Irene's call was soon answered. "Is there a problem? Why are you calling at this hour? It must be midnight over there…"Irene had been keeping contact with Stephen over the last six months, and he occasionally took photos or videos of Tommy there. In fact, he recently sent her a video of Tommy, but she was now calling him again, intent on asking for more favors despite it although she would be asking too much.But it was Tommy's birthday."Why aren't you saying anything?" Stephen noticed her silence. "Like I said, I've already gathered the stuff you left on your desk."Stephen did not dare to tell her the truth. Knowing that she would get worried, he decided to just tell her that she took everything—she was not going to find out from over there anyway.Irene said softly, "I know, but that's not what I'm asking about. It's my son's birthday…""It took me over a month to get that video for you," Stephen told her.It was certainly difficult for Stephen to reach Tommy, what with S
In the car, Mick told Irene, "There's going to be a lot of expensive antiques, jewelry, and other items at the auction. Tell me if you see anything you like, and I'll get it for you."He then added, "I don't mean anything by this. You were Yvaine's daughter-in-law, and I already think of you as my daughter."Irene smiled. "I'm not really interested in all that stuff.""I see… Actually, I collect old books and antiques, and Yvaine used to attend these auctions with me…"Misery showed on his face once he mentioned Yvaine, and Irene changed the subject. "Are the people attending rich?"Average Joes would not be able to afford anything from such auctions after all."Yeah," Mick replied. "They are expecting rich people from across the world."Irene nodded—such auctions were a pastime for the wealthy.They happened to arrive at the auction center just then, and they saw the many luxury cars parked outside.Irene was almost able to recognize most, since many of them were limited edit
Irene panicked and quickly turned away, fearful that she would be recognized. Mick noticed that, and shifted his body to keep her hidden, while asking quietly, "What's wrong?'"A familiar face," Irene replied softly, even as she slid another peek at the man.There was no mistaking it—that was Harvey Gooding.She never expected him to show up there!Nonetheless, Mick told her, "Don't worry. He's not going to notice—the hall is quite dimly lit and you're wearing a mask." Irene was actually just too surprised to see Harvey there and became nervous. Still, she quickly calmed down, and thought to herself that he would not notice her since she was sitting behind him. Moreover, he probably would not recognize her after what had happened to her face anyway. Soon, the auction began, with the host giving a simple speech before proceeding to the auction proper.Most items auctioned for the day could be categorized into an assortment of antiques and jewelry, with the first one being a
The man's tall frame was blocking Irene's path and his shadow shrouded her.It was a familiar face, too—because it was Harvey.Irene quickly lowered her head, but Harvey was keeping his eyes fixed on her, as if he wanted to see through her mask. "Who are you?" he demanded. "I noticed back at the hall that you've been peeking at Isaac Jefferson—who is he to you? Why are you watching him so intently?""You're mistaken," Irene said quietly, avoiding his gaze even as she tried to leave.Harvey was relentless, however, and intercepted her again. "Sneaking around as if you're afraid to let people see you? Are you a fugitive or something?"This time, as he spoke, he suddenly reached out and pulled off Irene's face mask, catching her off guard."Hey!" she exclaimed in surprise, and quickly threw her hands over her face. Beneath the lights overhead, the burn scars over her cheek and neck were revealed in their entirety.Harvey actually flinched in shock. "My god, you're ugly!" he c
James was puzzled. "The security footage of the auction? Why?"Isaac turned to look at him.Though he said nothing, the pressure he projected was almost palpable. James quickly lowered his head, afraid to ask more questions right then. "I'll go right now."While Isaac did manage to pull himself together after Irene's death, he was constantly overworking and suffered from chronic insomnia. Every night, he needed medication just to sleep.And if one were to say that he was cold as a person before, he was now even worse. In fact, he only saved his harshness for his rivals, and was more or less 'kind' to his own people. Now, even Stan had resigned as an assistant in favor of a desk job.It was not as if he was scared, but it was very difficult to work alongside Isaac these days.The air around him seemed to turn cold from his very presence, and the people with him constantly felt a suffocating pressure. Working with him had undoubtedly become a torment.And now, James did
The text was so shocking that Isaac was left staring blankly at it. Still, the screen soon dimmed, and Isaac picked up the phone, tapping the screen to light it up.When he tried to open the text, however, his fingers were shaking.He took deep breaths to calm himself, but he was not calming down at all.He tapped on the text with a shaking finger, and it just read: [Irene Spencer is alive.]His brow furrowed and his expression darkened, just as the phone vibrated again.It was another text. [Come to Room 709 if you want to find out what happened to her.]Isaac could tell right then that someone was luring him to Room 709.He frowned, but headed there despite knowing that it was a trap.He could never stay calm with anything that involved Irene—it would not even be a far cry to say that he fell apart. She was clearly dead, but he would still foolishly believe a text from someone he did not know.Room 709 was on the same floor, so he easily found it, and…Harvey was laug
Isaac stood loftily as he looked down upon Ian as if he were an ant. "I told you—you would wish you were dead."Ian stayed lying sprawled haggardly on the floor, his spite almost consuming himself.His hands were shaking endlessly and his veins were bulging over the back of his hand!They were both Jeffersons, and yet he had lost everything including his own dignity, while Isaac remained perched on his lofty branch.Losing again was already humiliating, but he had to lose so thoroughly too!Pushing himself up from the floor, his facial features contorted with rage even as he growled, "You're just scared, Isaac Jefferson. You're not manly enough to kill me with your bare hands. Do it if you dare, don't give me a reason to belittle you."He suddenly dashed toward Isaac in a last-ditch effort to kill him, but was subdued the instant he moved."Time for your meds, Ian," the director of the asylum said just then.Ian struggled violently, but he was too weak to free himself.Ever
James sneaked a glance at Isaac.What would he do now that Erin Gooding had barged into his office? They were step-siblings in a way, after all…Even so, Isaac appeared unruffled, and watched as everything unfolded with coldness in his eyes.James was speechless—was he really that cold?He had every reason to acknowledge her as his sister, just so that he did not have to feel so lonely—that was what James believed, at least.Meanwhile, Erin moved to stand just behind Isaac's desk. "You're Isaac Jefferson, right? I've seen your photos and looked into you. Yvaine is as much your mother as she is mine, so please tell me where she's buried. I need to pay my respects."There was a sternness to her presence, as if she would not give up if Isaac did not tell her.However, Isaac simply glanced at Debbie. "Call security."Debbie was naturally thrilled. "Yes, Mr. Jefferson.""What?!" Erin exclaimed, gaping. "I'm Yvaine's daughter!""Doesn't matter who you are. Barging in here without