chapter 12 heavy responsibility

The air is filled with the warmth of fragrance and the softness of Nora.
A lingering scent captivated one's senses.
If the elites of Delington knew that Maxwell had received the embrace of Nora, they would surely be driven mad with jealousy.
However, at this moment...
Maxwell stood with feet firmly planted, his back slightly arched, his energy sinking deep into his core. His eyes gleamed with sharpness as if facing a formidable enemy.
Nora's embrace did not evoke any romantic feelings in him.
Instead, it stirred painful memories from his childhood.
For example...
Memories like being tied to a tree and pelted his penis with stones a hundred times.
Nora, the only beloved daughter of the master, was over ten years older than Maxwell and had always bullied him since childhood.
Though Nora was now a stunning middle-aged beauty who could captivate anyone, in Maxwell's heart, she would forever be that devilish girl.
Sensing Maxwell's guarded demeanor, Nora huffed, "Hmph, you brat! Is this how you treat your senior sister? Are you seeking death?"
As she spoke, her slender jade-like fingers formed a circle, threateningly twirling in front of Maxwell's eyes.
Startled, Maxwell quickly wrapped his arms around Nora's waist as a gesture of appeasement. "Come on, Nora, now that we're all grown up, do you have to resort to this? What if your husband sees?"
Rolling her eyes, Nora flicked his forehead. "You heartless rascal! You come to Delington and don't even bother to visit me first, going straight to see your wife. Look at how spineless you are!"
Maxwell shrank back, thinking to himself, 'Well, Abigail is at least a beauty. What kind of creature are you?'
He chuckled nervously and replied, "Nora, now that we're adults, can you stop with the theatrics? What important matter did Master want me to handle?"
"Have a seat." Nora handed Maxwell a bottle of juice and a pile of snacks, then lazily lounged on the sofa. "There's no rush to discuss this. Your wife is Abigail Jerome, right?"
"Yes. Nora, do you know her?"
"We've met briefly. She's the top beauty of Delington!" Nora said disdainfully, "But really? My father asks you to marry such an icy woman... Does he think your happiness can easily be toyed with?"
Maxwell remained silent, recalling the passionate night with Abigail.
She could be fiery too, just with stricter conditions.
"Alas... There are plenty of suitable young ladies in Rougerntwood City who could match you. Even if you find Rougerntwood City too far, there are excellent matches in nearby cities like the McBrien and Laviosa families."
Maxwell scratched his head, realizing they were all daughters of prestigious families. Nora must really think highly of me.
"If you think Abigail isn't suitable, just tell me. I'll introduce you to someone better! Actually, if you wait a few more years until my daughter, Ximena, grows up, you might as well be my son-in-law."
Maxwell could only lower his head in silence.
What kind of joke was this?
Her daughter was probably a little devil who loved to hit men's penis!
He didn't want to spend his later years in turmoil!
...
After lecturing Maxwell about his lifelong decisions, Nora finally got down to business.
She solemnly presented a palm-sized metal plate to Maxwell. "Take this. Xelooe Palace is now entrusted to you."
"What?" Maxwell was dumbfounded.
Nora smiled faintly.
"Xelooe Palace, once the largest force in the underground world of the East."
"It even had branches in the Western world."
"It was unrivaled in power and wealth."
Maxwell looked at the ancient character "Xelooe" on the metal plate. "Xelooe Palace... Is it that powerful?"
"It was powerful indeed," Nora continued, "but that was in the past."
"In the past decade, I haven't paid much attention to Xelooe Palace."
"Nowadays, Xelooe Palace is no longer what it used to be."
"It's fragmented and declining, far from its former glory."
"Wait, Nora!" Maxwell was astonished. "Are you saying Xelooe Palace belongs to you?"
"Before I turned sixteen, I assisted my father in managing it for ten years. After I turned sixteen, I managed it on my own for another ten years."
Maxwell stared at Nora in disbelief, cursing his lack of education with just two words in his mind. "Holy crap!"
Damn!
Nora was terrifying!
Managing a superpower like Xelooe Palace since the age of six!
What was he doing at six?
Oh right! He was being tied to a tree and pelted with stones by Nora...
The comparison was the thief of joy!
"What happened later?" he asked.
He remembered Xelooe Palace being formidable over a decade ago.
"Later... I married your brother-in-law. He's a man of politics, so it wasn't appropriate for me to continue managing Xelooe Palace. And there were no suitable candidates for palace master within. So, I left them to manage it themselves, and they've turned it into what it is now... A mess."
"Why didn't Master take over?" Maxwell couldn't help asking.
"Your master has more important matters!" Nora's expression turned serious. "You have three years to revive Xelooe Palace! This is a major task for our sect! You cannot afford to delay. Otherwise, I won't go easy on you!"
Maxwell sighed!
Damn! Things had been really strange lately.
Becoming the Jerome family's son-in-law out of the blue.
Becoming the palace master of Xelooe Palace out of nowhere.
"Three-year time..."
Nora raised an eyebrow and asked, "Can you do it?"
"Of course!" Maxwell quickly straightened up. "But you have to give me some advice, right?"
Nora smiled faintly and replied, "That sounds more like it. Xavier Larson in Delington is a trustworthy person. He used to be my enforcer and is fiercely loyal to Xelooe Palace. You can start by unifying the underground world of Delington."
"Xavier... Hmm, I remember you mentioning him when I was young."
"You're here at the right time. I'll take you to meet someone. If you can cure his illness, you'll basically be unbeatable in Delington."
"Oh? Who's that capable?" Maxwell asked.
"Delington's top executive, Hudson Harrison."
"Oh... What's his illness?"
"If we could diagnose it, would we need a small doctor like you to intervene?"
After finishing her words, Nora went back to her room and changed into a dark red dress that hugged her curves. It complemented her alluring beauty and graceful demeanor. Maxwell couldn't help but marvel at the transformation from a mischievous girl to a stunning woman. Her husband was indeed fortunate!
Maxwell followed Nora to the ninth villa.
Inside, the atmosphere was tense, as Hudson's condition was particularly severe today. The Harrison family urgently sought the renowned doctor Brody Cooper to diagnose him.
The servants of the Harrison household led Nora and Maxwell to the living room before stepping back.
Nora approached Hudson's wife, Lily Cavey, and asked in a hushed tone, "How is Hudson's condition, Lily?"
Lily shook her head with a sigh. "It's gotten worse again."
Drawing Maxwell closer, Nora turned to Lily and said, "Lily, this is my younger cousin. He's quite skilled in medicine. Let him take a look at Hudson too."
Lily looked at Maxwell with a puzzled expression. "He looks so young. Is he a medical intern?"
"Don't be deceived by his age. He's very skilled. Several prestigious hospitals have invited him," Nora reassured.
"Well, let's give it a try then," Lily conceded.
At that moment, Hudson was wheeled out from the inner room, with Brody softly advising beside him.
"Mr. Harrison's illness is due to chronic overwork. After this episode, he must prioritize rest," Brody advised.
"My Seven-Star Nourishing Soup is a secret remedy that's highly effective," he added.
"You just need to drink it once, and then some adjustment will suffice," Brody said.
Hudson nodded weakly. "Thank you, Doctor Cooper."
As they spoke, a servant from the Harrison household approached with a bowl of medicine, intending to give it to Hudson.
"Wait! Who prescribed this medicine?" Maxwell sniffed and exclaimed, "Don't drink it! It could be lethal!"