The auction concluded.
After several consecutive days of high-intensity work, Tiana Williams felt somewhat exhausted. On the other hand, she also didn't want to be interrogated by Elisse Gonzales about her and Landon Brooke, so she declined Elisse's dinner invitation. All she wanted was to go home, take a quick shower, and get a good night's sleep.
By the time her car entered Zephyria Community, it was already six o'clock in the evening.
Tiana had a house allotted to her in the G University District as well, but she usually spent more time here, in a high-rise luxury apartment overlooking the river.
The spacious apartment on the seventy-seventh floor was decorated in light luxury with a European flair; standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could take in the entire Coburn River Bay. It was one of the top residential complexes in S City and also—
a loss that Landon Brooke had conceded to her.
Tiana herself didn't know what she had gone through at the time to dare to snatch food from the mouth of the Great Demon.
…
She had just stepped out of the elevator when she saw the person waiting at her doorstep.
A handsome and tall man—
It was Tom Rosenthal whom she had just seen at the auction!
Clad in a crisp black suit, he was impeccably groomed, holding several bags in his hands, and accompanied by a muscular and imposing black-clad bodyguard.
Upon seeing Tiana, Tom approached quickly, a polite smile on his handsome face as he respectfully bowed—
"Miss Williams!"
"What are you doing here?"
Tiana's eyebrows knitted slightly as she took out her keys from her bag.
"The Young Master asked me to deliver a gift to you."
As he spoke, Tom gestured with the bags in his hands.
The Great Demon was actually sending her a gift?
How unusual.
After a moment of thought, Tiana suppressed the doubts in her heart, gathered her thoughts, and moved forward to open the door. Her clear voice carried a hint of coolness, "He's back?"
"Yes, the Young Master returned a few days ago. Next weekend is the Old Master's birthday, and he will personally come to take you back to Brooke Garden. I'll leave the gifts here for you, Miss Williams..."
Tom followed her inside, placing the bags on a side table.
"Understood, thank him for me."
Tiana replied.
Tom bowed again, then withdrew and closed the door behind him.
The house fell into a serene quietness...
The lights in the expansive and luxurious hall were not very bright, somewhat yellow and dim. The dark curtains by the floor-to-ceiling window were wide open, with colorful lights refracting inside, casting varying shadow patterns on the spotless ground. The intricate dance of light and shadow added to the tranquility and peace of the space.
Tiana poured herself a glass of water, sat down, and calmly looked at the gift for a long time before finally opening it...
The boxes contained expensive jewelry, particularly the last one—
the bracelet that Tom had won for fifty million at the auction.
She felt surprised, as all these items seemed quite valuable.
The Great Demon was being so generous with her, even though in the past, even going out for a drink always meant she had to pay.
Tiana squinted her starry eyes at the gifts for a long time, finally taking a light and deep breath—
If he dared to give, then why shouldn't she dare to accept?
It could be considered the interest he owed her over the years.
…
Tom Rosenthal, who had just left the community and was driving away, reached into his coat pocket for his phone and quickly made a call.
Meanwhile, across the harbour at the Wilmar Hill Villa, within a luxurious mansion.
The entire villa was shrouded in the silent hues of twilight, the lamps in the front courtyard all lit, their light somewhat dim and unclear. The yard was filled with flowers, as a gentle breeze passed quietly, the air infused with a faint fragrance of flowers mixed with the light scent of grass, refreshing enough to leave one's heart feeling elated and at peace.
A beautiful piano melody suddenly broke the stillness of the night, enchanting and melodious, the cool notes emanating a sense of desolation, yet carrying a calm and serene peace, like a brisk autumn wind passing through the shivering cold rain, bringing a hint of chill that settles in the heart, soothing the restless spirit.
The pianist was a man.
He was dressed in loose, casual black attire, blending with the dim, faint light into the night itself.
His figure was tall and somewhat slender, sitting upright at the piano, understated and restrained, his posture relaxed and indolent, his features delicate and perfect. His cool brows were slightly furrowed, and those dark eyes underneath were like the calm, deep sea, embodying a silence untroubled by tidal waves. His indifferent lips were lightly pursed, and even in such tranquility, he could not conceal the distinguished and extraordinary aura inherent in his being, radiating a powerful solitude in his silence.
His handsome hands moved across the black and white keys, his wrists fine, his fingers long and pale with cold, exuding an indifferent, ethereal sense of unreality.
A phone had been ringing by his side for a while, and he finally paused, reaching out to answer it.
"Hello? Young Master..."
After connecting, Tom Rosenthal let out a sigh of relief and quickly began to speak.
"Hmm."
A cool voice transmitted through.
"It's done. I've made the explanations clear, and the gift has been delivered,"
Tom Rosenthal reported briefly.
"What did she say?"
Landon Brooke asked indifferently.
"Miss Williams said she understands, and then she asked me to thank you on her behalf..."
The man listened and then hung up the phone, placing it back in its spot, and continued the piece he had not finished earlier.
...
Tiana Williams indeed wanted to go to bed early, but a phone call from Elisse Gonzales came through, spoiling her plan.
Late night, Zephyria Bridge.
This bridge is a super-structure that connects Harbour South and Harbour North. Tiana Williams lived in Harbour North, while Elisse Gonzales lived in Harbour South. Between them was the bustling Coburn Seaport, which offered a fine view—glorious nightscapes on both sides and the ceaseless flow of cruise ships and yachts below...
The two often came here on such late nights to catch the breeze and admire the views...
There was already a heavy flow of cars on the road, occasionally punctuated by sports cars roaring by and the rowdy groups of motorcyclists.
"It's disgusting! What kind of shameless people can behave like this? Every time I see that face, I just want to strangle her to death!"
Elisse Gonzales turned off Facebook in annoyance and could not help but curse aloud.
Naturally, what she had seen was the news on Facebook about Maxwell Perry and Berlina Holmes making hot searches simply because of a necklace worth thirty million, infuriating Elisse Gonzales to the point of wanting to spit blood!
So cheap, so shameless!
"How can this mother and daughter act so righteous! Not only did they steal a man, but they also shamelessly waltzed right into the family. Tiana, is Vincent Holmes blind? No matter what, you are your mother's daughter, and Vincent Holmes is just a man who married into the family! Not only is he living off the Tower Clan, but now he even dares to try and take everything from the Tower Clan! Aren't you worried at all?"
Tiana Williams walked over, glancing at her, her brow marked with a touch of melancholy, and her eyes cold. She handed Elisse Gonzales an ice cream.
"This is the supper snack you mentioned?"
Knowing that Tiana disliked talking about this, Elisse Gonzales quickly dropped the subject, her beautiful little face gathering a hint of dissatisfaction.
Tiana Williams unwrapped her own ice cream, took a bite, and said indifferently, "I'm out of money."
Elisse Gonzales looked unconvinced, unwrapped her ice cream, took a bite, and remarked, "Are ice creams these days always this disgusting?"
Tiana Williams gave her a sidelong glance and said coldly, "If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it."
Elisse Gonzales promptly closed her mouth and silently ate it quickly.
The night breeze was quite refreshing, and the sounds of the ebbing and flowing river water could be faintly heard below.