Evan Lin sneered and took a step forward.
Seeing Evan approach, Serena Tong's face changed dramatically. She grabbed the wall with sudden force—her previously delicate fingers dug straight into the plaster. In the next instant, she hunched her body and shot toward Evan like a missile.
Serena Tong looked savage, her fingertips razor-sharp, aiming straight for Evan's face.
If this strike landed on an ordinary person, their throat would be torn open instantly!
Evan didn't dodge or flinch. He simply slapped Serena hard across the face.
Serena let out a shrill scream as she was sent flying. She scrambled up the wall and darted toward the door at lightning speed.
"Trying to run?"
Evan snorted coldly and snapped his fingers.
Splash!
Streams of water burst out from the bathroom, forming a wall in midair that blocked the doorway.
Serena slammed her head into the water wall, only to be bounced back by the force.
Just as she was about to hit the ground, Evan stepped forward and grabbed Serena by her pale, slender neck.
"Show yourself!"
Evan stomped the floor. Instantly, the carpet erupted in flames, forming a fiery rune—its crimson glow blazing up in an instant.
In the next second, the cotton dress Serena wore was consumed by fire, exposing her smooth skin.
Her screams grew even more harrowing, echoing like a vengeful ghost.
Evan thrust out his left hand and gripped the air fiercely.
In that instant, the entire space seemed to freeze.
Standing off to the side, Queenie felt it most intensely. Even though she was some distance away, she suddenly felt as if she was mired in mud, barely able to move.
A suffocating pressure filled the air, soaking her back with cold sweat.
Serena's body was still being roasted in the flames, while a faint, pale light formed in Evan's hand.
That light was ethereal and hazy, surrounded by countless wailing cries.
"Come out."
With a calm gaze, Evan extended a finger and tapped Serena's brow as she writhed in agony.
Boom! A deafening crash echoed through the room.
Serena's eyes flew open as she jerked her head back. A black shadow burst out from her body, and as it dissipated, Evan drove the pale light from his left hand straight into her.
The flames vanished completely.
Serena collapsed at Evan's feet, her face deathly pale and eyes closed, completely unconscious. Her clothes had been burned away, leaving her totally exposed.
If it were any other man, seeing Serena Tong limp and helpless at his feet, they'd probably lose all self-control.
She was the crown jewel of Imperial Star Entertainment, a goddess at her peak—countless men and even women dreamed of spending a night with her.
But Evan didn't spare her a single glance. Instead, he looked toward Queenie, who was curled up in the corner. "Help her up."
"Sis!"
Queenie snapped back to herself and rushed over to Serena's side.
She helped Serena onto the bed and quickly covered her with a piece of clothing.
But Serena's eyes stayed tightly shut, completely unconscious. The sight made Queenie's heart race with panic.
"Master, what's wrong with my sister?"
Queenie stared anxiously at Evan. The flames from earlier had vanished, and the carpet was burned to ashes.
What puzzled her most was that, aside from the carpet, nothing else in the room was damaged at all.
"She'll be fine when she wakes up tomorrow."
Evan swept his gaze around the room, his eyes suddenly narrowing as the corners of his mouth curled up. "Found you."
Before Queenie could react to Evan's words, he snapped his fingers. Instantly, several streams of water shot toward the wardrobe in the corner of the room.
The water streams moved with lightning speed. Just as they were about to reach the wardrobe, the sound of a wild cat's screech erupted from inside.
A second later, a black shadow burst out of the wardrobe. The shadow didn't dissipate, but shot straight for the window, trying to break out.
But as fast as it was, the water streams were even faster. They split into two, then four, instantly multiplying into countless fine threads that wrapped the shadow tightly.
With a crisp snap, all the water threads shattered and then merged into a single watery prison, trapping the shadow on the floor.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The black shadow trapped inside the tiny water prison kept slamming against its walls, desperate to escape. But no matter how hard it tried, the prison remained unscathed—utterly unbreakable.
"Is that... Shadow?"
Queenie, still holding Serena, was startled by the sudden appearance of the black shadow. But when it was finally subdued and she saw its true form, she froze in shock.
"You know it?" Evan turned to Queenie.
The black shadow turned out to be a jet-black cat. Its body was taut, fangs bared, claws like knives, and its eyes glowed blood-red—clearly no ordinary animal.
"When my sister went to promote her movie, Manager Ji picked up a stray cat—Shadow. But since Ji couldn't keep it, she planned to abandon it again. My sister felt sorry for the cat and took it in herself."
"But later, the cat disappeared without a trace. I thought it had just run off..."
Queenie hesitated but told Evan everything she knew.
"This cat is the source of your sister's illness."
Evan shook his head. The watery prison suddenly tightened, crushing the black cat's shadow into dust.
"Manager Ji?" Queenie's expression changed.
"Do you have a grudge against her?" Evan asked curiously.
"I don't think so..." Queenie lowered her head, thinking. "Manager Ji once wanted my sister to drink with someone, and..."
She trailed off, embarrassed. "But my sister refused, even when they threatened her career. She wouldn't agree, and Manager Ji never brought it up again. I thought she'd given up—I never expected this."
Queenie was dazed, her heart thudding in confusion and dread.
Manager Ji is with Imperial Star Entertainment. If her actions really represent the company's intent, then Serena's future there will definitely be difficult.
"She doesn't have that kind of power on her own—someone much stronger is behind this. That's what I'm curious about." Evan paused, pulled out a pen and paper, and wrote down a number for Queenie. "If anything happens, call me."
"It's late. You two should rest."
Evan left the room and headed downstairs. In the lobby of the Shangri-La Grand Hotel, Stella Huang was sleeping at a table, her freshly finished article draft beside her.
Evan gently woke her. Stella was still groggy and confused, but when she heard that everything was settled, she stood up and followed him out.
As they walked out, Stella couldn't hide her excitement at having interviewed Serena Tong.
But just as they stepped out the doors of the Shangri-La Grand Hotel, a shadowy figure lurking in the corner quietly watched them leave.