Volume 2: The Feast Above the Lies
Sean stood not far away, his tall and upright figure seemed to be shrouded in shadow. He was wearing a midnight blue tuxedo, standing out starkly among the brightly - colored crowd on the dance floor, like a wounded beast, warily eyeing his surroundings. His deep eyes were like two burning coals, fixated on the slender hand of Irene that was tightly held in Carl's.
"Irene, I've been looking for you for a long time," Sean's voice was low and magnetic, but laced with a suppressed anger, like the rumble before a volcanic eruption. "The ball has already started, and the guests are looking forward to seeing their future Mrs. Rockefeller."
Irene's heart tightened. She knew Sean had misunderstood; he must have thought there was some romantic connection between her and Carl. But she couldn't explain now. She couldn't let Sean know about her alliance with Carl, or else her revenge plan would be completely ruined.
She tried to pull her hand away, but Carl held it even tighter. His eyes were full of provocation as he looked at Sean, and the corners of his mouth curled up in a playful arc. "Mr. Rockefeller, it seems you care a great deal about your fiancée. I was just discussing some art-related matters with Miss Irene. I hope I'm not in your way?"
Sean's face grew even darker. He walked towards them step by step, each step feeling like it was stomping on Irene's heart. "Art? Mr. Howard, I'm not interested in your art. I'm more interested in my fiancée. Please let her go."
Ignoring Sean's threat, Carl held Irene's hand even more firmly. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Remember our agreement, Irene. I'll show you the true face of the Rockefeller family."
Only then did he slowly release Irene's hand. Irene felt a sense of relief. She avoided Sean's gaze in a fluster and said in a low voice, "Sean, I..."
"Come with me." Sean roughly interrupted Irene, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away from Carl. His grip was so strong that pain shot through Irene's wrist.
Carl stood where he was, watching the backs of Sean and Irene as they left. His eyes were deep and complex. He gently swirled the champagne in his glass, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. The game had just begun.
Sean almost dragged Irene through the crowd and onto the balcony. The evening wind blew through Irene's hair, bringing her a moment of clarity. She broke free from Sean's grasp, rubbed her sore wrist, and said softly, "You hurt me."
Sean ignored her complaint. With his back to her, he leaned on the railing, his eyes coldly fixed on the brightly - lit city in the distance. "What's your relationship with Carl Howard?"
Irene's heart raced. She knew Sean was suspicious of her, and she had to find a way to explain, or else she would lose his trust.
"We have no special relationship," Irene tried to defend herself. "We were just discussing some things about painting..."
"Painting?" Sean turned around, his gaze as sharp as ice blades. "Do you think I'd believe such a lie? You clearly know about the feud between my family and the Howard family. Why are you getting so close to him?"
Irene's heart sank. She knew that no matter how she explained, Sean wouldn't believe her. Her alliance with Carl had completely enraged him.
"I'm cooperating with Carl to uncover the truth about the Rockefeller family," Irene gritted her teeth and decided to come clean about her plan with Carl.
Upon hearing this, Sean was stunned for a moment, then burst into a mocking laugh. "Uncover the truth about the Rockefeller family? Irene, who do you think you are? What makes you think you can challenge the Rockefeller family?"
"I can," Irene said firmly. "I know the Rockefeller family has many secrets. I know Isabella Rockefeller's death wasn't an accident, and I know your family has done many despicable things to cover up the truth."
Sean's face instantly turned pale. He seemed not to expect that Irene knew so much about the secrets of the Rockefeller family. He walked up to her, grabbed her shoulders, and asked urgently, "Where did you learn all this? Who told you?"
"It doesn't matter," Irene said coldly. "What matters is that I know the Rockefeller family is corrupt and guilty. I won't let you get away with it."
Sean's eyes became complex, filled with pain and struggle. He released her shoulders, took a few steps back, and murmured, "You don't understand anything... You don't understand anything..."
Looking at Sean's pained expression, Irene felt a twinge of guilt. She knew Sean was also trapped; he was a victim of the Rockefeller family too. But she couldn't stop. She had to avenge her sister and expose the family's crimes.
"Sorry, Sean," Irene said in a low voice. "But I have to do this."
Sean looked up at her with empty eyes. "You betrayed me."
"I..." Irene wanted to explain but found herself at a loss for words. Between her and Sean, there was a chasm of family hatred, lies, and secrets that seemed insurmountable.
"Leave this place," Sean said coldly. "I don't want to see you again."
Irene felt as if a knife had stabbed her heart. She knew that the relationship between her and Sean was completely broken.
She turned around and silently left the balcony. She knew she had lost Sean's trust and the love he might have given. But she also knew she couldn't turn back. She had to keep going, even if the road ahead was full of danger and challenges.
Back on the dance floor, Irene felt like a ghost, wandering among the crowd. Looking at those well - dressed, smiling people, she was filled with disgust and hatred. They were the lackeys of the Rockefeller family, slaves to power and money, and players in this class game.
She saw Carl. He was standing in the corner, elegantly sipping champagne, his eyes watching her with a hint of amusement. Irene knew Carl had been watching her all along, watching her step by step towards the abyss.
She walked up to Carl and said in a low voice, "Sean knows."
Carl didn't show any surprise. He just said calmly, "This was to be expected. Did you think you could hide it from him forever?"
"What should I do now?" Irene asked.
"Keep going with your plan," Carl said. "Sean is angry and disappointed in you now, but he'll also be more cautious. This actually works in our favor."
"He won't trust me anymore," Irene said.
"Trust?" Carl sneered. "In this game, trust is the most fragile thing. You just need to use him, make him work for you."
Irene felt a chill. Carl's words were cold and heartless, like a devil tempting her. But she also knew he was right. In this cruel world, trust was a luxury. She had to learn to use everything at her disposal to achieve her goal.
She took a deep breath, suppressed the unease and guilt in her heart, looked up, and said firmly, "I know what to do."
Just then, a waiter walked up to Irene and handed her a glass of champagne. As soon as she took it and was about to take a sip, she suddenly smelled a pungent odor.
Her face changed, and she immediately spilled the champagne on the ground.
"What are you doing?" Carl frowned.
Irene didn't answer. She bent down and carefully examined the champagne on the ground. The color of the champagne seemed off, and there appeared to be some unknown powder mixed in.
"There's poison in this wine," Irene said, her voice cold and determined.
Carl's face turned pale instantly. "What? Poison?"
Irene nodded. "Someone wants me dead."
She knew that the road to revenge would be even more dangerous and challenging. But she wouldn't back down. She would keep going until she uncovered the truth about the Rockefeller family and avenged her sister.
Even if it meant betraying everything and paying the ultimate price - her life.