Chapter 19 Homecoming
920 +8 Pearls
The airplane sliced through the clouds across the vast expanse of the Nirnk Ocean, enduring a grueling ten–hour flight. Most of the passengers were either dozing or quietly gazing out the windows, their faces weary, though a few appeared to have a rare glimmer of excitement as they neared their destination–home.
As the plane finally came to a stop on the runway, a young man stepped off calmly.
His movements were deliberate and unhurried, each step exuding the kind of composed elegance that set him apart. His presence seemed poised, almost regal, as if he carried an air of quiet nobility that couldn’t be ignored.
Waiting for him outside the terminal was a sleek black Rolls–Royce Phantom, its license plate perfectly matching the luxury vehicle. A few bodyguards dressed in dark suits flanked the vehicle, standing still with an intensity in their posture, their eyes locked ahead, giving off an almost overwhelming sense of authority.
The summer heat was accompanied by relentless rain, and the air was thick with humidity.
Tonight, the downpour was unrelenting, striking the umbrella above with sharp, rhythmic sounds. The large umbrella shielded the young man from the rain, leaving only his pale hands visible, the veins beneath the skin standing out in the dim light.
Lilith stepped out of a store, a gift clutched tightly in her hands, the umbrella sheltering her from the rain. The world around her seemed swallowed by the storm, with the noise of raindrops pounding against the umbrella almost deafening. The relentless rain fell in sheets, but the neon lights of the city continued to glow, painting the streets with a soft, colorful sheen.
As the rain splashed against her legs and feet, the coolness was a welcome relief from the summer heat.
She clutched the gift to her chest, trying to shield it from the rain, and moved slowly toward the curb to wait for a ride.
She had already bought a gift, a fine bracelet from a luxury brand, small diamonds sparkling delicately. Though the gift had drained almost all of her savings, she knew Winona didn’t need something so extravagant.
So, she had decided to create something more personal. Lilith had found a well–reviewed pottery studio online and made a ceramic mug, which had just been fired earlier in the day. She’d even found a small floral gift box to wrap it in.
Cars whizzed past on the slick, rain–soaked streets, their headlights flickering like beacons in the dark.
A black Rolls–Royce glided by, its sleek body blending seamlessly with the stormy night. Two cars followed close behind, like shadows, providing protection. A brilliant flash of lightning split the sky with a deafening crack, the thunder roaring like an explosion, as if it might tear apart the heavens.
Lilith looked up just in time to feel a raindrop slide off the edge of her umbrella and land on her eyelid.
As the Rolls–Royce passed, another flash of lightning illuminated the night sky, revealing a fleeting glimpse of a person inside the car–an aloof face, cold and distant. It was a brief moment, but the flash of light was enough to capture the sharpness of the profile.
Soon, car after car passed by her, their engines purring softly despite the storm.
With the rain making it nearly impossible to hail a cab, Lilith had already arranged for a driver to pick her up and take her to the event. Not long after, the car pulled up to the curb.
She wiped the water from her eyelid, tucked the umbrella away, and wiped the gift box with the edge of her coat.
The Joneses was known for their intense privacy–only close relatives and a few intimate friends were ever invited to their personal gatherings. They never hosted large events at their estate, as privacy was something they valued deeply.
So, any significant event would always be held at the Joneses‘ hotel or their nearby country estate.
Lilith had mixed feelings about these kinds of events. Sitting in the car, she fidgeted nervously, her heart pounding.
The fear of making a mistake–of becoming disoriented and causing a scene–lingered in her mind. She had planned to simply give Winona the gift and leave as quietly as possible.
1/3
9:28 PM
Chapter 19 Homecoming
+8 Pearls
Lilith, worried she might not even manage the simplest of tasks, had secretly stashed a razor blade in her pocket, ready to use it if she felt herself losing control–anything to maintain her composure.
The car soon pulled into the driveway of the suburban villa, and Lilith stepped out, her head lowered to shield herself from the rain with her umbrella.
She moved quickly across the garden and into the open courtyard, scanning the area for any sign of Winona. Finding none, she approached a nearby server and asked if he had seen her, but the man shook his head in response.
Trying to stay out of the spotlight–though, truth be told, she doubted anyone would pay her much attention–Lilith found the least noticeable corner of the room. Her plan was simple: wait until Winona appeared, give her the gift, and leave as quickly as possible.
She checked her watch–8:30 PM. She wasn’t sure when Winona would show up, but she had promised Liana that she’d celebrate her birthday after midnight, so she needed to leave before then.
Having skipped meals for hours, Lilith moved toward a nearby table, picking up some fruit and small desserts to quell the hunger gnawing at her.
Outside, the rain showed no sign of letting up, pounding relentlessly against the ground and the roof.
Inside, the chandelier gleamed brightly, casting its dazzling light over the room, while a soft melody floated through the air, performed by an international band. The room buzzed with conversation and laughter as guests in fine attire mingled and exchanged pleasantries.
Lilith made sure to stay hidden in the shadows, blending in like a quiet mouse.
With food in hand, she returned slowly to her corner. The murmur of a nearby conversation caught her attention, the voices low, as if trying to keep their words private. This part of the room was quieter, the lighting dim and almost dreamlike.
“I heard Mr. Fitzgerald’s grandson is coming back to the country soon.”
“Wasn’t he always abroad? Why is he coming back now?”
“I’m not sure.” The man took a deep sip of his drink, savoring it for a moment before continuing. “When this young man returns, it’s likely the Jeffersons will shift their focus. Their business has been mostly international, but now, with a new energy tech project on the horizon, if they get involved, they’ll be set for life.”
“Yeah.” The other person clinked their glass, took a sip, and sighed, looking somewhat melancholic.
“But energy tech is a whole new field. If anyone’s going to succeed in it, it’ll be Jones International or the Hills. We don’t have a shot at it.”
Lilith hadn’t meant to overhear their conversation, and honestly, she wasn’t particularly interested in the business talk. But they weren’t speaking quietly, and with them so close to her corner, leaving would only draw more attention to her.
The Jeffersons?
A face from her dreams flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Whoever they were connected to didn’t matter to her anymore.
Besides, from her memories, he had always stayed in the country, only traveling abroad during the summer and winter holidays to visit family.
As she tried to shake off those thoughts, a wave of dizziness washed over Lilith. She blinked rapidly and then looked up to see Winona standing on the third–floor balcony. Leaning against the railing, she wore an elegant gown with flowing long sleeves, a diamond necklace adorning her neck.
Her almond–shaped eyes scanned the crowd below with a distant, indifferent look, as if searching for someone.
It was nearly 10:00 PM now. For some reason, the party had started late. If the guests kept chatting and drinking like this, it seemed likely that the celebration would stretch well past midnight, and Winona’s birthday would slip away unnoticed.
