Carlos knew his daughter well.
Evelyn wouldn't be this nervous if it weren't for Sheffield. She must be on her way to meet him.
Evelyn heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Dad!" She thought she had fooled her father.
Evelyn got in her car and told Tayson, "It's getting dark. Don't drive too fast. Safety is the most important."
"Yes, Miss Huo."
Carlos walked around Evelyn's office, sniffing the air at the same time. He had sensed a familiar smell in the air. Even though he wasn't sure yet, his mind had already guessed that it was Sheffield.
He thought for a moment before using his phone to call Dixon. "Send me the surveillance footage of the 32nd floor." Carlos' face turned dark when he thought of Sheffield sneaking in the office again. He wanted to see just how skilled this man had been to attempt these stunts without a single shred of worry on his face.
"Yes, Mr. Huo." The call ended at that.
By the time Carlos got back to his office, the surveillance video had already been sent to his email.
He stared at the file for a moment and played the video. Carlos waited for a few minutes, fast-forwarding the footage where the staff moved about on the floor. It was then he spotted a suspicious person. Carlos watched the man with squinted eyes and recognition filled his mind. Even though the man was wearing a cap and sunglasses, Carlos identified him. The man was none other than Sheffield.
"Humph!" He had guessed it right. It was indeed that guy who had fooled Evelyn into going on a date when she should have stayed with her family preparing for the Spring Festival.
Carlos cast a curious glance at the man on the screen. Just how did Sheffield manage to get inside the building? Last time, Evelyn had told him she had invited Sheffield. Carlos wouldn't believe those words of his daughter in this lifetime!
He picked up his phone again to call Dixon for surveillance footage of the entrance to the building. Carlos watched five to six videos, but there was no sign of Sheffield.
A few more videos later, Carlos realized that Sheffield hadn't entered through the company's main entrance. He was the number one "target" of the security guards of ZL Group. The guards couldn't have let him in.
All the security guards were on the alert every day, especially the security guards at the entrance of the parking lot. Even though the system could tell the plate number, the security guards still would stop each car. They would look at the driver to make sure that the person wasn't Sheffield.
Half an hour later, Carlos finally found some clues. It turned out that Sheffield had entered the building in the car of one of ZL Group's clients.
Carlos looked at the client carefully. If he remembered correctly, the person was a general manager of Theo Group. The security guards were not allowed to inspect the client because of his identity. That was how Sheffield slipped inside the building.
"The general manager of the Theo Group and Sheffield…"
Carlos whispered under his breath and sneered. Sheffield was indeed a sly individual, who would do anything to get into the company.
Even though Carlos had hostile thoughts toward Sheffield, his persistence in pursuing Evelyn impressed the father.
He guessed that the people who had harmed Evelyn's ex-boyfriends also planned to murder Sheffield. It seemed that Sheffield had dodged it. This guy was more than capable.
Carlos's face turned dark again when another thought crossed his mind. He wondered if Sheffield was Star Anise, but he didn't have any evidence.
'If he is indeed Star Anise…' Carlos didn't dare to think any further.
He remembered how Star Anise had extorted money from him. It would be better if Sheffield had nothing to do with Star Anise. The thought itself made Carlos' blood boil to the point that his entire face turned red. He swore he would beat Sheffield up with a feather duster if Sheffield had any connection with Star Anise!
On the other side, Evelyn had reached her destination. The buildings of the resort were designed in an ancient style. The snow was still falling. It was as if a white blanket covered the entire resort.
Tayson took out an umbrella and opened the door for Evelyn.
Evelyn stood in the snow and hugged her frail body. It was indeed cold out there. She could hear the occasional sound of snowflakes falling on the black umbrella. There was a plaque on the arched gate that read, "Phoenix Resort."
The Phoenix Resort? This place was made in the ancient style. An idea flashed in Evelyn's mind, and a grin broke across her face. She was eager to know if Sheffield would wear an ancient costume. The whole place looked ancient, and the ambiance was romantic. How could he ignore that part of their meeting? An image of a certain someone wearing ancient costume filled her mind, making her heart burn in anticipation.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she jerked up at the sudden creek sound. Someone had opened the wooden gate of the manor from inside. A young girl dressed in pink walked out. Her clothing style matched that of Han Dynasty. She smiled at Evelyn. "Are you Miss Huo?" The girl was about seventeen or eighteen years old with a sweet and soft voice. Evelyn found it pleasant to hear.
She smiled and nodded.
The young girl's face stayed the same. "Welcome, Miss Huo. I'm Joline. Mr. Tang has reserved the House of Sound. Please follow me!"
"All right."
Evelyn followed her in the resort.
Her surprised eyes cast on pavilions, terraces, towers, bridges, stone mountains, fountains, and bamboo gardens. The sheet of snow gave it an elegant look, and Evelyn couldn't take her eyes off of it while passing through the long corridor. Everything before her was ancient and alluring. It was as if some god made her transmigrate back in the golden days. The entire time Evelyn's heart thudded aloud against her chest. She couldn't wait any longer!
House of Sound was in a separate yard. The girl pushed open the door to allow Evelyn to enter.
The scene before her was even more attractive. She could see a bridge in front of her eyes over a frozen river. Grass and pink plum blossoms were on both sides.
"Miss Huo," —Joline pointed her index finger at the bridge—"the Redbud Bridge is covered with snow. If we walk on it, we might slip." She walked ahead and gestured at the narrow road made of stone beside the bridge. "And then there's this path. Miss Huo, do you want to choose the path or the bridge?"
Evelyn thought for a moment. Since she wanted to see the view, the bridge would be the best option. She turned to Tayson and nodded. "Let's go across the bridge." She could see that some steps on the bridge weren't frozen. Evelyn guessed it wouldn't be too slippery.
"Yes, Miss Huo." Tayson took a step forward and tightened his grip on Evelyn's arm in case she slipped on the bridge.
The snow on the stone bridge was white and clean. No one had walked on it before. Evelyn didn't even have the heart to leave a single footprint on it.
She hesitated before putting her feet on the steps, which she eventually did since she wanted to enjoy the view. Evelyn held onto Tayson and stepped on the bridge.
With the umbrella in one hand, Tayson supported Evelyn the entire time. Joline held Evelyn's other arm. "Slow down, Miss Huo." Even though Joline warned Evelyn, the smile on her face didn't vanish.
"Thank you!"
They reached the higher part of the bridge after ten steps. Evelyn stood on the surface, staring at the beautiful scene of the yard with widened eyes.
A fantastic combination of white snow, green bushes, a frozen river, and colorful flowers made her heart warm. A wide grin spread across her face. She didn't expect to see such a beautiful place in Y City.
She couldn't stop herself anymore. Evelyn took her phone out to take a picture and clicked on the send button while on chat with Sheffield. "How did you find such a beautiful place?"
Even though she didn't receive any reply from him, Evelyn didn't mind. She put away her phone and went down the bridge.
She found a cobblestone path at the end of the bridge. Both sides of it were covered with red and white camellias. The snow was heavy, and yet, it couldn't hide the sweet fragrance of the flowers.
Evelyn raised her head to see a row of houses across the garden.
Joline pushed open the door to the house in the middle and gestured Evelyn to enter. She gave Evelyn a welcome salute in the ancient style. "Miss Huo, it's cold outside. Hot tea has been prepared in the room. Please come in!"
Evelyn's mouth curved up to form a pleased smile. "Thank you."
Just as Evelyn stepped inside the room, a rush of heat embraced her body, sending her relief from cold. It seemed that the ancient environment had a modern touch of a heating machine.
As soon as she entered, Joline closed the door, giving the entire room to Evelyn. Tayson waited outside the door for Sheffield's arrival.
Evelyn turned her gaze at the bedroom, only to be more surprised at what she saw. It was quite similar to an ancient bridal chamber!
The wedding words pasted on the windows and walls shined in the light of red candles. She could see a red-colored Six-Piece Bedding set on the king-sized bed that was two or three meters wide. It was like the wedding room in a costume TV series.
Evelyn sat at a round tea table in the bedroom, and her eyesight landed on a kettle. Steam floated out of it in the air. She opened it only to find freshly made tea inside.
She poured herself a cup of hot tea and took out her cell phone to call Sheffield.
Her lips had just touched the cup when she heard the sound of the door opening, and her heartbeat quickened.
Before she could stand, a figure appeared in front of her. Evelyn raised her eyes only to be trapped by the scene in front of her. Her pupils dilated when she saw him. She continued to gape at him in both surprise and shock without blinking.
