Chapter 2 Lycoris radiata

Amidst the bustling commercial district stood a towering building occupying the most significant area - that was Gainey Corporation. Its tall height of a hundred floors showcased its grandeur and opulence. Under the sunlight, the building exuded a coldness that seemed to refract the bright rays.

Gainey Corporation was one of the world's top ten international financial conglomerates, alongside Sherwood, Anderson Group, and Tambor Corporation. These four conglomerates were known as the "Four Titans of Finance." Gainey Corporation had subsidiaries spread across the globe, engaging in over ten different industries, with finance, luxury hotels, fashion, and media being the most prominent.

At this moment, in the spacious office of the CEO, a chill emanated from the air conditioner that could hardly compare to the icy countenance of John Gainey, making others shudder even at a glance.

The secretary hesitated outside the CEO's office, holding a cup of coffee for the CEO and the deputy CEO. But she hesitated, unsure if she would become a sacrificial lamb upon entering, as the CEO's earlier outburst seemed capable of toppling the entire skyscraper.

Jeffrey Gainey sat across from John Gainey, his noble face appearing gloomy and sombre. He questioned loudly, "Elder brother, what exactly do you want? Mandy Moore has no relationship with you whatsoever! Why did you ruin her wedding? Please let her go!"

Bam! John Gainey's eyes filled with anger; he slammed his hand forcefully on the table, his tall figure immediately rising to block the sunlight streaming into the room through the window.

John Gainey's fiery gaze stared intently at his half-brother from the same father but a different mother, his eyes emitting a smoky haze. "You have the audacity daring to deceive me with Mandy Moore. Moreover, you deceived me for two years..."

"Elder brother, anyone present at the time witnessed it. Why did you pressure Mandy Moore? You almost killed her yourself!" Jeffrey Gainey didn't show any weakness; he was angry and opposed.

"So, Mandy Moore came to plead with you, and then you faked her death to deceive me, is that right?" John Gainey was interrogated with a terrifying presence. Upon learning the truth, he initially thought of strangling his younger brother with his own hands.

"Yes! I admit it because if I hadn't done that, Mandy Moore would have died for real!" Jeffrey Gainey shamelessly replied, disregarding his conscience.

"Hmph... I find your methods extremely childish!" John Gainey glared at Jeffrey Gainey, grinding his teeth.

"At least before meeting you, she was always happy! - Jeffrey Gainey also stood up, looking directly at John Gainey's face.

John Gainey approached Jeffrey Gainey and grabbed his younger brother's collar, his voice filled with arrogance: "Do you think both of us will forgive Mandy Moore?"

Jeffrey Gainey widened his eyes in disbelief and exclaimed: "What do you want to do with her?"

"She was born as John Gainey's woman, so even in death, she must remain John Gainey's ghost!" John Gainey said, pushing Jeffrey Gainey away and a cold smile spreading across his lips.

He sat down in the CEO chair, his right leg casually stretched over his left leg, and calmly spoke in a chilling tone: "Any other man who dares to touch Mandy Moore can wait for the next lifetime!"

Jeffrey Gainey scoffed: "Do you have to see Mandy Moore die again to be satisfied?"

John Gainey cast a cold and sharp gaze ahead and spoke: "Even if she wants to die, I will snatch her back from the hands of death!"

Jeffrey Gainey took a deep breath and declared firmly: "If you continue to harm Mandy Moore, I will never forgive you!" He stood his ground.

"Brother, I warn you, it's best not to challenge my patience! Even if you're my younger brother, I won't let you off!" John Gainey retorted coldly.

The air in the office turned icy in an instant.

The secretary stood outside the door, sweating profusely. Mandy Moore? Didn't she die two years ago?

o0o

Brillant, the mansion of the Gainey family, was located in the central area of luxurious villas.

After being forcefully brought here by John Gainey, Mandy Moore looked bewilderedly at the clusters of Lycoris radiata* in the garden, each group still dripping with dew. This was the most elegant place in Brillant, and she had given it a beautiful name - Rêveries.

"Madam..." The butler named Levi hesitantly called out to the absent-minded Mandy Moore. Today, when he saw the furious eldest son bring Madam back to Brillant, he was taken aback. Wasn't Madam already gone? Could it be that he was hallucinating?

Noon was also when Brillant exuded the most elegance, with gentle breezes lightly caressing the flowers, filling the air with a soft floral fragrance.

Mandy Moore stood silently in the flower garden, her beautiful figure amidst the clusters of Lycoris radiata creating a sense of beauty and melancholy. Lycoris radiata was considered the flower that separated life and death, its bright red colour resembling the blood that covered the path to hell. It was born beautiful, like a newly bloomed flower, and in the end, it was peaceful and serene.

She gently touched each flower; the contact between her fingertips and the blossoms felt like reaching the deepest hidden emotions within her. Just like the legend of Lycoris radiata, the flower's fragrance could evoke the most painful memories.

Her memories slowly drifted back under the gentle scent of the flowers... The memories returned two years ago... recalling the days when she was still with John Gainey. Back then, the garden was filled with the vibrant green of Lycoris radiata leaves, but eventually, the leaves withered, much like her marriage to John Gainey at that time...

o0o

*Lycoris radiata means "separation, suffering, misfortune, beauty of death," but many people understand the meaning of the flower as "painful memories."

According to legend, this flower blooms in the underworld. Like blood, the flower is a vivid red covering the path to hell. According to the legend, the fragrance of the flower has magical power, capable of summoning the memories of the deceased when they were alive. When the soul passes through the realm of the dead, it forgets everything from its past life, and everything remains in the realm of bliss, following the guidance of this flower towards the underworld.

When the flowers bloom in the realm of bliss, the leaves are not seen; when there are leaves, the flowers are not seen. The flowers never meet, forever lost. Hence, there is a saying, "Lycoris radiata blooms in Lycoris; only flowers are seen, leaves are not." Remembering and loving each other but forever losing each other is like the cycle of life and death, and the flowers and leaves never see each other. It also signifies an eternal, unfulfilled love.

Late at night, Brillant, the luxurious mansion of the Gainey family, was enveloped by the gentle moonlight as a black sports car slowly approached the estate.

Gothel Gainey, the founder of the Gainey Corporation, sat in the living room with an angry expression. When he saw John Gainey stumbling into the house, he slammed his hand down on the table, exclaiming, "John, you've gone too far! Today is your wedding day with Mandy Moore, yet you left your bride at home and went out drinking? And you come back in such a drunken state!"

John Gainey furrowed his brows; his face turned cold as he looked at the wedding decorations in the mansion, even the lights making him extremely uncomfortable.

"Alright, I'm back, so what's there to worry about, Dad?" John Gainey's voice remained indifferent despite being intoxicated.