As soon as Jimmy finished speaking, he bolted—gone in the blink of an eye. Emma looked down at the little liger curled at her feet, mewling like a newborn kitten, and scooped him up. He'd lost not just his abilities, but even his speech. She was speechless. Pressed against her chest, Corvin rubbed insistently against her, burrowing closer and expressing his excitement. She glanced at the little liger who was supposed to be her future mate, then turned to Edric. "Edric, if someone's ability is drained, could a beast core restore it?" Would that help Corvin recover more quickly? He had just wanted to answer the question when Jimmy's voice drifted in from outside. "Ms. Tibarn, Corvin's ability can't be restored with a beast core. He'll have to recover on his own."Emma was taken aback. Is that old man really gone—or just hiding nearby? Corvin hooked his little claws over Emma's shoulder and nuzzled her neck. Coalball, who'd been dozing beside Edric, perked up at the sound, fluttering his stubby wings in curiosity. The moment Corvin spotted Lucien, he leapt from Emma's arms onto the couch and swallowed Coalball in one gulp. "Corvin! Spit him out!" Emma and Edric both shouted. Edric lunged forward, prying Corvin's jaws open with force and barely managing to rescue the poor bird. A few more of Coalball's feathers fell loose as he lay sprawled half-dead on the couch, chirping weakly. Why am I always the one who suffers? That blockhead Corvin swallows me the moment our eyes meet. Once I recover, I swear I'll commission ten thousand warships from the First Mech Building for the army—and work this idiot to death. "Coalball, are you okay?" Emma quickly poured a high-tier healing potion down his beak. Coalball's luck was abysmal. First, Damian kicked him, then Edric dropped him, and now Corvin had nearly eaten him alive. Emma's suitors seemed cursed against Coalball. Lucien didn't even want to chirp anymore. He shut his eyes and pretended to be dead on the couch. Corvin, realizing he'd messed up, lay flat on his belly, not daring to move. Still, his gaze stayed fixed on Coalball, itching to swallow him again. Emma flicked him lightly on the head. "He's mine. Try that again, and I'll throw you out." Instantly, Corvin tore his gaze away. He nudged her palm with his forehead, his pale-blue eyes wide and pleading. Emma melted, unable to resist a liger that was adorable. She stroked his soft head. "Be good, and I won't toss you out." Edric ignored Corvin's jealous antics and eyed the grimy Coalball in disgust. "Emma, that thing's filthy. I'll wash him." She glanced over. Coalball was indeed a mess—slimed black from Corvin's mouth. He was definitely in need of a wash. Then, she turned to Corvin, noticing he was just as filthy. Might as well let Edric deal with them both. "Wash him too." Corvin tried to resist. He didn't want Edric. He wanted Emma. Edric chuckled and lifted him by the scruff. "No problem. I'll get him spotless." Corvin whimpered in protest, though Emma couldn't understand him.Edric could, but he kept that to himself. He tossed both Corvin and Coalball into the sink. The smart robot rolled over and chimed, "Sir, your brother, Mr. Ethan Lachman, is here to see you." What is he doing here now? He glanced at the sink—a liger and a bedraggled bird soaking side by side. Corvin was just about to press Coalball underwater with a paw when Edric shot him a look. Corvin froze, his paw snapping back instantly. Edric could only stare, speechless, at the display. How childish. He left the big goof to soak and turned to Emma. "Emma, my brother's here. I'll meet him. Corvin and Coalball are in your hands." Emma, who'd been about to start cooking, nodded. "Go ahead. I've got it." "I won't be long. If anything happens, ping me on the lightcore."With that, he left reluctantly, while she went to the sink to bathe Corvin and Coalball. Corvin behaved himself and even scrubbed his own fur. Coalball, however, panicked the moment she appeared. He flapped wildly, trying to escape. Unfortunately, his round body made flying impossible; he only managed to splash water everywhere, drenching Emma's clothes.