Chapter 126

Scarlett’s POV

For a moment, I wasn't sure who he was addressing. I hesitated, saying nothing.

A flash of displeasure crossed his face as he impatiently waved his hand, gesturing for me to leave.

"Before we dock, find another room to stay in. Don't come back to this suite."

I nodded without saying a word.

I presumed he had developed an interest in Sandra and didn't want me getting in the way.

After leaving the 17th deck, I wandered aimlessly around the cruise ship.

Where should I go? What should I do?

At the time, I had thrown my phone into the sea to avoid them extracting any information about the Obsidian Palace or my mission if I was captured.

Now, ironically, I couldn't contact anyone even if I wanted to.

Without realizing it, I found myself on the ship's deck.

Night had fallen, and the sea breeze gently caressed my face.

I walked to the railing and gazed down at the surging waters below.

I remembered that night when the mysterious man grabbed my hand, trying to take me overboard with him.

"Scarlett, jump with me. I'll protect you," he had said.

If I had actually jumped with him then, would I have taken a completely different path in life?

I could never have done that.

I had too many unfinished matters: uncovering the truth about Chloe's death, finding Yvette to give her a normal life, killing Marvin, destroying "that hell."

I had never lived solely for myself, nor had I ever been truly alone.

"Miss Smith, it really is you."

A voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts.

I turned to see Edwin standing not far away.

He looked haggard, with obvious dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept well for days.

"I'm relieved to see you're safe and sound."

Watching him sigh with relief, I asked flatly, "Did you need something from me?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "Aren't you worried about Alexander? He was injured, nearly... but thankfully he was rushed to a hospital in Silverpeak City. Now..."

"His condition is none of my concern," I cut him off, my voice as cold as ice.

With that, I turned and walked away.

Despite Edwin's repeated calls from behind, my steps didn't falter for a moment.

After leaving the deck, I continued to wander aimlessly around the cruise ship.

I enjoyed the solitude.

Yet the more I embraced it, the emptier I felt inside.

I didn't know where to go, what to do, or even what to think in this moment.

I entered the elevator in a daze, and when I came to my senses, I was already standing at the door of Alexander's suite.

Why did I come here?

Knowing Alexander was still in a Bangkok hospital, my hand nonetheless pushed open his door without conscious control.

The room hadn't been cleaned, with traces of that night's pleasure still scattered everywhere.

Looking around the room, Alexander's sweet whispers echoed in my ears.

"I only have you, Scarlett..."

These words, regardless of their truth, had certainly intoxicated me.

I walked directly to the large bed and lay face down on the covers.

I noticed some strands of my hair still on the pillow, glistening in the light.

I remembered how Alexander liked to play with my hair when I was tired.

His fingers would gently run through my locks, and he always liked to say, "Your hair is so long, so soft..."

He also enjoyed braiding it for me.

I recalled his sharp words, his teasing and bullying.

I remembered that night on the deck when he told me he would indulge me one more time...

"Alexander, you said you would indulge me one more time."

I whispered, my voice sounding unusually clear in the empty room.

Burying my face in the pillow, I inhaled deeply, taking in his scent.

That unique scent that belonged only to him...

Alexander, it's late now...

I curled up on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, I was still alone in the suite, the air around me cold enough to chill me to the bone.

Rising and walking to the window, I looked out at the endless darkness, unable to distinguish where the sea ended and the night sky began.

In the days following the incident, I had stayed here, only appearing in the dining room for meals.

Those who knew about or witnessed what happened that night in the ship's private casino had all kept silent about it.

I learned from Camila that Vernon had left the cruise ship with Alexander on a private speedboat. Aaron had departed the following day.

As for the mysterious man who claimed he would take me off the cruise ship, Camila knew very little about him.

But I hadn't completed this mission... It would be difficult to explain to Marvin.

I ran into Camila at the restaurant.

"Scarlett, you took too big a risk this time. I had already arranged an escape route for you. Why did you have to—"

The rest of her words were abruptly cut off.

If Alexander hadn't stepped in to protect me that night, Vernon would certainly not have let me go easily.

Although the Obsidian Palace had powerful backing, who could guarantee that Vernon wouldn't try to kill me in a moment of desperation?

Camila spoke again: "Scarlett, this time you—"

"According to the rules of the Obsidian Palace, Marvin will deal with me personally, right?"

I interrupted her, not wanting to hear any more dissuasion.

Camila let out a long sigh. "So, what do you plan to do next? Alexander protected you once, but there might not be a second time. His own situation right now might not be much better than yours."

I didn't answer immediately, just lowered my head and expressionlessly stared at the coffee cup in front of me.

"Where is the cruise ship now?" I asked.

Camila was taken aback. "What?"

"Can you arrange for me to disembark tonight? I want to go find him."