Emily looked up to see a handsome blond, blue-eyed young man beaming at her.
She nearly blurted, "No," but the handsome lad made her swallow it back.
"Sure, are you alone?" Emily put down her chopsticks, smiling widely at him in a saccharine voice.
"Yes, I'm an exchange student. It's just me here for Thanksgiving, feeling a bit lonely and cold."
"Hahaha."
His accent sent Emily burying her head in her arms, shoulders shaking with laughter.
"My English isn't very good; I hope I'm not too amusing," he said sheepishly.
"Ha ha ha!"
"My English is not so good; make beauty laugh at me."
"Hahahaha."
The bumpkinish "beauty" destroyed Emily's composure entirely, making her guffaw loudly.
It drew the attention of the three at the next table, glancing over.
Rita Hewlett smiled, "Youth is wonderful, isn't it? Look at that young lady, pretty as a flower."
Ford Zechariah replied, "You were just as beautiful in your Youth. Besides, we all age, don't we?"
"Always the charmer, aren't you?"
"Uncle and aunt seem so affectionate." Murray's voice was light and nonchalant.
With a handsome guy in sight, Emily's mood instantly brightened, and she couldn't care less about the neighboring table.
"This menu seems interesting," said the blond charmer named Woody, studying the "envelope" in his hand with a serious expression.
Emily, barely holding back her laughter, began to explore the menu with him. With her consent, Woody sat beside her, earnestly following along as they perused the menu.
"Ding." Emily's phone chimed with a new message - from Murray: [Go wait for me in the parking lot, now.]
Soon, her phone chimed again, this time a video call from Elton Cromwell.
Seeing Elton Cromwell's name flashing on the screen, Emily answered the call with a joyful heart.
"Happy Thanksgiving, how are you?" A handsome, refined-looking young man smiled gently from the other side.
"Elton~" Emily held the phone further away to tidy her hair a bit.
"Who's that with you?" Elton Cromwell's tone grew somewhat tense.
"He's an exchange student at our school. It's the festive season, and we both found ourselves alone, so we decided to spend the holiday together," Emily explained casually.
Elton Cromwell visibly relaxed at her words, smiling. "Just yesterday, Mom worried about you being alone in Sandviken. I feel better knowing you have a friend."
Emily smiled. "Of course, your graduation ceremony is more important. Thanksgiving comes every year."
"You're always so understanding." Elton Cromwell's lips quirked in a faint smile, eyes full of tenderness.
"When are you and your uncle and auntie coming back? And Odelia, is she returning with you this time?"
"Odelia will be coming back with us this time."
Mentioning Odelia, Elton Cromwell seemed to dodge the topic, and Emily, sensing his discomfort, smoothly changed the subject. "So, when will you be back?"
"We're on the Friday flight."
Emily thought - so soon? Aloud, she said joyfully, "Great, I'll come pick you up at the airport then."
"Alright, see you then. Take good care of yourself."
"Mm-hmm."
After hanging up, inexplicable unease welled up in Emily's heart. She propped her head in one hand while the other aimlessly circled the table, her gaze drifting with melancholy.
When she was eight, her father Barlow Rockefeller's business failed, and he died in an accident. The Cromwells had taken her in.
In her darkest hour, Elton Cromwell stayed by her side, dispelling her inner fears with gentleness and patience.
Yet the one she meant to exploit was none other than Elton Cromwell.
Now, Elton Cromwell was returning, and her plans would commence.
Emily squeezed her eyes shut, lashes quivering with the force, taking a deep breath and telling herself -
Uncovering the truth behind her father's death and avenging him was her life's mission. Anyone could become a sacrifice, including herself. She would just do what she must; the rest she would leave to fate.
After sitting a while and seeing no movement from Emily, Murray got up to pay for the Zechariah couple's table, making an excuse to leave first.
Passing by Emily, he paused briefly.
Emily's heart leaped, thinking he would do something.
A moment later, he walked straight out the door.
Watching his figure disappear through the entrance, Emily withdrew her gaze and resumed eating conscientiously.
She had to admit, Murray had excellent taste - every dish suited her perfectly. She had polished off nearly the entire plate of rouge goose breast herself.
After the meal, Woody insisted on paying and offered to take her home.
Emily agreed but didn't want a cab. She took the initiative to suggest the bus.
Woody naturally had no objections to more time with the girl.
The bus wasn't crowded, and they chose seats in the last row. Settling down, Emily rested her arm on the window sill, supporting her chin with her hand as she gazed at the passing scenery.
The bus wove through the cityscape, skyscrapers stretching endlessly into the distance, transforming the view she once knew. The Gotrust building, a landmark in her memory, now sported a new sign, glowing brightly against the night.
Gazing at the glittering structures, a flash of determination and anger appeared, then disappeared quickly from her eyes.
...
The bus driver must have been a person of steady temperament. Even with clear roads, he drove leisurely, taking about an hour and a half to reach their destination, a dilapidated park.
Woody followed Emily off the bus, looking around bewildered.
Not a light nor person could be seen for miles around.
"You're not some female ghost, are you?" Woody eyed Emily's pretty face and instinctively shrank back a little.
"Ha ha ha!" Emily nearly doubled over with laughter at his comment. Winking at him, she reassured, "Don't worry, even if I were a female ghost, I'd only go after those heartless, unscrupulous men."
"I see, then I can relax. Because I'm a good guy." Woody breathed a sigh of relief.
Emily smiled at him while checking the time, "Thanks for dinner today. You should head back now. I'll treat you next time."
Woody looked around uneasily. "Where do you live? It's late, is it safe?"
Emily glanced at a black SUV parked not far away, "My friend is coming to pick me up, don't worry. You better go; your dormitory will be locking up soon."
Being a fellow student at the same University, Emily was familiar with the dormitory rules.
"Alright, let's exchange numbers." Woody waved his phone, looking back three times for every step he took towards the last bus back to the city.
At eighteen or nineteen, a young man is in his prime. Woody resembled a certain Hollywood actor, his clear and bright youthful features hiding an enigmatic and alluring aura.
Emily couldn't help rising on tiptoes for another glimpse.
"Goodbye, I'll miss you." Woody's voice gradually faded along with the bus fumes, disappearing from view.
The winter in Sandviken, though not as cold as the north, had just witnessed a fresh snowfall. Standing outside for a while, Emily's hands and face began to stiffen from the cold.She rubbed her hands in her coat vigorously until they warmed up, easing the stiffness. Then, she headed towards Elite Peak Resort.She was clearly aware of a silent vehicle following behind but pretended not to notice, stubbornly struggling forward in the cold wind on her own two feet for Murray to see her "self-redemption."She hoped seeing her in such a pitiful state might quell his anger.However, she had thought too much.When she finally reached the Resort gate, panting, and was about ten feet from the huge iron gates, the security guards stopped her."I'm a guest at block 68..." Emily paused to consider her words.It was normal for the guards not to recognize her, as she usually arrived by car. Her disheveled appearance made her look more like a visitor than a resident.The guards were clearly skeptic
Fear crawled up Emily's spine, crawling over every nerve. She leaped up from the bed, kicking and thrashing in panic. She had only seen a live mouse once in her life, in the school garden.The fat, greasy, shiny-furred thing darted past her feet. That horrifying feeling would stay with her forever.It felt like something had jumped onto the bed."Ah!" Emily shrieked as she tumbled off the bed in her panic. Though there was carpet, her entire body crashing down elbow-first hurt so much she thought she might be paralyzed. "Squeak." A furry thing brushed past her feet. "Help!" Emily cried, struggling from the floor and running to the living room couch.She threw open all the curtains, letting lamp and moonlight stream in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The living room was brightly lit. Emily turned on her phone's flashlight and searched every corner thoroughly. It was very tidy and clean, clearly just housecleaned by Donna Stone before leaving.How could there be rats in this
In the car, Murray patted the pocket of his coat and said to Emily, "I've prepared a gift for you. Guess what it is?""Huh?" Emily was a bit incredulous, "You're giving me a gift after I didn't listen to you yesterday?"Murray cut her off. "Do I need an occasion to give you a gift?""Oh, well, that's very kind of you," Emily replied with a smile, revealing two shallow dimples on her cheeks."Go on, guess what it is." Murray's coat was of a light and thin style. If the gift was large, it would have been obvious, but there was only a slight bulge. He was known for his generosity, so the size of the object didn't necessarily indicate its value."I guess it's jewelry," Emily said, her eyes shining with innocence.Murray seemed to be holding back laughter as he raised his hands, revealing his pocket. "Take it out yourself.""Well, if you insist." Emily reached into the pocket.Something furry, with a pointy mouth and w
Odelia Cromwell, like a, bid farewell to the two with the reverence of a devout follower watching their depart before turning to speak to Emily. "You shouldn't be out if you're sick. Look at your face, as pale as a ghost." She deliberately shrugged her shoulders as she spoke, swinging the purse on her arm before Emily's eyes. "Wow, Odelia, your bag is so beautiful," Emily remarked, as expected. Eager to return and speak with Emily, Devin casually replied, "If you like it, let Elton buy you one too. It's getting late; let's talk more when we return." Before Elton could respond, Odelia Cromwell interjected, "What are you saying, Dad! This is a Hermes limited edition, the only one in the world, right here with me. Where would my brother find another?" Devin was momentarily at a loss for words. "You're such a spendthrift." Emily sneered inwardly. After two years, Odelia remained the same brainless, vain, and superficial fool. Parading around with a fake bag so boldly. She knew it
In the chill of the evening, with faint snowflakes drifting outside, Emily decided to stay the night in her room at the villa. After dinner and chatting in the living room, everyone retired to their rooms. Elton walked her to her door and politely bid goodnight. "Good night, sweet dreams Elton." Sleep eluded her once she closed the door and lay on the bed, which felt strange and familiar. She picked up her phone, which showed a clean screen with a perfectly functioning network. Opening W******p, the most recent chat was the video call from Murray the previous day. She typed a message: 【I won't be coming back tonight. Is that okay?】 Thirty minutes passed without a response. She sent another message: 【If you don't reply, I'll take it as your agreement.】 The world remained silent. Emily laughed wryly at herself, at her presumptuousness. The jerk was probably having the time of his life and had long forgotten her. Decisively, she turned off her phone and tried to sleep. "Achoo
Half an hour later, the car stopped outside an inconspicuous hotel. Peering out, Emily asked, "We're going this far for breakfast?" "Mhm." Murray slapped her bottom. "Get out." She was exasperated with him. Entering the hotel hand in hand, she shook his off. "Aren't you afraid of being seen?" "Members only. No random riffraff. No need to worry." Murray slipped his arm around Emily's neck. Unable to break free, she was dragged into the elevator. After eating in the room, Murray insisted on bathing together. "Mr. Gibson, shouldn't you pace yourself? I'm afraid you'll be drained lifeless." "I never realized you were this kind of person; all you think about is sex. Simply frightening." Murray hugged himself in mock fear as if Emily was some perverted woman. Emily couldn't help but laugh at his reversal of roles. "Fine, if you dare touch me today, you're a dog." "Less nonsense, get in here."
Murray Gibson called Cornelius, quickly relayed a few instructions, and then returned to his downtown apartment.Settling into his study, he spent some time with a book until around seven. Then, he changed into a simple yet comfortable casual outfit and drove out.Sandviken was home to many exclusive clubs catering to the wealthy.The one Murray Gibson was now heading to was the Mellow Mirror Hotel, where his childhood friend Ronald Richardson was a major shareholder.Caught at a red light, he texted Stacey, "I'll be passing South Street soon. Fancy some coconut tarts?"Stacey responded promptly, "Went there with Jean yesterday. The shop's moved ages ago."Murray felt a bit embarrassed. He only remembered Stacey loving those pastries as a kid, but her mom Rita considered the ingredients at those street stalls low quality and wouldn't let her eat them. So, he would secretly buy them on his way home from school and bring them to her the next day. After Stacey went abroad for high schoo
Finally surrounded by peace, the two walked in silence, perfectly in sync, savoring this tranquil moment."Are you cold?" Murray asked, noticing her only in a coat, and began to remove his down jacket to drape over her.But Stacey stopped his hand, smiling. "I've endured all kinds of harsh environments these years. My body's made of iron now, and this is nothing."Knowing her blunt nature, Murray knew if she said she didn't need it, then she really didn't. So he let it go."Not leaving again this time, are you?" "Nope, Dad said if I leave again, he'll break my legs." Murray chuckled softly, "Uncle's still got his sense of humor.""What humor? My free spirit's been shackled! Shouldn't you feel sorry for me?" Stacey huffed, folding her arms and glaring at him in pretend anger.Murray, hands in his pockets, idly kicked at the pebbles on the ground. "You've seen enough of the world. It's time to experience our ordinar