Howard let out a snort, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "You wanna marry him? You should ask if he's willing first."
Ivy stood on the other side, her eyes filled with anger and resentment, as if she wanted to devour us. "Of course he's willing," she snapped sharply and firmly. "He said he would marry me."
"That's just your wishful thinking," Howard retorted bluntly.
"He promised me himself," Ivy's tone grew more agitated, almost hysterical in her insistence.
Howard nodded slightly, a sly glint in his eyes. "Then bring him out. If he really wants to marry you, we won't interfere and will leave right away."
Ivy snorted coldly, "You're just trying to trick me into bringing Matthew out. That's impossible. He can only be mine in his whole life!"
Seeing her so crazed, I couldn't help but frown and asked coldly, "Have you asked him? Does he really want to marry you, or did he just agree while he was out of it under your influence?"
My words seemed to ignite the anger in Ivy's heart. She scrutinized me from head to toe with sharp eyes, her gaze filled with emotions I couldn't fathom.
"Why? How am I not as good as you? Why does he like you? What makes you better than me? Why do you deserve his affection?"
Her hateful gaze was like an abyss, making me shiver. I instinctively hid behind Howard, seeking a bit of safety.
"Howard, this person... no, this ghost is completely insane. She's talking nonsense. You need to find a way to get Matthew from her, and let's get out of here."
The atmosphere here was too eerie. I couldn't stay another moment and desperately wanted to leave this unsettling place.
Howard looked at Ivy with a cold gaze and spoke indifferently, "I'll ask one last time, where is Matthew?"
A twisted smile appeared on Ivy's face, seemingly completely consumed by her resentment. She said resolutely, "If you want to find him, you'll have to kill me first."
"Fine, I'll grant your wish!" Howard's voice was without hesitation.
Seeing the tension between them rising, with sparks seemingly about to fly, I realized that staying here would be of no help and might even become a burden to Howard.
So I voiced, "Howard, you handle her. I'll see if I can find Matthew."
I needed to make it clear, my decision to leave was not out of fear or avoidance.
Howard made a swift turn in mid-air, his cold gaze sweeping over me as if he could see right through my thoughts. He snorted lightly. "I sense his presence in the courtyard to the southwest. Go there directly to find him."
With Howard's guidance, I turned without hesitation and left the courtyard without looking back.
Given Howard's combat skills, Ivy had almost no chance of gaining the upper hand, so I didn't worry about his safety.
"Don't go..." Ivy realized I was leaving and immediately reacted, reaching out to stop me.
Howard didn't back down, snorting coldly and flashing in front of Ivy. "Your opponent is me."
Taking advantage of this opportunity, I ran swiftly towards the southwest.
At the end of the path, I finally saw a courtyard adorned with a white veil. The bright white stood out starkly in the gloomy environment.
My heart tightened. Matthew was likely there. Without thinking, I rushed in.
Pushing open the courtyard door, I hurried into the house and saw Matthew sitting in a chair, his eyes vacant.
His face was pale, his eyes empty, and he was wearing a black suit that made him look particularly frightening.
The suit matched perfectly with Ivy's dress, and the surrounding flowers and lights made the scene look especially grand and festive.
Thinking that if Howard and I had been a step late, Matthew might have been led by a malevolent ghost to complete that horrifying wedding in the cold mansion, I couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
Fortunately, we arrived in time to prevent that tragedy.
"Matthew." I rushed over and shook him vigorously, trying to snap him out of it. "Matthew, wake up. It's dangerous here. I need to get you out."
Matthew was like a puppet controlled by invisible strings, his eyes vacant, his soul seemingly gone, just sitting there, completely still.
Unable to wake him, I tried to move him, but my strength was too small to budge him.
Time was pressing, and I had to act fast. I slapped his cheeks hard, hoping it would work. "Matthew, come on, wake up!"
But no matter how I called his name or slapped him, he wouldn't wake up.
I was very anxious, looking around for a possible solution.
Feeling completely helpless, a thought suddenly struck me.
I remembered that not long ago, I had asked Amelia for a Novice Talisman.
It had to work, right?
I quickly took out the small Novice Talisman from my pocket and carefully placed it in Matthew's cold hand.
Time seemed to stand still. I watched Matthew nervously, hoping for a miracle.
After about a minute, Matthew's vacant expression began to change, his eyes gradually regaining focus as he looked at me in confusion.
"Karena, why are you here?" he asked, puzzled. "Where are we?"
He looked down at himself, noticing the black suit, and he froze. "What's with this outfit?"
Seeing his bewildered expression, I didn't have time to explain. I urgently said, "Matthew, you're finally awake. The situation is critical. You must come with me. I'll explain everything on the way. This place is very strange, and we can't stay here long."
Matthew trusted me completely. Without asking any more questions, he just nodded and quickly got up to follow me out.
We dashed through the dim corridor, our footsteps echoing eerily in the empty rooms.
Howard was still fiercely battling Ivy. We couldn't help, so after careful consideration, I decided to take Matthew out first.
"You can't leave!" Just as we were about to reach the door, Ivy's figure suddenly appeared in front of us.