This time, the two of them found Tina together.

Tina hugged Hank first, then looked at Su Lingyan and asked in confusion, “Dear, who is this?”

“I’m his cousin. I’m just here visiting recently—just call me Zerion.” Su Lingyan said.

“Huh? Oh, right. She’s a distant relative.” Hank quickly followed her lead.

“I see. I already knew Hank had a lot of relatives—now I’ve met another one.” Tina smiled and extended her hand.

Su Lingyan shook it.

“Oh, right! Hank, I have good news to tell you.” Tina said.

“What is it? Let me guess.” Hank said, trying to stall for time.

“You’re in quite a playful mood today. No need to guess—I’m going to pick up a music box. It’s a treasure passed down from my great-grandfather’s generation.” Tina took Hank’s hand and started walking toward the villa.

“W-wait!” Hank pulled his wife back.

“Hm?” Tina looked at him, puzzled.

“Well…” Hank racked his brain but couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Dear, I feel like you’ve been acting strange today. Did something happen?” Tina asked. Hank was clearly acting out of character.

This NPC really isn’t good at improvising, Su Lingyan thought. Then she spoke up, “He ran into a strange person today—someone talking about things like inevitability and fate. It might’ve affected him.”

“No way… Hank, are you possessed by an evil spirit?” Tina looked shocked.

Hank shot Su Lingyan a look that clearly said: What kind of excuse is that?

“No, I just had a nightmare. I’m not in the best mental state. There’s no such thing as evil spirits.” Hank said—then immediately thought of the music box that could rewind time.

There shouldn’t be evil spirits… right?

Su Lingyan shook her head slightly. Hard to say. So far, it was clear that this instance involved supernatural elements—the music box was definitely suspicious.

But there were two possibilities. One: the music box was merely a mechanism for resetting time, with no deeper lore. Two: the instance had a more complete setting, and the music box hid a greater secret.

“Who knows?” Tina said.

At 11:30, they arrived at the villa entrance. The butler handed the music box to Tina.

“Mr. Williams has already informed me.” the butler said.

Tina took the music box. Hank was still thinking about how to keep her away from the road.

Su Lingyan stepped forward directly, stopping the butler just before he closed the door.

“Wait, I have a request.”

“Hm?” The butler paused.

“Well… my parents are also collectors. We’re not very close, and I never know what to say to them.” Su Lingyan lowered her head, looking a bit downcast. “So I was hoping to ask Mr. Williams about collecting. Would that be alright?”

“Um…” The butler hesitated. Normally, he had no obligation to agree to a stranger’s request, but Su Lingyan’s expression was so earnest that he found it hard to refuse.

Tina was surprised by the sudden request. She felt it might be inappropriate and was about to say she also knew something about collecting, but Hank stepped forward.

“M-me too!” he said.

“Hank?” Tina looked at him in astonishment.

Hank quickly understood Su Lingyan’s intention—to keep Tina inside the villa during the death trigger. Surely no car would crash into her inside.

“I’ll ask Mr. Williams.” the butler said.

Soon, the butler returned. “Sir says that’s fine. Please come in.”

They entered the villa.

The interior was spacious, with high ceilings adorned with plaster reliefs, coexisting with minimalist recessed lighting. The dark hardwood floors gleamed with a steady luster, while the walls, in warm gray tones, were decorated with several oil paintings in metallic frames.

A sofa sat in the living room, facing a TV wall. Above it hung a clock, showing 11:37.

“Mr. Williams will be here shortly. I’ll prepare some tea for you.” the butler said.

Hank didn’t hear a word. Four minutes. Just four more minutes, and Tina will be safe.

Soon, the butler returned with three cups of English tea.

“Please wait a moment longer. Mr. Williams will be here shortly.” the butler said.

Tina picked up her tea, took a sip, and patted Hank on the shoulder. “Let’s switch seats. I’d like to chat with Miss Zerion.”

“Huh? Oh.” Hank nodded, stood up, and kept his eyes fixed on the clock. It was 11:40—one minute left.

“Do you know anything about Hank’s childhood?” Tina asked.

Why would she ask that? Is she starting to doubt my identity?

Just as Su Lingyan was about to answer, footsteps sounded. Mr. Williams descended the stairs.

“My apologies.” Mr. Williams said.

“Mr. Williams, there’s no need to apologize. We should be the ones apologizing for disturbing you.” Tina quickly stood up.

“No, I’m not apologizing for that.”

The crystal chandelier on the ceiling suddenly began to shake violently. Hearing the noise, Tina looked up—only to see the chandelier looming larger as it fell straight toward her.

Crash!

The chandelier slammed into the floor with a sharp, shattering sound. Then, blood slowly began to seep out from beneath the broken crystals.

“I’m very sorry. I was unable to save you, madam.” Mr. Williams gazed sorrowfully at Tina’s body beneath the shattered chandelier.

Su Lingyan turned her head toward the clock.

The hands pointed exactly to 11:41.