Chapter 5

Meanwhile, in Metropolis’s most luxurious hotel.

As one of the wealthiest families in Metropolis, the birthday celebration for Liam Blackwood, heir to the Blackwood Corporation, naturally attracted considerable attention. Guests were the most influential figures in high society. But the man at the center of attention seemed rather distracted.

Liam's friends also noticed his odd behavior.

“Hey, that's weird. Where's Sera? Did she forget?”

“No way! When have you ever known Sera to forget anything about Liam?”

“True. But the party's almost halfway over. This is the first time Sera's ever been so late...”

They exchanged glances, then all eyes turned to Liam. Seeing his mind was clearly miles away, Jason Miller couldn't hold back any longer. He tentatively spoke, “Liam, maybe you should give Sera another call?”

“No, she's just getting a gift ready,” Liam instinctively shook his head, refusing.

Hearing him, the others still felt something was off, but said nothing more.

Perhaps they were just overthinking.

Just then, the party reached the gift-giving segment. Jason and the other friends presented their gifts, and it was soon Genevieve's turn.

Although Jason and the others still harbored resentment towards Genevieve for abandoning Liam years ago, it was Liam's birthday party, so they ultimately remained silent.

Until she, flushed with bashfulness, presented her handmade gift with both hands.

“Liam, this is for you...”

But before her words were finished, Liam glanced at his phone, his face suddenly changing. Before everyone's eyes, he shoved Genevieve aside and sprinted out.

“Ah!”

Completely unprepared, Genevieve stumbled and fell to the floor, the sharp pain bringing tears to her eyes. She instinctively wanted to call out to Liam, but Liam, who had always prioritized her, didn't even spare her a glance this time, running straight out of the banquet hall.

For a moment, everyone exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what had just happened.

Jason and the others were also caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. Someone remembered Sera, who had yet to appear, and his face paled. “Could something have happened to Sera?”

At that, the friends grew anxious and quickly rushed out after him, leaving Genevieve alone, sprawled on the floor, clenching her teeth in fury when she heard their last words.

When Liam sped back to the villa, it was already deserted.

Still unwilling to give up, he went straight upstairs, searching every possible place, but found nothing.

Not only was I gone, but all my belongings had vanished too.

He stood bewildered in the empty room, staring at the message that had arrived on his phone a short while ago, and the number saved under my name. After a long moment, as if suddenly remembering something, he dialed the number.

He didn't even realize his hand was trembling uncontrollably as he dialed.

The busy tone rang in his ear, churning his insides into a tangled mess.

But I didn't answer.

When the call automatically disconnected, the doorbell rang. He didn't know how he made it downstairs to open the door. Seeing Jason and the others standing outside, looking worried, he still felt a sense of unreality.

“Liam, why are you suddenly back? Did something happen to Sera?”

He forcefully ignored the strange pang of bitterness in his heart, opened his mouth, and after a long silence, replied in a hoarse voice,

“Sera said... she left.”

“Left? Left for where?”

Jason froze, the worry on his face instantly replaced by bewilderment. The shock on the others' faces was equally obvious.

No one had ever considered the possibility of me leaving.

Over the years, they had witnessed Liam's rise and fall after that accident, and they had seen people come and go from his life.

Even they hadn't had the courage to stay by his side when he was so temperamental and unpredictable.

From beginning to end, it had only been me. I came to him in his most desperate and vulnerable state, giving him boundless patience and tolerance. No matter how he lashed out or pushed me away, I never once thought of leaving.

So why would I suddenly...

Just then, his phone rang again. Almost instinctively, Liam answered it first.

“Sera? Where are you...”

But before he could finish, Genevieve's voice came through. “Liam, I twisted my ankle. Can you take me to the hospital?”

If it had been before, Liam would have rushed over immediately. But perhaps it was my sudden departure that had rattled him, because he instinctively refused.

“I'm busy right now. Find someone else.”

At his words, even Jason and the others looked at him in surprise. However, seeing him distance himself from Genevieve, they were naturally pleased.

Genevieve hadn't expected him to refuse so bluntly. She bit her lip, her face stiff and grim, yet she forced herself to appear understanding, her voice thick with disappointment.

“Okay. Did something happen with Miss Hayes? Is that why you were in such a hurry just now?”

Liam then remembered that he seemed to have pushed something over in his haste. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke. “Wait, I'll be right there.”

He hung up and turned to head back to the banquet hall, leaving his friends to exchange glances.

At the hospital.

“Just a minor bump. Apply some cream, and rest for a few days.”

After reviewing Genevieve's examination report, the doctor handed the results back to Liam. Knowing that Genevieve was fine, he finally relaxed.