Chapter 94

Scarlett’s POV

Marvin threw out his final words and stepped out of the car. My body instantly went limp, and I collapsed in the backseat.

His warning echoed relentlessly in my mind, fear coiling around my heart like a venomous snake.

"Ms. Smith, it's time to exit the vehicle."

My assistant's voice pulled me from the swamp of terror that threatened to drown me.

"Alright," I responded softly, my voice barely audible.

Pull yourself together, Scarlett. Don't show weakness.

After exiting the car, I could only follow closely behind Marvin as we entered Starlight Ridge Villa.

This was one of Obsidian Palace's secret outposts in Silverlight City, masquerading as a high-end resort for the wealthy.

I trailed behind Marvin as we entered the private dining room.

Camila was sitting there, and a flash of barely perceptible surprise crossed her eyes when she saw me following Marvin.

"Marvin, I trust your journey wasn't too tiresome," Camila said, stepping forward to take his suit jacket, which she passed to a waiting attendant.

"Camila, we're family. There's no need for such formality," Marvin replied, though his eyes held no warmth, only a bone-deep coldness.

He sat down in the main seat without ceremony, then finally looked at me still standing in the doorway. "Scarlett, why are you daydreaming? Sit down."

"Yes, yes!" Camila smiled accommodatingly as she came forward to take my hand. During our handshake, I felt her slip a piece of paper into my palm.

My heart rate suddenly accelerated, but I maintained my composure on the surface.

The so-called "family dinner" consisted of just the three of us. Marvin was deeply suspicious of me, which was reasonable considering our history.

He had countless pawns planted throughout Silverlight City, and if Camila hadn't voluntarily revealed her identity, I wouldn't even have known she was also a member of Obsidian Palace.

During the meal, Camila reported to Marvin about her situation with the Blair family and the current circumstances of the Foster family.

The Foster family had political connections and had accumulated significant undeclared income over the years, making plenty of enemies in the process.

I half-listened, responding occasionally with a few words.

The exquisite dinner was completely tasteless to me as my thoughts had already drifted far away.

Every time I thought about Yvette still trapped in Obsidian Palace, my heart felt as if it was being torn apart.

I had to rescue her, at all costs.

Just then, my phone suddenly rang.

It was a text message.

My fingers had barely touched my pocket when Camila suddenly called out, "Scarlett, don't go back tonight. Stay here overnight."

"This..." I instinctively glanced at Marvin, and seeing his expression unchanged, I still felt hesitant.

Staying here was too dangerous, like delivering myself to a wolf's den. But refusing too quickly would arouse suspicion.

"Camila, would this cause you any trouble?" I carefully chose my words, trying to find a reasonable excuse to decline.

"If you're worried about Richard misunderstanding, I can call him personally."

"Stay. It's a good opportunity for Camila to teach you more," Marvin said. He didn't seem to have much appetite and went upstairs after eating just a few bites.

His departure suddenly made the atmosphere in the room much lighter, but my muscles remained tense.

Only the two of us remained in the dining room.

Camila curved her lips into a smile as she cut her steak, softly reminding me, "Wipe your face. Your forehead is covered in cold sweat."

Following her reminder, I suddenly realized how frightened I had been and quickly used my napkin to wipe my forehead.

"After twelve years, you still fear him just as much as you did back then. However..." She paused, putting down her knife and fork.

I knew what she was thinking about—the moment I stabbed Marvin's eye with a pencil. That was my first real act of rebellion. Though the price was heavy, it also made me understand my inner resilience.

Even after twelve years, despite everything I'd experienced, it wasn't enough to wear down the edge in my heart. That rebellious little girl still lived inside me, just more cautious and patient now.

"Yes..." I didn't deny it. "In Obsidian Palace, apart from the Master, he is like a god above all. How could mortals not fear the divine?"

As I said this, I felt a strange calmness.

Fear was real, but acknowledging fear didn't mean surrendering. Sometimes, the most authentic disguise is showing a portion of the truth.

Hearing this, Camila couldn't help but laugh as she picked up her wine glass and walked to my side.

Leaning close to my ear, her voice was low and dangerous: "But you have the power to slay gods."

Her smile was restrained, and when I turned to face her, I saw a bloodthirsty excitement in her eyes.

That look sent chills down my spine but simultaneously ignited a long-suppressed flame within me.

In that moment, I understood that Camila and I were the same kind of person, both hiding our determination to rebel beneath seemingly compliant exteriors.

But I still suppressed my curiosity: "Camila, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Someone as intelligent as you—how could you not understand what I'm saying?"

Her glass gently clinked against mine. "Whatever you do, don't give up on Alexander. If you want to slay gods, he is undoubtedly the sword in your hand."

With that, she said no more.

Camila tipped her head back and finished her wine, ending the conversation.

I remained silent, looking down at the dark red liquid in my glass.

The wine gently swirled with my movement, reflecting my delicate, pale face.

For a fleeting moment, I seemed to see Alexander's arrogant face again.

That man!

In truth... even without Camila saying so, I knew Alexander could provide me protection.

But equally, Alexander might not be the most reliable support. Once he tired of the chase, what would I become? Just another discarded plaything?

No, in this world, the only one you can trust is yourself.

I pushed back my chair, deciding not to stay overnight. The risk was too great, too many variables.

"You don't want me to see you out?" Camila's voice came from behind me.

I shook my head. "Some paths are safer walked alone." This was meant both for her and as a reminder to myself.

"By the way, Allison will soon be coming to Silverlight City... Another thing, I don't know what she looks like now, or what identity Marvin has arranged for her. So you'd better be careful."

Facing Camila's concern, I nodded in thanks, but my mind was already calculating how to deal with this new threat.

Leaving the estate, I walked along the private road. After about ten minutes, making sure no one was following me, I finally took out my phone from my bag.

I saw a message from Alexander.

【Angry with me?】

Seeing these words, I was momentarily disoriented.

Why does he always manage to show this almost tender side at the most unexpected moments?

Deep down, I knew better than anyone that Alexander's interest in me exceeded any genuine affection. Men like him simply enjoy the process of conquering a woman.

My fingers tapped on the screen several times, writing and deleting, deleting and rewriting. How should I respond? Coolly? Show weakness? Or pretend nothing happened?

In the end, I didn't reply at all.