In that instant, many things converged and burst forth in Serena’s mind.
The Ford Family’s outstanding eldest son had died, and Old Master Ford never pursued the matter; the second son fell into a slump, obsessed with beautiful won and having children.
And Zink and his peers of that generation probably knew quite a bit about that archipelago.
Mr. Lloyd clearly knew sothing, yet though she had asked several tis, he chose to remain silent.
What exactly was on that archipelago?
Sothing that could keep Old Master Ford silent, without even avenging his son’s death.
Clues to her father’s death could also be found on that archipelago.
Zink specifically emphasized March of next year.
Does that an that going to the archipelago at other tis would reveal nothing?
"There’s a gathering in March next year," Serena finally spoke, "Only what they’re selling at the gathering is unclear."
"They might sell anything," Silas said, "It just depends on the price you need to pay."
A gathering on a remote island at sea always carries significant risks.
It’s easy for betrayal to happen there.
However, things unavailable on the market can also be found at these gatherings.
Serena didn’t respond.
She just looked towards the window beside her.
Her reflection was cast in the glass of the window.
Zink said she could find the information she wanted here.
Does that an, next March, soone who knows the details will go to that archipelago?
Why is Zink so sure they’ll go?
Two possibilities.
First, Zink knows the person, and they have disclosed plans to go.
Second, the person is a regular at the gathering, sure to attend, perhaps even the organizer.
Serena thought of many things.
Finally, she recalled seeing Old Master Ford at the charity auction the previous spring, after taking off her mask.
Might Percival Ford know what is truly on that archipelago?
If she were to ask him, would he tell her?
Serena lowered her gaze slightly.
She already had an answer.
The chance was slim.
All these years, Percival Ford hadn’t even sought justice for his own son’s death, why would he tell her?
"Serena." Silas held her hand tightly, "I’ll investigate, I’ll be careful, don’t worry too much."
Serena looked at Silas, grasping his hand tightly in return.
The night deepened.
Soon after, Serena lay down.
Lying in bed in her pajamas, she stared at the ceiling, her mind too cluttered to sleep.
She didn’t know how much ti passed before she finally drifted off.
But she was trapped in a cyclic dream.
Again and again, she found herself reliving the day of her father’s death.
Back then, she stood beneath the Sheridan Family’s building, watching as her father jumped from the high-rise, crashing to his death right before her eyes.
Blood and brain matter splattered everywhere.
"Serena? Serena..." It seed like soone was calling her.
Serena suddenly opened her eyes and saw Silas’s concerned face.
"You had a nightmare," he said, taking tissues from the side to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
She gazed at Silas, but all she could see were her father’s lifeless eyes in front of her.
In agony, yet she dared not close her eyes.
...
Elsewhere.
A desolate area without surveillance on the outskirts.
Julian Lawson drove with Vera Hansen in tow.
His face was contorted with rage.
The car drove continuously outward, while Vera kept screaming.
"Shut up!" Julian bellowed.
But Vera did not stop.
"If you scream again, I’ll make sure you never make a sound!" Julian shouted.
Only then did Vera cover her mouth, silencing herself.
The car arrived at another location where Jude Chaucer and others imdiately surrounded it.
Soone took Vera away.
"Mr. Lawson," Jude Chaucer said with concern.
"He got away again." Julian slamd his fist on the steering wheel.
This ti, in the battle with Preston Langley.
Both sides had shifted through several locations, with endless struggles, and ended up here.
He had brought people, but Preston still managed to escape.
What now?
This was the second failure.
Would there be a third attempt?
anwhile, Serena’s wedding with Silas was set to take place in a week.
Does he have to watch her walk down the aisle in a wedding dress to marry Silas?
Julian clenched his fists tightly.
He couldn’t bear that!
Jude looked at Julian with concern, unsure of what to do.
"Preston Langley is too cunning," Jude said, "The location was set by him, and every ti he manages to lay traps in advance."
The last ti in the alley, this ti at the final location, both were the sa.
All of them had traps laid by Preston Langley.
Twice, Preston Langley had escaped using these traps.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
Vera’s phone rang.
Julian took it out and looked.
[Julian, do you really want the docunts, or is it my life you’re after?]
It was a ssage from Preston Langley.
Julian didn’t reply.
He wasn’t sure how to respond.
He wanted to tactically fetch Preston Langley a third ti, but was also worried about Preston sensing his intentions.
Judging from the fact that Preston hadn’t released Serena’s photos all this ti, he likely believed Julian wanted to exchange Vera for the docunts.
As long as Preston held on to that hope, there was still a chance to catch him.
Preston Langley didn’t send another ssage.
Jude, noticing the ssage, asked, "Mr. Lawson, what should we do now?"
Julian closed his eyes.
"Let’s go back," Julian said.
Now, he could only wait for Preston to reach out first.
But...
The wedding of Serena was imminent.
Julian sat in the backseat of another car, while Jude started the engine.
Julian gazed at the city night sky, where a countdown balloon hung in the air.
A week.
Could he catch Preston Langley?
...
Ian Yates had been waiting below Julian’s apartnt for a long ti.
When Julian’s car finally stopped, he imdiately approached.
"Mr. Lawson!" Ian said with a cheerful smile, raising the alcohol he brought, "Shall we have a drink?"
Julian stepped out from the backseat, telling Jude to head back first before nodding at Ian.
The two of them went upstairs together.
They drank together, one cup after another.
Alcohol numbed the brain, allowing a temporary respite from overthinking.
"Mr. Lawson, I’ve been thinking." Ian said, watching Julian still drinking, "Serena’s wedding is in a week, once it’s over, I’ll throw a party, invite so pretty girls over, and get to know them."
Ian hiccupped and continued, "Serena’s getting remarried, Mr. Lawson, you shouldn’t lose hope, the world is full of beautiful won!"
Julian drank another cup.
The world is full of beautiful won...
But he only wanted her.
Thinking this, Julian took another sip of his drink.
"No need," Julian told Ian, "I don’t have the heart for it."
"But you," Julian pondered, looking at Ian, "How’s it going with that woman?"
Ian waved his hand, expressing he didn’t want to discuss it.
"She only notices when I boost her sales, she just uses and casts aside," Ian complained, "She’s after my money, not !"
Julian observed Ian as he drank.
He wished Serena was interested in his money.
But he knew all along it’s not what she cared about.
...
Ti passed slowly.
A week.
Five days.
Three days.
...
Quickly, it beca the day before Serena and Silas’s wedding.
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