Volume 3: The End of the Lies and the Rebirth of the Iris
Before the elder Rockefeller could finish speaking, the dining room doors were flung open. The butler rushed in, looking panicked, and gasped, "Sir, Master Sean, Mr. Howard, something terrible has happened! People are spreading rumors outside the manor that... that..."
"That what?" The elder Rockefeller's face darkened further, his tone laced with anger.
"That... the Rockefeller family is involved in the death of a slum girl, and they're also saying... saying that Miss Olivia's death wasn't an accident, but... but a conspiracy by the Rockefeller family!" the butler stammered.
Sean shot to his feet, his face as pale as paper. He clenched his fists so tightly that his veins bulged. "Who is it? Who's spreading these rumors?"
Carl, on the other hand, remained seated calmly, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips and his eyes deep and unreadable.
The elder Rockefeller slammed his hand on the table with a loud bang, making the butler jump. "Investigate! Find out who has the audacity to mess with the Rockefeller family!"
"Yes, sir," the butler replied hastily and scurried away.
The elder Rockefeller took a deep breath, trying to calm his rising anger. He turned to Sean and his tone softened a bit. "Sean, don't worry. These are baseless rumors. I'll take care of it."
Sean nodded, but the worry in his eyes didn't fade. He knew the Rockefeller family had many enemies, all waiting for a chance to bring them down.
"Grandfather, rumors are dispelled by the wise. I believe the public won't easily fall for such absurd rumors," Carl said slowly, his tone full of meaning.
"I hope so," the elder Rockefeller sighed. He knew the power of rumors was not to be underestimated. Once they took root in the public's mind, they could severely damage the Rockefeller family's reputation.
Just then, a commotion came from outside the manor.
"What's going on?" the elder Rockefeller asked, frowning.
A bodyguard hurried in, looking grave. "Sir, a large crowd has gathered outside. They... they're demanding an explanation from the Rockefeller family."
"What?!" The elder Rockefeller was enraged. "These troublemakers! What do they think they're doing? Rebelling?!"
Sean's face turned even paler. He staggered back a few steps and leaned against the chair. He felt his head growing dizzier and his body weaker.
"Sean, are you okay?" Carl asked with concern, though a fleeting cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"I... I'm fine," Sean managed to say, but he felt his life slipping away bit by bit.
The elder Rockefeller took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Sean, Carl, stay here. I'll handle this."
With that, the elder Rockefeller got up and left the dining room, leaving Sean and Carl alone.
The dining room was deathly silent, broken only by Sean's faint gasps.
"Sean, you don't look well," Carl broke the silence, his tone concerned.
"I... "I feel terrible," Sean said painfully. "Carl, if... if anything happens to me, you... you must take care of Olivia."
Carl smiled. "Don't worry, Sean. I'll take care of her as if she were my own life."
Sean nodded and closed his eyes. He knew his time was running out.
Meanwhile, Irene was locked in the dark and damp basement.
Leaning against the wall, she kept thinking of ways to escape. She knew she couldn't just sit and wait for her fate; she had to find an opportunity to get out.
She examined every corner of the room, hoping to find something useful. But apart from a shabby bed and a table, there was nothing.
Suddenly, she noticed that one of the table legs seemed loose. She walked over and shook it hard, confirming that it was indeed loose.
Her heart skipped a beat with excitement. She began to pull at the table leg with all her might. After some struggle, she finally managed to break it off.
Holding the table leg, she felt like she had a weapon in her hand. She hoped this could help her escape.
Just then, the basement door was suddenly opened.
A bodyguard in black walked in and said coldly, "Come out!"
Irene knew this was her chance.
Gripping the table leg, she rushed at the bodyguard without hesitation and slammed it down on his head.
Caught off guard, the bodyguard was knocked unconscious.
Irene quickly opened the door and dashed out of the basement.
She ran down the corridor, desperate to escape the Rockefeller Manor.
However, there were many bodyguards in the manor, and she was soon spotted.
"Catch her! Don't let her get away!" the bodyguards shouted and chased after her.
Irene knew she had to run faster. She sprinted through the garden, across the lawn, and towards the manor gates.
But just as she was about to reach the gates, she was shocked by what she saw.
Outside the gates, a large crowd had gathered. They held signs and chanted slogans, demanding an explanation from the Rockefeller family.
At the front of the crowd, she saw Carl Howard. Standing on a raised spot, he faced the crowd and was giving a passionate speech.
"The Rockefeller family's crimes are countless! They sacrifice innocent lives for their own gain! Miss Olivia's death is a bloody example! We can no longer tolerate their atrocities! We must seek justice for the dead! We must make the Rockefeller family pay!"
Carl's voice was loud and passionate, inciting the crowd and making them even angrier and more radical.
Irene stared at Carl in shock. She never expected he would do such a thing.
She suddenly realized that Carl had been using her all along, taking advantage of her hatred for the Rockefeller family to achieve his own goals.
Her heart sank. She felt like a pawn, being manipulated at will by Carl.
Just then, the elder Rockefeller emerged. Standing opposite Carl, his face livid with rage, he shouted, "Carl Howard! What nonsense are you spouting? Why are you inciting the crowd against the Rockefeller family?!"
Carl smiled. "Mr. Rockefeller, I'm just telling the truth. Am I wrong? Aren't the Rockefeller family's crimes common knowledge?"
"You... you!" The elder Rockefeller trembled with anger. "You... How dare you betray me!
"Betrayal?" Carl shrugged. "Mr. Rockefeller, there was never any trust between us. I've been using you, just as you've been using me."
The elder Rockefeller was completely defeated. He knew there was no turning back.
Just then, the manor guards caught Irene.
"Let me go!" Irene struggled, but it was no use.
"Take her back!" the elder Rockefeller said coldly.
As Irene was being dragged away, she saw Carl give her a meaningful smile.
That smile filled her with dread.
The Rockefeller Manor was in chaos, with rumors spreading and public resentment boiling over. Amidst all this, a grand wedding was being secretly prepared.
The wedding venue was exquisitely decorated, surrounded by a profusion of flowers, creating an enchanting scene reminiscent of a fairy - tale world. However, beneath this dazzling splendor lurked stifling conspiracies and a lurking sense of impending danger.
The groom of the wedding was Sean Rockefeller.
And the bride was someone no one expected.
Irene was locked alone in the elder Rockefeller's study. Her hands and feet were tied, and her mouth was gagged, leaving her unable to move or speak.
The elder Rockefeller stood in front of her, wearing a cold smile.
"Irene, I know you hate me and want revenge. But you'll never defeat me."
He paused and continued, "Because I'm going to make you a member of the Rockefeller family, so you can never get away from me."
Irene's eyes widened in horror as she seemed to understand the elder Rockefeller's plan.
"Tomorrow, you'll take Olivia's place and marry Sean," the elder Rockefeller said icily.
"You'll become a puppet of the Rockefeller family, at my disposal forever."
Irene struggled desperately, trying to resist, but she couldn't make a sound.
She felt utterly desperate and terrified. She was like a bird trapped in a cage, helplessly awaiting her fate.
The next day, the bloody wedding took place as scheduled.
Irene, dressed in a white wedding dress, was escorted into the church.
Her eyes were empty and desolate, and her face was expressionless.
Sean stood at the altar, pale - faced and with dull eyes. It seemed he had already foreseen where his fate was leading.
Carl sat in the front row of the church, wearing an enigmatic smile. He seemed to be eagerly anticipating the outcome of this bloody wedding.
The priest began to read the vows, and Irene's heart was filled with sadness and despair.
She knew her revenge plan had completely failed.
Not only could she not avenge her sister, but she had also become a puppet of the Rockefeller family, unable to break free from their control.
When the priest asked if she was willing to marry Sean, Irene closed her eyes tightly, letting the tears roll down her cheeks.
She didn't answer.
The church fell silent, and everyone held their breath, waiting for her response.
Just then, a voice broke the silence.
"I object!"
A figure rushed out from the crowd and stood in front of Irene.
It was Carl Howard!
In his deep eyes, a burning blood - red iris was reflected.