Chapter 13

Carl seemed a little irked about Jordan not trying to ask for more information or offer him money for his help. "In the world of mystic arts, we believe in karma. Although fate has brought us together, it may bring about detrimental effects if I try to reveal the secrets relating to what fate has in store for you. Therefore, I need you to offer something in return for my help." Jordan appeared as though he honestly was clueless. "I don't understand." Carl was struck speechless. He wondered whether Jordan was really this ignorant or he was just pretending. It seemed like this might be Jordan's first time getting a fortune teller's service. That was why he did not know what to do. Carl said through gritted teeth, "You must spend some money to resolve this crisis." "How much do I need to spend?" Carl gazed at Jordan's attire through the dark lenses of his glasses. Jordan was wearing branded items from head to toe. The air of nonchalance he had about him made Carl grow even more certain that Jordan was from a wealthy background. "500 thousand dollars." Jordan had been amused with their exchange up until that point. He couldn't hold it in anymore upon hearing that number. He wanted to set an example for Madison of what she should do when coming across a swindler like Carl. He swung his foot and kicked the table before Carl. "500 thousand dollars! Are all swindlers these days this bold and unscrupulous? You know I can call the cops on you, right?" Carl paused briefly. A small frown drew his brows together. "Young man, I truly intend to help you resolve the crisis. Yet not only are you not grateful, but you've also tried to threaten me. Are you not afraid of offending me by doing this?" His fingers moved quickly as Carl did a mental calculation. "I know what your horoscope is. You were born on the 18th of September 1999 at 4:00 am. "I can sense the elements of earth, metal, and water from your horoscope. Out of the five elements, you lack the fire element. You have quite a strong horoscope sign that has an affinity for the fire element. Am I right?" Carl looked at Jordan confidently. Jordan had no idea what his exact birth time and horoscope were, so he turned his gaze to Madison. He started feeling a little anxious when he noticed the change in her expression. He couldn't help but worry if Carl had actually gotten the details right. Carl smirked. "How dare you threaten me when I only mean to offer some help? In that case, don't blame me for punishing you since you've been disrespectful to me." He picked up a brush from the table and dipped it in some cinnabar ink. Then, he began writing Jordan's birth time and horoscope on a piece of talisman paper. But as soon as he lowered the brush onto the paper, Carl heard a steady, clear voice. The voice wasn't too soft or too loud. Strangely, it made Carl flinch. A drop of cinnabar ink fell onto the talisman paper. "You were born on 13th September 1975 at 11:00 pm. I can sense the energies of the water element from your horoscope. You've had a rough life and even served time in prison at one point. "The family you belonged to prospered when you were still a child. However, the business went down during your adolescent years. The change affected your values and temperament considerably. "You lost your parents before you were even 25. Then, you separated from your wife in your 40s. If you continue to do bad things, you'll bring trouble and disaster to your daughter." Carl froze and stared at Madison in disbelief. Most of that information could be gathered through investigations. However, no one else knew that Carl had a daughter. When he was sent to prison in the past, his wife had asked him for a divorce. By the time he was released from prison, she had remarried with another man. Initially, Carl had planned to get revenge on his ex-wife's new family. Yet, he noticed at some point how his ex-wife's daughter bore an uncanny resemblance to himself. Thus, he secretly collected some of the young girl's hair and sent them for a paternity test. Only then did he confirm that she was his daughter. Carl was 100% sure no one knew about this. After a brief pause, he lunged forward and prostrated himself before Madison. "Miss, please save me!" Madison considered for a bit before giving her response, saying, "You are destined to spend your life alone without having any family by your side. "If you don't start doing good and living your life as a decent man right away, you'll most likely spend the last few years of your life confined to your sickbed in utter loneliness." Tears streamed down Carl's face. He sobbed, "I don't understand. I didn't do anything wrong! Why must I live such a miserable life?" Madison replied, "It's karma from your past life's actions. Besides, you're not entirely without any fault. "You didn't spend any effort on gaining any knowledge or skills. Also, you would splurge and waste money. You didn't try to fix the problem when your family business started going downhill. "Even though you married a good wife, you weren't faithful to her, which led to a failed relationship. You were sent to prison because you swindled people multiple times. "Frankly, you got what you deserved."