As thoughts raced wildly through Christian''s mind, and his heart pounding even faster, his eyes couldn''t help but gravitate toward his sister''s lips. Yet, in the end, she didn''t kiss him. Instead, she parted her small lips and said softly, "You know what, Chris?"

    Christian tilted his head slightly in response, hiding the flicker of disappointment inside him. He couldn''t help but feel frustrated at the hopeful gesture she''d made, only to leave him hanging. Annabelle, seemingly unaware of his inner turmoil, was simply satisfied with the attention she had drawn and continued speaking.

    "You are more important than anything, so don''t be too hard on yourself."

    "Don''t work too hard."

    Saying something she never thought she''d say to her notoriously lazy brother, Annabelle felt a little odd, but still, she continued.

    "It''s not like I''m telling you not to pursue the case of our parents."

    "I''m just saying you should take your time."

    Her gaze softened as she leaned in closer, and said. "Do you understand?"

    ''Is there really a need for this confusing position if you''re not doing anything?''

    Christian felt distracted by his sister''s behaviors and couldn''t help but feel a little odd about why she had suddenly brought up this subject when they were supposed to be going to sleep. Still, he tried to reply in his usual tone, doing his best to hide his growing frustration.

    "Yes."

    Seeing how his sister just nodded and smiled faintly before wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly with her whole body, Christian felt it was almost certain now, she had realized something. Still, he continued to pretend like nothing was wrong since she hadn''t asked anything directly.

    What concerned him most, however, wasn''t just her possible realization, it was the uncomfortable position they were in. If he really intended to sleep, he felt it would be impossible like this. After all, it wasn''t just uncomfortable; it was undeniably arousing.

    While Christian tried to gently move his sister, who now had her eyes closed, to the side, time seemed to drag on. Finally, after what felt like forever, his sister slowly released her grip on him.

    ''Maybe it''s really like Sis said.''

    ''I only got the essence technique yesterday.''

    ''And I only learned about the situation of the other side of the world yesterday too.''

    ''Moreover, with the Idle System, I''m constantly advancing.''

    ''So, is there really a need to fall into this cycle of self-doubt?''

    Christian, who had already finished changing his clothes and was now looking at the map on his phone with the mark indicating the assassin''s current position, still unmoving, finally made a decision.

    He would return to his room and simply tell his sister that he was going to take care of an assassin, as simple as that.

    Even if he wasn''t a hundred percent confident in everything, he still felt certain of his victory, after all.

    Arriving in front of his room''s door and opening it slowly, Christian wasn''t sure whether he was hoping his sister was still awake or already asleep.

    So, when his gaze fell on the bed and saw her sitting there, leaning against the headboard, Christian wasn''t sure how to proceed. More than that, her posture, her knees drawn up, folded close to her chest, one arm casually resting on them while supporting her cheek, coupled with her serene expression that revealed nothing, and her distant gaze, as if she were elsewhere entirely, felt heartbreaking.

    When her eyes finally moved and met his, locking their gazes, he felt that despite the calmness in them, something in her silence seemed to carry a quiet protest.

    So, after Christian walked over and arrived in front of her, he couldn''t bring himself to sit, remaining standing instead.

    He felt as if he were a criminal in a courtroom, with his sister as the judge. And because his charge was so severe, he wasn''t even allowed to sit.

    In the end, with the silence stretching on and knowing he might not have much time, he took the initiative and spoke in the calmest tone he could muster.