[Chapter 245: Semi Finished Product]
Daniel was momentarily stunned; he hadn't even finished his lines yet. But since things had already taken this turn, he didn't bother saying more and simply tucked the check away.
"Let's go," Daniel said. "For now, I need to be with Taylor. That thing isn't in the room -- it's inside her head. I have to catch it the moment it tries to take over."
Scott didn't hesitate. "No problem, as long as this trouble can be solved."
Daniel put the check away and looked at Scott. "Where are you staying? Is it far from here?"
Scott shook his head with a bitter smile. "Mr. Cross, we don't live in Los Angeles. Our home is in Pennsylvania. Recently, because of Taylor's situation, we've been staying in New York for a while. We flew here specifically to find you."
Daniel nodded. They were so sensible; they came here on their own without needing a push. Compared to that Trump family daughter who only flew out after he'd put his foot down, their attitude was clearly better. Of course, he had already adjusted her current attitude.
Scott continued, "We've booked a suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel. For the foreseeable future, I'm afraid we'll have to impose on you to stay there with us."
Daniel nodded, greeted Francia, and followed Scott and Taylor out of the shop. The three of them left Cross Hall and climbed into Daniel's Cadillac.
...
The car soon pulled up in front of the Beverly Hills Hotel. They took the elevator up to the room they'd booked.
Daniel looked around as they entered. The room was nice, with an incredible view -- floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked half of Los Angeles. But Daniel wasn't in the mood to enjoy the scenery. He turned to Scott. "Tonight, I'm sleeping in Taylor's room."
Scott, about to pour water, suddenly froze, nearly dropping the kettle. He looked at Daniel with a complicated expression. "Mr. Cross, this... this isn't quite appropriate, is it?"
Taylor bit her lip. A faint, unnatural flush appeared on her wheat-colored skin as she stood there, somewhat lost.
"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Daniel said coldly. "Like I said, that thing isn't in the room -- it's in Taylor's head. Psychic parasites move fast. They usually take over the body when someone falls asleep or their consciousness weakens. If I sleep next door, by the time I hear something and rush in, she might already be smiling right before taking her life."
Scott fell silent, his expression shifting several times before letting out a dejected sigh. "Fine, for Taylor's safety."
He walked over, lowering his voice, his tone serious. "Mr. Cross, Taylor is my most precious treasure. I know you're a man of true ability, but as a father, I have to remind you... she's only sixteen. Still a child. Please... don't make any extra moves."
Daniel was speechless, looking askance at the overly nervous father. "Mr. Swift, you're overthinking it."
He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "I have no interest in girls who haven't fully developed yet. I'm not a pedophile."
Taylor, standing to the side, felt her face flush red and pale in turns. Especially after hearing "not fully developed," she subconsciously puffed out her chest, then quickly lowered her head in embarrassment and frustration.
Scott was speechless for a moment, finally clearing the awkward silence with two dry coughs. "Sorry, I was being too sensitive. Alright, very well."
Daniel turned to Taylor. "From now on, no matter what you do, don't leave my sight."
Seeing how serious Daniel was, Taylor nodded. "I understand."
...
The three of them stayed together until evening. Daniel looked at Taylor and said, "Go wash up and get to bed early tonight. I'll be watching over you. If anything happens, I'll know immediately."
Taylor nodded obediently, grabbed her toiletry bag, and went into the bathroom. However, the bathroom door remained open, and Daniel stood by the entrance, watching her the entire time.
...
Night fell.
Taylor changed into a conservative long-sleeved pajama set and curled up on one side of the large bed. Daniel pulled a single-seater sofa close and sat right by the head of the bed.
The room was very quiet except for the soft hum of the central air conditioning.
After a while, a rustling came from the bed. Taylor turned onto her side, looked at Daniel's silhouette in the darkness, and whispered, "Mr. Cross, are you asleep?"
"No." Daniel didn't even open his eyes.
"I... I'm afraid to close my eyes," Taylor's voice trembled slightly. "Whenever I do, I feel like that girl is standing behind the curtains. She keeps smiling at me -- smiling so wide her mouth looks like it's about to split open."
"Close your eyes. Those are just hallucinations," Daniel said calmly. "This kind of thing feeds on your fear. The more afraid you are, the more real it seems."
"But it looks so real..."
"In front of me, what's fake is fake."
Daniel opened his eyes and flipped his hand. A glowing Seal appeared in his palm. He took Taylor's hand, placing the Seal in her palm. "Hold this."
Taylor immediately felt a mysterious power envelop her. The fear in her heart eased considerably.
Surprised, she asked, "It is so magical. What is this?"
Daniel said, "A Seal. Sleep. With me here, no one can do anything."
He closed his eyes again.
Holding the Seal and looking at the cold profile of the man before her, a sense of safety she had never known washed over Taylor. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into a deep sleep.
...
Seeing Taylor breathing steady and her hand relaxing around the Seal, Daniel slowly opened his eyes and lowered his voice, speaking into the air. "Chris, come out."
A faint pink glow flashed across the phone screen, and Succubus Chris appeared silently at the bedside. Tonight, she wore a nearly transparent silk camisole nightgown. Her long hair draped over her shoulders, her figure appeared even more tangible than usual.
"Master, you called me out in the middle of the night -- do you want to try a different flavor?" Chris teased, her gaze falling on the sleeping Taylor, lips curling into a mocking smirk.
Daniel ignored her teasing, serious. "You're a spiritual entity; your perception of things like this is sharper than mine. This 'Smiling Spirit' is a parasite in human consciousness. I can only defend -- you can see it. Help me keep an eye on her. If there's any abnormal fluctuation in her brainwaves, tell me immediately."
Chris leaned closer, looking down at Taylor.
Though Taylor was still green, that face -- combining innocence and refinement -- held a soul-stirring beauty under the moonlight.
"Tsk tsk."
Chris circled the bed, speaking sarcastically. "Master, I have to say, your taste is getting more and more... unique."
Daniel frowned. "What are you trying to say?"
"Scarlett had a figure as hot as ripe peach. Anne was elegant like a statue. Even Rachel had the charm of a mature woman." Chris extended a slender finger, pointing at Taylor's somewhat flat chest. She mocked, "But what about this one? Aside from being a little tall, she's just an undeveloped little bean sprout. Master, since when did you start taking on such 'semi-finished products'?"
*****
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