Miyi Yates’ face momentarily turned pale, yet quickly recovered as she took a deep breath and gracefully turned to leave.
Outside the door, several guards stared intently at Bella Hawthorne and Kenny, their hands resting on their waists as if on high alert.
Little Dumpling’s constitution was already not that strong, and how could it withstand the strength of an adult? After falling, both his knees and tender palms were scraped, blood trickling down.
Little Dumpling was used to the pain and didn’t mind much, but watching him, Bella Hawthorne’s eyes turned red, "If I had known, I wouldn’t have brought you here."
Her brother was simply a bastard! She decided she wouldn’t ever talk to him again!
"Auntie, I’m fine." Kenny shook his head, holding onto Bella Hawthorne’s hand and just about to stand up when they heard the guards’ uniform salute, "Greetings, Family Head!"
A man walked out from the black intricately-patterned door. His tall and sturdy figure, with steady steps and a powerful aura so intense it sent shivers down one’s spine, like an emperor inspecting his land, noble and unreachable.
The guards couldn’t contain their excitement. Standing straight, chest out as if standing at attention, they awaited his inspection—
The man didn’t spare them a glance, walking directly towards Little Dumpling. He bent down to lift him from the ground, his voice deep as a resonant bass, "What happened to your knees and hands?"
Upon closer look, Little Dumpling’s eyes were also slightly red.
Cyrus Hawthorne’s brows furrowed tighter, almost able to clench a pen between them.
Just moments ago, Bella Hawthorne swore never to speak to Cyrus Hawthorne again, but facing his presence now, she deflated instantly, pointing at the guards to complain, "It was them who pushed us. We had something urgent to see you about, but they said you were unavailable and told us to leave!"
All the guards: ...Injustice! They didn’t speak that harshly!
Cyrus Hawthorne’s sharp gaze swept over the guards. Though his face showed no anger, it chilled down to the bone, "Who authorized you to give orders privately?"
"No, Family Head, we sought Miss Miya’s instructions before..." The guard who delivered the message felt trapped, left speechless.
>Based on Miss Miya’s indifferent tone, they dared to be impudent, not caring for the little master.
But seeing Family Head being so protective of his cub... They’ve really been set up!
"All guards on duty today, proceed to the detention cell to receive punishment," Cyrus coldly declared, holding Little Dumpling as he went inside.
Bella Hawthorne hastily followed behind.
Leaving behind a group of guards wailing in despair, wishing they could bang their heads against a wall.
The detention cell and detention room are adjacent, yet the experiences are vastly different. The former is for punishing those of the main family who make mistakes, while the latter is for detaining and interrogating suspects.
Its fearsome reputation deters those in the main family from getting close, let alone entering to be punished.
"Could it be that Miss Miya has been abroad for too long, unaware of matters around the Family Head..."
"In the future, it’s better to consult Special Assistant Joyce more; I don’t want to get trapped again, sigh..."
Though only a small number, respect for Miyi Yates was undermined invisibly.
In the villa living room.
Before even sitting down, Kenny immediately grabbed Cyrus Hawthorne’s arm, urging him, "Hurry, have someone release Mommy!"
Bella Hawthorne, just concerned about Little Dumpling’s injuries and not thinking straight, heard this and took hold of Cyrus Hawthorne’s other arm, anxiously pleading, "Brother! Have your men release Sister-in-law!"
"What happened to Annie?" Cyrus’s calm expression instantly darkened, and he gestured for Mark Joyce, who hurried into the living room, "Explain, what’s going on?"
"President Hawthorne, I just inquired with Dragon. While you were unconscious, Miss Vaughn came by but was misunderstood by Miss Miya and some guards to have ill intentions towards you, thus was detained in the interrogation room..." BOSS’s face darkened immediately, Mark Joyce quickly added, "Don’t worry, they didn’t harm Miss Vaughn, just held her for one night!"
"Moreover, this morning Madam came and took Miss Vaughn away. I’ve sent people to investigate, but they only found Madam and the driver unconscious in the car, Miss Vaughn... is missing!"
At the mention of "missing," a flicker of fear flashed in Kenny’s eyes, and his grip on Cyrus Hawthorne’s arm tightened.
Cyrus Hawthorne’s expression was even harder to look at, as if engulfed in a freezing blizzard, coldness radiating all around, only restrained by Kenny still in his arms.
Bella Hawthorne alone seemed to sense something ominous, her heart filled with unease.
"Immediately assemble everyone, begin searching from where Annie disappeared, and report back within half an hour."
"Yes!" Thɪs chapter is updated by Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
After Mark Joyce left, Cyrus Hawthorne had a medical kit brought in to personally disinfect and treat Kenny’s wounds before bandaging them properly.
While doing this, his gaze lowered, long lashes veiling his sharp, intense gaze, lessening the aggressive edge, and due to his gentle and meticulous actions, exuding some tenderness.
The sight astounded anyone who witnessed it.
Cyrus Hawthorne didn’t like children, even to the point of disliking them. Despite the main family having adorable and sensible juniors, none could garner his attention, let alone receive gentle treatment.
They had even speculated in secret that the Family Head would never want children, but to think...
"Stay here obediently, wait for my return." After pulling down Kenny’s rolled-up sleeves, Cyrus Hawthorne ruffled his head and exited, followed by a group of shadow-like guards.
Kenny initially wanted to go with him, but his knee hurt so much at even a slight move, he had to abandon the idea of becoming a little burden.
He lowered his gaze to his palm, looking at the Bone Branch Badge that Cyrus had just placed there, gazing at the "Hawthorne" character on it.
So, was he afraid of being bullied again, which is why he gave this to him?
Kenny pouted, if he couldn’t bring Mommy back safe and sound, he wouldn’t forgive him so easily!
All-encompassing darkness closed in from all sides.
Ann Vaughn struggled to open her heavy eyes, vision filled with blinding crimson, almost obscuring her sight.
Once the sedative faded from her body, she cleared the scene before her.
The next second, her scalp tightened abruptly, her hair yanked by the force she felt in dreams before, brutally smashing her head against the floor!
Her hands and feet were tied behind her back, utterly powerless to resist!