Chapter 24

Frank was completely absorbed in his conversation with Jenny.

My trembling hand involuntarily pressed gently against the surgical scar on my waist.

Memories of that fateful car accident came flooding back.

In the split - second when the car was hurtling towards disaster, I had used every ounce of my strength to shield Frank, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

The car was severely mangled.

My legs were broken, several of my ribs were fractured, and blood blurred my vision.

During the subsequent treatment, when I learned that Frank's liver was critically damaged, I didn't hesitate for a single moment before deciding to donate part of my own liver.

Back then, my heart was filled to the brim with love and concern for him.

But now, here he was, speaking tenderly into the phone, telling Jenny that she was his very life.

"Sir, can I still participate in that top - secret special agent mission?"

"Absolutely. However, this mission is of the utmost confidentiality. The execution time limit is uncertain, and during this period, your identity must be kept under wraps."

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Frank stepped in.

A forced smile quickly replaced the momentary distress on his face.

He rushed to my bedside in a few brisk steps, his voice brimming with false enthusiasm.

"Alice, it's great that you're awake! Jenny has a performance in a few days, and I was hoping you could help her pick out a dress. You have such an amazing eye for fashion. You're bound to choose the perfect one for her. I've already had some pieces prepared, and they're all outrageously expensive, high - end designer gowns. They're just waiting for you to take a look," he gushed.

As he spoke, he flipped open his phone photo album, thrusting a series of images of magnificent dresses in front of me.

His eyes were filled with nothing but concern and anticipation for Jenny, completely oblivious to the flicker of scorn that flashed across my eyes.

I stared at those dazzling dresses, my heart feeling as if it were being pierced by countless fine needles.

Once, I had foolishly believed that his tenderness and thoughtfulness were reserved solely for me.

But now, it was all being lavished on another woman.

"I don't have the energy for this right now,"

Just then, Sarah stepped forward.

She gently reached out and took my hand in hers.

"Alice, even though you're in this condition now and can't take to the stage to dance, in my heart, you'll always be the most beautiful dancer. We'll all be waiting for you, waiting for you to recover and shine on that stage once again,".

A week later, the mysterious Blood Moon Ceremony took place as scheduled in the courtyard of the ancient castle.

In the courtyard, candles flickered, and guests in their resplendent finery huddled together, whispering about the various legends surrounding this mysterious ceremony.

Jenny, adorned in a gown specially crafted for her by a top - notch designer, was like a fairy of the night, radiating an otherworldly charm.

She stood backstage, waiting for her turn.

A swarm of bustling staff members surrounded her.

Some were meticulously arranging the train of her gown, their hands deftly smoothing out any creases. Others were carefully touching up her makeup.

Jenny tilted her chin slightly upward.

From time to time, she would gently twirl her body, allowing every intricate detail of the dress to be showcased to perfection under the moonlight, eliciting a series of gasps and exclamations from the surrounding guests.

The moment she spotted me approaching in a wheelchair, she immediately rushed over.

"Sister, I heard you were severely injured. They said you can't even use the toilet on your own. I've been so worried about you," she cooed.

I ignored her and tried to find a quiet corner to rest.

Just as I was lost in the painful memories, Jenny, seemingly out of nowhere, noticed me.

She abruptly quickened her pace and rushed over, seizing the handle of my wheelchair with a vice - like grip.

Suddenly, she burst into sobs.

In her hand, a sharp brooch, jostled by her overly dramatic movements, plunged deep into an open wound on my arm.

Instantaneously, a searing pain shot through me, causing my scalp to tingle numbly and cold sweat to bead on my forehead.

I gritted my teeth, trying to suppress a scream.

Frank, who was in the midst of entertaining guests, heard the commotion and made his way over.

His eyes darting between Jenny, who was still feigning distress, and me, pale - faced and in obvious pain.

"Frank, I'm sure sister is blaming me. She must be angry that I'm dancing in this Blood Moon Ceremony. I've been rehearsing non - stop every day, and I just couldn't spare a single moment to visit her. I feel terrible about it, but this ceremony is so crucial. I can't mess it up..." Jenny wailed.

Frank's eyes met mine, filled with a deep sense of helplessness that seemed to weigh him down.

His jaw clenched tightly, and his hands balled into fists at his sides, as if he was waging an internal battle to hold back a torrent of scolding words that threatened to burst forth.

"Alice," he began, his voice strained,

"I have to attend to some guests. Later, I'll come and fetch you to take you home." As he stepped forward, each movement seemed forced, his body language screaming his eagerness to get me out of this place as quickly as possible.

I could see the impatience in his eyes, as if I was nothing more than an inconvenience, a burden that he couldn't wait to be rid of.

I nodded and silently spun the wheelchair, eager to leave as quickly as possible.

However, around the corner of the corridor, several tall, menacing - looking strangers suddenly appeared.

They covered my mouth with rough hands and, with brute force, dragged me into an adjacent private box in a flash.

Inside the box stood a few men who had colluded with Frank in business dealings.

Jenny emerged from the crowd.

Her eyes were now brimming with raw venom.

"Alice, you shameless wretch! Why did you have to come back and compete with me? You should take a good look at yourself. Do you really think you're fit to compete with me?"

"Let me go. From now on, you'll be the only young lady in the Brown family."

Jenny let out a scornful laugh.

"Hmph, do you really think I'd fall for your lies? As long as you're alive, you're a threat. Only a dead woman can put my mind at ease completely!" she snarled.

With that, she suddenly yanked at her gown with all her might, tearing it to shreds.

She ruffled her hair until it was a wild, disheveled mess. Then, she flung the door open and let out a blood - curdling scream.

"Help! Somebody, please! Alice hired these men to attack me!" she wailed, her voice echoing through the corridor.

In an instant, Frank came charging in with a group of people. His steps were merciless as he stomped right over my hand, not even sparing me a glance.

He rushed straight towards Jenny, anxiously reaching out to steady her. "Jenny, what happened? "