Stepping off the plane, Phoenix was still en route, unfortunately caught in traffic and due to arrive a little late.
Serena mentioned she would wait for him at the exit and hung up.
She pushed her small suitcase towards the exit when, abruptly, a journalist wielding a microphone rushed to her front. Before Serena could react, the barrage of accusatory questions made her frown: "Are you Miss Nightingale? Have you been kept by Lee Corporation's CEO, Phoenix, during your six-month disappearance?"
Serena froze.
Her suitcase, at some point, was jostled into an unseen corner by the surging crowd of reporters, and each subsequent interrogation intensified the pounding headache in her skull.
"Miss Nightingale, it's rumored that you interfered in Miss Monahan's relationship with Mr. Lee six months ago. As the sole daughter of the Nightingale family, were you indeed a third party in their relationship? Is this true?"
"Miss Nightingale, Mr. Lee recently stated that he wouldn't marry Miss Monahan, claiming you as his only wife. Have you two already obtained your marriage certificate?"
"Miss Nightingale, it's said that the decline of the Nightingale family is closely tied to Miss Monahan. Was your involvement in Mr. Lee and Miss Monahan's relationship an act of revenge?"
"Miss Nightingale..."
...
Serena could no longer discern their inquiries, her mind numbed by the repeated mentions of Miss Monahan and Phoenix's relationship.
Then...
The memories she refused to recall, her mother, her unborn child...
That car Evan promised would take her away, rigged to be her deathtrap!
"Don't push me, please, don't push me anymore..."
Serena's eyes dulled, her gaze turning hollow as she stared at the throng around her.
It was this same crowd that had surrounded her when her mother died. If not for their relentless rumors, perhaps her mother wouldn't have met her end!
Serena suddenly erupted like a madwoman, her slender hands gathering an unexpected strength to snatch the microphone inches from her face and smash it onto the ground.
Her eyes, warm and smiling when she disembarked, now burned with a bloody red rage as she pointed at the assembly, her voice a tearful accusation: "You, murderers!"
Her mother was killed by this very crowd!
"Miss Nightingale, you cannot make such accusations."
Serena scoffed, a stark contrast to the person she was before being encircled.
With a cold sneer, she retorted, "I return those words to you. Be careful what you say."
Surveying her surroundings, she spotted her pitiful little suitcase and attempted to walk over, only for the swarm around her to follow.
Serena halted, casting them a frigid glance. "I reserve the right to pursue legal action regarding the statements you've just made. Now, please disperse and stop blocking my way."
They refused to budge.
Serena retrieved sunglasses from her handbag, her smile unwavering, reminiscent of the returning heiress of the Nightingale family who had once rushed back from overseas amidst the family crisis.
"So curious, aren't you?" Serena donned the sunglasses, tilting her head slightly. Her unassuming attire failed to conceal her innate nobility as she coolly announced, her voice chilling to the bone, "Mr. Lee and I have no relationship. During my disappearance, I was the target of a murder attempt, but I was rescued and recuperated overseas. I'm merely back in the country now, having recovered."
"But there are rumors that you, Miss Nightingale, were the third party in the relationship between Miss Monahan and Mr. Lee. How do you explain this?"
Coldness seeped from her eyes behind the shades, unnoticed by others, as Serena stated, "There's nothing to explain. Phoenix and I have no connection. Please refrain from spreading baseless claims."
"But there are leaked photos of you cohabiting with him half a year ago, even hospital records. Did your pregnancy lead to the breakdown of Miss Monahan and Mr. Lee's relationship?"
The mention of the hospital stirred memories of her lost child.
Her fists clenched tightly, and from her throat emerged a single word, "Scram."
The journalists were startled by her sudden, icy command.
Serena pushed past them, retrieving her suitcase from the corner, leaving behind a proud and solitary figure.
Realizing the situation, the reporters rushed after her.
Before they could speak again, Serena spun around and halted them, "Do you not understand 'scram'? Since you believe I have something with Phoenix, you dare block my path? How dare you all."
The group finally halted.
Serena smirked and left them with a parting shot, "Expect legal notices."
With that, she strode away.
Her phone vibrated incessantly in her bag, and Serena knew who was calling. Deliberately, she veered towards another exit to avoid Phoenix.
The journalist incident required no further attention from her; Phoenix would handle it once he saw it.
Indeed, Phoenix, racing towards the airport, was seething with rage, his aura menacing.
"Investigate! Find out who sent these people after Serena, and whoever secretly met with Amelia's associates, cut off their financial support!"
Lucas, seated in front, nodded fervently, his phone already filled with messages from Evan.
"Mr. Lee, Mr. Chesterfield has uncovered part of it. Should we send our people to deal with them?"
Phoenix, staring at the unresponsive phone, wore a frosty expression. "Handle the underworld dealings through Evan. You, issue a statement immediately. Send legal notices to all media outlets that published anything online!"
If anything happened to Serena, he would sue them to bankruptcy!
The road cleared, and the driver sped towards the airport.
Lee Corporation's statement was promptly released, but many at the airport missed it, instead seeing footage of Serena smashing the microphone, interpreting her silence as admission to interfering in Phoenix and Amelia's relationship.
Though Amelia was discredited within the industry, some die-hard fans remained loyal, blind to the truth.
Today's events were orchestrated, hence a significant number of these fans had gathered. Upon spotting Serena, they swarmed her.
"Miss Nightingale, apologize to Amelia!"
Their initial demand was polite, but soon insults and curses rained down, accompanied by physical blows that Serena couldn't evade.
Footage of the incident went viral online.
#Nightingale Heiress Besieged at Airport, Assaulted by Crowd#
#Nightingale Heiress Adulteress, Interfered in The Romance Between Amelia and Phoenix #
Yet, it was quickly overshadowed by #Mr. Lee and Miss Nightingale were Engaged to Be Married from a Young Age#.
The moment Phoenix arrived at the airport, he smashed his phone. "Arrest anyone who laid a hand on her, not a single one spared!"
His aura was menacing, wishing to trample them all underfoot. But finding Serena was urgent. Worry etched his face as he scanned the airport, failing to spot the besieged, fragile figure.
"Mr. Lee, we've sent people to the other exit too, but we haven't found Miss Serena," Lucas anxiously reported. Clearly, this was a deliberate setup, and the massive crowd at the airport made the search challenging.
Phoenix turned with a stony face, his voice icy, "Why are you standing around? Keep looking!"
"Yes!" Lucas rushed off, dreading the thought of what Phoenix might do if anything befell Miss Nightingale this time. When Serena was in danger last time, Phoenix avenged her but then attempted suicide. Lucas had inadvertently saved him by lying that Serena was alive, giving Phoenix a reason to live. If something happened to her again, Phoenix might not survive it.
Lucas hastened and instructed his subordinates to evacuate the airport immediately, notifying Evan as well.
Evan's underground influence surpassed Phoenix's. If Serena was kidnapped or lost, he could locate her swiftly.
Both sides searched, but Serena remained unfound throughout the day.
Internet footage revealed she had entered a taxi, her luggage lost amidst the chaos. She crouched on the ground for a long while, covering her head, and only got up when the mob dispersed, hailing a taxi to leave.
Throughout, Phoenix could see she hadn't uttered a word.
No defense, no one to speak on her behalf, to shield her from the brutal assault.
She didn't call Phoenix for help, nor did Phoenix arrive to save her.
Phoenix replayed the video countless times, his phone was smashed after the first viewing. His fingers raked through his hair, his face a portrait of agony.
He feared Serena might think this was another of his schemes, a final blow to ruin her reputation.
What worried him more was Serena's safety. With only a J City to hide in, how could they not find her?
When Evan found him, equally exhausted, he reported, "Amelia has fled, but we've apprehended those who secretly aided her. How do you want to proceed?"
Rubbing his temples, Phoenix grabbed his suit jacket. "You handle it. I'll find Serena."
He might know where she would go.
A place with high likelihood. Memories about it were blurred by time, but he recalled it just now.
Evan nodded. "Alright, I'll deal with Amelia."
His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed turbulent emotions.
Amelia's downfall was followed by events that would have driven her mad without their intervention. Moreover, upon finding Serena, all their efforts focused on protecting her, leading to a lax approach in dealing with Amelia. Little did they expect her to go into hiding and ally with a few reckless individuals.
With years in the industry, she had connections.
Combined with a loyal fanbase, some blinded by their devotion, believing she was framed, they rallied online for her vindication. They even went so far as to cause a disturbance at the airport.
This time, though no lives were lost, those who dared touch Serena wouldn't escape easily.
The priority now was locating Serena for her safety and Amelia to ensure she would never recover from this fall!
Phoenix nodded in agreement. As they were about to leave, Julia stormed in, halting them. "I shouldn't have brought her back! Explain this to me, why did you treat her like that when she's already in that state! Tell me, what unforgivable crime has she committed for you to push her like this, huh?"
Rarely losing composure, Julia's last such moment was when Serena nearly breathed her last. Today marked another.
"I'm sorry." Phoenix was exhausted, his eyes reflecting the same worry as Julia's. "We didn't handle Amelia properly, giving her an opportunity. Evan is dealing with her now, and I'll find Serena. You've just rushed back; rest first."
"Rest? How can I rest with this on my mind, huh?" Julia sneered. "I thought you were sincere, thinking it was acceptable for her to never remember her past, even marrying her to you if it meant she'd be happy. I accepted it."
She lifted her gaze, icy. "I misjudged you, Phoenix. You can't protect her! You're unworthy!"
Phoenix's heart ached, unable to refute her accusations. Wearily, he said, "I need to find her first."
