Dustin’s expression darkened, and his voice came out sharper than before. If he stayed quiet and let Nathaniel search him without protest, it would only make him look suspicious.
“Logan, there’s been a break-in. The whole mansion is on lockdown. For your safety, we need to search the place,” Nathaniel said, his expression darkening.
He was convinced Dustin was the thief. But without solid evidence, he couldn’t make a direct accusation. If Dustin resisted, Nathaniel wouldn’t hesitate to act.
“Break-in?” Dustin raised an eyebrow. ” Really? Is that what the tremor earlier was about?”
“We’ll go over the details later. Right now, we can’t risk letting anyone slip away. So, I must search your place,” Nathaniel said.
He wasn’t in the mood to explain further. Then, he waved a hand toward Lycas and Bryce and signaled them to act.
The two exchanged a glance, then stormed into the inner room with a squad of guards behind them.
Nathaniel gave Dustin one long, measured look before following them inside.
The spacious, neatly arranged room was softly lit.
In the warm glow, a woman in a red dress sat serenely. Her dark hair was pulled back in an elegant updo with a golden ornament swaying gently. The pearls on it caught the light and cast soft shadows along her face.
Her eyebrows were finely shaped, and the slight tilt of her eyes gave her a graceful, almost playful expression. The way her gaze shifted made her eyes sparkle with an allure deeper than any jewel.
Her nose was sculpted with delicate precision, and her lips, naturally red, curled into a smile that seemed as captivating as a flower blooming in the snow. Even her dimples hinted at a playful charm.
“Felicia? What are you doing here?”
Nathaniel asked as he stepped through the door with his team. He frowned in surprise when he saw her.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” she said.
She slowly looked up and gently set down the chess piece in her hand. Rising gracefully, she gave a respectful bow and said, “I was playing chess with Mr. Rhys and was so engrossed that I didn’t know what happened outside.”
Her voice was soft and melodic, with a hint of casual ease.
Nathaniel glanced at the chessboard. The black and white pieces were arranged in a tense standoff, as if they’d been in the middle of a heated match.
He turned to Felicia and asked suspiciously, “Have you two been playing chess the whole time?”
She nodded slightly and answered evenly, ” That’s right. We haven’t left this room at all.”
Nathaniel didn’t respond and looked at Dustin, who had just walked in. Yet, his suspicion of Dustin remained.
“Lycas, Bryce, search the house inside and out. Look for any sign of thieves,” Nathaniel ordered.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Lycas and Bryce acknowledged the order and immediately began searching the yard and the rooms. They searched for a long while, but nothing unusual turned up. Not a single clue to suggest any hidden intruders.
“Since a thief has infiltrated the mansion, do you want my assistance?” Dustin asked Nathaniel.
“No need. I’ll handle this myself,”
Nathaniel replied
He grunted as he motioned for his men to leave. Though he suspected Dustin might be involved, Nathaniel hadn’t found any solid evidence, so he could only bury his doubts for now.
Of course, there was always the possibility that the thief was someone else.
Once outside the guesthouse, Nathaniel issued another order, “Lycas, Bryce! Mobilize all the troops and search the entire mansion. Leave no corner unchecked. Dig up the ground if you have to, but you must catch that thief.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Lycas and Bryce bowed, then quickly gathered their troops and left.
Nathaniel had already taken precautions to seal off all the mansion’s entrances.
If the thief was still inside, there was no way they could escape in such a short time. They had to be hiding somewhere in the estate. As long as the search was thorough, they would eventually find the thief.
As the sound of footsteps faded away, Dustin closed the door, turned, and looked at Felicia. He asked curiously, “Why are you helping me?”
After escaping the vault and returning to the guest house, he was surprised to find someone in his room. It was Felicia.
At first, Dustin thought he had been discovered, but soon realized something was off. Felicia didn’t seem interested in exposing him. Instead, she had hidden his night clothes and mask within the sections of the chessboard.
Before he could ask her any questions, Nathaniel arrived with his men. Felicia had quickly played her part to cover for him.
But Dustin still didn’t understand why she was helping him. After all, she was working for Nathaniel.
Felicia smiled and settled back at the table. She sipped her tea before replying, “Mr. Rhys, don’t worry. I’m helping you because it’s in my best interest too.”
She set her cup down and, with a knowing smile, added, “On the surface, I’m Nathaniel’s consultant. But in reality, I’m nothing more than a puppet.
“I know better than anyone that sticking with him won’t end well, so I want to break free. I know your position is complicated, and helping you today is my way of making sure I have a way out.
“I don’t want to be under his control anymore. I want freedom, and right now, you’re the only one who can offer that to me.”
