Volume 3: The End of the Lies and the Rebirth of the Iris
Irene stood on the spacious balcony of the Rockefeller Manor, letting the night wind blow through her long hair. The conversation with Sean last night was like a cold stone weighing heavily on her heart. The secrets of the Rockefeller family were like a huge black hole, gradually swallowing her up.
In the banquet hall, guests clinked their glasses, chatting and laughing, as if all the schemes and intrigues didn't exist. But Irene knew that beneath this calm surface, an undercurrent was surging. Sean's uncle, the elder Rockefeller, had eyes as sharp as a hawk, patrolling among the crowd, like a beast ready to hunt at any moment.
She took a deep breath and turned to enter the banquet hall. Sean stood in the center of the crowd, surrounded by a group of well-dressed dignitaries. His face was so pale that it was almost translucent, and there was a faint bluish shadow under his eyes, as if he was haunted by endless nightmares.
Irene knew that his body was gradually weakening. She had to find a way to treat him as soon as possible, but now, she needed to understand the secrets of the Rockefeller family even more and figure out Carl Howard's true intentions.
She made her way through the crowd and walked gracefully towards Sean. People around her stepped aside to make way for her when they saw her, eyeing her with looks of curiosity, envy, or jealousy. She knew that in the eyes of these people, she was just a substitute for Olivia and an appendage of the Rockefeller family.
"Sean," she called softly as she reached his side.
Sean looked up and saw her. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He forced a smile and extended his arm to put around her waist. "Good evening, my dear. You look very beautiful today."
His voice was hoarse and tired, as if he could collapse at any moment. Irene felt a pang of pity, but she knew that this was not the time to be weak.
"I have something to tell you," she lowered her voice and whispered in his ear, "about your mother."
Sean's body stiffened suddenly, and the arm around her waist also loosened. His face turned even paler, and his eyes were filled with fear. "Stop it," he said hoarsely, "don't mention her."
"Sean, you have to face it," Irene's voice was firm and calm. "Carl Howard is related to your mother. There must be some secret hidden in this. If we want to get rid of the elder Rockefeller's control, we have to find the truth."
Sean was silent for a moment and finally nodded slowly. "Come with me," he said and led Irene out of the banquet hall towards the depths of the garden.
The moonlight spilled over the garden, stretching the shadows of the trees very long, like countless eyes hidden in the dark. They walked to a secluded corner, and Sean stopped.
"My mother," he began, his voice low and suppressed, "she was a beautiful woman, gentle and kind. But after she married my father, she wasn't happy. My father was a control freak. He treated my mother like a puppet and controlled everything about her."
Irene listened quietly without interrupting him. She knew that Sean rarely talked about his mother, and this was a painful memory for him.
"Later, my mother met a painter," Sean continued, "a young and talented painter. They fell in love with each other, but this relationship was doomed to have no future. My father found out about their affair, and he... he killed that painter and then locked my mother up."
Irene's eyes widened in shock. She had never imagined that the secrets of the Rockefeller family were so dark and cruel.
"My mother was imprisoned for a long time," Sean's voice trembled, "and she became more and more insane. In the end... in the end, she committed suicide."
"Suicide?" Irene frowned. She always felt that things were not that simple.
"Yes, suicide," Sean nodded. "But I don't believe it. My father... he must have driven my mother to her death. He is a devil, a heartless devil!"
Looking at Sean's pained expression, Irene felt a strong surge of anger in her heart. She tightly held his hand to give him strength. "Sean, I promise you that I will avenge your mother. I will expose the true face of the elder Rockefeller and make him pay the price!"
Sean looked at Irene gratefully, his eyes filled with hope. "Thank you, Olivia. No, Irene. Thank you."
"Tell me about that painter," Irene asked. "His name, his paintings, any clues will do."
Sean closed his eyes and tried to recall. "I remember his name was... Howard. Carl Howard's father?" He suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes filled with shock. "Could it be... Carl Howard is the son of that painter?!"
Irene's heart skipped a beat. She finally understood Carl Howard's purpose of getting close to the Rockefeller family. He wasn't just seeking revenge; he was also looking for the truth.
"It seems that our ally is not as simple as we thought," Irene said. "We need to be more careful."
"Irene," Sean suddenly grabbed her shoulders and said seriously, "promise me that no matter what happens, don't trust Carl Howard. He must be getting close to you to use you."
Irene nodded. "I understand. I will be careful."
Just then, a voice came from behind them: "It seems that you two are having a great conversation."
Irene and Sean turned around and saw the elder Rockefeller standing behind them, with a meaningful smile on his face. His eyes were deep and sharp, as if he could see through everything.
"Father," Sean said with a pale face, "we were just chatting casually."
"Is that so?" The elder Rockefeller walked up to them and his gaze fell on Irene. "Olivia, you are becoming more and more important to the Rockefeller family. I hope you can remember that your duty is to safeguard the family's interests, not to dig up secrets that shouldn't be dug up."
His words were full of warning, and Irene felt a chill. She knew that the elder Rockefeller had already sensed something strange about her.
"I understand, father," Irene said calmly. "I will do my best to safeguard the interests of the Rockefeller family."
The elder Rockefeller nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Remember your promise. Now, the banquet is about to start, and we should go back."
He put his arm around Sean's shoulder and led him out of the garden. Irene stood there, looking at their backs, filled with unease.
The secrets of the Rockefeller family were like a huge net, gradually tightening. She had to find a breakthrough as soon as possible, otherwise, she would be trapped forever in this cage woven with lies.
She looked up at the night sky. The moon was obscured by dark clouds, leaving only a faint halo. She knew that an even greater storm was coming. She had to be prepared to face the baptism of this storm.
Back in the banquet hall, Irene found that Carl Howard was standing in the center of the crowd, chatting and laughing with several noble ladies. His smile was gentle and charming, like that of a harmless gentleman.
But Irene knew that this man was not simple. His purpose of getting close to the Rockefeller family must hide a bigger secret.
She walked up to Carl and interrupted his conversation. "Mr. Carl, can we talk?"
Carl turned around and saw Irene. A flash of surprise appeared in his eyes. "Of course, Mrs. Rockefeller. I've been waiting for you."
He bid farewell to those noble ladies and led Irene out of the banquet hall towards another secluded corner.
"I've been thinking about when we would have a chance to be alone," Carl said, his voice low and magnetic. "You look very beautiful tonight."
Irene ignored his compliment and asked directly, "Mr. Carl, what is your purpose of getting close to the Rockefeller family?"
Carl's smile became a bit stiff. "Mrs. Rockefeller, you're overthinking it. I'm just very interested in the history and artworks of the Rockefeller family."
"Is that so?" Irene sneered. "Then why are you so interested in Sean's mother? What's the relationship between you and her?"
Carl was silent for a moment and finally said slowly, "Mrs. Rockefeller, there are some things you'd better not know. For your own good."
"For my own good?" Irene raised an eyebrow. "I'd like to know what you mean by 'for my own good'."
Carl sighed and said, "The affairs of the Rockefeller family are very complicated. You'd better not get involved in this mess. Otherwise, you'll regret it."
"I already regret it," Irene said. "I regret choosing this path in the first place. But I won't give up. I will find out all the truth, even if it costs me my life."
Looking at her determined eyes, a complex emotion flashed in Carl's eyes. "Mrs. Rockefeller, you are a very special woman. I hope you can survive and see the day when the truth comes to light."
"I will," Irene said. "But I need your help."
"My help?" Carl raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Tell me about Sean's mother," Irene said. "Tell me about Howard. Tell me all the secrets of the Rockefeller family."
Carl was silent for a moment and finally nodded. "All right, Mrs. Rockefeller. I promise you that I will tell you everything. However, you have to be mentally prepared. The truth is often more brutal than lies."
Just then, a waiter came up to them and said, "Mrs. Rockefeller, Mr. Elder Rockefeller would like you to go over."
Irene looked at Carl, her eyes filled with worry. "It seems that our conversation has to end here."
Carl nodded. "Be careful, Mrs. Rockefeller. Remember my words, the truth is often more brutal than lies."
Irene took a deep breath and turned to walk towards the elder Rockefeller. She knew that next, she would face more severe tests. The secrets of the Rockefeller family were gradually being revealed, and she would be at the center of this storm.