Chapter 108

“George, when are you coming home? Last time, you were right at the doorstep but refused to come in. Do you hate this family that much?” The voice on the other end was stern and aged, yet tinged with a trace of helplessness.

“Heh, sir, I think you have the wrong number,” Yuwen Xi said with a sneer as his expression darkened upon hearing the voice. “I am Chinese, and I do not have an English name!” Without waiting for a reply, he slammed the phone down.

After hanging up, Yuwen Xi walked to the edge of the bed and gazed out at the bustling traffic beneath the building. His sea-blue eyes flickered with a shifting light.

Since I left that home, I never intended to return.

From as far back as I can remember, I have known I have only one name, and it will always be Yuwen Xi.

On the other end of the line, a hand with clearly defined knuckles set down the phone after it had rung many times. The face, marked by the passage of years, bore a pair of sea-blue eyes filled with sorrow and weariness. Though no longer clear, those eyes had deepened with age. At this moment, however, they brimmed with regret and helplessness.

The owner of those blue eyes rose and stood by the window, gazing out at a lush forest and a river that shimmered as it flowed. Gradually, the rapid breathing slowed.

This time, I refuse to believe you won’t come back.

Chuckling to himself despite his weathered features, the still handsome man’s face broke into a confident smile.

Rome.

“Any progress?” A deep voice laced with longing asked. It was Arthur Rivers.

“...Not yet, Young Master,” a burly red-haired man standing by the desk replied, frustration and helplessness etched across his face.

Sighing, Newt felt equally helpless. Known for his keen insight, his greatest pride was his ability to spot even the faintest clue. But this time, he had to admire the mastermind behind the disappearance of Miss Yingyue for their cleverness. Three months had passed, yet no progress had been made.

The beach where Miss Yingyue vanished was immaculate—too clean. Aside from scattered bullet casings and a shocking pool of blood, no clues or flaws could be found. You might ask, “Aren’t the bullet casings evidence?” Yes, but the problem was that these casings were common worldwide, impossible to trace.

Newt shook his head in frustration. This was clearly a deliberate ploy by the mastermind—leaving evidence to mislead without revealing anything.

He glanced at the Young Master seated behind the desk, his face as if the sky had fallen upon him, weighed down and near collapse. The sight made Newt’s heart sink; this case had taken a heavy toll.

“What about Charles?” Arthur asked after a pause.

“Sir, Charles is on his way,” Newt replied.

“Still on his way? Wasn’t he notified earlier?” Arthur frowned.

Newt nervously swallowed and cautiously explained, “Uh, he just found some new clues, so—”

Before Newt could finish, a knock interrupted the tense atmosphere in the study.

“Come in.”

The wooden door opened to reveal a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Behind the bright lenses, his once sharp gray eyes now looked dull and lifeless.

“How’s the investigation going?” Arthur asked anxiously as soon as he entered.

Charles swallowed nervously under Arthur’s intense gaze and spoke slowly, “Young Master, we have found something, but...” His voice faltered, and he hesitated, unsure how to continue.

“Speak. What did you find?” Arthur pressed impatiently, not noticing the odd expression on Charles’s face.

“I only tracked the plane’s movements,” Charles adjusted his glasses. “And only half of its journey after leaving Sirius Island.”

“No clues on where it came from?” Arthur frowned.

“No, but we know it disappeared within British territory after leaving Sirius Island.”

“Disappeared on home soil and you can’t find it?” Arthur raised an eyebrow, disbelief in his tone.

“Uh... well...” Charles was embarrassed but honest. “Yes, Young Master. The plane vanished after entering British airspace and cannot be located.”

“Can’t be traced?” Arthur closed his eyes to think, then a sly smile curved his lips. “Heh, playing hide-and-seek with me, are you? Well, I’ll play along.”

Arthur’s sharp gaze fixed on Charles as he ordered, “Check if any of the British noble families have had unusual activity lately, especially the old ones. Focus on them.”

“Yes, Young Master,” Charles bowed respectfully, accepting the task.

“All right, you may go,” Arthur replied calmly.

Charles took his leave. Arthur then turned to Newt, who felt a chill run down his spine.

“Newt.”

“Yes, Young Master.” Newt responded crisply, standing at attention, chest out and head held high.

Arthur called his name but said nothing, forcing Newt to endure the silence, his back growing damp from the tension.

Finally, Newt could no longer bear it and spoke, “Young Master... whatever you command, please say it... Newt will face any danger without hesitation!”

His words were fervent, his gaze unwavering.

“Really?” Arthur raised an eyebrow, a devious smile appearing again as he leisurely regarded Newt.

“Yes, Young Master. Please command me.”

“Very well. Since you ask so earnestly, I will assign you a task.”

Arthur’s expression feigned distress, as if reluctant to give orders.

“Go investigate recent military exercises.”

“Mil... military exercises?” Newt’s face fell. “Young Master, that’s classified information. How can I find out?”

“Can’t find out?” Arthur glanced sideways at Newt. “Fine, you’re free these days anyway. Go visit the camp. Your brothers miss you a lot—they’ve even asked me to let you have some time off.”

Newt’s eyes widened in disbelief. He looked at Arthur’s relaxed, carefree expression and twitched several times.

Camp...?

Brothers... miss him?

Damn right they do!

“Young Master, I’ll start on this immediately. I’ll be so busy I won’t have time to visit the brothers...” Newt began.

“Oh, is that so? Well, no choice then. Go on, carry out your task,” Arthur said with a wave.

Newt’s face lit up as he rushed toward the door. With his right foot already stepping out and left foot midair—

“Then I’ll wait for you to finish this mission,” Arthur said casually.

Newt froze, slowly lowering his left foot, and looked at Arthur with a bitter smile.

“Young Master—”

“Don’t worry, I promise. I’ll definitely give you some time off, and you’ll get to go back for a visit!” Arthur said seriously, studying Newt’s sour expression.

Newt’s face stiffened, and he replied stiffly, “Thank you for your kindness, Young Master, but—”

“All right, no need to say more. It’s a small matter. Now go, go!” Arthur waved impatiently, dismissing him.

Seeing Arthur’s annoyed expression, Newt clenched his fists at his sides, silently encouraging himself.

Fine, I’ll endure it!

With that, Newt swiftly left the study.

Arthur watched Newt’s hurried retreat, cracked a small smile that vanished before reaching his eyes, his face falling into sorrow and pain. He cupped his head in his hands and whispered agonizingly.

Blue, my Blue, where are you?

Deep within a forest stood an ancient castle, its red walls marked by time yet still standing resolute among the verdant trees.

“Bang!”

“Crash!”

“Clang!”

“Thud!”

A series of crashing sounds echoed from a room in the castle. Servants rushed toward the source, their faces etched with bitterness.

Sigh, this was the fifth time this week.

It happened to be Friday.

The servants gathered outside the door, still hearing the smashing inside.

Their expressions showed frustration and resignation. The new furnishings purchased a few days ago clearly weren’t enough; more sets would have to be ordered.

Only when the noise ceased did they jostle each other to select a representative.

The chosen one reluctantly glanced back at his companions, who all wore expressions that said: “It’s your turn now. Go in and get it over with! Are you waiting for us to push you inside?”

The representative had no choice but to turn around, take a deep breath as if preparing for a heroic sacrifice, and open the door.