"Who are you?" Amelia, not remembering Julia, was nonetheless pleased by the compliment and smiled back, glancing at Evan before asking, "Have we met before?"
Evan, intentionally or not, chimed in, "Of course, Amelia, don’t you remember? After you pulled us out from that wreckage, we were handed over to this doctor. She treated us, don't you recall?"
Amelia's smile faltered momentarily before Julia interjected, "Oh? Is this Miss Nightingale? How is it that after a few years, Miss Nightingale looks so different? Isn't today Miss Monahan's birthday? Why isn't Miss Monahan here?"
Her statements were riddled with inconsistencies:
Although they were young during the accident, they were old enough for their features to have formed. Amelia and Serena weren't that alike, so if Julia was feigning confusion, it was ill-conceived.
This banquet was clearly Amelia's birthday celebration; her attendance indicated she knew the event's theme.
Everyone in J city was aware of the Nightingale family’s downfall, the mess Phoenix had inherited, and the disappearance of Serena, the family's only daughter. Even if Julia had lived abroad, such widely known news in J city would not escape her notice since she was here.
Julia, however, wasn't unclear for long.
As Amelia's face paled, ready to refute, Julia grinned while swirling her wine glass, "Miss Monahan, taking over someone else's home is one thing, but don't even think about claiming credit for saving lives. You reap what you sow, you know."
"You're talking nonsense!" Amelia's expression changed, her gaze darting towards Phoenix and Evan. "Phoenix, it was me who dragged you out of those ruins, don't you remember? Evan, you believe me, right? You don't know how close I was to dying there, trying to save you both. I was... truly terrified."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke, her eyes red like a frightened rabbit.
Evan smiled faintly, "Of course, I believe you, of course."
His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, hinting at something sinister.
Amelia turned to glare at Julia, "Did you hear that? Stop spouting nonsense! If you've remembered things wrong, don't speak so confidently, or you'll be the one embarrassed."
Julia raised her eyebrow slightly, a deeper smile gracing her lips.
"And, miss, this is my birthday party. If you can't even recognize the host, I wonder how you got in," Amelia corrected herself, her earlier vulnerability replaced with a newfound stiffness.
"The fact that I am able to attend naturally means that my status qualifies me for Miss Monahan's birthday dinner.Your party didn't require guests to be personally known to you. Returning home is dull, and since I received an invitation, I decided to join the fun."
Julia, though low-key in recent years, remained a prominent figure in the medical world.
An all-round doctor.
Later, she turned to studying psychology, specializing in psychoanalysis.
Her achievements in academia rivaled Phoenix's accomplishments in J city's business circles.
Amelia was momentarily silenced by Julia's words.
She was a renowned dancer and a national heartthrob.
The exposure rate couldn't be any higher.
This birthday bash was highly anticipated, with the added buzz of her impending marriage announcement. The attendees were either business tycoons, industry journalists, or famous personalities from various fields.
Amelia hardly knew many people, let alone the invitees who, like Julia, might not even be aware of the specifics of the event they attended.
Before Amelia could respond, Julia continued, "And, Miss Monahan, we both know who's mistaken about the past events."
Julia's dark eyes made Amelia uneasy, her words piercing.
Julia smirked, her chilling smile sending shivers, "Miss Monahan, don't you fear Miss Nightingale may haunt you?"
Her soft words carried just enough volume for Phoenix and Evan to overhear clearly.
Their expressions shifted subtly, lips thinning as they watched Amelia's pale face without a word.
Yes, in the stillness of the night.
Why hadn't Serena haunted them?
Didn't she hold any resentment?
"Miss Nightingale was always kind and easy to bully. I suppose you aren't afraid of her," Julia drawled, her measured pace void of any emotion, "But, when pushed too far, one can't predict what a person might do. The dead bear heavy grievances; they might return as vengeful ghosts. You owe the Nightingales two lives, mother and daughter... I can't fathom how you sleep at night, Miss Monahan."
"Shut up!" Amelia repeatedly tried to interrupt Julia, failing due to her weak demeanor. Stepping back, she straightened her posture, attempting to appear stronger, "What nonsense about ghosts? A doctor believing in superstitions! Please don't disrupt my party, leave!"
"You're angry, aren't you?" Julia looked at Amelia pitifully, clicking her tongue, "You want to curse like a shrew but restrain yourself because of the cameras. As a psychologist, I'd advise against bottling up your emotions."
She smiled casually, her tone nonchalant yet hitting the mark.
"Get lost!" Amelia spat, her face contorted, "Get out!"
Julia chuckled softly, her eyes crinkling but not reaching her eyes, "Someone like you, without a heart, wouldn't understand regret. You probably wished for the Nightingales' demise."
Amelia gritted her teeth, staring daggers at Julia, her eyes speaking volumes.
Julia's words hit home.
Yet, with Phoenix and Evan standing by, she couldn't reveal her true feelings.
Adjusting her expression, Amelia feigned sincerity, "The Nightingales raised me. Please, miss, don't speak any further."
"Raised you, huh?" Julia sighed lightly, sipping her wine.
Suddenly, her gaze turned sharp, a cold chuckle escaping as she splashed the remaining wine in her glass onto Amelia's face.
Amelia, caught off guard, shrieked, stepping back. Evan beside her subtly sidestepped, disgust flickering in his eyes.
"You're crazy!" she yelled.
Before Amelia could react, a hard slap landed on her cheek, mingling with the wine, stinging hotly.
"Who's the crazy one?!"
Julia's calm voice barely concealed her anger, a sneer tugging at her lips as the flashlights converged upon them.
It didn't matter to her; she didn't crave the limelight.
She simply couldn't stomach the sight of a malefactor living lavishly, enjoying the fruits of her ill-gotten gains.
While the one who deserved to be here lay comatose, suffering from illness, her soul trapped in darkness.
