Chapter 55: Lily

Outside Chicago, at a private sanatorium.

Winter sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the white sanatorium room in warmth.

Leo and Chloe stood side by side at the end of the hallway, quietly watching through the observation window at the young girl sitting in a wheelchair inside.

Lily.

Luke's only sister.

After Luke's family was destroyed, sixteen-year-old Lily had a mental breakdown and was sent to a black site controlled by the Romano family.

In that living hell, she was locked up for two full years.

It wasn't until Leo stormed the black site that he was able to rescue her.

But two years of torture had already turned this once lively and cheerful girl into someone silent and withdrawn.

"How... how is she doing?"

Chloe asked softly, her eyes full of sympathy.

"The doctor says her physical injuries have mostly healed."

Leo's voice was low. "But the psychological trauma... needs time."

He paused. "I was right not to take her to the cemetery. In her current state, she couldn't handle that kind of shock."

Chloe nodded, her eyes welling up.

She could imagine how desperate a sixteen-year-old girl must have felt, losing her father and brother, then being locked in that dark and hopeless place...

"I'm going to see her."

Leo took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the room.

The soft sound of the door opening was especially clear in the quiet sanatorium room.

Inside the room.

A girl in a white hospital gown sat by the window, quietly watching the snowflakes falling outside.

She was very thin and pale, with long blonde hair casually draped over her shoulders. She looked like a fragile snowflake.

Hearing the sound, she slowly turned her head.

The moment she saw Leo, Lily's empty eyes suddenly focused.

"...Leo..."

Her voice was soft, trembling.

"It's me."

Leo walked up to her and crouched down to meet her eyes. "Lily, do you still recognize me?"

"I do..."

Tears suddenly streamed down Lily's face. "Leo... Luke... he..."

She choked up, unable to continue.

Leo reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face.

"Lily, I've already avenged Luke."

Leo's voice was soft but firm. "The Romano family, the Drake family, everyone who killed Luke... they've all paid the price."

"Really... really?"

Lily's eyes widened, looking at Leo in disbelief.

"Really."

Leo nodded. "Luke can rest in peace now."

Lily couldn't hold back anymore, and her sobs broke free.

Two years of suppression, two years of pain, erupted completely in this moment.

Chloe walked over to Lily and gently hugged her.

"Don't cry, don't cry... it's all over..."

Chloe comforted her softly, her own tears flowing uncontrollably.

After a long while.

Lily finally cried herself out. She lifted her head, her swollen eyes looking at Leo and Chloe.

"Thank you..."

Her voice was hoarse but sincere. "Thank you, Leo... thank you, Chloe..."

"No need to thank us."

Leo stood up and gently patted her shoulder. "Luke was my brother, so you're my sister. Protecting you is what I should do."

"Lily."

Chloe crouched in front of her, holding her hands. "From today on, you'll stay with us. We'll take care of you and protect you."

Lily nodded hard, a glimmer of light finally appearing in her eyes.

"Pack up what you need."

Leo turned and walked toward the door. "We're leaving Chicago today."

"Where... where are we going?" Lily asked in a daze.

"New York."

Leo looked back at her, a gentle smile on his lips. "A fresh start."

Chicago, this city that holds too many painful memories.

Not only did Lily dislike it, but Leo also hated this place, which made him sad.

Evening.

The private plane landed at a private airfield on Long Island, New York.

The Rosenberg family estate.

Leo settled Lily in the quietest guest room area of the estate.

The room was spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a snow-white garden.

"Lily, get some rest."

Chloe helped tuck her in. "If you need anything, just call me."

"Thank you... Chloe..."

Lily lay on the soft bed, a trace of fatigue in her eyes.

The long flight had taken its toll on her.

"Get some good sleep."

Leo walked to the bedside and gently patted her shoulder. "From today on, no one can hurt you anymore."

Lily nodded and slowly closed her eyes.

Soon, her breathing became steady.

Leo and Chloe quietly left the room.

The two left the guest room and went to the study.

"Leo..."

Chloe bit her lip. "Lily... can she really recover?"

"She will."

Leo looked at the night view outside the window. "Time heals everything."

Chloe was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly stepped forward and gently hugged Leo.

"Leo... thank you."

Her voice was soft. "Thank you for everything you did for Luke, thank you for saving Lily..."

Leo froze for a moment, then reached out and gently patted her back.

His voice was unusually gentle. "It's what I should do."

Just then.

"Boss."

Olivia emerged from the end of the hallway. Seeing the two embracing, she paused slightly.

"Sorry, I'm interrupting."

She turned to leave.

"Wait."

Leo released Chloe. "What is it?"

"Yes."

Olivia walked over, took a document from her briefcase, and handed it to Leo. "According to our intelligence network, the Nightfall organization has infiltrated New York."

"Their target is tomorrow night's welcome-back gala that the Rosenberg family is hosting for Ms. Black."

Chloe's face changed. "What?"

"The Nightfall organization plans to plant explosives at the gala venue."

Olivia continued her report. "If detonated, everyone at the venue will die."

"Damn it!"

Chloe gritted her teeth. "I'll cancel the gala immediately!"

"No need."

Leo glanced at the document and casually tossed it on the table, a contemptuous sneer on his lips.

"Explosives? They dare to use such an amateur move?"

"Boss, you mean..." A flash of understanding crossed Olivia's eyes.

"Turn the tables on them."

Leo lit a cigar and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Since the Nightfall organization wants to come knocking, I'll make sure they never leave."

"But..."

Chloe was worried. "There will be many guests at the gala..."

"Don't worry."

Leo turned around, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes. "I won't let the Nightfall organization people even get into the venue."

"Alright!"

Chloe nodded, kissed Leo on the cheek, then left.

After all, these situations weren't appropriate for her to be involved in.

"Olivia."

"Yes!"

"Notify the Shadow squad, all members on Condition One."

Leo took a deep drag on his cigar. "Tomorrow night, I'm going to let the Nightfall organization know what it means to..."

He exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Dig their own graves."

"Understood!"

Olivia turned and left.

Leo sat back in his chair, a cold smile on his lips.

"Nightfall organization..."

"Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish."

He stubbed out the cigar, picked up the phone on the desk, and dialed.

The call connected.

"Ivy, tomorrow night's gala might have some trouble."

"Oh?"

Ivy's seductive voice came through the phone. "What kind of trouble?"

"The Nightfall organization is coming to cause problems."

Leo said flatly. "I need you to coordinate."

He had never forgotten that this beauty was the famous Rose.

She wasn't on his level as Reaper, but he didn't want to ruin tomorrow's gala.

"No problem."

Ivy chuckled. "But, darling, after the gala... shouldn't you come visit me?"

"We'll see."

Leo hung up the phone.

He lit another cigar and looked at the darkening sky outside the window.