John crumpled to the ground, hands desperately clutching his hair, his muffled roars like dull blades carving into Phyllis's heart. She rushed to him, embracing him tightly, feeling the violent tremors wracking his body. That single word, "Yaya," imbued with the warmth and despair of five years ago, utterly shattered her defenses. Tears blurred her vision; she knew he remembered, he truly remembered! Even if it was just fragments, it was still their shared past! She held him close, as if to meld him into her bones, wanting only to give him strength, to let him know she was still there, she hadn't left.
However, just seconds later, John's body stiffened abruptly. Those lost and tormented eyes, under extreme restraint, instantly regained their cold composure, as if the previous breakdown had never occurred. He released Phyllis's hands, stood up sharply, his face terribly pale, but his gaze returned to its former icy authority. He glanced at the emblem on the floor, then at Phyllis. His eyes were as sharp as ice blades, yet they held a hint of imperceptible pain and struggle; anger, doubt, and even a flicker of pleading flashed within their deep pupils.
"Kevin, come in!" John's voice remained low, but carried an undeniable command.
Kevin quickly rushed in, seeing the disarray in the office, John's pale face, and the emblem in Phyllis's hand. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly masked it perfectly. A knowing look briefly appeared in the depths of his gaze, then dropped, as if he had already understood everything.
"Take this and put it away." John pointed to the emblem on the floor, his voice as cold as ice. "Furthermore, effective immediately, Phyllis's security level is to be elevated to maximum. Spare no expense to ensure her absolute safety. Anyone who dares to approach her by another step will be killed without mercy!" His final words were practically squeezed through gritted teeth, imbued with such potent killing intent that even Kevin shivered.
Kevin immediately stepped forward, picked up the emblem from the floor, and respectfully replied, "Yes, Mr. Zhuo." He glanced at Phyllis, his eyes complex, seeming to warn yet also to sympathize.
John didn't look at Phyllis again. He turned and strode out of the office. His back remained straight, but Phyllis could feel the fatigue and pain radiating from him, as if each step he took was on shards of memory, each step stirring up turbulent waves in the depths of his mind.
For the next few days, John didn't appear at the company. An unprecedented tense atmosphere permeated the entire Yafei Group. The terrorist attack at the overseas branch had left everyone in a state of unease. Security levels were elevated to the extreme, and even internal group employees felt the suffocating low pressure. Phyllis received John's latest instructions from Kevin daily, all concerning how to handle the aftermath, how to strengthen security, and how to track down the masterminds. She knew John was secretly planning, determined to root out the "Shadow" organization.
However, John's "protection" also became even more stringent. Phyllis was almost completely restricted, unable to move a step without Kevin's escort to designated locations. Her phone and computer had been taken over by Kevin's people, and all communications were rigorously reviewed. Phyllis understood that John was using his own method to keep her firmly "trapped" by his side, preventing any danger from approaching. She felt a sense of suffocation, but also had to admit that this extreme protection brought a strange sense of security.
Late one night, Phyllis was alone in her apartment, gazing at the dazzling city lights outside the window, her heart feeling lost. She didn't know what her next step should be; how much of John's memory had truly returned? Would he remember her again? Just then, her private encrypted phone suddenly rang, displaying an unfamiliar number. Phyllis's heart tightened as she answered the call.
"It's me." John's deep, hoarse voice came through the receiver, tinged with fatigue, yet carrying an undeniable command, "Come to my villa now."
Phyllis's heart jolted; he had actually contacted her using a private phone! This meant he was starting to trust her! She didn't hesitate, immediately dressed, and had Kevin's people take her to John's private villa.
The villa was brightly lit. John was in his study, surrounded by stacks of documents and files. His face was still pale, but his eyes were much clearer than usual. He saw Phyllis enter and gestured for her to sit.
"I need you." John began directly, his voice weary but his tone undeniably firm. "I need you to help me uncover everything about the 'Shadow' organization."
Phyllis's heart leaped; she hadn't expected John to be so straightforward! She looked at him, her eyes wide with shock.
"I know you've been investigating." John's gaze fell on the iris handkerchief in her hand, a complex flicker in his eyes. "That emblem, and what you said last night, touched some... memory fragments within me. Though still blurry, I know you didn't lie to me." He paused, his voice deepening. "Five years ago, that accident wasn't an accident. The 'Shadow' organization, they are the masterminds."
Phyllis's heart pounded. He admitted it! He really admitted it! She felt a surge of immense joy and excitement, but quickly suppressed it.
"What do you want to do?" Phyllis asked, knowing that since John decided to confess, he must have a plan.
John looked up, his eyes sharp as knives. "I want them to pay. I want to eradicate the 'Shadow' organization, to make them disappear completely!" His voice was filled with intense hatred and killing intent. "But this organization is more powerful and secretive than we imagined. They've infiltrated the Yafei family, and might even control some high-ranking members. I need your professional skills, your special agent experience, to help me find their hidden evidence and their informants within the family."
Phyllis's heart tightened. She knew John was inviting her to become his ally, to fight alongside him. This was not just about revenge; it was a war for truth and justice.
"Good." Phyllis said firmly, without hesitation. "I'll help you."
A faint, almost imperceptible relaxation flashed in John's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Very good." He picked up an encrypted file from his desk and handed it to Phyllis. "These are some clues about the 'Shadow' organization I've secretly collected over the years, along with suspicious financial transaction records from within the Yafei family. You need to study them carefully and find the connections."
Phyllis took the file, feeling a heavy sense of responsibility. She knew that from this moment on, she and John were truly standing on the same battle line. They were no longer controller and controlled, but allies fighting side by side.
However, just as they began to formulate their plan, the internal family struggle reached a fever pitch. Uncle Osmond and Leonardo's faction, seeing John overwhelmed by the overseas branch incident, believed this was the perfect opportunity to completely unseat him. They began to unite with other shareholders on the board, demanding John immediately resign as CEO and publicly reveal the truth about the terrorist attack, attempting to shift all blame onto him.
John did not back down. He immediately presented preliminary evidence of the 'Shadow' organization's existence at the board meeting, along with signs of their infiltration into the Yafei family. His actions shocked all the directors and caught Uncle Osmond and Leonardo off guard. However, they didn't give up. Instead, they retaliated even more frantically, even secretly contacting the media to spread damaging rumors about John, attempting to create public pressure.
Phyllis knew the real battle had just begun. She and John, caught between the "Shadow" organization and the internal family conflict, had to find the truth and completely defeat their enemies. This fight would be harder and more dangerous than she imagined. But she was no longer alone; she had John by her side, the man who had once forgotten her, but whose memories she had reawakened. They would fight side by side until all the fog was lifted, until the truth was fully revealed!