Just as Asher arrived at the ckwood residence, Grace’s car polled into the underground car park of the family
home
The two entered the house one after the other.
<b>In </b>the ground floor drawing room, Lady ckwood, Andrew, and Catherine were waiting for them on the sofa
Asher entered with urgency, hisposed voice belying the anxiety churning within <b>him</b>. “It was Thalia’s friend who contacted the police. She couldn’t reach Thalia and became concerned, so she reported her missing. The police only contacted the Winters family to confirm Thalia’s disappearance. The authorities don’t yet know she’s been kidnapped by Malfoy, and since she’s only been missing for a few hours, they haven’t officially opened a case.”
Asher’s expression was grim, his dark, fathomless eyes cold with determination.
“Malfoy has called demanding that Ie alone-
“Absolutely not! You can’t possibly go alone!” Grace interrupted before Asher could finish, her voice pitched with genuine rm.
Since learning about Thalia’s kidnapping by Tom Malfoy, Grace had been in unusually good spirits. She had even been humming to herself on the way to the ckwood residence.
However, upon hearing that Asher nned to rescue Thalia alone, her cheerful mood instantly evaporated.
Grace’s expression became agitated, her voice tense with concern. “Malfoy certainly won’t let you leave alive. It’s far too dangerous for you to go alone. We should inform the police and have them apany you!”
Asher’s brow furrowed, his tone deadly serious though perfectly measured. “That’s out of the question. We cannot involve the police. If Malfoy discovers we’ve contacted the authorities, he’ll kill her immediately.<i>” </i>
Grace persisted: “But her friend has already reported her missing. The police already know she’s disappeared.”
“As I just exined,” Asher replied with forced patience, “the police only know she’s missing, not that she’s been kidnapped. If we coordinate with the Winters family and inform the police that she’s been found, the matter will be closed. Then we can focus on rescuing Thalia.”
Andrew asked, “What’s your n for the rescue?”
Asher’s expression was resolute. “Malfoy is targeting me. I’ll exchange myself for her.”
“You’ve lost your mind!” Andrew eximed.
“You can’t!” cried Grace.
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1 absolutely forbid it Lady ckwood dered.
The three objected almost simultaneously.
Catherine’s expression grew somber as she asked, “Is there truly no other option?”
“I must go.” Asher stated in a tone that brooked no argument, the quiet intensity of his voice revealing how deeply
this affected him.
Grace urgently protested: “But exchanging yourself ispletely mad! How can Thalia Winters‘ life possiblypare to yours, brother?”
Upon hearing this, Asher’s frigid gaze swept toward her.
His look was so intimidating–a warning mixed with fury–that Grace immediately fell silent. She opened her mouth, but no sound emerged from her throat.
A momentter, Asher said coldly: “I never want to hear such words from you again.”
Grace’s eyes reddened at the corners, her lip caught between her teeth, feeling utterly wounded. “Brother, is Thalia Winters truly more important to you than your own life?”
“Yes.”
Without the slightest hesitation.
One word that left the entire ckwood family speechless with shock.
The room fell into a deathly silence.
After a prolonged moment, Lady ckwood recovered, her face contorted with anger as she reprimanded: “This is absolute madness!”
Andrew’s expression was equally grim. “Asher, have you forgotten what your grandfather told you?”
“No,” Asher replied calmly, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his inner turmoil. “There’s no need for such concern. While Lia does indeed mean more to me than my own life, I’m not foolish enough to trade my life for hers. If I were to go alone, neither of us would survive.”
Hearing this, everyone’s expressions rxed somewhat.
Catherine asked: “Are you saying you already have a solution?”
Asher nodded and proceeded to exin his n in detail.
After listening, Lady ckwood frowned. “It’s still far too risky. You are the ckwood heir–our only heir. I cannot allow you to put yourself in such danger!”
11 Dissor is Actually A True Heiress
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“Exactly, brother, Grace implored. “You mustn’t go. I think we should inform the police and let then ran Thalia If you go. Malfoy certainly won’t spare you.”
Asher’s face hardened, his eyes sharp as daggers, full of warning. “I said, no polie
“I’m only concerned for your safety, brother Grace wilted under his re, her voter beraking with what appeared to be genuine distress,
Though her tears were partially an act, they weren’t entirely feigned the truly was worried that Asher might not
return.
Asher ignored Grace’s theatrics. He looked at Andrew, Catherine, and then Lady ckwood Father, Mother, Grandmother, this is currently the best rescue n avable. Let’s proceed as I’ve outlined. I need your cooperation.”
Lady ckwood shook her head firmly. “I disagree. You cannot go.”
Asher set his jaw, his expression impassive though his eyes betrayed his fierce determination, “Grandmother, I’ve made my decision.”
The implication was clear: your objection is irrelevant.
“You… you…” Lady ckwood trembled with anger. “You would truly risk your life for this woman? Very well. I see I can no longer control you. I shall inform your grandfather immediately and let him deal with you!”
Seeing the elderly woman’s agitation, Andrew grew rmed. He quickly patted her back, trying to calm her. “Mother, please don’t upset yourself. Your heart condition might re up again.”
Andrew was genuinely caught in a difficult position. The elderlydy had recently suffered a heart attack and had nearly not been revived. Now she was bing this agitated again. He feared that before they could rescue Thalia. his mother might be in serious danger.
“Brother, you can’t do this,” Grace pleaded. “Grandmother has a heart condition and can’t handle such stress. You can’t frighten her like this. If anything should happen to you<b>, </b>Grandmother would…”
Seeing that Asher wouldn’t be dissuaded<b>, </b>Grace invoked Lady ckwood’s health–ostensibly concern, but in reality a form of emotional maniption and veiled threat.
After receiving Tom Malfoy’s call, Asher had quickly devised a rescue n.
His n was indeed the best option avable under the circumstances.
Originally, Asher could have gone straight to Harwich without returning to the ckwood residence.
But remembering Malfoy’s warning that he would kill Thalia immediately if they involved the police, Asi worried that the ckwood and Winters families might panic and disrupt his rescue n. Thus, he had retu. home to exin his strategy.
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As tensione mounted, Bandolph and Victoria arrived in beste
“Any news of Thalia?” Randolph asked urgently as he entered,s ke tige with pearl co
Asher revealed the truth.
“What! You’re saving Thalia’s been kidnapped by Tom Malfoy Bands face drained of odor
Randolph became frantic, his eyes widening as he lunged forward, only to be restrained by security pervane
“Randolph, please try to calm down, Andrew urged.
“Calm? You keep telling me to be calm!” Randolph’s eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving with cotton <b>“</b><b>Yos </b>imed that breaking off the engagement would keep my family safe from Malfoy, Yet here we are–the engagement has been over for months, and he’s still targeting Thalia! I demand an exnation from you this
instant!”
Compared to Randolph, Asher maintained hisposure. With genuine remorse <b>in </b><b>his </b>eyes, he spoke patiently. “Sir, Thalia’s life hangs in the bnce. <b>This </b>isn’t the time for exnations<b>. </b><b>I </b>need your cooperation to rescue her. Once she’s safe, I promise you’ll have the answers you seek.”
Asher shared his n with Randolph.
Upon hearing that Asher was willing to risk his own safety to save Thalia, Randolph’s expression softened slightly, his emotions gradually settling.
“Let’s proceed with your n,” he agreed.
(11)
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99.8% <ol><li>A True Heiress </li></ol>