Two stacks of documents lay before them, one thick and one thin.

Erwin let out a long, weary sigh. "This is the dilemma the Mystic Arts Alliance faces right now!"

There were too many frauds and too few with real skills.

Madison nodded. "That's why the Mystic Arts Alliance needs to show our strength and let the government see what we're truly capable of."

Everyone turned to look at her.

She continued, "Each faction of the Mystic Arts Alliance should assign disciples to join the Office of Non-Scientific Affairs. They must follow the office's regulations so that the government can witness our abilities firsthand."

She paused. "Cultivators are typically hard to restrain. If you truly can't find suitable candidates, don't force it. It'll only backfire."

Those who had been preparing to voice objections swallowed their words after hearing her last statement.

Her words carried a clear implication. If they couldn't send someone capable of abiding by the rules, then they shouldn't bother with half-hearted efforts. The representatives sent had to meet the standards; otherwise, the world of mystic arts would continue its decline. As members of the Mystic Arts Alliance, they naturally didn't want the organization to carry such a tarnished reputation.

Just moments ago, they had all been claiming to act in the organization's best interest. Now, if they couldn't even produce suitable candidates...

Erwin cleared his throat. "Since Ms. Locke has issued this directive, we'll conduct a proper selection process. It's all for the future of the world of mystic arts."

"We'll take this seriously."

"Rest assured, Ms. Locke. Anyone we send will meet the requirements."

Madison smiled but did not respond.

Back at Haven House, Wanda immediately came out to open the door.

Madison frowned as she looked at Wanda's face. "What happened to you? Who hit you?"

Wanda shook her head and instead reminded Madison, "Mrs. Locke and Rebecca are here."

Madison did not respond. She stepped forward but suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Where are Yara and Mia?"

Wanda's eyes reddened. Just as she was about to answer, a cheerful voice called out, "Maddie, you're back!"

It was Rebecca's voice.

Her tone was light and delighted, as though nothing had happened. "Mom, I told you she'd come back! See? Maddie's home now!"

Tanya's anxious expression meltedExclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

into relief as she walked over. She grabbed with both

her hadison's a

back! you

"Maddie, you're finall

don't know how worried

I've been! Now that everything's resolved, we can be a family again."

Madison pulled her arm away and turned to Wanda. "What exactly happened?"

Wanda's eyes brimmed with tears, and her voice choked. "They barged in and demanded to see you, but you had instructed us that your current work was critical, and we weren't to disturb you unless it was something urgent.

"But... they wouldn't stop. They insisted that either Yara or Mia was responsible for harming you. A few days ago, they even brought a monk and took Yara, Mia, and Ms. Parker away." Wanda was clearly distraught, her eyes red with worry.

Madison looked at Tanya and Rebecca coldly.

Rebecca smiled gently as she said

softly, "Maddie, don't you feel like something's been wrong lately? Ever since you started dealing with... those things, your temper's been so strange. Plus, you don't even want to live at home anymore. This isn't like the old you at all."

She covered her mouth and let out a light laugh. "If we hadn't consulted an expert who confirmed your soul was intact, I would've thought your body had been taken over by someone else's spirit." Madison's tone turned cold. "Where are Yara and the others?"