"Stupid mask! It's making my skin itch!" the maid cursed under her breath. She ripped off the mask that hid her true identity.
Lyra frowned, her brow furrowed in confusion and anger. "You're not my maid… who are you?!"
"It doesn't matter who I am. Do what I say, or he dies!" she hissed, pressing the pistol harder.
"Go to that car, now!" she jabbed a finger at the red sedan a short distance away, confident Lyra wouldn't dare move with Dominic in their grip.
Lyra froze, panic knotting in her stomach. Who were they? How could she just leave Dominic? How could she be sure he'd be safe once she was gone?
The sight of Dominic's tears was enough to break her heart.
"No," Lyra said, her voice cracking.
"So you'd rather have him die?" she asked, voice flat. "Suit yourself."
"Don't!" Lyra cried. She spun, looking toward the manor, wasn't there anyone who could help? Why was no one around? Where were the guards?
"How much do you want?" Lyra demanded. "I'll pay you, just leave us alone!"
The woman let out a low, mocking laugh. "They're not after your money. They want you." She paused, her eyes glinting. "But I can still get something from your father."
She pressed the pistol to Dominic's head, making it clear exactly how valuable the boy was.
"Who?" Lyra asked, trying to place the voice. Who are the people who want her? She thought…Owen? "Is that Owen Ashford?" she blurted.
"Hey, woman!" the impostor snapped. "Don't stall. Get in the car before I shoot him!"
Lyra's heart hammered. She couldn't leave Dominic. "I'll get in the car with him!" She bargained desperately.
The impostor laughed. "Are you crazy? They'll kill him later to make it clean." Her words hit Lyra like a blow.
"If I leave him here, you'll kill him!" Lyra insisted.
"Don't worry. If your father gives me the money, he'll be safe," the impostor said coldly.
Lyra stared at her, bewildered and furious.
"Go!" she barked at Lyra and start counting.
"Three… two… faster!" she snapped, but Lyra hesitated. Dominic was crying so hard he was almost fainting.
"One!"
"Okay! Okay! I'll go!" Lyra cried, rushing toward the red car, only to stumble after stepping on her own gown.
Her hand scraped against the ground, reddening from the scratch. She whimpered in pain.
Someone stepped out of the red car and immediately dragged her inside. Lyra gasped in shock, but before she could scream, a cloth was pressed over her face.
Everything went dark as she lost consciousness.
…
Knock! Knock!
"It's Rowan," he announced, making his presence known.
The door opened, and Dora invited him in. As he stepped inside, Dora glancing behind him. 'Eh? Where's Miss?' she thought silently.
Agnes smiled. "Please, come in, Rowan."
"Eh? Where's Lyra?" she asked, surprised to see him alone.
"She'll be here soon," Rowan said, settling into a chair. "She's with her brother. He's been crying alone by the fountain."
Agnes laughed. "Hahaha, it's all right—it's all right. Nick just doesn't like seeing his sister get married. He'll be fine soon," she said with a chuckle, explaining the situation.
"Dora, ask one of the guards to keep an eye on those two kids," Agnes instructed. Dora nodded and went to find a guard, leaving the door open behind her.
Agnes's voice was calm. "I'm sorry about earlier… I got tired before the ceremony ended."
"It's alright, Grandma," Rowan said gently. "Don't worry."
"I can't thank you enough for everything today—agreeing to marry her, standing up to Arden… all of it," Agnes continued, her tone steady and sincere.
A faint, wistful smile touched her lips, and her eyes glimmered. "I know this may sound selfish, but… promise me you'll look after Lyra, no matter what."
...
After about twenty minutes, Rowan stepped out of Agnes's room and bumped into Alex.
"Oh, Rowan. Where's Lyra?" Alex asked.
"She's with her brother at the fountain," Rowan replied simply.
Alex rubbed his chin, thinking. "Dora said the same thing, but I went there twice, no sign of them."
Rowan's eyes narrowed. "That's strange…" he muttered under his breath.
"Let's go check again."
They hurried to the fountain, circling it and calling out the siblings' names.
Rowan moved toward the far end of the garden estate, as Alex follow behind.
"Help!" a faint voice called.
Rowan and Alex exchanged a look, then paused, listening carefully.
"Help…"
"Lyra…!" "Dominic…!" Alex and Rowan shouted.
"Help…"
"Over there!" Rowan pointed toward the sound.
From a distance, Kane came running, looking puzzled as he saw Alex and Rowan rushing toward the bushes.
"Boss, why are you here? Did something happen?"
"Shh!" Rowan hissed, trying to pinpoint the direction of the faint sound.
After about ten meters of pushing through the bushes, they froze. Around a dozen guards had been tied up and dumped among the foliage.
The atmosphere turned tense in an instant. Kane and Rowan immediately rushed forward to free them.
"What happened?" Alex asked, unease twisting in his chest.
The guards lowered their heads, shame heavy on their faces for failing to protect their masters.
But one of them quickly spoke up, his voice urgent. "They took the young master and Miss Lyra—and left a note in my pocket."
Rowan immediately reached into the guard's pocket and pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper. A single location was written on it.
"Damn it! Kane, find out where this place is!" Rowan barked.
Alex sank to the ground. The truth hit him like a bomb. His children had been taken.