Account Settled, William and the House Zhan Are Almost Here

The one who got hurt was Beanie.

Talk about bad luck—while Prince Nolan searched two places and found nothing, it was Beanie who actually ran into Three-Inch.

Three-Inch isn’t weak at all—especially his Water Drop hidden weapon technique, which is downright terrifying. Honestly, even Ethan or Prince Nolan might not have come out ahead if they’d faced him alone.

Beanie only managed to catch him off guard—otherwise, he’d be a lot worse off. If that Water Drop had hit a vital spot, he’d be dead for sure.

Beanie got lucky. The bead didn’t hit anything vital, just his waist. That silver bead was lodged at his side, blood pouring nonstop, and Beanie was clutching his wound, grinning like a fool.

He might’ve gotten hurt, but he was the hero—he caught the killer. But Beanie’s smile faded fast when Serena said the wound had hit his kidney.

"Serena, are you sure it’s my kidney?" Beanie’s mouth twisted, on the verge of tears.

For a guy, hurting your kidney is just about the worst luck. He hadn’t even slept with the courtesan yet—he couldn’t stand the idea of being ‘broken’ before that.

"The wound’s tiny, so I need to check further." Given the power of Water Drop, there’s a ninety percent chance it hit the kidney. Judging from the bleeding, Serena’s preliminary diagnosis was a ruptured kidney with major hemorrhage.

Beanie felt a little better after hearing that, gazing at Serena with pitiful eyes, like he was staking his life on her.

Serena didn’t want to crush his spirits. She ordered the others to carry Beanie inside. With Prince Nolan off interrogating Three-Inch, Serena was the only one in charge here.

Beanie was laid out on a makeshift operating table. Apart from Ethan, Serena kicked everyone else out.

Serena lit more than ten lamps inside, changed clothes, pinned up her hair, put on a mask. When she pulled on her gloves and took out the scalpel and tweezers, Beanie shrank back. "Why do I feel like you’re about to chop me up?"

"Chop you up? You think too highly of yourself. You’re not worth the trouble." Serena pulled out a surgical magnifier from her kit and strapped it to her head.

"Serena, you look seriously scary right now." Beanie pointed at her, squirming awkwardly.

Her face was cold, half-covered by a strange device on her head. From a distance, she looked like a ghost. Beanie was just glad there were enough lights—otherwise, he’d be scared to death.

Serena didn’t even glance at Beanie. She took out an anesthetic, gave him a local shot, and when the needle went in, Beanie started squirming. Serena smacked him: "Lie still. Don’t move."

"Okay, but Serena—are you sure you’re saving me and not killing me?" Beanie lay there, sweat beading on his forehead. He was clearly in pain, just not the type to scream.

"Ethan, come over and keep Beanie company. Talk to him so he won’t move." The anesthetic wouldn’t kick in right away, but Serena couldn’t wait—if she delayed, Beanie could bleed out and die, and that would be on her.

"Fine." Ethan’s face was dark, but—

What was he supposed to talk about with Beanie?

You want Ethan to talk to me? Serena, you picked the wrong guy—Ethan’s no talker. Why don’t you talk to me instead? Beanie looked at Ethan with obvious dislike.

He really couldn’t stand Ethan—he’d rather chat with Simon than face Ethan’s cold look, like he owed him money.

Serena didn’t have time to argue—Beanie’s wound was tricky. From the outside it looked like a small cut, but inside the silver bead had shattered things, breaking several blood vessels. Serena had to open the wound, remove the bead, and see how bad the damage was.

Serena gripped the scalpel, measured the incision, then cut. The blade sliced through flesh without even a drop of blood, but Beanie screamed in pain: "Ah... it hurts so much!"

Hold him down," Serena ordered Ethan. "Don’t let him move. If anything goes wrong, his whole life could be ruined."

Beanie’s injury was to his kidney—a mistake here could ruin a man’s happiness. Serena couldn’t afford to be careless.

Serena, you’re murdering me—this hurts so much! You actually cut my flesh with a knife, you villain. I’m going to tell Master you bullied me." Beanie’s eyes were red as a rabbit’s, face pale, but he forced himself not to move.

He knew Serena wouldn’t hurt him. He could sense that beneath her cold exterior, she was warm-hearted.

It’ll be over soon. Hang in there," Serena said, expressionless.

Serena froze for a moment, then felt a wave of relief—they’d found the killer. Even if it couldn’t calm House Zhan’s fury, at least they could give them an answer…

The news had spread quickly. Soon, William Wang and the Zhan family would be at the city gates, and the whole border city would be in chaos.

Serena sat down across from Nolan. She was exhausted, but she forced herself to focus. "Did you get anything out of Three-Inch?" she asked.

Nolan’s gaze was deep and unreadable. He handed her a cup of tea. "He confessed to the murder. The evidence matches what you found. But presenting him won’t stop all the accusations."

Serena nodded. "At least it’s a start. We can’t let them pin everything on you. Adrian’s death was never your fault."

Nolan’s lips curved in a faint, bitter smile. "No one in Eastlyn’s court will let me off so easily. House Zhan and the academy will demand blood."

Serena picked up a pastry but didn’t eat. Her mind was racing through the evidence, the accusations, and the next steps.

She glanced at Nolan. "Will you let me handle the scene when they arrive? I need to reconstruct everything, step by step."

Nolan met her eyes. "Do what you need to do. I’ll back you up no matter what."

Serena felt the pressure in her chest ease. For once, she wasn’t alone against the world.

Outside the window, the sky was already bright. The city was waking up, and soon, the storm would break.

Serena finished her tea, her hands steady. Whatever happened next, she would face it head-on.

Nolan rose and walked to the door. "Rest a moment. I’ll handle the guards and the arrangements."

Serena nodded. She watched Nolan’s back as he left, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and worry.

She gathered her medical kit and checked her supplies again, making sure she was ready for whatever came next.

The footsteps and voices outside grew louder. The city was about to erupt in chaos.

Serena took a deep breath and stepped outside, ready to face the storm that was coming.

No matter what accusations or threats awaited, she would not back down.

She was Serena Feng of the Phoenix clan, and she would not be crushed by fate again.

The city gates loomed ahead, crowded with soldiers and students. The storm was about to break.

And this time, Serena was ready.