The sultry woman was sure her lipstick had been swapped and was convinced the girl who bumped into her was responsible. Without getting the lipstick back, her life would be in danger.
Meanwhile, the girl had just gotten into a black Bentley, her face pale and eyes filled with sorrow.
The driver knew she had just gone through a breakup; her boyfriend was engaged to someone else, and she was about to accept an arranged marriage by her family.
The girl stared at the "I'm sorry" text from her boyfriend on her phone, tears silently streaming down her face as she buried her head in her hands and cried.
She looked out the window with a determined expression. Despite her youth, there was a resolve and steadiness that seemed beyond her years.
At the airport, members of a criminal organization were scattered, searching for the girl.
The sultry woman registered her lost item at the security office and saw footage of herself being bumped by the girl and the girl picking up the lipstick.
She demanded the security team provide the girl's identity, claiming the girl had picked up a key to a safe containing important documents she needed to sign that night. She emphasized she wasn't a bad person, just needed the key back.
The security manager was in a dilemma. He couldn't disclose passenger information without permission, but the woman's anxious demeanor didn't seem deceitful.
Initially hesitant, the manager eventually decided to give the woman the girl's information under her urgent pleas and explanations, unaware that the woman was one of the world's most dangerous criminals.
The sultry woman received a document with only the girl's phone number and name from the video. She hurriedly left after obtaining it.
Meanwhile, in a black SUV, a man from the organization quickly pulled up detailed information on a computer.
Seeing the data, the man gritted his teeth and declared they had found their target. The girl in the photo had now become their top target for elimination.
They discovered the girl's mother was the CEO of an $8 billion company, and her father was a powerful city official.
The leader of the group menacingly stated that if they couldn't retrieve the lipstick, the girl's entire family would pay the price.
They decided to postpone their transaction by a week to retrieve the lipstick, with the sultry woman vowing to get it back even at the cost of her life.
The organization had twelve members, specializing in theft with the world's top skills. They targeted rare and valuable items.
This time, they had stolen the original blueprints of a newly developed weapon, knowing they had provoked formidable opponents, so they were extra cautious.
They feared a mysterious military organization, unsure of its allegiance but aware of its formidable nature. If discovered, escaping the country would be nearly impossible.
Zachary, the leader of the mysterious military organization, was reviewing images from the airport and security footage of the sultry woman searching for the lipstick.
He had his team pull up information on the girl in the hat from the video. The girl's stunning appearance left everyone in awe.
Her name was Seraphina York, 25 years old, with details about her parents. His team noticed Zachary's pause when he mentioned Seraphina's father, Xander York. Zachary explained that Xander had worked under his grandfather, Atlas Baker, but they weren't close.
His team analyzed that given the criminal organization's ruthless methods, Seraphina was in grave danger every second the lipstick was in her possession. While they wouldn't kill her before finding the lipstick, they would likely kidnap her to extract its whereabouts.
Zachary decided they needed to protect both Seraphina and the lipstick.
He suggested having his grandfather help approach Seraphina while his team kept a close watch on the criminal organization.
One of his subordinates joked, "Hey, I'm better at getting close to girls."
Zachary immediately turned serious, "Remember, our mission is to find the lipstick, not to flirt!"
Meanwhile, Seraphina returned home and slumped onto the couch. Her mother, Niamh, was waiting for her, arms crossed. "So, you're not breaking up with Nico or accepting the arranged engagement?"
Niamh's eyes narrowed. "Nico is already married. Do you want to be his mistress?"
Seraphina's voice was steady. "Mom, I chose Nico and never considered a way out." Niamh sighed deeply. "I sent you abroad to change your mind, but you still met Nico and got deceived by him."
Seraphina said nothing more, standing up and heading to her room upstairs.
Niamh remained downstairs, clenching her hands in silent contemplation.
Suddenly, Niamh received a call from Xander.
Xander informed her that their family might be under surveillance and that he would arrange for a bodyguard to protect Seraphina, arriving the next day.
Niamh, knowing Seraphina wouldn't listen to her and worried about her running away in defiance, didn't oppose Xander's arrangement for a bodyguard.
Hearing that the bodyguard was recommended by Atlas, Niamh felt reassured and reminded Xander to stay safe, given the current unstable situation.
In her room on the third floor, Seraphina stood by the window, lost in thought as she gazed at the distant lights.
She recalled her lonely life abroad, with Nico's appearance like a ray of light brightening her dark, solitary existence. Those times were warm.
Despite her affluent upbringing, her parents' busy lives prioritizing the company and political affairs left her materially wealthy but emotionally and spiritually deprived, feeling no warmth from her family.
Three days ago, Nico told her he was getting engaged. Seraphina witnessed Nico proposing to another girl, a series of blows that left her devastated.
She held back tears, sending Nico a message hoping he would change his mind and return to her, but the message went unanswered.
Immersed in sadness, her phone rang. It was her cousin Della, sharing her engagement news and inviting Seraphina to the ceremony.
Seraphina responded absentmindedly, bitterly mentioning Nico's engagement to someone else when Della asked about her.
Della paused briefly before cheerfully inviting Seraphina to her engagement.
Seraphina forced a smile, agreeing, "I'll see if I can make it."
After hanging up, Seraphina accidentally knocked her bag off the couch, and a lipstick rolled out.
The lipstick was a gift from Nico, one she had used for a long time and couldn't bear to replace.
But now, facing Nico's betrayal, she clenched the lipstick, walked to the window, took a deep breath, and threw it out with all her might.
Watching the lipstick shatter in the garden below, she collapsed to the floor, covering her face and sobbing uncontrollably.
Thunder roared, and lightning illuminated Seraphina's beautiful yet distressed face.
Raindrops pelted her, soaking her clothes and outlining her perfect figure.
The rain over Rosewood City grew heavier, turning into a downpour.
The discarded lipstick lay in the garden's corner, gradually buried by the relentless rain.
Unbeknownst to Seraphina, the lipstick held a significant secret, with two groups rapidly closing in on her—one to kill, the other to save.
At dawn, a man with a straight posture and a briefcase rang the doorbell at the York Villa. The maid answered, and the man introduced himself as Oliver, the bodyguard sent by Xander to protect Seraphina. The maid let him in, having been notified the previous night.
In the hall, Niamh was preparing to leave when she saw Oliver enter, momentarily stunned.
The man before her was handsome, tall, and exuded a clean, steady aura, surprising Niamh.
Oliver nodded to Niamh, assuring her he would protect Seraphina and ensure she faced no danger. His deep, firm voice instilled an inexplicable sense of security.