Chapter 1536 Passing Away
Manuel set down his wine glass and headed downstairs.
Donny was a short man, barely 5'7", with a stocky build. When he saw Manuel descending, worry creased his features.
He asked, "Manuel, where did you get that Jellyfish Seal? Have you seen Octavia?"
Donny and Efrain were among the older members of the organization, having watched Octavia grow up from childhood. They had taught her hypnosis, though she had surpassed them both—the student becoming the master.
Donny had sought out Manuel because, despite his strong presence within the organization, Manuel rarely meddled in internal affairs. Over the years, it had been K who openly commanded the others.
After Octavia's disappearance, even as a child, K had known how to win hearts and minds. Now, years later, though he lacked the Jellyfish Seal, everyone except Efrain and Donny followed his lead.
Only Manuel remained neutral, which made his sudden alliance with K all the more puzzling to Donny.
What Donny didn't know was that Manuel owned Mystic Prison, or that beneath his gentle exterior lurked a monster.
"How has Octavia been all these years? Why hasn't she returned? Manuel, where is she now?"
Donny's body was failing him, and he and Efrain had been waiting for Octavia's return. She was BK's saint—she deserved honor, not to wander alone in exile.
Seeing Donny's anxious expression, Manuel found it amusing. Once, that very look would have sent him racing to Octavia's side to torment her mercilessly. He savored the thrill of deceiving everyone, recognizing a kindred spirit in K—someone who also enjoyed manipulating others, calculating even as a child. K had nursed a grudge against Octavia for years over a single word of caution she'd given him.
Manuel's smile was warm and benevolent, the kind that would make strangers think him a gentle teacher. But beneath that facade lay a beast.
"I haven't seen Octavia. I stumbled upon the Jellyfish Seal by accident during my trip to Stellaria—I was as shocked as anyone."
The light died in Donny's eyes as he sighed heavily. "Then please, convince the others to release Efrain."
At seventy, Donny was already frail, and Efrain, five years his senior, couldn't endure much more torture.
Manuel's smile never wavered, his tone remaining gentle. "That's not my decision to make, Donny. You know I have little influence in BK—K is our leader now, and he's already taken the seal."
"You! How could you hand the seal to that heartless bastard!"
"Donny, I'm loyal to the organization. I want what's best for us, and K has done well these years. I follow principle, not personal feelings."
Donny coughed violently. "Now that he has the seal, he's the undisputed leader with full authority to punish Efrain openly. Efrain won't survive it."
'Good riddance,' Manuel thought coldly. 'The old fool deserves to die.'
Before Donny could say more, his phone rang. "Donny! Efrain's back, but... he's badly hurt."
Donny couldn't sit still any longer and rushed home. The blood pooling on the floor told him everything about Efrain's condition.
"Efrain!" he called out, watching as Efrain stared blankly at the ceiling before finally speaking, "Give this to Octavia."
Where Donny was stocky, Efrain was tall and gaunt, and Octavia had been his most prized student.
Donny's throat tightened when he saw what Efrain held—a handmade doll he'd crafted years ago to comfort Octavia. Bringing it out now meant Efrain knew his time was up.
"Efrain!" Donny supported him frantically. "Manuel brought back the Jellyfish Seal—we'll have news of Octavia soon."
Efrain gazed at the ceiling, clutching the bloodstained doll, trying to smile but finding no words. His hand, slick with blood, reached halfway up before falling limp.
"Efrain!" Donny cried again, but this time there was no answer.
Everyone around them bowed their heads. They all knew—Efrain was gone.
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