The man on the other end of the phone spoke with a leisurely tone, but his words carried a heavy threat. “Good, you’ve already regrouped. That saves me quite a bit of effort—no need to hunt you down one by one.”Hearing this, Marcellus and Elias exchanged a glance, their eyes now tinged with a cold sharpness. The fact that the caller had learned of their meeting so quickly and made this call suggested only one thing: there was an informant in their ranks leaking information to the kidnappers. Both men understood this unspoken truth but knew they couldn’t alert the mole just yet. For now, they had to deal with the kidnapper on the phone and buy time.Marcellus lowered his voice, speaking calmly but with a hint of impatience. “Who are you? And why are you calling?”The kidnapper let out a cold chuckle, his tone becoming even more casual. “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is who I have.”With that, he handed the phone to Livia, who was bound beside him. His tone was laced with mocke
“I won’t hurt her, of course. But what’s this? Hesitating? What’s wrong? Don’t want to hand it over? Seems like you don’t care much about this beauty after all. Makes sense—people like you can replace someone like her in the blink of an eye.”The sneering voice from the phone carried an air of mockery. Marcellus’s face remained stoic, but a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes. Though he maintained his composure, the words stirred a ripple in his heart.Alia, who had mentally braced herself for everything, couldn’t help but feel a pang of pain upon hearing this. She knew the kidnapper was trying to sow discord, but those cold words still left an impact. She forced herself to suppress all conflicting emotions, focusing on finding an opportunity to escape.At that moment, Marcellus, signaling subtly to Elias, maintained his calm tone. “Fine, I’ll give it to you. Knowing about such confidential documents couldn’t have been easy. But these files aren’t with me right now—they’re at my hou
The night was dark and quiet, like a thick, inky shadow. A woman dressed in black slipped silently through the shadows toward the castle ahead. The moonlight cast a faint glow on her slender figure, outlining her graceful shape even in the night. The castle was a classic piece of medieval European architecture, with tall, towering spires and thick stone walls that looked both grand and eerie. Alia smirked slightly, muttering to herself, “Doesn’t seem too hard. A place this big, and no guards in sight? This should be a piece of cake.”Even though she felt relaxed, Alia’s movements were precise and careful. She pulled out a detailed map of the castle from her bag, studying it in the dim light. With a confident nod, she silently slipped inside. Her eyes were sharp, quickly memorizing every hallway and corner. There were no guards, but infrared sensors were everywhere. Trained from a young age, Alia was more than used to these challenges. She moved skillfully, evading every sensor like a
“How…how can it be him…” Alia’s heart raced as she stared in disbelief. The gunshot from last night seemed to still echo in her ears, and the cold, unyielding face was vivid in her memory. Yet here was Marcellus, no longer ruthless and indifferent. His gaze was soft, almost tender, filled with a strange mix of love and unease, as if she were his most cherished treasure.“You… you…” Alia tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse. She forced herself to calm down, struggling to keep a steady expression. However, her wide eyes betrayed a sense of shock and fear she could not hide, and her trembling hands revealed the turmoil within her.Marcellus noticed her reaction, and with surprising gentleness, he lowered his head and held her hand firmly. “I know you’re still weak. Don’t worry. Whatever you want to say, you can tell me after you’ve rested.” His hand was warm and reassuring, conveying a comforting strength. But to Alia, this warmth only intensified her dread.Images from the night bef
Alia gracefully took a seat on the sofa across from him, masking her inner frustration with a gentle smile. Pretending to be a noble lady is truly exhausting. If I were in my original body, I could have leaped across the room in a few strides. Now, these legs are so weak, overly delicate. Despite her irritation, her face maintained an appearance of soft, elegant composure, her every gesture smooth and refined. She turned her head and softly instructed Elise, “Elise, could you bring some tea for Elias and me?”Elise nodded respectfully and left to prepare the tea.As soon as the door closed, Elias wasted no time. He stood up and sat down right next to Alia, startling her with his sudden closeness. She shifted a little away. Then, his deep, slightly teasing voice reached her ear, “Alia, are you feeling better? I was only away for a month at Marcellus’s command, and I return to find you gravely ill.”Alia stole a glance at Elias. He leaned casually against the sofa, his handsome features
Elise returned to the study with a tea tray, only to find that Elias was already gone. She blinked in mild confusion before setting the tea gently on the table in front of Alia. Alia, feeling a surge of anxiety, seized the opportunity to ask casually, “Elise, what kind of person is Elias? What’s your impression of him?”A shy blush appeared on Elise’s cheeks as she stammered, “Well… he’s very handsome… but, hmm, I guess he doesn’t get along very well with Master Marcellus.”Alia’s heart skipped a beat, and she continued to lead her gently, “Oh? Why do you say that?”Elise gave a small smile, as if hesitant to say too much but continued honestly, “Though he’s not involved in the family business like Master Marcellus, he’s often sent by him on these mysterious errands. Every time he returns, he looks exhausted. I’ve heard no one really knows what these tasks are about.”Elise glanced cautiously at Alia’s expression, then hesitated before adding, “Actually… you and Elias seem quite close
Time drifted by quietly, and dusk soon approached. Alia saw a young woman with a resemblance to herself entering the room. Her steps were light and graceful, and she greeted Alia with a warm smile, her voice sweet and gentle. “Sister, you look so well today! You’ve recovered faster than I imagined.” Alia nodded slightly, a polite smile gracing her lips as she replied, “Thank you for coming to keep me company. Let’s enjoy a good time together today.”This young beautiful woman was her younger sister, Lianna. She seemed demure and affectionate, chatting with Alia about recent events and family affairs, as though the two shared a close bond as always. It was clear Lianna had heard of Alia’s memory loss; she kept the conversation casual, asking about her sister’s health with a warm tone.However, Alia’s sharp eyes, trained from her days as a thief, detected something unusual. She noticed that Lianna’s gaze occasionally roamed around the room, as if waiting for someone to appear. When Alia
In the lavish dining hall, a long table was set with exquisite silverware. Marcellus sat at the head of the table, radiating an air of authority. To his right sat Elias, lounging casually, with a hint of a smile. Alia was seated to Marcellus’s left, with Lianna beside her, and directly across from Lianna was Adrian, who looked uneasy, his posture tense.Alia couldn’t help but sigh internally, thinking, “Rich people’s meals are such a hassle.” In her previous life, meals were simple and quick. Now, sitting in such a grand setting, she felt strangely out of place, but the food seems good.The table was laden with an array of delicacies. First, a creamy lobster bisque, with tender lobster meat perfectly infused with rich, buttery flavors, practically begged her to take another sip. Then came golden-brown lamb chops, exuding the earthy aroma of herbs, with juices oozing out at every cut. Alia couldn’t help but be impressed by the quality of the food.There were also colorful salads, artfu
“I won’t hurt her, of course. But what’s this? Hesitating? What’s wrong? Don’t want to hand it over? Seems like you don’t care much about this beauty after all. Makes sense—people like you can replace someone like her in the blink of an eye.”The sneering voice from the phone carried an air of mockery. Marcellus’s face remained stoic, but a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes. Though he maintained his composure, the words stirred a ripple in his heart.Alia, who had mentally braced herself for everything, couldn’t help but feel a pang of pain upon hearing this. She knew the kidnapper was trying to sow discord, but those cold words still left an impact. She forced herself to suppress all conflicting emotions, focusing on finding an opportunity to escape.At that moment, Marcellus, signaling subtly to Elias, maintained his calm tone. “Fine, I’ll give it to you. Knowing about such confidential documents couldn’t have been easy. But these files aren’t with me right now—they’re at my hou
The man on the other end of the phone spoke with a leisurely tone, but his words carried a heavy threat. “Good, you’ve already regrouped. That saves me quite a bit of effort—no need to hunt you down one by one.”Hearing this, Marcellus and Elias exchanged a glance, their eyes now tinged with a cold sharpness. The fact that the caller had learned of their meeting so quickly and made this call suggested only one thing: there was an informant in their ranks leaking information to the kidnappers. Both men understood this unspoken truth but knew they couldn’t alert the mole just yet. For now, they had to deal with the kidnapper on the phone and buy time.Marcellus lowered his voice, speaking calmly but with a hint of impatience. “Who are you? And why are you calling?”The kidnapper let out a cold chuckle, his tone becoming even more casual. “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is who I have.”With that, he handed the phone to Livia, who was bound beside him. His tone was laced with mocke
In the dimly lit factory, Alia sat on a cold metal chair, her wrists bound tightly with rough ropes. The air was thick with the metallic tang of rust, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed around her. Her sharp gaze darted through the shadowy surroundings, trying to glean any useful information. Strands of sunlight pierced through the broken roof, illuminating the dusty floor. Occasionally, the chirping of birds broke the oppressive silence.Her dry lips pressed together as she lifted her head to look at the nearby kidnappers. Her voice was weak but clear. “Can I get some water? I’ve been unconscious for so long, and I’m parched. You wouldn’t want me dying of thirst, would you?”The tall man leading the group sneered and turned to her with a tone dripping with disdain. “You’ve only been out for an hour. How could you be that thirsty? Don’t try to pull any tricks! Do you think you’re some noble lady from a story, using clever schemes to outwit us? Sit tight, or I’ll make sure yo
“We’ll split up,” Elias declared decisively, turning to his subordinates and issuing orders in a low, commanding tone. “Mobilize everyone. Search the eastern road and its surrounding areas—hidden side paths, abandoned buildings, anywhere that could be used as a hideout. If you find even the slightest clue, report to me immediately!”Elias’s subordinates also wasted no time and quickly set out, while he personally studied a map, planning potential search areas. His finger moved swiftly across the map, pointing to several red-marked locations. “Here, here, and here. Search every corner thoroughly. Whoever finds Livia gets double the reward. Move!”Meanwhile, Marcellus also sprang into action without hesitation. Standing tall, he turned to his captain of the guard, his tone sharp and commanding: “Take the elite squad and set out immediately. Start from the west road and work your way east. Leave no stone unturned. Report any unusual findings to me immediately!”The captain of the guard n
“Of course, why else would I call you?” Elias’s voice brimmed with fury, barely restrained as his emotions teetered on the edge of losing control. Yet, amidst Marcellus’s growing frustration, Elias caught a fleeting trace of panic in his brother’s tone. His heart sank. Quickly, he pressed on, “Stop pretending. Are you seriously saying Livia isn’t in the castle now?”On the other end of the line, Marcellus’s tightly drawn expression faltered. He paused, as if realizing something, his voice low and filled with suspicion. “Could this be a ploy? Are you trying to make me believe she’s gone so you can hide her whereabouts?”Elias let out a cold laugh, suppressing his own turmoil, his tone sharp and cutting. “We’ve been brothers for years. Don’t you know me by now? If I were setting a trap, do you think you’d realize it so easily? And let’s get one thing straight—if Livia were under my protection, no one, not even you, could harm her. I wouldn’t need to deceive you.”Marcellus’s brows furro
Elias sat in the study of his secret base, his brow deeply furrowed as the events of the day replayed in his mind. His relationship with Livia had finally been revealed to Marcellus, and the years of pent-up conflict between him and Marcellus had erupted at last. Despite the lingering resentment he harbored toward his brother, Elias never truly wanted to harm him. They had once shared a bond akin to brotherhood. Yet none of this could overshadow the feelings he held for Livia. To protect her, he was willing to sacrifice everything, even if it meant severing ties with Marcellus forever.He sighed, placing his pen gently on the desk. He knew he couldn’t afford to remain idle; he needed to act swiftly. However, he also understood that directly deploying his forces near Marcellus’s estate would be tantamount to declaring war, something that would only escalate the situation further. This wasn’t what Livia would want. Picking up his phone, he dialed Red’s number and gave his instructions.
Marcellus stumbled through the door of his study, his footsteps heavy and unsteady. The dim light of the overcast sky seeped in, casting long, oppressive shadows across the room. The desk was piled high with documents, but he couldn’t bring himself to even glance at them. Instead, he reached into the hidden compartment of a mechanism box and retrieved the object that haunted him—his diary. Its cover was worn from countless readings, the edges frayed by his desperate hands.He slowly sat down, opening the familiar pages. Each one was marked by the force of his pen, the pressure so intense it almost tore through the paper. These words, born of his anguish and struggles, seemed to shout accusations at him, a mirror of his own failings.As he flipped through the diary, he saw the very passages Livia had once read—his cruel words, written under the influence of the “curse,” and his later resolutions after coming to his senses. These pages bore the full weight of his regret, a testament to
Alia’s wrists tensed slightly as her fingers brushed against the rough rope binding her. The coarse hemp was frayed in places, but the knots themselves seemed less than professional—slightly loose at the joins. If she could free even one hand, the knife hidden in her sleeve might provide a swift escape.“They’re not seasoned kidnappers,” Alia calmly deduced. “Probably an inexperienced group acting out of urgency.”The surrounding silence was unsettling, broken only by occasional birdsong outside and the low whistle of wind through cracked window frames. Alia strained her ears and caught snippets of muffled conversation. Though the words were indistinct, the subdued and tense tones betrayed unease.“What are they afraid of?”This sense of uncertainty gave Alia a flicker of confidence. She shifted her weight subtly, testing the ropes. Though there was some give, it wasn’t enough for her to break free.Suddenly, the fabric covering her eyes was yanked away, and a harsh beam of light stru
Alia regained consciousness in a haze, her thoughts gradually sharpening. A faint pain throbbed in her head as the sound of dripping water and distant echoing footsteps reached her ears. It felt like she was in a small, enclosed space.She tried to open her eyes but found her vision blocked by heavy fabric. Instinctively, she moved her wrists, only to discover they were bound tightly with coarse rope. Her ankles were similarly restrained, leaving no room for movement, and her body was secured to a heavy chair, rendering her completely immobile.“I’ve been kidnapped,” she concluded swiftly, though her heart remained calm.Taking a deep breath, Alia forced herself to focus. As a former top-tier thief, she had faced situations like this often in her previous life. Escaping wasn’t new to her, though this was her first time encountering such danger as Livia. She immediately began analyzing the situation.“This isn’t a simple robbery, nor does it seem to be about money or… anything worse.”