Chapter 436
On a stormy night, while searching for Sidney, lost in a mudslide, Tiffany and Richard sheltered in a farmhouse. The owner mistakenly believed they were a couple and arranged for them to share a room. Alone together, their initial caution gave way to trust and mutual protectiveness. However, neither anticipated the night's events.
Tiffany closed her eyes, pulled the blanket higher, and turned to sleep. As night deepened, the air grew cold, a sudden gust of wind preceding a light drizzle.
A helicopter landed nearby. Kenneth emerged, accompanied by his subordinate, Odin.
"Mr. Harper, we're here," Odin said, gesturing toward the village.
The village, lacking neon lights, was shrouded in darkness, visible only as a mass of shadows.
Kenneth said, "Let's go."
"Got it," Odin replied, quickly raising an umbrella to follow.
Late into the night, they knocked on several doors before finding someone who answered. The roused homeowner was about to complain when Odin slipped him a wad of cash. The homeowner, rubbing his eyes, promptly invited them in. They found shelter, but dawn was approaching.
Odin yawned and finally asked, "Mr. Harper, why are we here?"
Kenneth didn't answer; he himself wasn't sure. He'd only heard from Zoe that Tiffany had gone to the Azure Sea Royal Family's estate. Acting impulsively, he'd flown there without informing anyone.
He thought, If I had to give a reason, I guess it's because I've lost my mind…
Rubbing his temples, Kenneth warned, "Don't let Tiffany know I'm here. Understand?"
"Got it."
Odin nodded, surprised. Haven't they ended things? What's the point of this trip? he thought, but remained silent. He left the room to sleep outside with the other subordinates.
Meanwhile, thieves infiltrated the Harper family manor. Lorenzo and his men, seizing the cover of night, moved toward Romeo's courtyard.
Chapter 436 (Continued)
According to Melody's intel, the Treasure Box was in Romeo's bedroom. Lorenzo led his men directly there, with backup waiting outside. Their discovery would trigger a full mobilization.
Felix remained in a car, calmly resting with his eyes closed, confident of success.
Romeo was already asleep in the manor. He’d used his sleep-inducing diffuser, as usual.
Lorenzo's team avoided surveillance cameras, jamming signals. They easily scaled the wall and entered Romeo's bedroom, finding him asleep. Lorenzo cautiously approached and added a double dose of sedative to the diffuser.
"Quickly find it, quietly," he instructed.
Following Melody's information, they searched the wardrobe, but found nothing.
"Damn it, did that woman lie?" a subordinate exclaimed.
Lorenzo shook his head. "She wouldn't. Keep searching. Maybe he hid it elsewhere." He believed Romeo wouldn't keep it in the same place.
After a thorough ten-minute search, they found nothing.
"Lorenzo, what now?" the subordinates asked anxiously.
Lorenzo frowned, then looked at the bed. "Who said we've searched everywhere? Let's check under the bed. Help me move him."
They moved Romeo to the sofa. The sedative ensured he remained asleep.
Chapter 436 (Continued)
They searched under the bed, but found nothing.
"What do we do?"
Lorenzo gritted his teeth. "Retreat."
They left the way they came.
Felix, hearing this, opened his eyes, malice in his gaze. "It wasn't found?"
"No," Lorenzo replied. He knew failure held dire consequences, but he dared not lie. "Mr. Quaid, we searched the entire room, but… nothing."
"Trash!" Felix's face darkened. Determined to find the Treasure Box, he thought, I dealt Richard a blow, found the Box's location. Even if I have to dig, I'll find it.
"Mr. Quaid, what next?"
"Keep looking," Felix ordered coldly. "It's not in Harper's bedroom. Search the entire manor. If you fail, you're dead."
"Got it."
Fearful, Lorenzo led his men out. He couldn't search the entire manor in one night. An idea struck him: I used Alexia's bodyguards as a cover before. I can do it again. This would allow open daytime and nighttime searches. He knew it was a flimsy excuse, but Alexia surprisingly accepted it without question the next day. "Where the hell were you guys?" she asked sarcastically.