Chapter 2 Deceptive Shadows and Unseen Wisdom

Pain was etched deeply in Chloe's eyes. She couldn't swim and had been underwater longer than Keira. Since she had just woken up, no matter how angry she was, she couldn't muster the strength to vent it. "You're truly despicable," she said to Keira. Keira chuckled and replied, "But without me doing this, you'd never understand what it means to sacrifice for others, right? You're the one who wouldn't leave Lance Olson alone!"

"Keira, everyone knows Lance is my fiancé! Do you think everyone is a fool?" Chloe asked. Keira laughed and swayed with laughter. "Even now, don't you think everyone is indeed playing the fool?" Chloe was speechless and just gave her a cold stare. Keira was right, everyone was indeed acting like a bunch of fools! They kept believing her unquestioningly despite her dirty tricks. Including Chloe herself.

"What? Still not convinced?" Then suddenly, Keira's face changed. She looked helplessly at Chloe and reached out to grab Chloe's arm. "Chloe, it's all my fault." Sensing her approach and sudden change of expression, Chloe felt utterly disgusted. She swiftly raised her hand to block Keira's touch, but Keira stumbled and dropped her thermos. It hit the ground with a thud, and water splashed everywhere. "Ah! It hurts!" Keira cried out.

"Chloe, what are you doing?" A stern voice suddenly came from behind. Chloe whirled around, and a figure at the door was racing towards them. She only caught a glimpse of Lance's ruthless eyes before he shoved her aside. Chloe, already weak, was pushed against the railing, and pain shot through her waist. Her face turned even paler, and she gripped the railing behind her tightly to steady herself. She watched the scene before her, feeling incredibly stupid. She knew Keira would use all means necessary, yet she kept falling for her tricks! She also knew Lance was no fool, but he...

"Lance, it hurts so much," Keira said. Lance stood up at her words, looking even more heartbroken. "Hang in there. I'll take you to a doctor," he said, bending down to pick up Keira. He glanced at Chloe, who was watching coldly from the side, and said sternly, "You go back to your room first. I'll come to see you later!" Chloe scoffed, her eyes full of sarcasm.

After Lance had left with Keira, Chloe let out a cold laugh. Under a nearby tree, an old lady in a wheelchair watched the scene quietly. "Hannah, did you see what just happened?" The old lady spoke, her eyes sharp as she stared at Chloe in the distance. The lady next to her, who seemed to be in her fifties, respectfully asked, "Have you seen it clearly, madam?"

"Hmph, that girl, using such stupid and despicable tricks," the old lady scoffed, speaking angrily. "But doesn't this just prove the other girl is even more foolish? She can't even handle such simple and crude tricks?" the other lady said. The old lady shook her head, wisdom sparkling in her eyes. "Hannah, you got it wrong."

"Please enlighten me," the other lady said.

"The other girl is too upright. She's reluctant and disgusted to do anything beyond her moral bottom line and against human ethics! So she can't imagine that there are people in this world who would do such things," the old lady said. Hannah nodded and said, "I understand."

The old lady stared at Chloe for a while, saying, "However, there are some issues." She paused, then continued, "Her temperament and nature are good. Call her over, I want to take a closer look at her." Hannah's servant was a bit hesitant, "But ma'am, your grandson is coming soon. If he sees a stranger here..."

"What can he do to me?" the old lady pouted as she spoke sternly, her voice full of affection for her grandson. Hannah smiled and said, "Alright, I'll call her over right away." Just then, the gate between the two trees next to them made a few noises.