Ethan Lancaster’s expression darkened at their words, and he stepped in front of the n. "Investigate what? Investigate who?"
The n were clearly prepared. They produced their identification and a search warrant.
Ethan Lancaster had a nagging feeling that sothing was wrong. The Lancaster Family had connections with people like this. Besides, with Mr. Lancaster himself present today—and all the powerful figures he’d ntored over the years—they would never allow anyone to just barge in without so much as a heads-up.
"Can’t you see it’s my dad’s birthday today? Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow."
"Fourth Master, please don’t make this difficult for us," one of the n said. "We have our reasons. Our superiors have ordered us to get a resolution today."
Raina Reddington saw Jessica Jacobs rise anxiously, and she stood up as well. The scene began to descend into chaos. Zachary Lancaster walked over to Ethan Lancaster and placed a hand on his shoulder. "They’re just following procedure. Don’t make it difficult for them."
Zachary said a few words to Jessica before leading the n upstairs.
Ethan quickly moved to follow, but Zachary stopped at the landing and looked back at him. "What are you doing? Can’t you see our friends and relatives are all here? They need soone to host them."
Logically, this shouldn’t have been such a big deal, but Ethan couldn’t suppress the panic rising in his chest. It was a terrible feeling.
Raina walked to his side, wanting to offer so comfort. Ethan, thinking she was frightened, gave her hand a gentle squeeze and whispered, "Don’t be scared. It’s nothing."
"I know. It’s nothing," she replied.
Jessica attended to the guests distractedly while Ethan waited by the staircase. About an hour later, he finally saw Zachary coming down.
He was flanked by two n, each holding one of his arms as they escorted him down the stairs. Seeing this, Ethan rushed forward. "What do you think you’re doing?"
"We’ll have to ask Mr. Lancaster to co with us."
"On what grounds?"
Zachary looked pale, as if he still hadn’t processed what was happening. He shot Ethan a aningful look.
"Dad—"
The n walked past Ethan and headed down. For a mont, the entire hall fell silent. Mr. Lancaster stood up, leaning on his cane.
"Dad," Ethan said, glancing at the cake on the table. "Today is his birthday. At least let him have a bite of cake before you take him."
Zachary seed surprised by his son’s words. He turned and looked at the boy who had always been such a handful. In that hazy mont, he felt a flicker of pride. ’He’s really grown up.’
"Ethan, take care of the family. It’s nothing serious, I’m just cooperating with an investigation. Save so cake for when I get back."
The mont Zachary was led away, the Lancaster household descended into chaos.
The party broke up before it had even really begun. Mr. Lancaster sent soone to find out what was happening, while Jessica paced anxiously at ho, with Raina and Zion Lancaster trying their best to comfort her.
Ethan couldn’t sit still. He started calling his contacts, trying to figure out a solution. He couldn’t just wait at ho. Grabbing his coat, he prepared to head out.
"Ethan, where are you going?" Jessica asked from the sofa, her voice hoarse.
"I’m going to find a way to bring Dad ho, Mom."
Jessica scrambled to her feet. "Don’t do anything reckless! You need to stay here..."
"Mom," Raina soothed her gently. "Don’t worry, Ethan won’t do anything rash. I’ll go with him."
She knew Ethan couldn’t stay put. He’d go crazy if he were forced to just sit at ho waiting for news.
Raina followed Ethan out to the car. Once they were inside, Ethan told Seth Sinclair to take her back to The Verdant Garden first. "You have work at the hospital tomorrow. Go ho and get so rest."
"No, I’m going with you." Her tone was firm and left no room for argunt. Seth Sinclair signaled for the driver to go.
The car stopped outside their destination without pulling in. Ethan scrolled through his contacts and made a call.
A few monts later, Raina saw a young man erge from the building. He glanced around before hurrying over to Ethan’s car.
Only when he pulled open the door and slipped inside did Raina get a clear look at his face. It was Al—the sa guy she’d dunked in the swimming pool.
"Fourth Master. Ma’am," he greeted them hurriedly. "How did you find this place?"
"Cut the crap. Where’s my father?"
Al looked troubled. "Your father is being interrogated inside. This whole thing is tricky. I couldn’t get anywhere near it—they threw right out. The higher-ups sent a special task force for this."
"What exactly are they investigating?"
Al shook his head. "I don’t know. Everyone’s lips are sealed."
Ethan seed dazed. Anyone could sense that sothing was deeply strange about this situation. His hand clenched slightly. "They searched my family’s ho. Did they find sothing?"
"Yes. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have brought him in," Al said, signaling for Ethan to stay calm. "As for what they found, I’ll try to get more information. It probably just looks tricky on the surface. With the Lancaster family’s influence, who would really dare to make a move against your father?"
Ethan wasn’t truly worried it would go that far, but not being able to see his father left him feeling deeply unsettled.
"I have to get back. This is a sensitive ti. If I’m seen here, it’ll be impossible for to dig up any information." With that, Al quickly departed.
Raina knew the Lancaster family’s network of connections was a complex web; pulling a single thread could make the whole thing unravel. That could be a good thing, but it could also be a very bad thing.
Ethan made several more phone calls. Caron Fairchild was also working his connections to help.
"I don’t think he’s getting out tonight." Ethan pressed two fingers to the bridge of his nose, shutting his weary eyes.
They sat in the car, waiting quietly for news. Late into the night, Raina finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep, leaning against the passenger door.
In a hushed voice, Ethan asked Seth Sinclair to turn up the heat. He carefully removed his own coat and draped it over Raina.
Her legs had gone numb, and she shifted unconsciously with a soft whimper. Ethan gently pulled her into his embrace, holding her tight. With that simple motion, the gaping hole in his chest felt almost whole again.
Afraid she would get cold, he adjusted the coat around her and pulled her in even tighter.
The sky slowly began to pale with the first light of dawn. The streets were deserted; the wind was still bone-chilling, biting at any exposed skin as if trying to burrow into your veins and drain all the warmth from your body.
Raina was jolted awake by the piercing wail of a siren. Ethan, who had been dozing lightly against her shoulder, started at her sudden movent, his eyes snapping open instantly.
"Fourth Master, an ambulance," Seth Sinclair said, the first to react.
Raina felt a gentle push at her waist and quickly moved out of his embrace. Ethan threw the car door open and scrambled out, but his legs were so numb that he stumbled, catching himself on the car window.
Seth Sinclair moved to support him. Dressed in only a thin shirt, Ethan stood in a wind that felt like it was carving the flesh from his bones. He steadied himself and hurried forward. Just as he took a few steps past the entrance, he saw paradics erging with a stretcher.
Raina, following close behind, imdiately saw Zachary Lancaster lying on it.
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