Chapter 7

Avery's POV

The day my mother was forcibly sent overseas, I didn't go to the airport. I was locked in the villa, quietly watching the sky outside the window.

It was also that day, during a maid's trash disposal break, that I managed to get an old phone and contacted Julian Knight.

Julian was the CEO of a mysterious organization in New York, and a client Dylan had once fiercely defended in court. He owed my brother a favor.

"Julian, please, do me a favor." My voice was calm. "Intercept my mother's medical transport overseas. Then, help me orchestrate a foolproof death."

Julian was silent for a moment, then replied with a single word: "Okay."

The plan was set for two weeks later, on Celeste's birthday.

To celebrate Celeste's birthday, Ethan chartered a luxury cruise ship named "Star of the Ocean," sailing it into international waters. He not only invited all the prominent figures in New York but also forced me to act as the event coordinator, serving Celeste throughout the evening.

He wanted to use this method to announce Celeste's status to everyone, to completely shatter my last shred of pride.

On the cruise ship, the lights were dazzling.

I wore an inconspicuous uniform, moving through the banquet hall, checking beverages and arranging the schedule. I did everything flawlessly, even wearing an impeccable smile.

I knew Ethan was standing on the second-floor railing, glass in hand, watching me.

At ten o'clock in the evening, the banquet reached its climax.

Celeste, having had some drinks, walked onto the deck for fresh air. I happened to be passing by with a tray.

Celeste looked at me and suddenly spoke.

"Avery, what are you playing at?" Celeste stepped closer, lowering her voice in provocation. "Your mom is in my hands now, your brother is crippled, you'll never beat me..."

Before she finished speaking, Celeste suddenly stumbled backward, let out a scream, and fell into the shallow decorative pool next to the deck.

"Celeste!"

Ethan, who had rushed over at the sound of the scream, witnessed the scene.

He didn't hesitate, rushing over to pull a drenched Celeste out of the pool. Celeste, clinging to him, pointed at me and wailed, "Ethan, I just wanted to share a drink with Avery, and she suddenly pushed me..."

Ethan's head snapped towards me, his gaze like a knife.

I stood my ground, still holding the tray, without offering a single explanation. Because I knew, explanations were useless.

"Avery, you're truly unrepentant!" Ethan was seething with rage. He ordered the bodyguards behind him, "Lock her in the cold storage in the ship's hold! No one is to let her out without my command! If Celeste catches a cold, I'll have your life!"

The bodyguards stepped forward, roughly restraining my hands.

I didn't struggle. I gave Ethan a deep look, one devoid of resentment, anger, or anything but indifference.

"Ethan, I wish you two a lifetime together."

I left him with that cryptic remark and turned to follow the bodyguards towards the dark hold.

The cold storage in the hold was freezing.

I was pushed inside, and the heavy iron door slammed shut behind me with a bang, locking me in.

In the darkness, I didn't shiver. I calmly walked to a ventilation shaft in the deepest part of the cold room.

Soon after, the grate of the ventilation shaft was removed from the outside. Julian Knight's men silently crept in, handing me a waterproof wetsuit and a waterproof bag.

"Ms. Miller, the team to rescue your mother has succeeded; she is now safe. A speedboat is waiting for you in the blind spot on the starboard side of the cruise ship. There's a storm tonight, it's the perfect cover."

I nodded and quickly changed into the wetsuit.

Before leaving, I took out the wedding ring I had worn for seven years from my pocket. Ethan had personally designed it and had Italian artisans customize it; our initials were engraved on the inner band.

I handed the ring and my phone to Julian Knight's men.

"Place these on the edge of the deck."

Having done all this, I crawled out of the cruise ship through the ventilation duct and plunged into the dark, churning sea.