The cab dropped off the beautiful 'Xi Hua' in front of a Tudor-style mansion made of gray cobblestone and desaturated blue tiled roof. The fence was also cobblestone with oil lamps, while the gate was black iron grating.
Even though it was antique-looking, it wasn't the most impressive nor expensive house in Scarsdale.
In fact, it looked common enough as most houses were like this. They were old and renovated residences that were hundreds of years old. Many rich people choose to live here due to the old-fashioned quality and the history surrounding the area. Or maybe they simply like the aesthetic of living in the Medieval times.
The Faust residence did not stand out. But what makes it easily recognizable for all cab drivers were the residents themselves, not the house.
"You got some business with the Crimson Cross King, girlie?" The cab driver asked as Harker paid him.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. The prince, actually." He replied.
The Faust family owns shares in major private hospitals and medical services all over New York State. It was also no surprise that they sponsor the medical side of the Stoker University where Harker got his scholarship.
Even though the Faust were not that really affiliated with the American Crimson Cross, the name just somehow stuck with them due to their medical-related business.
"Ah. You're going to be the C.C. Princess then?" The cab driver joked.
Harker pretended to be flustered just like Xi Hua would. "No, no! That's not possible, we're just friends!"
"Pfft, friends! Yer a funny one. Aight, go run along to yer 'friend', girlie."
Harker continued to force himself to blush, and the color left his cheek as soon as the driver went out.
"Tsk. If Roland took Xi Hua in as his princess, the whole Crimson Cross Family would have been massacred."
He felt kind of grateful that Xi Hua went after him instead of his best friend. After all, Yan might not have chosen him to be the new Demon Lord of the West, and he would have died on that hotel room that night. And since Xi Hua hid her identity, it won't be linked to her.
Roland would just be another dead billionaire's son in the headlines. People would speculate about business enemies and stuff like that, but never a demon girl.
But then again, Roland was pretty smart. He may figure it out earlier and actually manage to escape.
Harker pressed the doorbell near the oil lamp on the left side of the gate.
"Who is it?"
The attendant handling the intercom speaker for guests asked. There was also a CCTV camera that zoomed in towards his face. This CCTV camera was special, as it also detects guns and explosives through thermal sensor imagery.
"Hi. I'm Xi Hua, a friend of Roland. I just came by to visit." Harker waved at the camera.
There was a pause as the attendant verified this information. Soon, the gates opened automatically.
The Fausts had the benefit of having more advanced technology thanks to their money and connection to the medical field. That was why they found the best surgeons to operate on the separation of the conjoined twins, Samson and Samuel.
If not, they would not have survived long as cephalopagus twins. They shared parts of their brain and cranium, and the surgery was the only successful one for their particular condition at that time.
The Faust also offered to provide Harker's father prosthetic legs, but he declined. Harker would have also done the same. They had already owed so much from the surgery alone. They need to earn money first to buy it themselves since they don't want to appear like leeching off these wealthy friends of theirs.
He would live his life forever in gratitude to the 'Crimson Cross' family.
As he stepped in, a butler accompanied him to Roland. The prince was sipping some tea by the garden, reading a book. It was a thick manual on Criminal Defense for Heinous Crimes and Death Row Inmates.
Roland was breaking the Faust family legacy by choosing to take law instead of health business or medicine. Choosing humanities instead of science and technology. His father still does not approve of it, but Roland's skill speaks for itself. His examinations and practical application tests were always at the top 1% of the country.
Before Harker could even reach the door, Roland already stood up and turned to him. He must have heard footsteps. His one hand carried the book and the other held his cup of black tea.
"Ah, Xi Hua. What brings you here?" He asked. "Is Harker alright? No one answered my calls last night. I thought you two would be together at the Jean-Pierre Hotel."
"Oh, we were. But Harker backed out since he had a family emergency. And I was so deep in sleep last night that I wasn't able to answer your calls, sorry." Harker explained in Xi Hua's delicate voice.
"I see. That's understandable. Family emergencies are common in Harker's house because of his sister Chloe's condition." He smiled. "Did you visit just to tell me about this? You could have given me a call—"
"Actually, I'm here to tell you that I would be off to go out of the country later. I'm running away."
Roland's eyes widened. "Running away?"
"Yes…." Harker sighed dramatically just like Xi Hua would, twirling his hair. "My parents are always controlling my life. I didn't want to go to the US to study here. It just struck me last night that I don't have to follow their rules anymore, I could always just run off and see the world for myself."
Roland observed 'Xi Hua' from head to toe, as if checking how truthful 'she' was.
Then, he shrugged. "That is so like you, Xi Hua. Where do you plan to go?"
"If I tell you, you might tell my dad. I'm just playing it safe, please don't be offended." 'Xi Hua' gave 'her' usual playful cherry-red smile.
Everything checks out. Her body language, the way she talks, her motivation…..
There's nothing wrong. And Harker can see it in Roland's face that he totally buys this. He felt relieved.
"I see. Well, I won't be stopping you. And I promise not to tell Mr. Xi too, I'm not a snitch." Roland chuckled. "One last hug before you go?"
"Of course! I'm sort of in a rush since my flight won't be long, but I can always spare a hug." 'Xi Hua' wrapped her arms around him. "I'll keep in touch."
'No, she won't.' Harker thought. 'But at least her disappearance won't be tied to me.'
"That's great. See you whenever." Roland bid her farewell.
After the brief hug, which was hard to do because of the large ta-tas on the way, Harker turned to leave. He planned to go back home before his family could even notice he was gone….
"By the way, Xi Hua. I didn't know you have that birthmark on your neck."
Harker stopped in his tracks. "Hm? What birthmark?"
"These two dots." Roland pointed out. "Like a vampire bite. It reminds me of Harker."
Harker's face went pale when he said:
"He has the same birthmark."
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