Paige Summers was surprised.

The way Sean Raines asked... ’Is he an acquaintance of the Summers Family?’ But she had no memory of such a person.

She paused for a moment before saying cautiously, "They’ve all passed away."

Sean Raines was clearly taken aback. "Passed away? Then you’re all alone..."

"I’m living just fine on my own." Paige Summers felt awkward having a chance acquaintance suddenly show concern for her life.

Sean Raines realized this too and tactfully dropped the subject, letting them go.

The car door opened, and the vehicle following behind immediately pulled up. Paige Summers flicked her wrist, sending out a flexible cable. The metal clasp at its tip, shaped like a flower, locked firmly onto the frame of the opposite car door. Holding Erin Quinn with one arm, she used the other to tighten the cable and vaulted across.

Her movements were indescribably swift and fluid. Sean Raines watched, his gaze fixed. It was only after their car had driven off for a while that he slowly closed his own door.

’With skills like that, no wonder she said she’s doing fine on her own... But still...’

He leaned his head back against the seat, his fingers stroking the armrest.

’It has to be her. A face so much like the one described, also having only a grandfather and a father, and even the same name. There’s a ninety-percent chance she’s that madam’s daughter. Her personality is a little different from the descriptions—not as gentle and meek as I’d heard, but that’s completely understandable. Living on her own, if she were any softer, I wouldn’t be seeing her here today.’

What he was hesitant about was whether or not he should inform that madam.

Her stepson was no ordinary person.

Although their relationship seemed to be good, her husband—his father—had passed away. Without that bond, and with a biological daughter now in the picture... it was hard to say whether it would bring peace or conflict.

’Most importantly, I don’t want to get dragged into it!’

But if he didn’t say anything, he would feel terribly guilty.

Back when he first arrived in Central City with his master, they were completely clueless. The place was a tangled mess of factions. While they resisted the Zombies and Mutant Beasts outside, there was no end to the infighting within. If not for that madam who had consistently looked out for them due to her past friendship with his master, the two of them would have likely been thrown out as cannon fodder long ago!

Recalling all this, Sean Raines heaved a long sigh. Even the joy of finding his future junior apprentice had faded considerably.

’Thankfully, there’s still time. I’ll think it over some more.’

While he was racking his brain over this, Paige Summers was actually muttering to herself for a bit as well.

’Does he really know me? Please don’t let this unearth a whole bunch of the original owner’s long-lost relatives!’

However, her wild guesses truly lasted for only a moment. When Erin Quinn snuggled up beside her, roaring with laughter after reading a few pages of the book Sean Raines had given her, Paige immediately pushed the matter to the back of her mind.

"Is that a joke book?"

Erin Quinn nuzzled against her. "No, but it’s really funny. Do you want to read it?"

Paige Summers immediately shook her head. It was, after all, supposed to be their sect’s essential introductory reading. It had nothing to do with her. "No, thanks. Just tell me why it’s so funny."

"Mmm. It’s actually kind of like the comics Dad used to talk about. The little person inside is really ugly and goofy, so it’s hilarious. It must be a drawing of that guy. It says he went to find a master and kept kowtowing to him, over and over, so the master got really happy and decided to teach him skills. He even told him that after he finished learning, he wouldn’t have to be afraid of anyone, not even the Mutant Beasts outside the city! He..."

She spoke with great excitement, not bothering to lower her voice, so basically everyone in the car heard her.

Most of them, like Paige Summers, felt the corners of their mouths twitch as they listened.

’An introductory reader?’

’It’s clearly just to trick little kids...’

In the corner, Nora Lowell watched the seemingly heartwarming scene of one person talking and the other listening, finding it incredibly grating.

’Have they lost their minds? The Beast Tide is coming, how can they be so carefree? In this world, what could possibly be more important than improving one’s strength and ultimately standing at the pinnacle of power?! And here they are, playing house. It’s ridiculous!’

At that moment, she really wished that stupid woman, Leanne Walsh, would jump up and shatter it all!

She glanced over discreetly, but Leanne Walsh hadn’t uttered a single word since waking up. She was listless, with a vacant look in her eyes, and still hadn’t pulled herself together.

’That idiot!’

She cursed inwardly through clenched teeth. She could only close her eyes in annoyance, letting Erin Quinn’s soft, tender voice ring gratingly in her ears, interspersed with Paige Summers’ occasional, cheerful agreements.

Although she appeared relaxed, Paige Summers felt she was simply following a famous quote: "Despise the enemy strategically, but take them seriously tactically."