Volume 1: The Night When the Iris Withered
The maid's back disappeared at the end of the corridor. Irene took a deep breath and suppressed the nervousness surging in her chest. The Rockefeller Manor, a cage built with lies and wealth, was now also her stage. What she was about to face was not just a dinner, but a carefully arranged trial.
She stepped out of the room. An ancient and chilly smell filled the air, the unique damp odor of the stone building, mixed with the smell of decaying wood under the expensive carpet, which was suffocating. The corridor was long, and oil paintings hung on both sides. Each painting depicted the ancestors of the Rockefeller family. They had solemn expressions and sharp eyes, as if scrutinizing everyone who passed by. Irene forced herself to straighten her back and maintain Olivia's usual arrogant posture, but her eyes couldn't help wandering around. She knew that every corner of this manor held secrets, and any of them could become a clue to expose her identity.
When going down the stairs, Irene carefully controlled her steps. The heavy chandelier swayed overhead, casting mottled light and shadows, as if countless eyes were peeking in the dark. She noticed that the handrail of the stairs was carved with intricate iris patterns. Each iris was vividly carved, yet cold and lifeless. These irises were Olivia's favorite flowers and also a symbol of her bloody revenge.
The hall on the first floor was spacious and empty. The marble floor was so shiny that it could mirror people's images, reflecting the huge crystal chandelier on the ceiling. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was a neatly trimmed garden, which was now shrouded in the night, looking gloomy and terrifying. This place was more like a museum than a warm home.
Sean Rockefeller was standing beside the fireplace, with his back to her, holding a glass of amber liquid in his hand. The fireplace was ablaze with a roaring fire, but it couldn't dispel the chill in the hall. He was wearing a well-fitted black suit, which made his tall figure look even more upright, yet also more cold-hearted.
Hearing the footsteps, Sean slowly turned around. Those gray-blue eyes were like the glaciers of the Arctic, cold and profound, exuding an intimidating sense of oppression that made people tremble with fear. His handsome face had distinct lines, as if chiseled by a knife, but it was also filled with exhaustion and gloom.
"Olivia, you're down." His voice was low and hoarse, with a unique magnetism, yet there was no trace of any emotion.
"Sean." Irene tried hard to make her voice sound calm and confident. She knew that she had to act like the real Olivia to win this game.
He didn't speak. He just sized her up and down with those cold eyes, as if he wanted to see through her. Irene felt a sense of suffocation. She endured the unease in her heart and looked back at him. She knew that as long as she showed the slightest flaw, her identity would be exposed, and her revenge plan would be completely ruined.
The air seemed to freeze, and time passed extremely slowly. Irene felt that it was difficult for her to even breathe. She seemed to be in a cold abyss, ready to be swallowed up by the darkness at any moment.
Finally, Sean slowly curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a mocking smile. "You look beautiful today, Olivia. It's just that the scent of your perfume seems to have changed."
Irene's heart sank suddenly. She knew that Olivia had always used "Midnight Iris", an expensive perfume, while in a hurry to cover up the smell of the slums, she had chosen a relatively cheap rose fragrance.
"Maybe there's something wrong with my nose." Sean continued, with a hint of playfulness in his voice. He slowly walked up to Irene, reached out his hand, and gently stroked her cheek.
His fingers were cold and dry, slithering on her face like a snake, bringing a creepy chill. Irene resisted the urge to pull away and tried hard to stay calm.
"Your skin also seems to be rougher than before." Sean's gaze was firmly fixed on her eyes, as if he wanted to see through all the secrets hidden in the depths of her soul.
Irene knew that this was the mark left by the slums, which couldn't be covered up even with the most expensive cosmetics. She took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and then showed a coquettish smile.
"Maybe it's because I've been too tired recently. After all, preparing for the wedding is also a very tiring thing." She said softly, with a hint of a pouty tone, which was a common trick used by Olivia.
Sean's gaze flickered slightly. He seemed satisfied with this explanation. He withdrew his hand, turned around and walked back to the fireplace, and picked up the wine glass again.
"Dinner is ready. Let's go." He said indifferently, with no emotion in his tone.
Irene followed Sean and walked into the dining room. The dining room was also luxuriously and coldly decorated. The long dining table was filled with exquisite tableware, but there was no one else there. With just the two of them, it seemed even more desolate.
During the dinner, Sean rarely spoke. He just ate in silence and occasionally looked up at her with those cold eyes. Irene felt as if there were thorns in her back. She endured the unease in her heart and tried hard to play the role of an elegant young lady, chatting with him casually.
She talked about the latest fashion trends, the upcoming wedding, and all the topics that Olivia would be interested in. She was careful to avoid talking about Olivia's past because she knew nothing about it.
After dinner, Sean stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and stared at the night outside.
"Olivia, have you ever thought about what you would do if one day you found out that everything you have is built on lies?" His voice was low and hoarse, as if he was asking her, or perhaps asking himself.
Irene's heart skipped a beat. She knew that Sean must be hinting at something. He might have already started to doubt her identity.
She slowly walked up to Sean, reached out her hand, and gently held his hand.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Sean. I only know that I love you and I will always be with you." She said affectionately, her tone full of tenderness.
Sean turned his head and looked into her eyes, his gaze complex and profound.
"Maybe." He said indifferently, then broke free from her hand and turned to leave the dining room.
Irene stood alone in the dining room, watching Sean's back disappear into the darkness, feeling a sense of powerlessness. She knew that the challenges she faced were far more difficult than she had imagined.
The Rockefeller Manor, this cage built with lies, had completely imprisoned her. And she had to walk carefully on the tip of the knife to complete her revenge plan.
It was late at night. The manor was completely silent. Only the wind blowing through the garden made a whimpering sound, as if telling an ancient and sad story. Irene stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking at the night outside, feeling a chill. She knew that in the Rockefeller Manor, she would spend a long and dangerous night. And tomorrow, even more brutal tests were waiting for her.