Before entering the building, Brandon conducted a brief geomantic assessment of the layout. Based on the results, Brandon realized that a Feng Shui master must have been consulted during the design and construction of this building. Nowadays, many real estate developers hire renowned Feng Shui experts to advise on the Feng Shui layout when constructing properties. Brandon’s questions to the property management employees were meant to confirm his findings. In the field of Feng Shui, caution was essential.
One of the employees nodded and said, “Sir, it’s true that a master was consulted before the construction of this commercial building.”
Brandon furrowed his brows and asked further, “During the construction of this building, did any accidents occur, regardless big or small? Please be honest with me.”
The two employees exchanged glances, feeling somewhat intimidated by the elderly man’s presence. They believed he was a highly knowledgeable expert.
When dealing with someone of such stature, they dared not hide any information. They replied truthfully, “During the construction of this building, there was indeed an accident. A worker accidentally slipped and fell, impaling himself on the external wall’s steel reinforcement. He died on the spot.”
Brandon pointed towards the window and asked, “Was it the steel reinforcement of this floor?”
“It seems… yes,” one of the employees recalled after giving it some thought.
Nick, who was standing nearby, shivered and couldn’t help but remember Leo’s words from that day. His spine tingled with a sense of foreboding.
Seeing Nick’s distressed expression, Dr. Rudolph inquired, “Nick, what’s wrong?”
At this moment, Nick, under the influence of the suggestion, felt a chilling breeze in the office and stammered, “Dr. Rudolph, when Leo came to examine Rosemary that day, he, uh, mentioned that someone had died in this office.”
Rosemary’s expression mirrored Nick’s unease. Her previous perception of Leo’s words had been more like a curse, but now, she realized it might have been a grim reality.
Dr. Rudolph was rather exasperated with Nick. His greatest flaw as a disciple was his self-assuredness and overestimation of himself.
“Rosemary, Leo is not an ordinary person. Since he alerted you to this, you should have taken it seriously. Why didn’t you inform me?” Dr. Rudolph chastised, attempting to control his frustration.
Rosemary bit her lip, unsure of what to say. She couldn’t help but feel ashamed when she remembered Leo’s visit and her lack of trust in him.
“Brandon, can you help us resolve this issue?” Regarding Feng Shui matters, Dr. Rudolph was a layman, so he placed his hopes on Brandon.
Brandon didn’t respond directly but instead turned his gaze to a potted money plant near the entrance.
He walked over and retrieved a thumb-sized black stone from the pot, which had initially been a piece of jade. It was a black stone now.
Brandon smiled as he looked at the black stone in his hand, then turned to Dr. Rudolph and said, “Dr. Rudolph, someone highly skilled has already been here. I don’t think I need to intervene.”
Dr. Rudolph noticed the black stone Brandon had taken from the pot and asked in confusion, “Brandon, don’t be cryptic. What do you mean?”
“This item in my hand wasn’t originally a stone.”
“If it’s not a stone, then what is it?”
“It was originally a piece of jade.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that if this jade hadn’t turned black, the employee who went insane today might not have just gone crazy; they might have also committed suicide.”
Brandon’s tone was resolute as he continued, “Dr. Rudolph, today is the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Ghost Festival.”
Hearing the words “Ghost Festival,” the expressions on the faces of Dr. Rudolph and the others changed drastically.
The Ghost Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival or the Fifteenth of Ghost Month, was believed to be a day when the gates of the afterlife opened, allowing spirits to roam the human realm to enjoy offerings and homage from their descendants.
“Dr. Rudolph, once you find the expert who placed this item in the pot, the strange occurrences in Rosemary’s company should be resolved.”
Dr. Rudolph forced a smile and said, “Finding the person who secretly placed this item won’t be easy.”
Nick quickly exclaimed, “Master, I know who placed this item in the pot!”
Nick suddenly remembered that on the day Leo left, he seemed to have thrown something into the potted plant. Initially, he had wanted to investigate, but after being bitten by the deranged employee, he had forgotten about it.
“Who was it?”
“It was Leo!” Nick said with confidence.
“Leo?” Dr. Rudolph’s face finally revealed a smile. “That makes things easier.”
Seeing Dr. Rudolph’s smile, Nick and Rosemary felt a bitter taste in their mouths. It wasn’t going to be easy at all. That day, they hadn’t given Leo a warm reception; instead, they had questioned and attacked him. Now, asking for his help would not be simple.
Observing the bitter expressions on his granddaughter’s and disciple’s faces, Dr. Rudolph could only guess that they must have offended Leo. He sternly said, “Now, I will call Leo, and we will invite him to dinner. Both of you will accompany me, and you must apologize to Leo. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master,” Nick replied dejectedly.
Rosemary remained silent. She had her reservations about apologizing to Leo. Throughout her life, countless men had pursued her like flies, and she had never once had to apologize to a man, let alone bend her pride.
“Rosemary, did you not hear me?” Dr. Rudolph’s temper flared. He cared deeply for his granddaughter, but his patience had its limits.
“Grandfather, understood,” Rosemary reluctantly conceded.
The company was facing a critical situation, and Rosemary, despite her inner resistance, had to temporarily choose compromise. If they didn’t resolve the issue of employees going insane without cause, her hard-earned company might crumble.
Dr. Rudolph took out his phone and found Leo’s number, then pressed the call button.
In the evening, at an upscale restaurant.
Dinner had not yet been served. Dr. Rudolph stood up and apologized to Leo, saying, “Leo, today I’ve invited you to dinner, and I’ve also brought my granddaughter and student to apologize to you. I know that when you were examining Rosemary at her company, they were disrespectful to you. I have reprimanded them for their behavior. I hope you can forgive them.”