Chapter 276 Underestimated Her

Chapter 276 Underestimated Her

As Cecilia finished reading, the letter slipped from her fingers, and silent tears rolled down her cheeks, landing softly on the table.

Her mother, Ursa, had been protecting her all along in her own careful way.

Seeing this, Alaric gently rubbed her back and tenderly wiped away her tears.

Cecilia sniffled and managed a small smile. "Sorry, let's keep going."

With that, she reached for the item wrapped in red silk and carefully unfolded it.

A golden phoenix hairpin lay quietly on the silk, its intricate design shimmering in the light. 

The phoenix seemed ready to take flight, with delicate feather patterns and eyes set with rubies that sparkled under the lamp.

"Wow, it's gorgeous," Caroline said.

"I've seen this hairpin in Sepia's files. It's super valuable, and a lot of people are after it," Isabella added.

Kian stroked his chin and looked at Cecilia. "So, your rebirth wasn't just a fluke? Hard to wrap my head around these legends being real."

"The temple must be on Ethereal Isle, right?" Caroline said. "No wonder you know it so well, Cecilia."

Cecilia nodded. "I always thought it was weird that I could hear my parents' voices on the island. I had no clue about what my mom wrote in the letter, and I couldn't help when they were in trouble."

"Don't beat yourself up. You were just a kid back then," Caroline reassured her. "You managed to get your mom's treasure in such a dangerous situation. That's incredible!"

Cecilia couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks, everyone."

Alaric held her hand, his eyes full of affection.

The other three exchanged glances, feeling a bit awkward at Alaric's expression.

"Hey, Isabella, check this out," Caroline suddenly said, opening a metal box and pulling out a letter. "We found this on Devil's Island, but we can't read it."

Isabella took the letter, furrowing her brow as she laid it flat on the table. 

After a moment of study, she looked up. "It says there are many sapphires similar in design to 'Isis's Tear,' but only one has the power of rebirth. To transfer the power of the century-old 'Isis's Tear,' someone with its power must do it. Otherwise, the power will vanish. Also, if a transfer occurs, the previous holder will die and lose their rebirth ability."

Her frown deepened. "Looks like Sepia and Christopher didn't know this. That explains why Christopher's gem turned to stone."

"Wait," Caroline's face turned pale. "If the island sank, is there another 'Isis's Tear'? If its power is gone, then Cecilia..."

Cecilia blinked, checked herself over, and, finding nothing amiss, chuckled. "I'm good."

"Maybe it just means I can't rebirth anymore," she paused. "After all, I'm alive and well and haven't transferred the gem to anyone."

Kian suddenly exclaimed, "So as long as Cecilia doesn't transfer the gem, she can keep rebirthing?"

Alaric glanced at Cecilia, who smiled back, intertwining her fingers with his.

"That's possible. But from what Cecilia's mom said, the original 'Isis's Tear' wasn't inside a person," Isabella mused. "This information must have been added after Cecilia's mom fused the gem into her."

She paused, realizing something, and brought the paper closer. The handwriting was strikingly similar to Cordelia's!

"Did Clio's mom leave this?" Isabella asked tensely, looking at Caroline. "Where is she now? How is she?"

"She..." Caroline hesitated, "She's gone."

Isabella froze.

Cecilia and Caroline were about to comfort her when she suddenly lowered her gaze. "On Devil's Island, it was Cordelia who sent me a message and saved me."

"The one who locked her up was Christopher."

Hearing this, Cecilia's eyes darkened. She stood abruptly, clutching the golden phoenix hairpin tightly, and said coldly, "All these tragedies, directly or indirectly, are Christopher's doing. This time, I'll end it myself."

Three weeks later, in Skyview City.

Cecilia sat in the CEO's office of YORA Group, her computer screen displaying a freshly compiled encrypted file. 

It contained evidence of all Christopher's illegal activities over the past six months, from smuggling artifacts, drugs, and organizing prostitution to money laundering and dealings with foreign criminal organizations. Every transaction was meticulously documented.

Caroline entered, carrying a steaming cup of coffee, and placed it gently beside Cecilia.

"All set?" she asked, glancing at the screen.

Cecilia nodded, her fingers tapping the keyboard as she inserted the final video evidence into the folder. 

It was footage Kian had risked capturing last night, showing Henry's men at the docks handling boxes labeled in English, which contained smuggled gold and antiques.

"Aria's information was more detailed than we expected. Combined with the evidence I gathered from the underground bar and the villa, it's enough to keep Christopher behind bars for life," Cecilia said softly. "And Henry's collaboration with Christopher started five years ago."

Caroline sneered, "Let's see how they talk their way out of this!"

Cecilia squinted, happily clicking the send button, dispatching the file to the police and several major media outlets.

Time to close the net.

Two hours later, at the Skyview City police station.

Sirens blared through the streets as dozens of officers raided the headquarters of The Wells Entertainment Company.

Henry was in the conference room discussing strategies with shareholders when the doors were kicked open, and his face turned a shade paler.

The lead officer flashed his badge, his voice firm. "Henry, you're under arrest for smuggling, money laundering, and colluding with criminal organizations. Here's the warrant."

Henry smirked, rising slowly. "Officer, without evidence, you can't—"

"Who said we don't have evidence?" the officer retorted, signaling a colleague to hand over a tablet. The screen displayed the dock smuggling video and encrypted communications between him and Christopher.

Henry's pupils contracted sharply.

Meanwhile, in Silvermoon City, at an abandoned factory on the outskirts.

Christopher stood in the dim warehouse, having just ended a call. His bloodshot eyes narrowed as he glanced at the subordinate who had just entered.

"Christopher, the police have taken three of our men!" a panicked subordinate rushed in. "Mr. Wells is in trouble too, and it's all over the news!"

Christopher was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled. "I underestimated her."