Chapter 385

Isabella Langley sat alone in the back courtyard chamber, her fingers absently tracing the rim of a celadon teacup.

Crash—

The cup slipped from her grasp, shattering on the stone floor.

She closed her eyes, her pale lashes casting shadows across her face.

In the pavilion, Alice Flores wiped beads of sweat from her forehead, twisting the hem of her dress. "Evelyn, what should we do now?"

Evelyn Roland leaned against a vermilion pillar, moonlight swirling in her gaze. "Stay calm."

"Did I...did I mess things up?" Alice's voice trembled as she repeated the question.

"Her schemes are transparent to me."

Isabella's cunning was shallow—every emotion flickered plainly in her eyes.

"I have people watching Nina."

Evelyn's glance caught Alice biting her lower lip, and she added the reassurance.

Alice looked at the unshakable young woman beside her, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

In the meditation hall, Evelyn's eyes snapped open.

She stared at her phone contacts for a long moment before finally pressing call. "Meet me in the bamboo grove."

Bamboo leaves rustled in the wind, raindrops sliding from their tips.

Oliver Valrose brushed water off his shoulder with a frown. "What's so urgent?"

He swallowed his complaint. Isabella was now the "Lady of Auspicious Bonds," personally recognized by Abbot Xingyun—a title the Valrose family prized for its divine connection.

"I need a killer."

Oliver recoiled. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Spare me the theatrics!" Isabella's voice was glacial.

"At least tell me who the target is." His throat went dry.

"Alice."

Oliver's pupils constricted. After a weighted silence, he turned on his heel and left without another word.

Deep in the bamboo grove, the wind whipped Isabella's skirt violently.

This loose end had to be eliminated—Abbot Xingyun's trust in Alice was threatening her position.

At midnight, her phone screen lit up.

Isabella stared at the message, her lips twisting into a grotesque smile.

"All obstacles must disappear."

Alice stepped out of the lounge, phone in hand.

A shadow lunged at her—

She froze, watching the glint of a dagger slash toward her—