CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 119: FOUND HER, KISSED HER

A subordinate reported nervously, "She has two experts with her. When we went after them, Erwin’s people had already arrived... The scene was chaotic... Later, Miss Grant... Miss Grant was taken away by Mr. West."

"Mr. West?" Andy Lockwood narrowed his eyes, a dangerous look in them. "Isn’t he always indifferent to underworld conflicts? Why would he suddenly get involved in something like this?"

No one could answer his question.

Andy Lockwood paced irritably in the room, suddenly stopping to ask, "What about that old fellow?"

The subordinate quickly replied, "Still at the base."

Andy Lockwood’s eyes flickered with malice, and he curved his lips into a cruel smile. "Go, take one of his little fingers and send it over!"

Mr. West dared to steal someone from him; he’ll have his castle blown up sooner or later.

"Yes!" The leading man shivered, responding in a deep voice, quickly leading his men out.

Andy Lockwood took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger in his chest. The longer he stayed here, the more he feared that something unexpected might happen to Stella Grant.

This time, he must take her away!

As for that mad dog Erwin... hmph, he won’t let him leave here alive.

Let everything end here!

...

The night was deep.

The ancient castle was brightly lit under the night sky, like a luminescent pearl fallen to the earth, tranquil and mysterious.

Stella Grant stood by the window until she saw Tom Summers safely return to the castle, finally letting out a sigh of relief and turning to enter the room to rest.

Not far away, by the bar, Mr. West was alone.

He felt no sleepiness, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, drinking one glass after another.

Just because, she was right next door, only a wall away from him at this moment.

He restrained his surging thoughts, the urge to rush over and hold her almost devouring him.

He wanted to so much!

The next morning, as Stella Grant walked towards the dining room, Mr. West was already seated at the table, looking not too well.

Uh, not a morning person?

God knows, he hardly slept at all, spending the whole night daydreaming.

"Good morning, Mr. West!" she greeted with a bright smile.

Mr. West looked up, seeing her sunny disposition, his mood start to lift.

"Miss NOVA, did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes, very well, the castle is very quiet, and I didn’t hear any dogs barking." She nodded.

Mr. West’s face showed an unmistakable satisfaction; who knew he had ordered the castle’s guard dogs to be muzzled.

"Miss NOVA, are you planning to visit the forest again today?" He stared at her, wanting to hear a negative answer from her.

Stella Grant paused for a moment, then nonchalantly said, "The forest was badly damaged yesterday. If I go again, I can’t afford the compensation."

Was she throwing shade at him?

She then added, "Don’t worry, Mr. West, I’ll pay any compensation in full. Today, I just want to go out and see the sights of Mardale."

He twitched his lips; to visit a place notorious for violence?

He nonchalantly put a piece of cheesecake on her plate, "Then you could go to Skylake Peak for a look. The scenery is unique there, and there’s a hot spring for healing, quite a few tourists visit there!"

Pausing, he added, "I happen to be free today, I can show you around!"

Stella Grant smiled, "Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. West!"

She observed his face intently, not missing any subtle expression.

Then, her gaze gently swept over the exquisite dishes on the table.

"I’d like a glass of milk," she said softly, yet her voice was clear in the ears of the man opposite.

Milk?

He visibly paused for a moment.

Immediately, something flickered quickly in the depths of the man’s eyes, as if he understood something.

He calmly raised his hand, and the butler immediately stepped closer.

"Have the ranch bring over two cows now to milk fresh milk for Miss NOVA."

The man’s voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable command.

He wanted to see if she dared to drink it!

Stella Grant’s heart, which had been hanging in the air, quietly settled back into her chest.

It seemed that this Mr. West... probably wasn’t the person she suspected.

A relaxed smile spread across her face instantly, carrying a slight yet appropriate apology, "That would be too troublesome, mobilizing such a big operation. I’ll just have juice instead, yes, juice is fine."

She quickly backtracked.

Mr. West unhurriedly picked up a delicately shaped pastry, taking a small bite with an elegant demeanor.

"Yesterday, Miss NOVA seemed to be looking for someone when you ventured into the forest. Could I take a look at the photo?"

His tone was casual, as if merely chatting over a meal.

"Perhaps I could help you find some useful leads," he added.

But Stella Grant was cautious; with her and Mr. West’s tentative relationship, it was far from a point where she could trust him completely and reveal everything.

"There’s no need to trouble Mr. West; I should be able to handle this small matter myself." She politely declined, not wanting him to get too involved in this vortex.

Turning the conversation, she proactively asked, "Did Mr. West manage to extract any valuable clues from those people yesterday?"

She referred to those captives his people had taken away as easily as lifting chicks.

"They’re just some local, insignificant desperadoes, it seems they’ve been paid off by someone," Mr. West lightly wiped his mouth with a napkin.

He then added, "However, based on the interrogation, they all previously followed someone named Zane Zimmerman."

"Zane Zimmerman..." Stella Grant silently mouthed the name.

"He’s a complete, bloodthirsty mad dog." Mr. West concluded, his tone unmasking his blatant disdain.

No one could have predicted that this ’Zane’ is not the same ’Zane’.

Stella Grant’s eyes flickered; she knew that Mardale had two major players: one was the money-centric Mr. West in front of her, and the other was the bloodthirsty Zane Zimmerman.

If you offend one of them, you can report directly to hell! Those wanting to conduct shady business in Mardale must first pay homage at the docks.

Could Erwin have bribed Zane Zimmerman’s men? Then he must have been entrenched here for a long time. But why would the master’s residence, which no one knows about, get involved in this war?

Looks like another trip to The Red House is needed to gather some clues.

After breakfast, Stella Grant and Tom Summers left the castle.

Mr. West stood alone on the second-floor terrace, his deep gaze following the distant petite silhouette.

He didn’t say much but waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards behind him to follow.

"Protect her well."

At least, with her staying in his castle, most of his worried heart could be put at ease.

Stella Grant and Tom Summers went to The Red House again, familiar with the place, they pushed the door open and entered.

The interior was dimly lit, and a hunched figure suddenly bumped into Stella Grant.

It was a strange old woman.

The old woman said nothing, quickly stuffed a small wooden box into Stella Grant’s hand, and hurried away.

Stella Grant suspiciously opened the box.

With just one glance, the color drained from her face instantly, leaving her pale as a sheet of paper.

On the other side, Tom Summers engaged enthusiastically with the red-headed boy on today’s newly acquired code phrases.

The boy, with his striking red hair, had eyes that carried a depth unbecoming of his age, and slowly recited, "When will the bright moon be?"

Tom Summers smiled smugly and quickly responded, "Look up and see for yourself!"

The boy slightly curled the corner of his mouth, "Follow me."

Tom Summers responded, but when he turned back, he found the space behind him was empty.

"Stella?"

Stella Grant was nowhere to be seen!

His heart skipped a beat, terrified, he bolted outside.

Stella Grant gripped the black velvet box tightly, inside was a bloody fingertip wearing a vintage ring she recognized, making her feel cold to the bone with her stomach churning.

She dashed outside, intending to catch up with that eerie old woman.

After only a few steps, a tall man blocked her way.

The man was expressionless, his voice like ice, "If you want to meet the person you’re searching for, follow me."

Stella Grant’s heart tightened, unable to think too much, she could only follow him.

The man led her into a seemingly unremarkable residential house.

Almost simultaneously, a shadow flew like the wind into the house.

At the back door, a black car was already running, carrying Stella Grant away in a cloud of dust.

Tom Summers searched nearby like a madman, frantically looking for her, a strong sense of foreboding spreading crazily through his heart, twisting his insides.

"Stella Grant!"

However, it was all too late.

Soon after, another woman sneaked into The Red House.

This person was Vivi Sterling.

To avoid any mishaps, she specially changed into local clothing, wrapping herself up like a dumpling, completely covered.

She heard that information could be bought here, she had to find her brother.

In the inner room, a sixty-something old man leisurely emerged.

Indeed, it was the same old man.

He squinted, assessing the woman in front of him wrapped tight and acting suspicious, he asked unhurriedly, "Lady, did you bring enough money? Do you know our prices at The Red House?"

Vivi Sterling’s face was a picture of awkwardness. Money? She really didn’t have it, but Zane Zimmerman was not lacking.

"Yes, confidently give me the clues! I’m Mr. Zimmerman’s woman!"

"What’s your name? Take off that cover and let me see." claiming to be Mr. Zimmerman’s woman takes courage.

Vivi Sterling nimbly pulled off the fabric covering her face, revealing a visage enough to outshine all the flowers.

Then she grinned, her smile as radiant as could be, "I’m Phoebe Lowell. Wherever you go, just drop my name, Phoebe Lowell, it works!"

She confidently patted her chest, exuding a "leave it to me" bravado.

The old man instantly lost his composure, feeling a sense of honor like an elderly eunuch being favored by The Empress!

Meanwhile.

Stella Grant’s eyes were covered with thick black cloth and taken to an extremely secretive wooden house area.

There, the air was filled with the damp smell of wood, with an indescribable vibe that made one feel relaxed in body and mind.

When the blindfold was rudely removed, the glaring light made her squint.

Once her eyes adjusted, seeing who was in front of her, her entire body froze.

A strikingly familiar handsome face came into view.

"Senior brother?" Stella Grant’s voice trembled with disbelief, "What are you doing here?"

Andy Lockwood walked towards her step by step, his originally hard contours softened the moment he saw her, his deep eyes filled with suppressed tenderness and the joy of reuniting after a disaster.

After all this time, he finally saw her again.

God knows how many people he sent out to find her, and how many times he secretly went mad.

He extended his long arm and pulled her tightly into his embrace, the force so strong it almost merged her into his very bones.

"Stella." His deep voice sounded by her ear, carrying a hint of hoarseness, "I’ve missed you so much!"

He cupped her small face, ready to kiss her...