Chapter 3 Her Spiritual energy

Chapter 3

New one

Her Spiritual energy

Ivy raised her hand and called out, "Everyone, form a line. No pushing. I'm only doing five readings today."

"What? Only five?" a middle-aged woman asked, sounding disappointed.

Ivy cleared her throat and replied solemnly, "That's just how my practice works."

The truth was, her spiritual energy was running low, and with it, her ability to make money. Making a decent day's income had become nearly impossible.

Her dream of becoming a rich woman had crashed before it even took off.

She made a mental note: once her energy was completely drained, she'd have to sneak a bite out of Ethan under cover of night.

She'd need a solid plan.

First, figure out how to knock Ethan unconscious. Then bite him, cover up the mark with some healing cream, and make sure he never found out.

Shaking her head, Ivy pushed the thought aside and turned her focus back to her readings.

Martha was the first in line.

She'd heard that a gifted psychic had set up shop on Antique Row, the same one who'd helped Mr. Turner find his missing daughter, and she'd shown up before sunrise to make sure she got a spot.

Martha had always been into spiritual readings. She knew how to tell who had the real gift.

Pulling her grandson forward, she said, "Miss Ivy, my grandson's applying to college this year. Could you take a look and see if he'll get in?"

Next to her, Xander looked skeptical. "Grandma, you know my grades. This is pointless. Dad says this stuff's all a scam."

Martha gave him a light smack on the arm. "What do you know, kid? This isn't mumbo jumbo, it's part of our cultural roots."

She straightened her back proudly. "And I'm paying for it myself. Your dad can keep his opinions to himself."

Xander sighed and shoved one hand in his pocket, standing in front of Ivy and staring up at the sky.

Martha smiled apologetically. "Please excuse him. He's just a teenager."

Ivy waved it off. "It's fine. He's young. They're always skeptical."

Xander rolled his eyes. Young? She barely looked older than him. His grandma had clearly lost her mind.

Ivy pulled out a pen and a sheet of paper. "Okay, write a word, any word that comes to mind."

Her mentor had always said: the more methods you used in a reading, the more captivating it became for the onlookers.

Word-based divination was one of them.

The elderly folks adjusted their glasses and squinted with curiosity. They'd never seen this kind of fortune-telling before, and they were fascinated.

Xander impatiently picked up the pen and scribbled the word "Grace" on the paper. "Okay, what now?" he asked gruffly.

Ivy glanced at the word and said, "You're top of your class, right? You should have no problem getting into college."

Hearing that, Martha finally let out the breath she'd been holding.

Xander raised his chin smugly. "I've always been a top student. If I can't get into college, who can? Grandma, you really spent fifty bucks just to hear this? Easiest money she's ever made..."

Martha yanked his ear and snapped, "Mind your mouth!"

"Ouch, ouch! Grandma, that hurts!" Xander yelped, quickly falling silent as he rubbed his ear and sulked off to the side.

Martha turned back with a sheepish smile. "Miss Ivy, what does the word 'Grace' mean?"

Ivy responded calmly, "It holds two meanings."

She leaned forward, her tone shifting into something more mystical. "In symbolic terms, this word reflects both elegance and promise. It's often associated with a bright, prosperous future. For a student like your grandson, it's a sign that his path will unfold smoothly-success in college, and a future lined with opportunity."

Martha beamed. "This boy might not be good for much else, but he sure knows how to hit the books."

Xander puffed up a little more, grinning. "Well, I can't argue with that. She's spot on."

The onlookers chuckled.

"Aunt Martha, are you here for a reading or just to brag about your grandson?"

She waved them off proudly. "You all hush now." Then she turned back. "What's the second meaning, Miss Ivy?"

A sly smile tugged at Ivy's lips. "It can also hint at romance. 'Grace' is typically linked with harmony and love. It could mean your grandson will be lucky in matters of the heart."

"What?!"

Martha immediately grabbed Xander's ear again. "You little rascal! You're dating someone already?!"

Xander was stunned. What the-?! How did she know? Not even his friends at school knew!

"Grandma, seriously! My ear! That hurts!" he yelped.

Martha huffed, hands on her hips. "You can barely handle algebra, but you've got time for romance? Just like your father!"

Xander muttered, "Are you yelling at me or complimenting me?"

With a pitiful look, he turned to Ivy and pleaded, "Miss Ivy, it's real love, I swear."

Martha raised a slipper, ready to swat him. "What do you know about real love, you hormonal little puppy?"

Ivy quickly intervened, "Ma'am, please-let the young ones figure it out themselves. If you interfere too much, it might affect his luck."

She kept her tone calm, though inwardly she guessed the girl's name probably had something similar to "Grace" in it. Still, she chose to keep it to herself to save the poor boy some dignity.

But Martha had years of experience with fortune readings and cut straight to the point. "Miss Ivy, tell me the truth. This girl-she's his soulmate, isn't she?"

Ivy gave a slow nod. "Yes. Your grandson has a strong fortune when it comes to love."

Xander looked like he might cry from relief. "Thank God. And thank you, Miss Ivy, for saving my ear."

Martha laughed and dragged the boy home, still muttering about grades and girlfriends.

In the crowd, a young man with shifty eyes watched the scene closely. Sensing an opportunity, he stepped forward and confidently wrote the same word-"Grace"-on the paper.

"I want to know if I'll get into college too," he said with a smirk.

The man, whose name was Decker, was hoping to trip Ivy up. After all, it was the same word. If she gave him the same reading, he'd catch her bluff and complete the task Master Casey had assigned him.

Ivy looked at the word, then at Decker's face, smiling faintly. "Are you sure you want me to read your future using this word?"

Decker crossed his arms. "Of course I am. Hurry. Or can't you figure it out?"

Ivy replied coolly, "As you wish-payment first, please."

Decker tossed a hundred-dollar bill onto the table and scoffed, "You're not going to fool me that easily. I'm not that gullible."

Ivy gave a small shake of the head and sighed. "You've never had a gift for academics. You've always ranked at the bottom of your class, and you dropped out before even finishing middle school."

Decker bristled. "Why? It's the same word-'Grace.' When you discuss other people, it's all good news. But when it comes to me, suddenly everything's bad? That's pretty insulting."

Ivy looked at the paper and said flatly, "The word you wrote is slanted. The last person wrote it straight and balanced. Yours is twisted, off-center-almost like you added another mark to the side. When that happens, you know what it becomes?"

The onlookers, catching on, responded together, "Hardship."

Only Decker looked confused.

Ivy gave a satisfied nod. "Exactly. It turns into the word 'hardship.'"

Decker frowned. "So what does that even mean for me?"

Ivy's tone was calm, but firm. "It means life won't be easy-not just your education, but your entire path. I can see it in your face. You lost your dad when you were three, your mom at six. Your grandfather passed when you were sixteen, and you had to leave school to work."

"You've scraped by doing whatever you could-odd jobs, cutting corners, bullying weaker kids, even stealing from your neighbors. You've drifted through life, never really settling down. You're headed for a lonely end, with no roots and no support."

Decker's expression cracked. "Stop... I would rather not hear anymore."

It was all true. He'd been a petty thief, working dead-end jobs-hauling bricks, tightening screws, picking through junk for anything worth selling.

Was that really how it all ended? So, bleak?

Decker forgot all about the job Casey Dalton had given him. He stared at Ivy, desperate. "Is there anything I can do to change this? I would rather not live like that."

Ivy nodded. "Fate might be fixed, but your choices shape your future. The bad things you've done have chipped away at your luck. Turn it around. Live honestly. Do right by others. That's how you change direction."

Decker swallowed hard and whispered, "I'll remember that."

He ran off in tears.

The master hadn't tried to sell him a charm or a cure-just told him the truth and pointed him toward something better. To hell with Casey Dalton and all his assignments.

Decker decided then and there: he'd start over. From now on, he'd be Wade Forsythe-a new man with nothing to hide.

As the sun dipped lower, Ivy read a few more fortunes before finally packing up for the day.

The older folks hanging around were reluctant to leave.

"That master doesn't just tell your fortune," one man chuckled. "Even his peanuts and sunflower seeds taste better. I could eat three bowls of rice after a visit here."

"Will you be back tomorrow, Master?" someone asked.

Ivy laughed and waved. "Don't worry-I'll be here bright and early."

"Great! See you tomorrow."

When the crowd finally dispersed, Ivy tidied up his stall and wandered off searching for something good to eat.

He followed the rich, savory smell drifting through the street and stopped at a small deli cart.

"Give me a little of everything-jerky, pickled eggs, roasted veggies, and about three pounds of smoked ribs."

The owner, Jude, grinned and packed up the order. "You don't have to pay today, Master. Business has picked up a lot since you started setting up nearby. People pass through now on their way home, thanks to you."

Ivy glanced at the man's broad face, honest eyes, and sturdy hands. A good man, through and through. But something about his family line gave him pause.

He frowned slightly and said, "Jude, you'd better pack up and head home right away. Something's not right... I think your kid might be in trouble."

Jude turned pale and anxiously asked, "Master, what happened to my daughter?"

"It looks like she fell into the water. You'd better hurry and check the pond near your house!" Ivy continued, "Go on, I'll keep an eye on your stall for you."

"Thank you, Master. I'm so grateful."

Jude trusted her completely and ran off without even removing her apron.

Ivy sat down by the stall and started munching on smoked turkey legs. Aunt Margaret wandered over and peeked in. "Oh my, Master, are you switching to selling barbecue now?"

With a mouthful of food, Ivy mumbled, "The owner had an emergency. If you like to buy something, weigh it out yourself and drop the money in the box."

Aunt Margaret, familiar with the routine, began weighing out vegetables and adding seasoning. "Master, I'll help you sell. I'm a regular here, I know what everyone likes."

Speaking of Jude, that woman's had a rough life. She works hard and holds everything together, but her husband and mother-in-law? Ugh, not worth a kind word...

As Ivy finished the turkey leg and moved on to a slab of ribs, she finally understood why the older folks loved to gossip.

Aunt Margaret, growing more animated, continued spilling the tea about Jude's home life.

"Master, I bet you didn't know, Jude's husband is a deadbeat gambler, always glued to the poker tables. Never lifts a finger to help. Jude's been the breadwinner for years."

And her mother-in-law? You can tell just by looking, nasty woman. Always picking on Jude, never shows a lick of affection for her granddaughter...

Meanwhile, Jude had reached the pond behind her house, a neglected area that hardly anyone ever went near.

As soon as the Master had mentioned water, this spot flashed through her mind. Jude had always warned her daughter to stay away from it.

Lovett had always been an obedient child. What would draw her to a place like that?

Running, she pulled out her phone and called Simon. "Hello? Where's Lovett? Let me talk to her!"

Simon barked back, annoyed, "How would I know where that girl ran off to? Don't interrupt me when I'm on a hot streak!"

Jude's heart pounded as frustration bubbled up. "Simon, stop playing cards and go check the pond out back. Lovett might be in trouble."

"Why should I look for her? She never listens to me. Let her do what she wants."

Muttering under his breath, Simon cursed, "Damn it! Lost again! Jude, you jinx-you've ruined my luck! Just wait until I get home and show you what's coming..."

Before he could finish, Jude hung up on him.

Fuming, Simon tossed his cards across the table and stormed out. "Oh, now you've got guts? Hanging up on me, huh? We'll see about that!"

Meanwhile, Jude, distracted and panicked, accidentally bumped into her mother-in-law, Dorothy Morgan.

Dorothy screeched, "Hey! Who do you think you are, running around like a blind fool!"

When she realized it was Jude, her tone shifted into her usual sneering. "Jude, look at the time. Shouldn't you be working? What the hell are you doing here?"

Jude didn't bother responding, but Dorothy grabbed her arm tightly. "What, you're ignoring me now? Lost all respect, have you? Who are you here to see, huh? Some secret boyfriend? Let me see who the lucky guy is!"

Dorothy's rant only made Jude more agitated. She finally snapped, "I'm looking for my daughter. Where's Lovett?"

Dorothy rolled her eyes. "Where else would she be? She's at home. What kid would be out here?"

Something didn't sit right with Jude. "Then what are you doing here?"

Dorothy scoffed. "What I do is none of your business. Get back to your chores, or you'll regret it."

Desperate and furious, Jude pushed past her.

Dorothy instantly dropped to the ground with a dramatic wail, clutching her hip. "Oh Lord. She hit me. Did you see that? Attacked her mother-in-law. Someone call the police-Jude's gone mad."

But Jude ignored her theatrics and ran straight toward the pond.

Dorothy's eyes widened.

Why was Jude acting like this? She'd never stood up to her before. Something was definitely wrong.

Panic rising, Dorothy scrambled to her feet and chased after her, pretending to limp along.

Her earlier screams had already drawn a crowd.

"There she goes again, stirring up trouble," one neighbor muttered.

"Jude should've cut ties with those two ages ago," another added. "She's too soft for her own good."

"Come on, let's go see what the old witch is up to this time."

By the time they arrived at the pond, Lovett was flailing in the water, crying, "Mom. Mom. Help me."

"I'm coming, baby." Jude shouted, diving in without hesitation.

Dorothy hissed under her breath, "Damn it. Why'd she have to show up now?"

A dark thought flickered in her mind, what if both Jude and the kid went under? That would be the end of it...

But the crowd rushing closer made her abandon the idea. She stood to the side, cold, and silent.

Realizing the danger, the neighbors jumped into action. "Over here. Someone fell in."

Together, they pulled Jude and Lovett from the muddy, foul-smelling water. Soaked and shivering, Jude didn't care about herself-she immediately turned to her daughter.

Lovett coughed up water, then burst into tears and threw her arms around her mother. "Mom... Grandma pushed me in."

Jude's heart shattered.

"I told you not to go near the water. Why were you even there?" she asked, wiping the mud from Lovett's face.

Lovett sobbed, "Grandma said she wanted to show me something... then she pushed me in."

Dorothy's face twisted in fury.

Little brat. She's nothing but trouble.

But she put on her best innocent act, bursting into tears. "Lies. The girl's making up stories already? Jude, look at the monster you're raising, no shame at all."

Jude's eyes turned red with rage. She grabbed Dorothy by the hair and slapped her hard across the face. "You've always hated Lovett. And now you tried to kill her."

"I did no such thing."

Dorothy screamed, "How did the Morgan family end up with a banshee like you? Look, everyone. This is who Jude really is."

Smack. Smack. Smack.

Three more slaps.

"If protecting Lovett makes me a shrew, I'll wear the title with pride."

Unable to hit back, Dorothy howled, "She's trying to kill me. Someone help."

But the bystanders kept their heads down. No one stepped in. Everyone there had, at one point or another, been the target of Dorothy's gossip and cruelty.

When help didn't come, Dorothy snapped. She lunged at Jude, pulling her hair and screaming, "What's the point of having a girl? Girls are useless. Just hens that don't lay eggs. I'll make sure Simon throws you out."

Just then, Simon came charging over. "Jude. What the hell are you doing? Let go of my mom."

Dorothy immediately perked up, fueled by her son's arrival. "See, Simon? Look what your wife's turned into, hitting your mother in public."

Simon's face darkened with rage. He raised his hand to strike Jude, but the crowd held him back.

"Enough." he roared. "We're done, Jude. I want a divorce."

"Fine" Jude snapped. She let go of Dorothy, stepped right up to Simon, and slapped him-once on each cheek.

"One for Lovett. And one for me."

"You, you, you crazy woman."

Simon struggled against the people holding him back, furious and humiliated.

"You're dead, Jude. I swear, I'll make you pay."

But Jude had already calmed down. Borrowing a phone, she called the police.

"I need to report a crime. My mother-in-law tried to hurt my daughter, and my husband has a history of gambling and soliciting prostitutes."

Simon knelt on both knees, only one thought remaining in his mind: I'm done for! Currently, Dorothy finally felt fear. She barely squeezed out a smile, more pathetic than a tearful face, and said, "Jude, we are family." Jude held Lovett tightly and said coldly, "From now on, we are not family, but mortal enemies." Dorothy's eyes widened, muttering to herself, "This is really the end." The police arrived quickly and took them away. Jude needed to go to the police station to give a statement. She begged the police to make a brief stop at Antique Street.

At this time, Ivy had finished a bag of chicken, two bags of vegetables, and three bags of chicken wings. She yawned, did a quick calculation, and muttered, "Jude should have finished dealing with it by now." As soon as she finished speaking, Jude walked over and said, Master, thanks for your reminder, otherwise Lovett... Ivy patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't cry, it's all over." Jude wiped her tears, wanted to say that she didn't need help with the stall, but noticed that all the braised dishes were sold out. Ivy explained, "Aunt Margaret helped to weigh them; you go back and check the money, I will take care of the remaining chicken wings."

Jude couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Thank you, Master. I'll take care of your braised dishes from now on."

"Sure," Ivy patted her belly, took out a Protection Amulet and handed it to her, "Children are easily shocked when they fall into water. Put this under your pillow, it will help you sleep peacefully and prevent nightmares."

Jude clutched the Protection Amulet tightly, made a deep bow, and said, "Master, you truly are my life savior."

"Alright, alright, hurry on, your daughter is still waiting for you." Ivy waved her hands and leisurely made her way home. Today she had made five thousand, and after donating half, she was left with two thousand five hundred. After deducting miscellaneous expenses, she still had twenty thousand on hand. In her village, she would be considered wealthy. Ivy cheered herself up, "Today isn't too shabby, surely tomorrow will be even better."

Just as she arrived at the entrance of her house, she saw a row of cars parked there. A sense of unease washed over her, and she contemplated slipping away. She was mistaken; tomorrow was probably going to be disastrous. Suddenly, Ethan popped out, staring at her emotionlessly.

"Ivy, you're really difficult to find."

Ivy laughed nervously, "CEO Shaw, what brings you here?"