Chapter 1 The Spirit Matchmaker

• “Addie, there's a big case at eight tonight!”
• “Where is it?
• “The client will send a car to pick you up!”
• After ending the call with Noelle Lindstrom, I glanced at my watch. There were still three hours left until eight. I decided to take a shower first, then changed into clean clothes while waiting.
• My name is Adelina Layton. I'm twenty-three years old. After graduating from an obscure university, I started helping out at my grandmother, Morgana Layton's matchmaking agency.
• Morgana was a renowned matchmaker of her generation. She started this profession when she was just in her twenties. But being a matchmaker was just what she did in public. Behind the scenes, she was also a very famous spirit matchmaker of her time.
• As the name implies, a spirit matchmaker was someone who matchmake for the dead. Morgana, blessed with the innate ability to see ghosts, made quite a name for herself when she was young. She earned a decent amount of money through her unique talent. Unfortunately, during the sociopolitical revolution, she was targeted for being superstitious and outdated. As a result, she was frequently criticized and persecuted.
• It was during that period that my grandfather cut ties with her and married another woman from the same village.
• Back then, Morgana was already pregnant. Even so, she didn't say a word about it. She single-handedly gave birth to my father, Donovan Layton, and raised him to adulthood.
• Donovan loved to paint, but Morgana disapproved, believing he wasn't focusing on a proper career. Eventually, their disagreements escalated, and they ended up in a bitter fallout and cut off all contact with each other.
• Morgana also moved to the nearby city, Strasson.
• Donovan didn't achieve much in life, and my mother passed away from complications during my birth. I was raised by Donovan until I was seven, when he too was taken from me in a car accident.
• So, at the age of seven, I was sent off to live with Morgana, whom I had never met before.
• Perhaps due to Donovan's disobedience, Morgana had always been rather cold toward me, even showing signs of disdain. I was always treading on eggshells, hoping to win her favor, but to no avail. Apart from not hitting me, she never treated me with any warmth.
• Luckily, Morgana was a spirit matchmaker. Although she couldn't earn much from the living, her business with the dead was another story. It was so profitable that she could afford to close shop for half a year and still have enough to live comfortably for the rest of the year.
• Over the years, the trend of arranging ghost marriages had gradually gained popularity, which somewhat improved Morgana's business. Although her attitude toward me remained somewhat indifferent, it was noticeably more pleasant than before.
• After I graduated from college, she adamantly refused to let me work outside. She argued that after all the years she had spent raising me, it was only fair that I repay her. So, she insisted that I return and diligently manage her matchmaking agency.
• Upon reflection, I realized that Morgana was indeed getting on in years and deserving of sympathy. Despite attending university, I hadn't actually learned much. As such, it seemed more worthwhile to return and assist her with her business.
• And so, I became the youngest matchmaker in the industry.
• Morgana, being of advanced age, usually resided in the old house. As for me, I had set up a small bed on the second floor of the matchmaking agency. Essentially, I spent almost all twenty-four hours of my day there.
• Noelle was my best friend and high school classmate. She worked at a nightclub and knew many wealthy individuals. It was her who introduced me to this case. She told me that a rich family had lost their only son and was looking for a suitable young girl.
• I quickly agreed, thinking that I would replace the bulky television at Morgana's house with a flat-screen one once this deal was sealed.
• Feeling cheerful, I went out to enjoy a bowl of chili con carne. By the time I returned, it was already past seven. I waited for a bit, and before I knew it, eight o'clock had rolled around.
• Sure enough, someone had arrived.
• It was an individual in his fifties, dressed in a well-tailored suit. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, and his hair was meticulously combed, presenting a remarkably polite demeanor.
• “May I ask if you are Ms. Adelina Layton?” he inquired.
• It was the first time someone had addressed me in such a manner, which made me a bit uneasy. “Yes, that's me. You can just call me Adelina!”
• “My name is Eamon Ludlow. You may call me Eamon. The car is already outside. Please come with me, Ms. Layton!”
• Eamon was extremely courteous, treating me as if I were a socialite.
• I swallowed nervously and followed him out the door.
• I settled into the car, and immediately, Eamon instructed the driver to start the journey.