with nascent interest as she regarded him.

"Mr. Hale," she began, her smile exuding grace, "I have recently become aware of your accomplishments, and your remarkable deeds have truly captivated me. It was my intention to seek an audience with you one day, but by a fortunate twist of fate, we meet here.

She advanced a small step, her tone shifting to one of smooth sincerity.

"Therefore, I shall dispense with pleasantries. As a principal figure in the Sacred Order, I extend a formal invitation for you to join our ranks."

The instant these words were uttered, the room's atmosphere underwent a profound alteration.

Mrs. Blackwell's eyes widened with unfeigned astonishment. She swiftly lowered her head, attempting to conceal her reaction, though the surprise remained palpable on her visage.

’Could he truly possess such extraordinary talent to warrant a direct invitation from her mentor?’ she pondered.

Then, a sudden recollection surfaced… she genuinely could not perceive anything beyond the man's surface. Despite her most strenuous efforts, Alex's cultivation level remained entirely obscured from her senses.

This fact alone was sufficient to instill a sense of unease within her.

Elyria, however, maintained an air of composure and self-assurance, her gaze fixed upon Alex as she awaited his reply.

Abruptly, the younger disciple stepped forward, her voice sharp and laced with palpable disdain.

"Master, you must not take him. He embodies the most deplorable character I have ever encountered... He is wholly unsuitable."

Before she could utter another word, Mrs. Blackwell swiftly grasped her arm, halting her. Behind her back, she executed a swift, scissor-like gesture with her fingers. The younger disciple immediately fell silent, then adopted an innocent smile as if nothing had transpired.

Elyria Voss regarded the younger woman with an amused glint in her eyes, then shifted her attention back to Alex.

"It appears you have made quite an impression on them..." she remarked with a faint smirk.

Alex's expression remained placid, but his response carried an unyielding firmness.

"However, she speaks the truth," he countered. "I am indeed ill-suited for your organization."

He declined her offer without a moment's hesitation. He possessed little knowledge of the Sacred Order, and the peculiar gesture Mrs. Langford had made earlier continued to occupy his thoughts, subtly unsettling him.

Elyria's eyebrow arched, clearly taken aback by such a direct refusal. She moved a step closer, her voice adopting a smooth, persuasive cadence.

"You possess remarkable talent, Alex. Is it wise to squander such potential? Within the Sacred Order, opportunities abound, exceeding even what some Blackwood members can access."

A confident smile graced her lips, an obvious attempt at persuasion.

"I would prefer my freedom," Alex replied, his tone steady yet resolute. He had no clue how Elyria obtained knowledge of him, but given her association with Viktor, the allure of her offered resources was undeniably real.

Nevertheless, he was not yet inclined to pledge allegiance to any faction.

Elyria observed him for a spell before offering a small, nonchalant smile.

"A regrettable choice," she remarked casually, ceasing her probing. "Should you reconsider, do not hesitate to reach out."

She began to depart, but a single step halted her. Her gaze abruptly fixed upon the man slumped against the wall.

Howard.

She paused. A fleeting look of bewilderment crossed her features as she scrutinized him. There was an unsettling familiarity about the man.

Elyria advanced towards him.

Howard recoiled sharply, his frame shrinking back against the wall in palpable fear.

Elyria stopped directly before him, her sharp, commanding eyes peering down.

"State your name," she commanded, her voice even but potent.

Howard swallowed with difficulty, his voice trembling.

"H-Howard... Howard Sterling..."

Elyria’s eyes narrowed subtly.

"Sterling?"

"That name resonates..." she murmured, her thoughts trailing off. She turned to address Alex, intending to question him, when her attention was suddenly captured by the woman lying prone on the floor.

Heena met her gaze with wide, terrified eyes. The instant their eyes connected, Heena’s face drained of color, her expression contorted with fear. She swiftly lowered her head, pressing it against the ground in a desperate attempt to conceal herself.

But it was futile.

Elyria’s gaze had already registered her face.

"Heena?!"

Her voice erupted through the chamber, a thunderous proclamation. Every soul present in the hall ceased their movements, caught in a stunned silence. The younger woman and Mrs. Blackwell exchanged looks of sheer astonishment. Even Alex’s eyes widened, the full realization of the situation dawning upon him.

‘So she is connected to Heena…’ he mused internally. ‘Somehow.’

Heena’s body quivered uncontrollably on the floor. With immense effort, she managed to lift her head, whispering in a fragmented, fearful tone:

"Aunt…"

At that precise instant, the system within Alex’s mind blared with urgent warnings.

[DANGER!]

[DANGER!]

Alex swiftly accessed the system interface.

[Elyria Voss’s Favorability: -100]

Elyria’s demeanor turned frigid. She deduced the entire scenario with alarming speed—Howard’s state, Heena’s condition, and the mortifying tableau she’d stumbled upon.

"How dare you…" she growled, her voice a low rumble steeped in incandescent fury.

Instinctively, Alex raised his hands.

"I can explain…"

However, before he could complete his statement, Elyria made a sharp flick of her wrist.

A potent, concussive force tore through the air.

Alex’s body was violently propelled backward as if struck by an unseen projectile. He impacted the wall behind him with a deafening, catastrophic noise.

BOOM!

The wall fractured and disintegrated into numerous fragments as Alex’s form careened through it, scattering debris in every direction.