Phoenix's eyes flickered open, tilting his head to inquire.
The mention of Amelia stirred a sudden surge of animosity in Evan. His frigid voice echoed like a vengeful spirit rising from the depths of hell, "If she want it that much,just give her what she wants. The higher she climbs, the harder she'll fall into damnation."
Phoenix merely hummed, his gaze lowered to the scar on his wrist, seemingly oblivious to the pain.
Amelia in Evan's hands spelled a fate worse than ruin. He was reassured, content to await another opportune moment to quietly embrace death.
Once all who wronged Serena faced their punishments, it would be his turn.
Evan turned to leave, tossing a parting remark before shutting the door, "If you wish to die, at least wait until you witness that woman's fall from grace. The show has just begun; wouldn't it be a shame to miss it?"
The door clicked shut, leaving only Lucas and Phoenix in the room.
"Leave," Phoenix said indifferently.
Lucas hesitated, about to protest, when his phone rang. His expression shifted dramatically, "Mr. Lee, Serena…Miss Nightingale might still be alive!"
A spark ignited in Phoenix's dulled eyes, his gaze locked onto Lucas, "Is this true?"
Lucas exclaimed, "It is! On a small island at the border. Our people couldn't get close, but from afar, they thought they saw Miss Nightingale's silhouette. But…"
"What's wrong?" Phoenix felt his palms sweating, staring intently at Lucas, awaiting the rest.
"The search team reported that Miss Nightingale seems to have been rescued, but she appears very weak," Lucas furrowed his brows, "They saw a woman supporting Serena by the shore, and then Serena collapsed onto her."
Phoenix fell silent, sighing softly, "It's alright… At least she's alive."
Lucas dared not mention that the search team had not approached, basing their assumptions solely on a resemblance from afar. Yet, this gave Phoenix hope.
"Mr. Lee, shall I call someone to restart your IV?" Lucas ventured carefully, seeing Phoenix silent and eyes closed. He invoked Serena again, "Mr. Lee, our people can't access the island. In your current state, with no one managing the company, things will only worsen…"
No further explanation was needed.
If Phoenix fell, their influence would crumble, and how then could they search for Serena?
"Call them in," Phoenix relented.
Lucas was right. He couldn't afford to collapse. If Serena was stiil alive, he needed to find her.
Though a niggling suspicion lingered, a whisper of doubt that it might be a case of mistaken identity, until he saw her with his own eyes, there was hope.
Days were endured with thoughts of her, now compounded by the weight of vendetta and endless remorse.
...
Half a year later.
Amelia, the premier ambassador of Lee Group, stood center stage at the D gala, accepting the fiery declaration of love from Evan Chesterfield, the heir of Chesterfield Group.
Phoenix's disappearance from Lee Group for almost half a year had allowed Chesterfield Group to edge closer. With Evan winning the beauty's heart, many assumed Amelia had dumped Phoenix for the more promising Evan.
Amelia offered no response, only announcing that both CEOs would attend her birthday banquet a week later, where she would also announce her engagement.
Speculations ran rampant about which family the beauty would marry to. Some media outlets dug into the conflict between Lee Group and the once-richest Nightingale family, recounting stories of Nightingale's eldest daughter Serena, her philanthropic work in establishing a welfare home in J city, and her disappearance following the family's downfall. Lee Group's CEO had also grown notably subdued, fueling further conjectures.
The reports were cautiously worded, avoiding elaborate details, yet enough to link to Amelia.
On the day of Amelia's banquet, the city virtually emptied.
Evan and Phoenix stood mid-staircase on the second floor, one leaning lazily against the railing with a dangerously teasing smirk, casual yet suppressing intense repression. The other stood quietly beside, a hand in his suit pocket, lips pursed, eyes sharp, his stern demeanor suggesting a man of swift action.
Evan yawned, following Phoenix's gaze to the radiant woman below, beautiful under the flashing lights.
Perhaps sensing Evan's gaze, Amelia looked up, offering a warm, elegant smile.
Evan smiled back, turning to Phoenix, "Think she'll like the big gift we have for her?"
Phoenix's attention was drawn to another figure at the banquet. His fingers tapped lightly on the rail, "Keep an eye on her."
"Who?" Evan asked.
"The doctor who saved us during the accident," Phoenix retracted his gaze, "I'm surprised to see her here."
His intuition told him, through this woman, he could find Serena.
"She resembles her, yet doesn't," Evan observed the doctor, her makeup leaning towards androgyny, but her smile and mannerisms eerily similar to Serena's. It was said that people living together for long periods adopt similar behaviors. Evan narrowed his eyes, turning to Phoenix, "I recall she didn't like Amelia much back then."
The doctor was taciturn, her dislike obvious, never needing explanation.
After handling the press, the banquet moved into its highlight. Evan and Phoenix descended the stairs, each step a spectacle.
Amelia stood at the center of the first floor, smiling demurely, watching the princely figures approach.
Regardless of whose lover she became tonight, she was the victor in this game of power.
Her vanity swelled, her joy evident in her sparkling eyes.
She had seen the ring in Phoenix's study, unique in the world. Pity the woman it was meant for was dead, wasn't she?
Evan's necklace was a masterpiece by the jewelry genius himself, each rumored piece enough to dazzle the public, let alone there was news that this one he'd spent half a year designing.
Surely, it wouldn't disappoint her either.
"Phoenix, Evan," she greeted with a smile.
"Happy birthday," Evan replied.
Phoenix showed little reaction, his eyes on Julia approaching.
"Mr. Lee, Mr. Chesterfield, long time no see," Julia initiated with a handshake, tilting her head to glance at Amelia, puzzled, "Miss Monahan? Long time no see, you're more beautiful than ever."
