Suzanne was convinced. Wendy helped her dress up before the event.Only when they arrived did Suzanne realize it was no ordinary event. It was a world-class rare collectors' items sales event held on an extravagant cruise ship. Countless illegal artifacts were being put up for sale.Suzanne noticed the painting she had reproduced during Vera's birthday was also on sale.She pointed at the painting and asked Wendy, "What is the meaning of this, Wendy?"Wendy's eyes glinted in excitement. She pointed around her and said, "Look, Suzanne. All the guests here tonight are from high society. They spend hundreds of thousands every time they buy something. If our painting sells, we're bound to earn a lot."Suzanne said unhappily, "Let me ask you this—how did you get this painting here?"Wendy smiled awkwardly and said in a hushed voice, "Grandma received so many presents on her birthday. One present less won't matter. Plus, she accepted Sally's imitation too."Suzanne's hands clenched
The people around them started gossiping after hearing that. Suzanne gripped the painting tightly in her hands and glowered at Wendy. Wendy was truly materialistic. She worshiped nothing but money and status. However, Suzanne didn't waver. She held her ground and said firmly, "Wendy, your loss has nothing to do with me. I drew this for Grandma. You can explain yourself to the cops as to why my work appeared here."Wendy paled the moment the police were brought up. She froze, not knowing what to do. Just then, a man with a gentle voice interrupted them, "Once this ship sails into the high seas, no country's government nor its authorities has the right to interfere with the transactions made here." Everyone turned to the source of the voice. The person who spoke was a man in his mid-thirties. He wore a white suit and a pair of golden-rimmed glasses. He carried himself in a sophisticated and elegant air. A shiver ran up Suzanne's spine the moment her gaze landed on his handsom
The woman's words were cut short because some of the pirates already had their rifles aimed at her. The next instant, gunshots punctured the air, terrifying everyone except for the pirates. They fired several times, and the woman collapsed in a mushy puddle of blood and flesh.Screams filled the air. No one had the guts to move. Terrified, Suzanne felt that her palms had turned clammy. Feeling Oliver's hand on her shoulder, she gently pushed his hand away from her. "Don't move," Oliver said under his breath, his tone anxious. Gingerly, Suzanne raised her eyes to look at the pirate who spoke. Just like the other pirates, he wore a mask. He was pacing around as he looked carefully at all of the antiques that were on display. A moment later, he spoke slowly in Dorzanian. "The waters are mine. Everything you have here belongs to me now. Your money, jewelry, and antiques are all mine." He added, "But these aren't that important. What I want is a gram of hydronium. Who has it?
Sensing that something was off, the head of the pirates turned to scan his surroundings. But two guns were pressed against his temples before he could even steady his rifle. Startled, he froze. Just then, a large group of armed men in black armor barged in. The air they exuded was nothing short of formidable and imposing. Among them, Suzanne could make out a man who seemed especially intimidating compared to the others. Now, she knew who they were. They were the Norvanian military. Nathan had come here with them. Overwhelmed by emotions, Suzanne's heart raced at the sight of him. Nathan would always appear whenever she was in danger. And although he didn't come for her, she still felt rather touched to see him. Just then, Sally stood up from the ground and yelled, "Nate! You're here! I'm saved!" Suzanne froze when she heard the voice. The gleam in her eyes faded as an excited Sally rushed over to Nathan. However, Nathan stopped her. His eyes were solemn when he told h
Everyone else looked at her expectantly. Cole, Lucas, and the military men stared at her in amazement. It never occurred to them that Suzanne could understand Dorzanian, a language from a small and lesser-known country. Nathan was shocked as well. The surprise in his eyes was apparent despite him appearing calm and unfazed. After recomposing himself for a bit, he asked, "A gram of?" Suzanne took into consideration that he was on a mission, so it wasn't appropriate for her to speak about it just like this. After giving it some thought, she said, "A gram of the rare element you're looking for."An incomprehensible light flashed across Nathan's eyes before he turned to look at the pirate and said, "Let go of her and give me the item. Then, I'll let you go." Suzanne's heart ached upon hearing what he said. He still cared so much about Sally. Despite the turmoil inside her, she translated his words for the pirate. The head of the pirates spoke in Dorzanian after hearing what
After letting go of Sally, the head of the pirate scrambled his way to the speedboat and left. Sally, on the other hand, went over to Nathan with a hand covering the cut on her neck. The moment she reached him, she cried, "Nate! Tell your men to fire at the pirate! We can still finish him off since he isn't far away from the ship! Hurry up!" Instead of doing as she requested, Nathan pushed her away and pried her hand from her neck to check her injury. Calmly, he said, "It isn't that bad. You'll be fine after some patching up." Sally was mad at him now. "Shoot the pirate! He's leaving!" Turning a deaf ear to her demands, Nathan turned to Cole and said, "Patch her up." Sally could only watch and stomp her feet in annoyance as the pirate and the speedboat vanished into the distance. When she turned to face Nathan again, she realized that he was already walking back to the cabin with his men. "Nate, aren't you going to help me with my wound?" she asked, rushing after him.
Nathan's hands curled into fists inside his pockets. Despite his discomfort, he still casually asked, "Was this before she lost her memories?""She's faking her amnesia," Oliver replied confidently. "She's just pretending that she forgot everything so that she can act like she doesn't know me. All because she still can't get over us breaking up years ago."Suzanne's words flashed across Nathan's mind. He had asked her if she had ever been in love. Suzanne then answered that she had loved someone, but his heart belonged to someone else. They wouldn't have worked out.Was she referring to Oliver?Nathan took a deep breath. It felt like something was crushing his chest, but he couldn't explain the feeling. A moment later, he spoke again, "Her talent does not befit her birth family and experience."Oliver chuckled. "Definitely. She's a league ahead of the others. You can't fit her into a stereotype just because of her family.""True." Nathan looked at Oliver, his gaze sincere. "Wish
When she arrived at the dining room, Suzanne took a plate from the counter. She then grabbed some fruit and salad from the buffet spread. After collecting a cup of tea as well, she made her way back to her room. When she reached her room, however, she suddenly stopped. Nathan was there knocking on her door, but then he turned to see Suzanne. They felt like strangers even when their eyes met.Nathan approached her and reached for her plate. "Let me help you with this."Suzanne quickly declined. "It's fine. I can bring it in myself—"But before she could finish, Nathan had already taken her plate from her.It would be awkward for Suzanne to take it back. So, she went to open the door instead.After they entered the room, Suzanne closed the door. Nathan scanned the room before placing the plate down on the dining table.Suzanne was cautious. She was always tense whenever she was alone with him. It was due to a mixture of nervousness and excitement.For the past week, she had been