Chapter 699: The Feud (4) The Rescue of Hannah
"A young man?" Mrs. Balderston inquired, intrigued.
"Oscar Wells," Rowan replied.
Oscar approached and bowed respectfully.
"This is Mrs. Balderston," Rowan introduced.
"I've long admired your reputation, Your Grace," Oscar said. "It's an honor to meet you."
Mrs. Balderston observed him, then remarked, "What an impressive man!"
"Oscar is exceptionally capable and destined to be a pillar of Northfield," Rowan chuckled.
"Thank you for highlighting his talent," Mrs. Balderston said.
"Not at all. It's my duty to identify and utilize talented individuals."
"I greatly admire you, and your recruitment of talent over the years," Mrs. Balderston added.
Turning to her son, she reproached, "Melvin, you should learn from Mr. Collins. You’ve been preoccupied with your own affairs and haven't discovered any talent for the country." Her words implied a lack of ambition within the Balderston family to expand their influence.
Rowan understood her meaning. "I disagree," he said. "Melvin, being young, should focus his energy on his endeavors. As for me, in the autumn of my life, I seek talented individuals to assist Melvin and Matthew."
"Mr. Collins, I admire you deeply," Mrs. Balderston declared, raising her glass in a toast.
"Thank you, I toast you as well," Rowan responded, raising his glass.
They drank, appearing amicable. Yet, everyone in the hall knew the underlying tension between their families persisted.
Meanwhile, Manuel had infiltrated the Balderston manor during the banquet. He spent considerable time assessing the manor's layout and an hour attempting to hack the security system. However, Melvin's precaution of disconnecting the network meant Manuel only accessed historical footage, not live feeds. Nevertheless, he gleaned valuable information about guard patterns, identifying blind spots and optimal times for action to rescue Hannah.
At 6:00 PM, after two hours of observation, Manuel confirmed Melvin's presence in the dining hall and began his infiltration. Guards patrolled extensively, but he knew he could exploit the blind spots he'd identified.
He slipped into a blind area, counting down the seconds he'd calculated: one, two, three. He then scaled the high wall, despite the fence at the top; his insulated coat and gloves offered protection. He dropped to the ground, crouching quickly as a guard passed—a near miss.
Nervous but composed, he moved to another shadowed area. He needed to subdue a guard stealthily, acquire his uniform, and locate Hannah more easily, given the increased guard presence in the manor's center. He waited, focusing intently.
This location had only two patrol guards, giving him no more than three minutes. It was a single, high-stakes opportunity. He heard footsteps and counted: three, two, one.
In a flash, he used an ether-soaked handkerchief to incapacitate one guard. Before the second could react, he similarly subdued him.
The entire operation took ten seconds. He concealed the guards in the grass and changed into one of their uniforms.
Precisely three minutes later, two guards arrived, their faces alert. "Why are you alone? Where's your partner?" one demanded.
"He's in the restroom."
"How dare he use the restroom?" the guard snapped.
"Sir, he ate medium-rare steak last night," the other guard interjected.
"I've explicitly forbidden undercooked meat while on duty!" the guard shouted.
Manuel and the other guard remained silent.
"I'll deal with him later," the guard said coldly, then addressed Manuel, "Do your job!"
"Yes, sir."
One guard muttered, "That guy's unfamiliar. Is he new?"
"Silence! Pay attention!" another guard barked.
Manuel, maintaining his composure, proceeded to the other side of the manor. He encountered several guards, all curious about his solitary patrol, but their silence during patrols prevented suspicion. He remained undetected.
Reaching the courtyard where Hannah was held, he breathed deeply. He reviewed the courtyard’s historical footage—Hannah's room lacked a monitor. He saw her; she appeared calm and composed. But her outward appearance hid her true state of mind.
Manuel knew his only option was to rescue Hannah from the Balderston manor, regardless of the risk.