Rewrite Her Thrilling Life (Lillian and Sebastian) novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154: Investigation

In the quiet seclusion of a villa nestled deep within Radovia, Richard stood by the towering windows, his figure rigid and commanding. The cold, calculating gleam in his eyes reflected the seriousness with which he examined the dossier recently handed to him by his subordinate. His gaze was sharp, almost piercing, as if trying to unravel secrets hidden within the pages.

“So, the little girl is indeed a subject of suspicion,” he muttered, voice low and steady. “Extracting top-grade stones from the outer field… there’s no way she lacks skill.”

The man dressed in black gave a respectful bow. “Sir, according to the records, nothing out of the ordinary appears. She genuinely cut several top-grade emeralds just the day before. Numerous witnesses confirmed the event.”

He paused briefly, then added, “She traveled to Morovia with Jacob. Knowing Jacob’s nature, he wouldn’t keep a girl by his side without a reason—unless she truly possessed talent.”

Richard’s stare lingered on the photograph of Lillian attached to the file. His tone dropped even lower, edged with a chilling frost. “This girl is wrapped in too many mysteries. Find a way to bring Ms. Lillian here immediately. Red’s faction cannot afford to wait any longer.”

Once his subordinate withdrew, an elderly man emerged from behind a decorative screen. Wearing a black hat with a broad brim that cast deep shadows over his weathered face, he exuded an aura of menace. Yet, his eyes shone with an unsettling light as he picked up Lillian’s file. His voice was rough, gravelly. “Are you truly convinced this girl has the skill to locate that vein?”

Richard moved toward the wine cabinet, selecting a bottle of deep red wine. He poured slowly, watching the liquid swirl in his glass while a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. “There’s no mistake. Even if there were, it’s wiser to assume she can than to doubt her. If we take this risk and succeed…”

He trailed off, voice heavy with bitterness. “Those old men already treat me like I’m insignificant. My time is slipping away. And I refuse to believe anyone capable of unearthing seven top-grade stones at once is ordinary.”

The old man’s mouth twisted into a sinister grin. “If we manage to bring her under our control, the Stint family will be nothing more than prey caught in our grasp.”

Meanwhile, miles away, Lillian sat quietly at her desk, carving an emerald with a small dagger. Oblivious to the fact that eyes were already watching her every move, she focused intently on the obsidian piece slowly taking shape beneath her skilled hands.

Her thoughts drifted to a certain man. She recalled how, whenever she found herself in danger, he was always the first to appear by her side. How he protected her without hesitation, endured her moods, and forgave her imperfections. A proud man who had repeatedly set aside everything else, journeying time and again to Solara just to be near her.

It had been a full month since Sebastian left without a word. Lillian found herself thinking about him more often than she cared to admit, wondering what he might be doing now, and whether he was safe.

Setting down her tools, she picked up her phone, Sebastian’s number glowing on the screen. She tapped it open, then closed it. Again, she opened it, then closed it once more—her fingers hesitating, caught between hope and despair. Finally, she tossed the phone aside and returned to her carving, the obsidian piece slowly emerging under her touch.

The school buzzed with excitement as preparations for the anniversary festival filled the air. Clubs were alive with activity, and Natalie was so busy she was nowhere to be found. For once, Lillian welcomed the calm, sitting quietly on the steps and watching a group of boys tussle over a ball on the field. She found herself unexpectedly drawn in by the game’s energy.

“I’ll probably head to Kingston for college,” Jeremy said, a hint of helplessness in his voice. “The old man is getting on in years—I don’t want to be too far from him.”

She understood the unspoken weight behind his words. On the surface, the Goodman family appeared divided in its holdings, but beneath that calm exterior lurked schemes invisible to outsiders. Killian had been sent abroad, but distance did not guarantee safety. A man willing to bow before the patriarch could accomplish anything. Jeremy was walking a precarious path.

“Mm. The Goodman family may seem peaceful, but underneath, the waters are treacherous. Everyone’s circling, waiting for the right moment to strike. Don’t leave roots behind—it’s better to cut them clean.”

Though she was not one to interfere, having accepted twenty percent of Goodman Corp, she felt it only fair to offer a word of caution.

Jeremy studied her profile, her delicate features serene in the sunlight. He knew he was unworthy of her, and he had the self-awareness to admit it. “I know. Thank you.”

She offered a faint smile in return. “Don’t thank me. I still hold twenty percent of Goodman Corp. If it collapses, where else would I get my money?”

Jeremy—known to others as Mr. Goodman—could only shake his head with a wry smile. Yet, in his eyes, there was a tenderness even he hadn’t realized was there.