CHAPTER 389: CHAPTER 389: THEY ARE NO LONGER IN AETHELGARD

"Money? Hahaha..." Rooster laughed.

"Little girl, don’t be naive! Do I look like a good person? Or don’t I know who you two are? You think you’re still in Aethelgard?"

As soon as he said this, Riley and Anna felt a chill in their hearts.

They were no longer in Aethelgard?

Anna had been hooded for a while. She could feel they were in a car, so they were leaving Aethelgard then?

These people had taken them away directly, evidently not intending to let them go.

...

Conrad Sterling became aware of Anna Thornton’s disappearance a full twenty-four hours later.

During this time, Anna was busy with filming and appearing on variety shows, always avoiding Conrad Sterling, and President Sterling happened to be on a business trip, which led to the oversight.

Mary could also sleep, and after being knocked out, she was dumped in an unknown back alley.

Fortunately, the nearby restaurant owner found her early, and before dawn, helped her onto a simple bed behind the shop to sleep. That way, Mary could sleep undisturbed until she naturally woke.

When she woke, she found her wallet was still there, but her phone was gone.

Those people must have feared she would call the police, so they threw it away.

It wasn’t just Mary; Riley and Anna’s phones were dealt with immediately. These people were clearly prepared.

Mary couldn’t contact President Sterling immediately. It wasn’t until Conrad returned to Aethelgard that she told him about it, a full day after Anna and Riley disappeared.

"President Sterling, we’ve uncovered something! Ethan Hawthorne and Scrapper’s connection goes back two years, when they both took a fancy to the same woman. Ethan Hawthorne mingled quite well with both the legitimate and the shady. Moreover, he’s very tactful; his new girlfriend at the time was a minor celebrity who struggled to escape Spike and, with connections, entered the entertainment industry for a fresh start. However, Ethan knew that Scrapper was still obsessed with her and handed her back over."

"It’s said Scrapper had quite a few bizarre kinks in playing with women, which that girl couldn’t stand, and fled. After being sent back, she vanished completely not long after. She was a small, inconspicuous figure in the circle, not famous enough for her disappearance to stir discussion, but Ethan and Scrapper became good friends because of this! Scrapper appreciates Ethan Hawthorne and even instructed those in the underworld to look out for him!"

After the report, Conrad crushed the cup in his hand.

With a clatter—Mary’s heart skipped.

President Sterling’s hand had been injured not long ago.

Mary suspected he might be practicing iron palm, while others practiced with iron sand, President Sterling shattered a glass every few days.

But now is not the time to discuss this.

Mary knew Conrad Sterling was worried about Anna. It was clear from the report that Scrapper’s kink in playing with women was cruel.

Now that Anna and Riley were in his hands, she feared...

Mary was worried for Anna, while Conrad Sterling already stood up.

Mary hurried after him, "President Sterling, I’ll go with you to find Anna!"

But before Mary could step out of the office, she was stopped, "It’s better for you to stay here!"

"Anna’s whereabouts are unknown; how can I be at ease?" Mary was almost spinning in worry.

Who knew the assistant blocking her would scowl, "You can’t help much; Scrapper’s turf is in the south, not in Aethelgard."

"Are you saying Anna might have already been moved?" Mary was shocked.

Wouldn’t that be even more dangerous?

"Exactly!" said the assistant, seemingly seeing through Mary’s worries, "So you best stay put here, even if it’s anxious waiting. If Anna can’t be found, President Sterling will decide how to deal with you!"

Mary: "..."

She recalled the previous assistant by Conrad Sterling’s side named Ethan, a soft, cute type of guy.

When did he get replaced?

Moreover, this new one was grim like a knockoff version of President Sterling.

The new assistant was very competent, never prying into Conrad Sterling and Anna Thornton’s relationship, but he could see President Sterling was particularly anxious for the latter.

If Anna Thornton really met with misfortune, as Anna’s agent, Mary lost her while she was under her care.

Conrad Sterling might actually hold her accountable!

...

Conrad Sterling wasn’t the only one who discovered Anna Thornton’s disappearance. As President Sterling’s car headed out of Aethelgard, he unexpectedly encountered Finn Grant.

Finn Grant was currently filming with Anna Thornton on the same set, and according to his words, aimed to irritate Conrad Sterling—spending day and night together, more time than couples.

Anna had always been diligent about work. She requested time off yesterday to film a variety show but didn’t show up early the next day for shooting, which Finn noticed as odd.

What Conrad Sterling could uncover, Finn Grant could track down as well.

While paying at the parking lot, Finn Grant provocatively said, "President Sterling, isn’t this called shooting oneself in the foot? Wasn’t Ethan Hawthorne someone you supported?"

"..."

"How could a dog you raised betray you? Conrad, did your judgment fail?"

Conrad Sterling couldn’t be bothered to reply, closed the car window, and drove away.

But Finn Grant was relentless, persistently pestering around Conrad’s car.

Ethan Hawthorne’s activities in Aethelgard were under Conrad Sterling’s watch, but Scrapper’s influence lay outside the city, as Conrad worried, leaving no time to banter with Finn.

Finn Grant also uncovered Scrapper’s details, and more severely, Conrad Sterling and Finn simultaneously received news.

Scrapper had declared the intention to present the new beauty to a big boss abroad!

Both Conrad and Finn understood the complex situations in the USA and Italy.

If Anna Thornton were sent overseas, even if Finn Grant mobilized the four prominent families’ forces, they would be powerless.

Even Finn wasn’t acting carefree now, while Conrad had a grim expression and furrowed brows. Upon close inspection, a hint of murderous intent could be seen in President Sterling’s deep, ink-like eyes.

People all said his demeanor was noble, aloof, unbeknownst that Conrad Sterling was genuinely self-made from the bottom up.

Years of high-ranking positions had tempered him significantly.

But his memories remained, never forgetting the filth that sewer-dwelling rats could be! The repulsiveness of their ruthless tactics!

Scrapper was a typical scumbag, an ordinary punk in the slums who struck luck to rise.

Moreover, Scrapper’s current status came from poisoning and killing his former boss to snatch power.

One could call this person a thorough scoundrel.

He also harbors violent tendencies towards women, enjoys SM, even group~~~.

With Anna in his hands... Conrad didn’t dare to consider further!

He wasn’t just thinking of murder.

If Anna were harmed in any way, Conrad Sterling vowed to tear Scrapper and Ethan Hawthorne to pieces!