Chapter 365: A Very Familiar Voice
"Why can’t I go find him now? How long do I have to wait?"
The Second Uncle was getting impatient.
If Damien Vaughn were allowed to return to Veridia, even without his memory, it would be like letting a tiger return to the mountains.
He had come all this way personally to finish him off with his own hands. Every extra minute was an extra minute of risk.
The man couldn’t guarantee a time, so he could only placate him.
"I can’t say for sure. My wife is holding a fashion show, and everything depends on the audience’s reaction on-site. My wife is timid, and so are my parents-in-law. Besides, there will be over a thousand people gathered there, so don’t even think about trying anything crazy. If anything goes wrong, you won’t be able to bear the responsibility."
A fashion show with over a thousand people... in such a sea of faces, it was indeed impossible to make a move. The Second Uncle had no choice but to wait.
"Hurry it up. The moment the event is over, bring him to me."
"Of course. Since we have to wait a while anyway, we might as well make use of the time. Mr. Vaughn, you must be exhausted from your long journey. Let me treat you to a meal. We can toast to your impending victory and discuss our future collaboration."
The Second Uncle went to a hotel with him. Between the food and drinks, the man toasted him with many glasses of alcohol. Combined with the dozen or so hours without sleep on the plane, the Second Uncle grew drowsy and fell into a deep sleep.
When he woke up, it was already noon on the third day.
The man asked Jean if she had found Damien Vaughn, but Jean was dismissive.
She was too busy with her own work right now. Where would she find the time to look for someone?
"I don’t know where he lives, and I don’t have his number. Where am I supposed to find him? Besides, didn’t you say you thought there was something wrong with him? Why are you looking for him?"
"Don’t worry, I’m not looking for trouble. I’m just short an assistant right now, and I think he’s pretty sharp. I want him to come help me out."
But Jean could only think of herself right now.
"Sorry, I can’t help you. If you really want to find him, figure it out yourself."
With that, she went back to her work.
Meanwhile, Ryan successfully picked up Cecelia Archer.
On the way back to the hotel, he told Cecelia Archer everything—the evidence he had collected recently and all the things he had been through. His words were tinged with discouragement.
"Every time, it feels like we’re about to have a breakthrough, but when we actually take action, we’re always a little short on luck... I’ve checked door-to-door, President Archer, how could we..."
Cecelia Archer comforted him, "Don’t rush. We’ve already waited for over two months; a little more time won’t hurt. At worst, we’ll just start the search all over again. Another person means more manpower, and maybe you missed some detail along the way. Starting tomorrow, the two of us will investigate together. If we still can’t find anything, we’ll figure it out then."
Although President Archer was a woman, she exuded a powerful sense of reassurance.
With her there, Ryan felt much more at ease.
When they arrived at the hotel, Ryan told Cecelia Archer to get some rest, but how could she possibly sleep?
"I want to go for a walk by myself, clear my head, and think. You don’t need to follow me. I’ll let you know when I need you."
She left the hotel and followed her intuition, turning left.
She passed street after street, traffic light after traffic light, and the area grew more and more remote until she reached a place near the river.
Many weeping willows were planted along the riverbank. Bathed in the golden sunlight and rustled by the gentle breeze, the sight was a delight to the eyes.
Cecelia hadn’t taken the time to appreciate a view in so long. She couldn’t help but walk toward the willows.
Before she got close, she suddenly heard the lively sound of conversation.
She turned her head and saw a café about forty or fifty meters from the riverbank.
Strictly speaking, it was a milk tea shop, and one run by oriental people.
The building itself was European in style, and the sign above said "So-and-so Café" in English, but the entire exterior wall and the advertisements at the entrance were all in an oriental style.
The advertisements featured many pictures, with the names of the milk teas, their ingredients, and their health benefits written in English, followed by an explanation in Chinese below.
On the streets of Veridia, it might have been an unremarkable milk tea shop.
But in a foreign country, such advertisements and banners were truly eye-catching.
Not only were the tables under the parasols out front filled with customers in small groups, but a long line also snaked from the counter at the shop’s entrance.
Many people were taking pictures of the distinctive signboard, and some were even going up to the counter to take photos with the person selling milk tea inside.
It had clearly become a hot spot for social media check-ins.
Cecelia Archer wasn’t interested in trendy shops. She glanced at it and continued walking toward the river.
She walked and walked along the riverbank, under the shade of the trees. She didn’t know how long she had been walking, but eventually the sun began to set, and the streetlights gradually flickered on.
Realizing that Ryan would be worried if she got back too late, she slowly started her return journey.
She had been walking for a long time and was a bit tired and thirsty. When she passed the trendy shop again, she saw there weren’t many customers, so she walked over.
’No wonder so many people were taking pictures with her.’
Behind the counter sat an extremely slender but clever and cute-looking oriental girl.
She had tan skin and big eyes, her hair tied up in a simple bun. She wore the shop’s apron and had a fresh, unconventional beauty. Even Cecelia was impressed; to the people of Rivia, she must have been stunning.
"Hello."
Cecelia Archer spoke to her directly in Chinese.
"Can I order a drink?"
Hearing the familiar Chinese, Sherry, who had been slumped in her chair with exhaustion, shot to her feet and quickly looked out the window.
Outside stood a tall, slender young woman, who clearly had an oriental face.
She had long, beautiful black hair that draped softly over her shoulders, and she was wearing a white linen long dress.
Although she wore no makeup and not a single piece of jewelry, her features were so defined and beautiful, and her skin was so clear and translucent.
A ray of the setting sun happened to fall upon her, making her seem as if she were outlined in gold or viewed through a filter, like a celestial beauty from a TV drama...
Sherry didn’t know if it was because she hadn’t seen any other oriental people besides their own group for so long, or if Cecelia Archer was just too stunningly beautiful, but she stared blankly for several seconds before awkwardly managing to say the word, "Hello."
Then she added apologetically.
"I’m sorry, my Chinese isn’t very good. Do you speak English?"
Cecelia could speak it, but her English wasn’t very good either. She had never studied abroad.
Although she had always been a good student, her skills were limited to exams. Her practical application was also a bit clumsy.
"Yes, but not very well. Can you understand me?"
"Yes. You’re so beautiful."
’Perhaps people are always more forgiving toward beautiful things.’
Sherry wasn’t usually one for much conversation, but Cecelia Archer was so beautiful and approachable that she felt an unconscious urge to compliment her.
"Are you here on vacation? Is this your first time in Rivia?"
Faced with the cute girl’s curious questions, Cecelia Archer smiled kindly and then complimented her in return.
"Yes. Your shop does great business. The idea of medicinal milk tea is very creative."
Sherry answered honestly, "It was my brother’s idea. They’re very good for your health. Which one would you like to try?"
Cecelia didn’t know. "Whatever you recommend."
"Then how about this one? It replenishes qi and blood. I’m sorry, we just sold out of everything, so we’ll have to make it fresh. Could you wait two minutes, please?"
After speaking, Sherry turned her head and called out the order to Damien Vaughn in the back.
Damien Vaughn replied, "Got you."
The two short words made Cecelia’s scalp tingle.
’How... that voice is so familiar...’
’Am I imagining things?’