The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78 Kind Pretense

26%

Finished

Venus said calmly, “You’re not meant to die yet. A year from now, you’ll meet your true soulmate, and Mia will return to you as your daughter again. But if you don’t let her go now, her soul will linger too long in the mortal world. That will stop her from being reborn-and you’ll both miss your chance to reunite in this life.”

Ava’s eyes filled with tears as she hugged her little girl tight.

“Mia, I don’t want to let you go, but I’m worried you become a lost spirit. I’ll get ready for you to come back as my baby again; you must find me, okay?”

Mia nodded sweetly, her small face shining with trust.

Venus turned to Rowan, still uneasy.

“Ava isn’t supposed to die, but bringing her back won’t be easy. If anything happens, call me right away. Here, take my number.”

Rowan jotted it down while grinning. He didn’t take it seriously.

“You really don’t trust Vienna’s medical skills, huh? I told you. She’s amazing. Even Dr. Blanton praises her. Relax, nothing’s going to happen.”

Venus frowned. “It better not.”

Leaving the hospital, she climbed onto her motorized trike and headed toward the Burn Mansion.

She hadn’t taken Neil’s words to heart, but she needed to see Julian.

Meanwhile, inside the Burn Mansion, Julian sat grim-faced on the armchair.

Harvey and Megan stood nearby, adding fuel to the fire as they retold everything that had happened these past few days.

“So you’re saying Axel’s deal fell through, Rayne got beaten, Lumi’s in the hospital, and Percy landed in juvie-all because of Venus?”

Julian’s face darkened; he gripped the cane as he slammed it on the floor with a heavy thud.

“When did that girl become so reckless?”

Megan broke into tears. “Percy’s got it the worst. He’s barely eating or sleeping in juvie. The other kids are bullying him. He’s just a teenager. How can he survive that kind of place?”

Julian’s heart was aching for him. “I’ll make a few calls and pull some strings. We’ll get Percy out”

“Thanks, Dad!” Harvey said quickly, then added with a later tone, “But Dad, this time, don’t keep Venus here anymore. Kick her out, erase her from the family cord! If she stays any longer, she’s going to tear this whole family apart!”

Julian’s face darkened. He slammed his came against the floor and barked, “Enough! Don’t say things like that. It’s bad luck.

“I have my reasons for keeping Venus in this house,” he said firmly. “Before I left, what did I tell you?”

O

<

173

18:47 Tue, Feb 3 GG.

Chapter 78 Kind Pretense

26%

Finished

Harvey hesitated, guilt flashing across his face. “You said don’t let Venus leave the house. But Dad, she wanted to go! We couldn’t stop her even if we tried.”

Megan jumped in to defend her husband. “That’s right. Venus isn’t the same anymore. She’s turned the whole family upside down. She torments all of her siblings. We don’t dare cross her.”

Julian’s anger rose; the tip of his cane struck the floor again. “If you’d treated her better, would she have run away?”

Harvey threw up his hands. “We’ve done everything we could! She’s the ungrateful one! Venus is greedy and never satisfied! What else can we do?”

Julian glared at his son coldly. “You think I don’t know how much you despise her? I’ve told you a hundred times. No matter what, she’s still your daughter. Even if you can’t stand her, don’t throw her out. Just think of her as another maid if you have to.”

Before he could finish, Venus walked in through the door like she owned the place.

Julian froze for a split second. His eyes flickered with guilt before he quickly replaced it with a warm, grandfatherly smile.

“Venus, you’re finally home,” he said with forced cheer.

“Your father told me you ran away after a fight. That won’t do.”

He chuckled kindly, as if nothing had happened. “A young girl like you shouldn’t be living alone in that haunted house. Be a good girl, listen to me, and come home.”

Venus sat down calmly, her tone steady and distant. “So Mr. Neil said you’re here to punish me because I hit Oliver. Is that it?”

Julian was taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to speak to him in that tone.

Everyone had told him Venus had changed, but seeing in person was something else.

Gone was the timid, soft-spoken girl who used to nod and obey. The woman before him was composed, sharp, and utterly unafraid.

Julian cleared his throat awkwardly. “No, no, nothing like that. Don’t listen to Neil’s nonsense.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify