Investigate

"Felix, painting is all about color coordination and realistic techniques. We usually copy illustrations from books, but today, your teacher is taking you out for a live sketching session."

Felix's eyes widened with excitement. "Really, teacher?" He was, after all, just a child—any chance to go outside was a joy for him.

Vespera gently patted his head. "Of course."

She drove Felix to a tranquil lakeside. The warm sunlight shimmered over the water, and the spring breeze swayed the willow branches gently in the air. It was indeed a perfect place for sketching.

Felix set up his small chair and easel, taking in the unique scent of spring. After closing his eyes to think for a moment, he started sketching with his paintbrush. From time to time, he paused, observing the scenery before him, nodding slightly before continuing his strokes.

No one knew how much time had passed when—

"Hiss—"

A pained sound came from Vespera. Felix turned to see his teacher clutching her stomach, her brows furrowed, and her body slightly curled in discomfort. Concerned, he asked, "Teacher, are you feeling unwell?"

"Felix, I think I ate something bad. My stomach feels a bit upset, and I need to use the restroom. Keep painting—I'll check your work when I return."

Seeing him nod in understanding, she gave him a reassuring smile before turning away decisively.

Once out of Felix's sight, Vespera swiftly tied up her hair, put on a black mask and a baseball cap, and strode quickly toward a villa.

8 Queen Street.

The moment Marcus saw her approaching, he knew it was Vespera. He didn't hesitate to meet her. "There's no one around right now. We need to move fast."

He pulled open the already damaged door lock. As soon as the two slipped inside, they scanned their surroundings and, making sure no one had noticed them, quietly shut the door.

Vespera looked around at the familiar interior. There was no time for sentimentality—the dust in the air tickled her nose slightly. Without hesitation, she headed straight for her mother's bedroom.

The room was eerily quiet, its furnishings largely unchanged. She opened the wardrobe—most of her mother's clothes were still there. Noticing the fine layer of gray dust on her fingertips, she realized this place had been abandoned for a long time.

She sighed, absentmindedly making her way to her mother's study. This was where her mother, a renowned novelist known as Phoenix, used to work. Her short story Sunflowers had once taken the literary world by storm, earning her international recognition.

Vespera sat in the study's chair, pressing her index finger against her temple in frustration. She had no leads.

Sophia had already tried to kill her. A mother knows her child best… Could it be that my mother realized I wasn't the real Elena? Did Sophia go as far as to kill my mother too?

Just as she was racking her brain over the possibilities, her eyes caught sight of a striking patch of white inside the waste bin.

A folded, dust-covered piece of paper.

She picked it up and unfolded it, revealing a title written in familiar handwriting—"Phil".

The story's outline read:

In a lush and thriving forest, many hardworking animals lived together. Each year, the forest faced the threat of a great flood. To prevent disaster, the animals united, working tirelessly to build a dam.

While the others toiled, a mouse named Phil lurked in the dark corners of a basement, scheming for his own gain.

When the flood finally came, raging waters pounded against the dam. Just when everyone thought it would collapse, a single crucial stone held firm, stabilizing the structure.

As the waters receded, Phil seized his opportunity. He scurried out of the basement, leaped onto the stone, and loudly proclaimed, "It was me! I saved everyone!"

The animals believed him, hailing him as the hero of the forest...

But the story had no ending.

Vespera recognized her mother's handwriting without a doubt. This was clearly an unfinished manuscript.

Just then, Marcus solemnly patted her shoulder.

"Vespera… I never expected your mother to be Phoenix." His expression darkened. "But listen to me—this story, Phil, is currently being serialized online!"