Liz Ji was forcibly escorted out by Rory "Hammer" Luo's men, dumped into a cheap motel next door, and had two guards posted at her door to prevent her from escaping.
Stella Huang really hit the jackpot this time. She chatted with Serena Tong in the reception lounge for a full two or three hours, asking every prepared question, and Serena answered them all with a gentle smile—no star arrogance at all. Stella was honestly flattered and moved.
"Thank you so much for letting me interview you for so long! I’ll do my best to write this article well, so everyone can see the real you!"
When the interview ended, Stella Huang stood up and shook hands with Serena Tong.
"Thank you, too."
Serena nodded, maintaining a calm and unruffled demeanor throughout.
After leaving the lounge, Stella Huang looked around and was soon led by security to the café, where she saw Evan Lin sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window.
There was no coffee in front of Evan Lin, but a pot of top-grade oolong tea brewed by the restaurant’s chef.
"Sis."
Queenie Tong quickly stood up when she saw Serena walking over.
It was already afternoon. After the morning fan meeting and the interview with Stella Huang, Serena Tong looked a little tired.
"I’ll treat her tonight. For now, you two should go rest."
Evan Lin glanced at Serena Tong. After he spoke, Queenie obediently helped Serena back to their room and ordered some food.
Stella Huang stood there, listening to Evan Lin and watching Queenie and Serena follow his words without protest. She was momentarily stunned.
"By the way, how do you know them? And that Sam Su guy! Why does he seem so respectful toward you?"
Stella sat down next to Evan Lin, frowning in curiosity like a little detective.
"I helped him out once. Now he’s paying me back."
Stella nodded, half-understanding, and didn’t press further.
"Are you hungry? If you are, order something to eat."
Before Stella could reply, Rory Luo hurried over with the menu and began introducing every signature dish the Shangri-La’s chefs could make.
The prices on the menu made Stella Huang gulp. She hesitated, but when Rory Luo said he was treating, Stella finally ordered a few dishes.
After dinner, Stella was about to leave, but when Evan Lin said there were still things to handle, she thought it over and quietly found a spot to work on her article.
By evening, at 11:50 p.m., Evan Lin stood up and took the elevator upstairs.
The presidential suite was on the very top floor.
Outside the elevator, Queenie Tong was already waiting.
"Master."
Queenie looked nervously at Evan Lin as he stepped out of the elevator and asked, "Don’t you need to prepare anything?"
She’d seen so-called miracle doctors on TV always carry silver needles and props, but Evan Lin came empty-handed, which surprised her.
"No need."
Evan Lin shook his head.
Queenie led Evan Lin into the room. Inside, Serena Tong had changed into a white cotton dress and was sitting on the sofa by the window, sipping red wine and gazing out at the city lights.
"Sis, I brought Master Lin. The pill you took last time was from him," Queenie said to Serena.
Serena turned and looked at Evan Lin, nodded, and gave her usual faint smile. She seemed perfectly normal, but her eyes were cold and wooden. "Hello."
"My sister wasn’t like this before. As you can see, she’ll answer any question, but she won’t say much beyond that." Queenie sighed, eyes full of pain. "Master, please save my sister!"
Evan Lin stepped forward and gently placed a finger on Serena’s forehead.
Serena kept her faint smile the whole time and didn’t resist Evan’s actions.
Queenie watched anxiously, her heart in her throat.
With that touch, Evan Lin sent a wisp of spiritual qi from his body through his fingertip into Serena.
The spiritual qi moved through Serena’s body as if alive, then returned to Evan Lin, who glanced at the time.
11:55 p.m.
Five minutes left until midnight.
"At the stroke of midnight, I’ll summon her soul. No matter what you see, don’t panic."
Evan Lin gave a reminder.
Queenie nodded, still confused.
Midnight.
The hour, minute, and second hands aligned.
Serena Tong, who had looked blank moments before, suddenly changed. She sprang to her feet, eyes wide, mouth open, and let out a low, beast-like growl. Her once-beautiful face twisted with savagery as she kicked at Evan Lin, completely ignoring her image.
Her cotton dress flew up, exposing skin, but Evan Lin remained calm, as if he’d expected it. Just as her kick was about to land, a faint light barrier shimmered in front of him.
Bang!
Serena was sent flying, screeching like a wildcat as the force knocked her into the wall. She writhed in pain, her cries miserable.
"Sis!"
Seeing this, Queenie’s face changed and she rushed forward to help.
But Serena suddenly jerked her head up, face full of viciousness. She arched her back, digging her arms into the floor, glaring murderously at Evan Lin and shrieking.
The sight froze Queenie in place, terrified.
"As I thought, it’s more than just a missing soul. Interesting—someone here actually knows how to make puppets?"
Evan Lin watched Serena Tong with interest.
Serena’s skirt flew up, exposing her pale skin.
No one could have imagined that someone would try to turn a superstar like her into a puppet. If successful, they could train this goddess, idolized by countless men, into a tool for venting desire.
To force down and humiliate the goddess admired by countless men, satisfying their darkest cravings.
"But your methods are far too crude. Running into me—well, that’s just bad luck for you."