Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Veridian.

This city, nestled at the foot of the Alps, welcomed a heavy snowfall in early winter.

White snowflakes drifted down like goose feathers, turning the entire city into something out of a fairy tale.

At the heart of this fairy-tale world, inside the grand theatre, a spectacle was unfolding that had captured global attention—the world premiere of the animated feature film "Dragon's Tear".

Outside the theater, a red carpet stretched across the pavement, and luxury cars lined the streets. Top-tier media outlets from around the world, film critics, Hollywood stars, and countless eager fans crowded the scene until there wasn't an inch of space left.

Every eye was focused on the end of the red carpet, waiting for the mysterious voice actor known as "the voice kissed by God himself"someone who had never shown her face in public—"Echo."

"She's here! It's Echo!"

A collective gasp erupted from the crowd. Camera flashes nearly turned night into day.

A stretched black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided to a stop in front of the red carpet.

The door opened.

First to emerge were two children, adorable as porcelain dolls. They looked like little angels stepped out of an oil painting, instantly melting hearts throughout the crowd.

Then, under the glare of countless lenses, Scarlett finally appeared before the entire world as "Echo".

She wore a sophisticated moss-green velvet gown, its hem embroidered with exquisite, ornate patterns in dark gold thread.

Simple. Understated. Yet radiating an undeniable nobility and mystery.

Her long hair was loosely pinned up, revealing her slender, swan-like neck. That stunningly beautiful face wore no makeup, yet possessed a breathtaking beauty.

Especially those clear, water-like eyes. They had witnessed life's joys and sorrows, settling into a calm maturity born from weathering life's storms.

The unique feminine charm emanating from within her stunned everyone present.

"My God! This is what true beauty looks like!"

"She's gorgeous! That cool yet resilient aurashe's like the goddess 'Uma' from 'Dragon's Tear' come to life!"

Praise and exclamations rose in waves.

Scarlett held the children's hands, a composed, confident smile playing at her lips. Escorted by Sawyer and several bodyguards, she walked gracefully down the red carpet and into the palace of her voice.

The premiere was an unprecedented success.

"Dragon's Tear"—with its grand mythological backdrop, exquisite visuals, and Scarlett's soul-piercing voice work—captivated everyone in attendance.

When the film ended, the entire audience rose to their feet, erupting in thunderous applause that lasted a full ten minutes.

Countless film critics and media outlets excitedly predicted that this film would sweep the major international film festival awards this year, and that "Echo's" name was destined to be written in bold letters in the history of global voice acting.

The next morning.

The lakeside.

Heavy snow continued to fall. The entire world was a pure, pristine white.

Scarlett brought Arthur and Orla to this quiet lakeside.

"Mommy! Look! There are swans over there!" Orla pointed excitedly at several white swans gliding elegantly across the lake's surface, pulling Arthur's hand as they ran happily through the snow.

Arthur's eyes followed Orla closely, afraid she might fall.

Scarlett stood by the lake, watching the children's carefree, smiling faces. A long-absent peace and contentment welled up inside her.

She lifted her gaze casually, her eyes traveling across the lake, through the curtain of falling snow.

On the opposite shore, beneath a row of snow-covered sycamore trees, she saw a figure.

A man in a long black coat.

Those broad shoulders. That upright yet slightly thin silhouette...

Too similar.

Too much like that man.

"Thaddeus..."

Scarlett's lips trembled violently, releasing an almost inaudible whisper.

She didn't call out to the children still playing in the distance. She ran toward the opposite shore like someone possessed.

"Mommy, where are you going?"

Orla's question rang out behind her. Scarlett didn't hear it.

Her eyes held only that black figure across the lake.

"Thaddeus! Stop!" she screamed, stumbling wildly in that direction. "Wait for me! Don't go!"

Her shoes slipped in the snow. She nearly fell several times. But she kept running recklessly until she reached the sycamore trees.

The figure had already disappeared around a corner.

"Thaddeus!" Scarlett shouted desperately, rushing into a deep alley.

The empty alley held nothing but howling wind and dancing snowflakes.

He was gone.

Just like he had vanished in the deep sea.

Scarlett slumped against the wall, gasping for breath.

Was she missing him so much, longing so desperately for him to be alive, that she was having hallucinations?

She smiled bitterly and shook her head, slowly sinking into a crouch, burying her face in her palms.

"Scarlett, what are you even hoping for..."

"He's dead..."

"He died long ago in that cold, cold ocean..."

She murmured to herself, trying to use these words to shatter the unrealistic fantasy in her heart.

Just as she was about to leave, filled with disappointment, her gaze fell on the snow-covered ground.

Wheelchair tracks extending deep into the alley.

A wheelchair?

That man had left in a wheelchair?

If it really was him...

She chased frantically along the tracks. But when she reached the end of the alley at a main road, the wheelchair tracks were completely obscured by tire marks from passing vehicles.

That evening.

At the Peninsula Hotel, Veridian's most luxurious establishment, a grand banquet celebrating the successful premiere of "Dragon's Tear" was underway.

Scarlett wore a black evening gown, holding a wine glass, half-heartedly engaging with guests who came to offer congratulations.

Her mind was full of that black figure she'd seen by the lake that morning, and those two wheelchair tracks in the snow.

"Scarlett, you look preoccupied." Sawyer handed her a glass of water, looking at her pale face with concern.

That afternoon, when he'd found her with the children, she was standing dazed at the entrance to an alley, refusing to say a word no matter how he asked.

Scarlett looked at Sawyer. "Sawyer, do you remember that mysterious overseas capital that always helped the Getty Group behind the scenes whenever we faced a crisis?"

Sawyer paused, then nodded. "I remember. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

"And this time, 'Dragon's Tear' was able to complete post-production and premiere globally because a mysterious investor injected a massive amount of capital when our funding fell through, right?"

"Yes." Sawyer's expression grew serious. "That investor is very low-key. He's never shown his face. All our collaboration has been conducted through his representative."

Scarlett's eyes became incredibly determined. "Will he be here tonight?"

"Yes." Sawyer looked at Scarlett, lowering his voice with a note of gravity. "I was just about to tell you. I just received notification from his representative. That mysterious investor will attend tonight's celebration."

Scarlett's heart began to pound.

"But..." Sawyer paused, his eyes complicated as he looked at Scarlett.

"But what?"

"His representative told me that this investor has an extremely reclusive personality. He despises contact with people. He's been in a wheelchair for years, and..." Sawyer hesitated. "He was badly disfigured in a severe accident, so he always wears a silver mask."