Volume 3: The End of the Lies and the Rebirth of the Iris
Carl's impassioned voice was like a sharp dagger, Youdaoplaceholder0 through the Rockefeller family's last veil of shame. Irene stood stands stiff at the manor gate. watching the man who had once gazed at her tenderly. Now, he was standing in the spotlight, Youdaoplaceholder0 the family of her "fiance" with scathing words. A bone-chilling chill ran through her.
She understood. Carl's ultimate goal was not just to destroy the Rockefeller family but to push her, Irene Gray, into the abyss completely. He had used her, taking advantage of her love for Olivia and her hatred for the Rockefeller family.
The security guards had already spotted her and were closing in on her. The guns in their hands glinted coldly, and a menacing atmosphere filled the air.
Irene knew she couldn't hesitate any longer. She had to leave immediately, to escape from this whirlpool of lies and conspiracies.
She suddenly turned around and ran in the opposite direction of the crowd, disappearing into the woods behind the manor.
Angry shouts and the sound of chasing footsteps came from behind. Irene gritted her teeth and ran for her life. The bushes in the woods tore at her clothes, and the thorns pierced her skin, but she paid no heed. All she wanted was to escape, to get away from this carefully planned revenge game.
She hid behind a huge oak tree, holding her breath and listening intently to the sounds around her. The footsteps of the bodyguards were getting closer, and she knew she had to find a hiding place soon.
She suddenly remembered seeing on the manor's map that there was an abandoned hunter's cabin behind the manor. It might serve as a temporary shelter for her.
She cautiously poked her head out from behind the oak tree, surveyed the surroundings, and when she was sure there were no bodyguards in sight, she ran towards the hunter's cabin.
The hunter's cabin was in a dilapidated state. The doors and windows were rotten, and half of the roof had caved in. A musty smell of decay filled the air, making her feel oppressed and uneasy.
Irene pushed open the creaking wooden door and stepped inside. The cabin was empty, with only a rickety wooden bed and a table missing one leg. There were thick layers of dust and cobwebs piled up in the corners.
She closed the door and propped the table against it, temporarily blocking the entrance. Leaning against the wall, she gasped for breath, feeling utterly exhausted.
She knew this was only temporary safety. Sooner or later, the bodyguards would find this place. She had to come up with a way to get out of this predicament completely.
She sat on the rickety wooden bed and began to collect her thoughts. She thought of Olivia, of the days they had depended on each other in the slums, and of the promise she had made to Olivia - to avenge her.
But what should she do now? Carl had betrayed her, and Sean was in danger. It seemed she had run out of options.
Suddenly, she thought of Sean. He might know something and might be able to help her. She had to find him and tell him the truth.
However, she was now in a difficult situation and couldn't get anywhere near Sean. Moreover, she wasn't sure if she could still trust him.
More and more questions filled her mind, and she felt lost and helpless.
Just then, she heard a faint sound of footsteps coming from outside the cabin.
She immediately became alert, held her breath, and gripped a piece of broken tile in her hand.
The footsteps were getting closer and clearer. She knew the bodyguards had found this place.
She had nowhere to run. She had to fight with all her might.
The wooden door was kicked open with a bang, and several bodyguards rushed in. When they saw Irene, they immediately raised their guns.
"Don't move! Hands up!" one of the bodyguards shouted sternly.
Irene didn't move. She slowly stood up and looked at them with cold eyes.
"Who is your master?" she asked coldly.
The bodyguards didn't answer, just sneered at her.
"Is it the elder Rockefeller or Carl Howard?" Irene continued.
The bodyguards remained silent.
Irene suddenly laughed, her laughter full of mockery and sadness. "It seems you're just pawns being used by others."
She suddenly rushed towards the bodyguard closest to her and slashed at his throat with the tile in her hand.
Caught off guard, the bodyguard had his throat cut by Irene and fell to the ground.
The other bodyguards immediately opened fire on Irene. Bullets whistled through the cabin, shattering the dilapidated furniture.
Irene deftly dodged the bullets and kept charging at the bodyguards. The tile in her hand was like a sharp dagger, taking the lives of the bodyguards one by one.
The cabin was filled with the smell of blood, and the air was thick with the stench of death.
After a fierce battle, Irene finally managed to knock all the bodyguards to the ground.
She was covered in blood and leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. Looking at the bodyguards lying on the ground, her heart was filled with sadness.
She knew she could never go back. She had completely broken with the Rockefeller family and also become an enemy of Carl Howard. She had become a lone wolf, and could only move forward alone in the darkness.
She left the hunter's cabin and walked towards the Rockefeller Manor.
She wanted to see Sean and tell him the truth. She wanted to help him break free from the Rockefeller family's shackles and regain his freedom.
She knew this was a dangerous path, but she had already made up her mind. She wanted to avenge herself, Olivia, and all those who had been hurt by the Rockefeller family!
Meanwhile, inside the Rockefeller Manor, Carl Howard was standing in front of the elder Rockefeller, a triumphant smile on his lips.
"Everything is going according to plan, Mr. Rockefeller," Carl said slowly. "Irene Gray has been completely disgraced. She will be the scapegoat for the Rockefeller family and bear all the blame."
The elder Rockefeller nodded, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. "Very good, Mr. Carl Howard. You've done an excellent job. After this is all over, I'll give you the reward you deserve."
"You're welcome, Mr. Rockefeller," Carl smiled. "I'm duty-bound to serve the interests of the Rockefeller family."
Just then, a bodyguard rushed in, looking panicked. "Sir, Master, Mr. Howard, something terrible has happened! Irene Gray has escaped, and... and she killed our men!"
The elder Rockefeller's face changed dramatically, and he stood up abruptly. "What?! She actually escaped?! She killed our bodyguards?! That bitch! How dare she betray me!"
Carl's face also darkened. He hadn't expected Irene to be so difficult to deal with and that she could escape from the tight encirclement.
"Send people to chase after her immediately! Catch her at all costs! Don't let her ruin my plan!" Carl shouted sternly.
The bodyguard took the order and left.
The elder Rockefeller took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger. "Mr. Carl Howard, it seems we underestimated that girl. She's more dangerous than we thought."
"Don't worry, Mr. Rockefeller," Carl sneered coldly. "She can't escape from my grasp. I've prepared the final act for her."
He knew that this revenge game had entered its final stage. And the ultimate winner could only be him - Carl Howard.
Irene struggled to make her way through the garden. Blood blurred her vision. Finally, she saw Sean's figure. He was surrounded by several bodyguards, looking pale and extremely weak.
She rushed forward desperately and shouted hoarsely, "Sean! Sean! Wake up! They're all lying to you!"
Sean heard Irene's voice and suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.
However, before he could react, the elder Rockefeller pulled him away.
"Catch her! What does this crazy woman want to do!" the elder Rockefeller roared.
The bodyguards immediately charged towards Irene and surrounded her.
Irene struggled fiercely but couldn't break free from their grasp.
Looking at Sean, her eyes were filled with despair. "Sean! Believe me! Olivia's death wasn't an accident! It's all a conspiracy!"
Sean's face turned even paler. He covered his head in pain, as if trying hard to recall something.
Carl Howard slowly walked up to Sean, a gentle smile on his face.
"Sean, don't listen to her nonsense. She's just a crazy woman trying to damage the Rockefeller family's reputation,"
he said softly, his voice full of seduction.
Looking at Carl, Irene's eyes were filled with anger and hatred. "You're the real devil! You used me! You used all of us!"
Carl shrugged and smiled indifferently. "The game is over, Irene. You've lost."
He turned his head and nodded at the elder Rockefeller.
A vicious glint flashed in the elder Rockefeller's eyes, and he waved his hand at the bodyguards.
"Take her away! Never let her appear in front of me again!"
The bodyguards grabbed Irene and dragged her deep into the manor.
Irene's cries grew weaker and weaker and finally disappeared into the darkness.
Sean watched in pain as Irene was taken away. He felt as if his heart was being torn apart.
He wanted to rush to save her, but he found his body too weak to move.
He collapsed to the ground, his eyes blurred with tears.
He knew he had to make a choice. He had to figure out the truth. He had to avenge Irene, Olivia, and himself!