Chapter 402: Tell me about Zyra

Logan moved like a rusty robot; his legs stiff with every step. He intentionally ignored Lita’s overly bubbly greeting.

"Good evening, Father!" she had squeaked, but he didn’t care. His sharp, cold eyes were locked entirely on Ursula. Just a while back, he had explicitly told Ursula that he didn’t want to be her daughter’s father. He had been very specific about his instructions, and there was only one: take the girl to some back water countryside and disappear.

It seemed, Ursula had a problem with her ears. And those ears, needed to be cut off.

He sat down in the heavy wooden chair and let out a long, weary sigh.

If this woman had just told me she was pregnant back then, Logan thought to himself, I would have forced her to drink an abortion tonic like I did with all my other mistresses. Simple! Efficient! But no, she had to keep a secret for 22 years! If my father-in-law gets wind of this, I am so screwed.

Ursula spoke first, "Mr....Mr..Logan, I mean Mr. mayor. " She stammered nervously, "I tried to stop Lita from calling you, but the girl is just too stubborn and... we really need your help."

"She is a go getter like me I guess." Logan said and cleared his throat, wiping the annoyance off his face. He forced a plastic smile onto his lips. "Since she is already here, it is too late to stop the train anyway. So, I have decided to help you two," He spread his hands out, using his best benevolent political voice. "I want you to live a quiet, peaceful life. I have a private farm down in South Perla in the Aurora Dominion. I will give it to you. You can farm cabbages, grow some potatoes, and keep some livestock. The servants there will be yours to command. The guards are ex-marines, and they will protect you. It is a good life that many would kill for."

Ursula swallowed hard. Her throat felt dry. She shook her head rapidly. "No, no! What farm? I don’t want to dig dirt! Give us energy stones and fake passports so we can vanish on our own." In her mind, she thought, far from your reach.

Before Logan could respond, Lita loudly cut in. "Mother, stop talking! That’s just what you want, not what I want." She turned to Logan, her eyes shining with delusion. "Father, I don’t want to run away! I want a real relationship with you! Maybe next month, or next year, you can host a banquet and introduce me to the whole world as your lost heiress!" She smiled; I will then be an equal to Zyra maybe even a status higher. I cannot believe she is married to Hunter Kaelion? How did that even happen!?"

Inwardly, Logan scoffed so hard he almost choked on his own breath. Lost heiress? I have my own children--children with Craw clan blood. How can I declare a bastard low-born my heiress? Was this girl dropped on her head as a baby? She’s truly a loose cannon!

The only reason Logan hadn’t sent an assassin to snap Lita’s neck the moment he discovered her existence was because she was married into the powerful Kaelion family. He had hoped she would be a useful pawn to use. But now? Her husband was dead, and worse, rumors said she was pregnant with a bastard child. She was now useless trash!

Logan’s mocking eyes shifted from Ursula to Lita. Ah, the apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree. Mother and daughter_ both cheap, foolish whores. I have to get rid of them today.

However, before sending them to the underworld, he needed information.

Lita was still blabbering continuously. "And then, when I am the young mistress of your house, I can have ten maidservants! Oh, and_"

Logan raised his hand, halting her sentence mid-air.

Lita chuckled shyly, her cheeks flushing. "Eek! I’m sorry, Father! Am I talking too much? I’m just so excited to finally be with my beloved father!"

"It’s fine. I understand," Logan lied smoothly, his eyes narrowing like a snake preparing to strike. "Before we discuss your bright future as my heiress, there is one small thing I need to ask you."

Lita nodded aggressively, chewing her roasted meat like a hungry pig, swallowing hard. "Ask away! I will tell you all about my life!"

"Tell me everything you know about Zyra Scorpion," Logan said.

Clang! The silver fork slipped right out of Lita’s fingers and bounced on the floor. Her bubbly expression froze instantly. Her appetite vanished into thin air.

"Z-Zyra?" Lita stuttered, her mood instantly souring. "Why do you ask about her?"

Logan cracked his knuckles, making a loud pop sound. "Well, she grew up in the Frood family home alongside you, didn’t she? I just want to hear about her childhood. She is a powerhouse now, and I must get along with her. Haven’t you heard that she could be the next Divine Soul Maiden?"

Lita sneered, her mouth twisting into a ugly scowl. The next Divine Soul Maiden! Pah! Is she even worthy? "Father, don’t even get me started on that wretched girl! I hate her! I hate her so much!" She leaned across the table, whispering to Logan like they were co-conspirators in a great, evil plan. "You must want to eliminate her, so she doesn’t threaten your political power.

I can help you! I know all her weaknesses!" Lita talked nonstop, spit flying from her lips as she laughed wildly. "She is so stupid, Father! Back in Myrtle city, she fell right off a cliff into the wildlands just because I made small threats at her.... she panics easily you know! My only regret is that I didn’t strangle her with my own hands before she plunged down! We have deep blood enmity, she and I! If you want to kill her, count me in!"

Logan let out a muffled chuckle. But in his mind, he wasn’t listening to her evil plans at all. All I hear is a noisy, loud-mouthed fly telling me how she tried to hurt my future wife, Logan thought. I am going to be Zyra’s second husband. Does this bastard even know the perks that come with being married to a Divine Soul Maiden? Ralph Kaelion and the Soul maidens are behind Zyra. She can command armies of King beasts, and this bitch is mouthing off about killing her? She really has a death wish. If I dare take her in, who knows what she might use my power and influence to do? I cannot go down with this rotten ship.

Logan clapped his hands twice. "Chef! Bring out the special dessert!"

A chubby man in a white suit walked in, carrying a silver tray with a rich, glossy chocolate fudge cake. The sweet smell filled the room immediately.

Lita’s eyes went round like dinner plates. "Chocolate fudge cake!"

"I had my personal chef make it specially for you two," Logan said, giving them a warm, paternal nod. He glanced at Ursula. "I remembered it was your favorite too, Ursula."

Ursula, who had been nervous the whole time, let out a deep breath and offered a tiny, touched smile. Ah... maybe I was wrong about him, Ursula thought, feeling a warm sensation in her chest. Blood is thicker than water after all! Look at him, he even remembered my favorite cake! He really does care about Lita!

"Thank you," Ursula said softly.