Volume 2: The Feast Above the Lies
Irene stood at the entrance of the rose garden, the most secluded corner of the Rockefeller Manor, having not slept a wink all night. The morning chill seeped through her sheer dress and went straight to her bones, making her shiver involuntarily. Carl's words from last night were like a poisonous thorn deeply embedded in her heart, preventing her from falling asleep. The Rockefeller family, this huge and corrupt empire, what kind of secrets were shrouded above the lies she had carefully woven?
The rose garden was the most mysterious place in the Rockefeller Manor, and even the servants rarely set foot there. It was said that this was not only the burial place of the successive mistresses of the Rockefeller family, but also that each blooming rose carried a buried past. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and dewdrops condensed on the petals like glistening teardrops. The air was filled with the rich fragrance of roses, but there was also a hint of decay, making it suffocating.
Irene tightened the shawl around her and slowly walked into the rose garden. The flagstone path was slippery and difficult to walk on, and she walked carefully, for fear of leaving any traces. Each tombstone was engraved with the names of the female members of the Rockefeller family and their achievements during their lifetimes, but Irene's gaze stopped at a tombstone in the corner. Compared with the other magnificent tombstones, this one was particularly simple and even a bit dilapidated.
The tombstone read: "Isabella Rockefeller, 1888 - 1910." A life that ended at the age of only 22 vanished into the long river of history. Irene always felt that this name was familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it for a moment. She bent down and gently brushed the dust off the tombstone, and accidentally touched a loose stone. With a try, the stone was actually removed, revealing a dark hole. Irene's heart raced. After a moment of hesitation, she still reached her hand into the hole. A cold and damp feeling hit her. After groping for a few minutes, she touched a diary wrapped in sheepskin.
When she opened the first page, neat and delicate handwriting came into view: "To my future self, if you are fortunate enough to read this diary, please remember that the glory of the Rockefeller family is built with countless lies and blood. Never trust them, and never fall in love with them..."
Irene realized that she had discovered an earth-shattering secret. The diary detailed Isabella's short and tragic life and exposed the darkness and corruption within the Rockefeller family. She didn't marry into the Rockefeller family of her own free will but was forced to marry Sean's grandfather for the sake of the family's interests. She was deeply in love with a poor painter, but this relationship was ruthlessly crushed. The diary was filled with the longing for love and freedom and the hatred for the Rockefeller family, revealing many dirty deals hidden behind the luxury.
When Irene read, "If I die, please remember that my death is not an accident, but murder!" she closed the diary, and her hands were shaking violently. Just then, there came a sound of footsteps from behind. When she looked back, it was Sean. He was wearing a dark gray cashmere coat and holding a pair of scissors for pruning roses in his hand. He looked at her with an indifferent expression.
"What are you doing?" he asked coldly.
Irene quickly hid the diary and pretended to be calm. "I'm just here to take a look at the roses."
Sean's gaze was as sharp as a knife. "The rose garden is not a place for you to be."
"Why? Is there some secret here?"
In the face of her questioning, Sean's face darkened, and he stepped closer, bringing a huge sense of oppression. "There are some memories here that shouldn't be mentioned," he said. "I don't want you to know too much."
"Memories? Or secrets? About Isabella Rockefeller?"
Upon hearing the name, Sean's body shook, and a trace of pain and shock flashed in his eyes. "How do you know about Isabella?"
Irene decided to take a risk. "I saw her diary."
Sean's face turned livid, and he suddenly grabbed Irene's wrist. "Give me the diary!"
Irene held the diary tightly and refused to let go. "What are you trying to hide? Was Isabella's death really not an accident?"
There was a struggle in Sean's eyes. Finally, he released his hand, took a few steps back, and held his head in pain. "Stop asking! There are some things you will never understand!"
After saying that, he turned around and ran out of the rose garden, leaving Irene standing there alone, filled with questions and fear. She knew that she had touched the core secret of the Rockefeller family, and this secret would change everything for her. Looking up at the Rockefeller Manor shrouded in mist, Irene was well aware that there were more unknowns waiting for her to uncover. In this seemingly luxurious manor, how many more unknown secrets were still hidden? She had to find the answers as soon as possible. Otherwise, she would become the next Isabella Rockefeller, forever buried in lies and blood. And Carl Howard, that dangerous ally, what kind of role would he play? The diary she held tightly in her hand seemed to lead her towards the truth, either to destruction or to salvation.
As time went by, Irene began to conduct an in-depth investigation into the various events mentioned in Isabella's diary. She found that every clue seemed to point to a deeper conspiracy, involving power, money, and the complex power struggles within the family. Irene realized that to solve these mysteries, she needed to study the history of the Rockefeller family more carefully and look for any possible clues.
At the same time, Irene noticed that the atmosphere in the manor was becoming more and more tense. The servants' behavior became more cautious, as if everyone was worried that saying the wrong thing would lead to unnecessary trouble. Irene also began to feel the invisible pressure from Sean and other family members. They seemed to have noticed her exploration behavior and were trying to prevent her from delving deeper.
In order to better protect herself, Irene found Carl Howard, hoping to use his strength to confront the powerful forces of the Rockefeller family. Although Carl seemed to be a dangerous person on the surface, he was the only ally Irene could trust. The two began to work together, collecting information in various ways, hoping to find enough evidence to expose the true face of the Rockefeller family.
However, as the investigation deepened, Irene found that she was not only confronting the entire Rockefeller family but also facing her own inner fears and doubts. Each newly discovered truth challenged her beliefs and forced her to re-examine her position in this complex situation. Irene gradually understood that to truly uncover the secrets behind all this, she not only had to bravely face external threats but also overcome the shadows deep within her heart.
During this process, Irene often recalled the content of Isabella's diary. Those words full of despair seemed to be telling an ancient and eternal story. She realized that Isabella's experience was not just a personal tragedy but also a microcosm of the fate of women under the entire social structure. Irene was determined not to let the same tragedy happen to herself and not to allow such a story to continue.
Although the road ahead was full of thorns, Irene still moved forward firmly. She knew that only by completely exposing the secrets of the Rockefeller family could she seek justice for herself and all the victims. In this world full of lies, Irene was gradually moving towards the light, even if it meant that she would face unprecedented challenges and tests. No matter what the future held, she was ready to face everything that might come.