Edmund Bert was in high spirits. For a long time, he had been pressuring Perry Jerome to sell him the banker's linear ship, hoping to start his own cruise business as a convenient escape route. Perry had always refused. But now—didn't this mean Edmund might even get the ship for free?
Edmund was ecstatic. During the search for Lilian, Perry had promised to give him the cruise if he could find her. Watching the elegant, beautiful woman escorted by the giant tycoon of Beverly Hills, Edmund smiled mischievously and sneered under his breath.
"Lilian Asienwegher, I know you don't like me. You're here to find proof against me. Dream on! The Russells will never allow their club's reputation to be tarnished. Why else would I spend millions of dollars just to earn a membership card here? Truth is, I don't like you either. And I still don't understand what Perry Jerome sees in you."
Edmund shrugged. "Well, that's the least of my concerns. I will win this bet and claim my cruise."
He quickly dialed Perry on a video call.
"You won't believe who I've just seen, Perry!" Edmund said.
Perry sneered. "And what has that to do with me? If you have nothing important to say, I'm hanging up." His voice was cold.
Edmund grew anxious. "No, wait—don't." He looked serious but didn't immediately reveal his discovery. Instead, he tried to make Perry notice the inconsistencies in the Lilian beside him.
"Our bet is still on," Edmund declared.
Perry's face hardened. He shouted Edmund's name through gritted teeth. "Edmund Bert!"
Edmund held his ground. "Seriously, Perry, don't you find the Lilian beside you suspicious? Think about it. Why has your body suddenly refused to respond to her?"
Perry's eyes widened. "How do you know about that, Edmund?"
Edmund waved dismissively. "Forget about that. It's not important."
---
Edmund had overheard Perry's conversation with his doctor and realized Perry couldn't satisfy his desires. No wonder he hadn't improved, even though Lilian was supposedly back. Edmund began to doubt the woman's identity.
Perry, meanwhile, sank into thought. He remembered how his Lilian had always shown fiery disdain toward Edmund—staring angrily, hissing, or saying things like, "Perry, please let's leave. My eyes are almost blinded by dirt." But the Lilian beside him had been docile, calm, and indifferent.
Perry looked at Edmund with no expression. "Now what exactly do you want to tell me?"
Edmund's lips twisted into a mischievous smile. Perry, you're coming along well, he thought.
Perry patiently watched Edmund's subtle changes. He didn't get angry. Instead, he waited expectantly.
"I've found the solution to your problem," Edmund said. "But you have to agree to our deal. The blue linear ship must be mine. I've recorded everything we're saying right now."
Perry almost understood where Edmund was heading. His voice trembled with shock and excitement, unable to form a complete sentence. "E‑e… it's Lilian, do you see—"
Edmund burst out laughing. "You haven't said it all."
Perry waved impatiently. "I will never go back on my word. It's yours—as long as you give me my Lilian back."
Edmund looked at him in disbelief. "I don't have the power to do that. Look who we have here."
He switched the selfie camera to the back, revealing Lilian's perfect, exquisite figure on the screen.
Perry's emotions surged. He stood abruptly. "Send me your location immediately. Keep track of her whereabouts."
He rushed out, ordering his assistant Fred to gather his men and prepare the private jet. Soon, they took off.
---
Edmund, on the other hand, couldn't help but wonder. How does Perry's brain work whenever it comes to Lilian Asienwegher? Does she truly deserve this obsession? He had tried to warn Perry that the one beside Lilian couldn't be underestimated, but Perry seemed to see only Lilian.
Edmund shrugged and laughed triumphantly. "Well, I've played my part. The linear is now mine. Lilian, thank you. This is exactly what it means—your enemy eats the fruits of your labor."
He hid himself and called four of his men, instructing them to secretly follow Lilian. "Be careful," he warned. "Don't let yourselves be noticed."
---
Meanwhile, Perry arrived in Atherton and checked into one of the best hotels. He gathered all the information he could about Lilian—her movements, her debut, her company. He was ecstatic at the thought of seeing her tomorrow.
Standing by the floor‑to‑ceiling window, he gazed at the city lights. The night seemed to crawl. He imagined Lilian's reaction when she saw him in the morning at her company's entrance. Did she ever miss me, even a little?
Thinking about it, Perry laughed self‑deprecatingly. He knew it was wishful thinking.
---
In Lilian and Elsie's villa, the two remained at the dining table after dinner, discussing business and trivial matters—about Derek, about Edmund Bert.
Elsie looked at Lilian worriedly. "Lee—"
Lilian cut her off sharply. "I warned you. Don't call me that again!"
She felt irritated each time she heard the name. It was the pet name Perry Jerome had always used for her.
Elsie quickly covered her lips with her palm. "My bad."
She looked at Lilian seriously. "Aren't you worried, Lilian?"
Lilian raised her brow, waiting for Elsie to continue.
"I mean, you entered the seminar hall undisguised. Aren't you afraid someone might see you and report it to Perry?"
Lilian's face tightened briefly. "Why? He no longer cares about me. He may not even need me. Besides, isn't he already married—to a fake Lilian Asienwegher?"
Elsie tried to cut in, but Lilian shrugged. "Fake or not, as long as she calms him down and stops him from looking for me, I'm fine with that."
Elsie nodded reluctantly.
---
Back in Avaldos City, on the far outskirts, hidden deep inside thick trees, stood a ten‑storey building. From its back door, a slim figure sneaked out quietly, carrying a heavy bag filled with luxury handbags, shoes, and jewelry—hers and Lilian's.
Avery had overheard Perry's conversation. She realized he had left without delay, further confirming his feelings toward Lilian. Deciding to escape before she was discovered, Avery fled. She remembered what Perry had done to Brenda Miles for impersonating Lilian.