Poison Rose of Avalon

The Chairman's home office mirrored his office at Synergy Enterprise, down to the smallest detail. Everything was identical—from the pens to the couch, even the exact number of large windows.

The only difference was the view. While the windows at Synergy Enterprise overlooked a sprawling jungle of cement and concrete, those in his home office framed the breathtaking, refreshing sight of Glacier Villa's meticulously maintained, lush garden.

Amara stood in the center of the spacious room, her hands nervously fidgeting.

The Chairman walked to his chair and settled into it. Once comfortable, he looked up at her, his sharp eyes softening with sincerity.

"I am sorry for your loss, Amara," he said gently.

Amara, standing before the Chairman, glanced briefly at him and his trusted assistant, who stood beside him.

"Sir," she began, her voice tentative, "if I had accepted your offer earlier..." She paused, swallowing the lump in her throat before continuing, "Do you think... Mark would still be alive?" The tears in her eyes betrayed the sorrow she was holding back.

The Chairman noticed the slight tremor in her voice when she spoke her late husband's name. With a contemplative expression, the Chairman leaned back in his chair, maintaining steady eye contact with her.

"Let me tell you about a young man's journey, Amara," he began.

A young entrepreneur had once missed an opportunity to invest in a tech startup. Instead of dwelling on regret, he channelled his focus into his next venture and went on to build a thriving business in a different industry. His positive outlook and determination propelled him toward new opportunities and achievements."

His intense gaze locked with Amara's as his deep voice echoed, "If you miss an opportunity, use it to motivate you—don't waste time regretting what you couldn't do in the past. Focus on what you could do now!"

Amara paused to reflect on the depth of his words. Her present is Liora, and her future is Liora. Whatever she does is all for Liora. She understood the chairman's message clearly:

"I will carry this lesson with me always."

A grin spread across his face. "Good. This is exactly what I expect from you."

The chairman then nodded toward Robert, his personal assistant, and instructed,

"Give Amara the papers for her signature."

"Yes, sir." Robert promptly retrieved a brown leather folder from his bag and handed it to Amara to review.

Amara took her time reading the documents inside the folder. She meticulously examined the contract for any potential loopholes, fully aware that negotiating with the Chairman meant facing a master of manipulation.

Under ordinary circumstances, Amara would never have considered working with the chairman. However, the situation had changed. If she hadn't accepted this deal, Gambino would have targeted both her and Liora. And she needed the chairman's support for her plan to work.

Amara finished reading the contract, slowly lowering her hand. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began, "Sir, I... I..." But before she could continue, the chairman interrupted.

"You will have your revenge when I say so. Until then, you must be patient, Amara," he said firmly, leaving Amara stunned, her mouth forming an astonished "O."

Amara glanced at Robert, silently asking how the chairman had done that. Robert briefly met her gaze before lowering his eyes. His expression remained neutral.

"Amara," the chairman continued, "your skills have proven invaluable in the past, and they will continue to serve us in the future. I've arranged a cottage for you to stay in and ensured Liora's safety. I'm also committed to helping you exact your revenge. So, what's holding you back from signing these papers?"

He raised a perfectly arched grey brow, his tone questioning.

Amara tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before answering. "It's just... Liora is on my mind. It hasn't been long since Mark left us..." Her voice trembled before she could finish it.

The Chairman took a moment to consider her unspoken request before pursing his lips. "It's understandable," he replied, his tone sympathetic.

"Alright then. I will give you one month, Amara. Use that time to prepare yourself—and your daughter. She may be young, but she's a smart kid. I'm sure she'll catch on quickly."

The chairman was never hiring Amara for his kindness. He had a plan for her, one that linked to her daughter. This willingness to accommodate Amara's personal situation was merely bait, carefully planned.

Amara possessed extraordinary skills in Facial Recognition Deflection—a makeup technique that disrupts facial recognition technology, making it difficult for surveillance systems to identify or track individuals.

She had even mastered the art of creating forged handprints. Her abilities were unmatched by most, making her a valuable asset.

And now, the chairman has found the perfect opportunity to pull Amara back to her old life, the one she had painstakingly left behind after marrying Mark to have a normal life.

Seeing the chairman's willingness to accommodate her request, Amara decided to sign the contract without further hesitation.

She stepped out of the office and made her way to find Liora. She approached one of the servants and asked them to locate her daughter. The maid directed Amara to a waiting room while she went off to search for Liora.

A while later, another maid entered with a tray of juice and snacks. Amara glanced up at her, confused as to why Liora hadn't been brought in yet.

"I don't need this," Amara said politely. "I'll be leaving as soon as Liora arrives."

"I insist," the maid replied with a warm smile. They were familiar with each other, so their interactions lacked formality and were filled with ease.

The maid excused herself and left, leaving Amara. Her gaze frequently drifted to the door, and occasionally, she sipped from the glass of juice.

Outside the waiting room, the atmosphere was tense. A group of maids had gathered, whispering nervously among themselves. They debated who would have the courage to approach the door to the room where Caspian and Liora were. The gravity of their conversation felt: Who would risk their life to step into the unpredictable Lion's Dane?

After a moment, two maids stepped forward. But their resolve faltered as they neared the forbidden door. Their trembling hands and wide, fearful eyes, their anxiety spoke a lot.

"Do you want to knock?"

"Should we knock together?" asked one of the maids, her voice tinged with hesitation.

This room was a sanctuary crafted entirely by Caspian, with every corner and detail arranged to reflect his fondness for his special doll. It was forbidden territory within the mansion, no one was allowed to enter, not even the Chairman.

The maids were astounded when Caspian took Liora into the forbidden room. The maids already feared Liora's fate.

"Maybe we should go speak with the Chairman," Another maid suggested.

"I agree. The Chairman may show more leniency than the young master."

While the maids fretted over their dilemma, inside the room, Liora sat in a world of her own.

Holding a doll in one hand, she used her other to wind a delicate music box. As she gently twisted the key, the room filled with the enchanting melody of a fairy forest, and the tiny figurine within the box danced gracefully.

Liora's eyes sparkled with wonder as she lost herself in the rhythm, the melody playing over and over.

Meanwhile, Caspian sat on the bed, surrounded by a collection of dolls, leaning back against the soft cushions. He observed Liora's every move, like a scientist watching their subject in a controlled experiment, noting every reaction and response with focused attention.

Caspian's sharp eyes suddenly narrowed, sensing a subtle shift in the shadows of the room, as though he had detected a presence lingering just outside.

Caspian reached for his phone, the sleek device reachable within arm's length, and opened the app linked to the room's security camera.

The live feed revealed the two maids standing outside, huddled together, whispering.

A quiet intensity settled over Caspian's features. With a single raised eyebrow and a clenched jaw, he placed his phone back on the bed and turned his piercing gaze toward the closed door.

"Liora, let's go," he muttered, his tone clipped. But Liora, lost in the whimsical enchantment of the music box, remained unaware.

Looking at Liora, his initial anger faded. His expression softened as he rose from the bed, "Liora, your mother is waiting."

At the mention of her mother, Liora's attention snapped to him,

"What did you say?" she asked, her bird-like voice carrying a note of surprise.

"Your mother is waiting. We should leave now," Caspian repeated, his voice more gentle this time.

Liora nodded in understanding and began moving toward the door. But Caspian's next words halted her.

"Are you forgetting something, Liora?" he asked, his gaze falling on her hand.

Liora looked down and realized she was still holding the doll.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot," she apologized sheepishly, returning the doll to the bed.

"It's alright. You didn't know. I'll let it go this time." His tone softened further.

"Liora, this room must remain a secret, just between us, alright?"

Liora scanned the room one last time before smiling up at him, a mix of gratitude and innocence in her expression. "Okay!" She carefully placed the doll back, oblivious to the Caspian's warning.

Caspian swung the door open, startling the maids with his sudden presence. His expression remained impassive as his gaze swept over them. With a firm grip on Liora's hand, he led her away, just as he had brought her in.

The single, penetrating glance from Caspian was enough to freeze the maids in their tracks. Cold sweat formed on their foreheads as they stood motionless.

Caspian escorted Liora to the waiting room where Amara was. This time, however, he slowed his pace to match Liora's, savoring each step she took. He listened carefully to her rythmic foot steps, counting how many steps she would take in a minute.

Amara's anxiety ebbed when she finally saw her daughter approaching. Relief washed over her as she whispered to herself, 'She is safe.'

"Mrs. Valentine, my apologies for the delay," Caspian said in a soothing tone, his voice gentle. "Liora was completely absorbed in her play, and I didn't want to interrupt her enjoyment. I hope I haven't caused you undue worry." His words were sincere and mature. He was the carbon copy of his grandfather. Young and yet mind like a strantegist.

"I'm just happy to know Liora was enjoying your company." Amara smiled warmly.

Liora beamed at her mother, her bright smile lighting up the room. Amara gently took Liora's hand, and they walked out together, Caspian watching them until they were out of sight.

Something churned in Caspian's mind as he observed their departure. His thoughts sharpened as he turned on his heel, storming straight for his grandfather.