John resolved the medical issue with surprising ease, leaving Marvin—deputy director of the New York State Hospital—utterly stunned. The entire Kurds Family looked at John with awe and admiration.
It was no wonder Marvin had called him Grandmaster despite his youth.
That title was no exaggeration.
Grateful, Mr. Kurds took John's hand warmly and said, "Mr. Lopez, thank you again. Are you sure you won't consider my daughter? She's beautiful, you know."
He even winked suggestively.
Had Mr. Wood been present, he might have declared war over that comment.
John gave a helpless smile. "No… I'm afraid my body couldn't handle any more."
His firm but respectful refusal only made Mr. Kurds appreciate him more.
A true gentleman, he thought.
Back at Greenland Villa.
Alice was the first to greet John. When she noticed he returned alone, she blinked in surprise.
"Where's my sister?"
"She's staying in the provincial capital for now. She won't be back anytime soon."
John expected disappointment—but was caught off guard by her beaming face.
"Perfect! With her gone, we can do whatever we want…"
She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the sofa with a sly grin.
John sighed.
Every time he was alone with Alice, it felt like walking a tightrope over fire. She was playful, bold, and always testing boundaries.
This time, he decided not to indulge her.
He tapped her gently using his vital energy.
Immediately, Alice's body trembled, her cheeks turning crimson.
"I… I need to use the bathroom!" she squeaked, flustered, before dashing off.
John leaned back on the sofa, smirking. Let's see if she dares tease me again.
Splash!
From the bathroom came the sound of running water as Alice turned the shower to full blast.
Ten minutes later…
She emerged wrapped in a soft bathrobe. Her long, damp hair framed her flushed face, her eyes shooting daggers at John.
He had already decided—this was how he would keep her in check from now on.
Click.
The front door creaked open.
John sat up, assuming it was Tracy.
But his expression changed instantly when he saw the visitor.
Bertha!
"…Am I interrupting something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
She didn't get a good look at John. Her eyes first landed on a disheveled man lounging on the sofa, then on Alice—still in a bathrobe, hair wet, face red.
Her brows furrowed.
So Third Sister brought her boyfriend home? she thought. So bold… isn't she afraid someone might walk in on them?
The moment was awkward for all three.
Ironically, Alice had once made the same mistaken assumption about John when they first met.
Now, it had come full circle.
Embracing the moment, Alice smirked and said playfully, "Bertha, this is perfect timing. Come meet your future brother-in-law."
She grabbed her confused sister and pulled her toward John.
But as soon as Bertha saw John's face clearly, her expression shifted from confusion to fury.
"You?! You pervert! It's you!"
John calmly stood, straightening his shirt. "Well, Master Bertha, I did say we'd meet again. I just didn't expect it so soon."
"Humph! I'll kill you right here!"
Bertha lunged toward him, hand raised for a slap.
John easily dodged—but mischievously chose to lean toward her waist instead.
"Ahhh!"
Fuming, Bertha trembled with anger, then spun and launched a second attack.
"Wait—what is going on?!" Alice cried, caught in the middle.
She was utterly confused. She had no idea why her sister and John were suddenly at each other's throats.
Even more shocking—Bertha clearly knew martial arts.
Alice had always assumed she was the only one among their seven sisters with a secret identity. It was now obvious Bertha wasn't so simple either.
"Stop!" Alice shouted, appearing between them in a flash.
"This is a misunderstanding—there has to be one!"
"A misunderstanding?" Bertha huffed. "You don't know what this pervert did to me!"
Every time she remembered how John had thrown her into a lake, her blood boiled.
She was a renowned beauty, admired everywhere she went. And this guy had tossed her aside like garbage?
It was unforgivable!
Her pride was shattered.
"I'm telling you, Alice, move aside. I'm going to teach this bastard a lesson today!"
Alice sighed and stepped back. "Fine. If you beat him to death, just be ready for our sister to peel your skin off."