Randolph called the police, who arrived promptly.
After assessing the situation, the officers exined that since Lucy had been kidnapped in London, they had jurisdiction to investigate the case. They would work with the Harwich police and Russian authorities to apprehend Tom Malfoy,
However<b>, </b>regarding their dispute about who leaked information to Drake Ashcroft, the police stated this wasn’t a police matter and advised them to resolve it themselves.
After the police left, Lady ckwood, having taken her medication, was not prepared to let Thalia off the hook
The elderly woman insisted that Thalia apologize to Grace.
Thaliaughed coldly. “Apologize? She hardly deserves it.”
“You…” Lady ckwood red at Thalia. “Thank goodness you never joined the ckwood family!”
Both Catherine and Asher frowned simultaneously.
Catherine spoke up: “Mother, please don’t speak like that. Thalia has just been through a kidnapping ordeal and nearly lost her life. Moreover, she suffered this because of our family. Her sister’s fate is still unknown. Though she struck Grace, it was a momentary outburst…”
Asher furrowed his brow and said coldly: “I was the one who pursued Thalia, not the other way around. She wasn’t desperate to marry into the ckwood family. Please refrain from making suchments in future.”
Randolph’s eyes reflected disdain. “We have no interest in your bloody ckwood family. Thalia, let’s go home.”
“Alright,” Thalia agreed.
She stared directly at Lady ckwood, her eyes cold as ice. “I will get to the bottom of who leaked the information. If I find evidence that Grace was responsible, I won’t let her off lightly.”
With that, Thalia turned to leave, but Asher quickly grabbed her wrist.
“Lia…”
Thalia lowered her gaze to his hand on her wrist and said coldly: “Let go.
Asher pressed his lips together but didn’t release her.
”
Thalia pulled her hand free from Asher’s grip, her eyes fierce. “If Grace leaked the information, I’ll make her pay the price, even if it means bing your enemy–bing an enemy of the entire ckwood family.”
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Asher was momentarily stunned, a sharp <b>pain </b>spreading through his heart.
Why didn’t she believe he would stand with her?
If Grace had indeed leaked information to Drake, Asher would be the first to hold her ountable. Why did Thalia automatically assume he would protect Grace and oppose her?
Asher’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he couldn’t utter a single word.
Having said her piece, Thalia left without hesitation.
“Stop right there!” Lady ckwoodmanded angrily. “Since when does the ckwood household tolerate such behaviour? You strike someone and think you can simply walk away? Who do you <b>think </b>you are?”
“Grandmother!” Asher’s patience had reached its limit, his voice sharp with irritation.
Though not loud, his tone carried unmistakable authority.
Lady ckwood fell silent immediately.
Grace, tears streaming down her face, gently bit her lower lip and reached for Asher’s sleeve. “Brother, I really…”
Asher pushed Grace away abruptly and headed upstairs, already making a phone call as he went.
Grace, nearly losing her bnce from the forceful push, red at Thalia’s retreating figure with increased hatred.
After Randolph and Thalia left, Lady ckwood continued her incessantining.
Catherine gave Grace a cool, appraising look, then went upstairs withoutment.
Andrew, listening to his mother’s unceasing litany of grievances, developed a severe headache.
He furrowed his brow and wearily massaged his temples. “Mother, you’re being rather unreasonable. The Winters family has suffered repeatedly because of us. How can you still harbour such animosity toward Thalia?”
Lady ckwood was incensed.
“What do you mean, ‘unreasonable‘? She just pped Grace in front of all of us without a shred of evidence. What kind of father are you? Your daughter gets pped, and not only do you fail to defend her, but you use me of being unreasonable. Who’s truly being unreasonable here?”
Andrew sighed deeply. “While it was wrong of her to strike Grace without provocation, your words were also excessively harsh. Anyway, the damage is done. Discussing it further serves no purpose.”
Having said this, Andrew also left.
Grace sat down beside Lady ckwood, sobbing, “Grandmother, it’s all my fault. I’ve always known Thalia dislikes <ol><li>A True Heiress </li></ol>
98.2% <ol><li>me. I don’t mind the p, but it distresses me to see you so upset on my ount. I’m worried about your health </li></ol>
Please calm down.”
Lady ckwood looked at Grace with affection, gently stroking her face. “My poor child, I’m sorry you had to endure such treatment. Does it still hurt?”
Grace shook her head, her eyes still brimming with tears. “No, Grandmother, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Seeing the red swelling on Grace’s cheek, Lady ckwood was distraught. She immediately instructed a servant to boil eggs to help reduce the swelling.
Meanwhile, Asher had called Mason, asking him to investigate Grace and Drake’s recent activities.
After leaving the ckwood residence, Thalia and Randolph went to visit Victoria in hospital.
Victoria had regained consciousness but remained emotionally unstable. Upon seeing Thalia, her eyes immediately reddened.
“Thalia, your sister… your sister…” Victoria broke down in tears.
Thalia felt her own heart ache at the sight and offered whatfort she could.
“Victoria, Malfoy ns to use Lucy as leverage to negotiate with Asher. She’s too valuable as a hostage, so her life shouldn’t be in immediate danger. Please don’t distress yourself to the point of harming your health.”
There was logic to this reasoning.
Although Tom Malfoy was a ruthless psychopath, he was also calcting. Killing Lucy would serve no purpose, whereas keeping her alive to negotiate with Asher was the most strategic approach.
Thalia forced herself to remain calm<b>, </b>convincing herself that Lucy still had value to Malfoy, ensuring he would keep her alive.
After leaving the hospital, Thalia went to a nearby mobile phone shop to purchase a new phone and rece her SIM card.
When she turned it on, she was flooded with missed calls and unread messages.
Thalia quickly scanned through them–most were from Asher, with the remainder from Randolph, Victoria, and her friends and colleagues.
After the harrowing night, she was finally safe.
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With her new phone, Thalia immediately contacted Katie.
“Thalia?” Katie seemed disbelieving, her voice tearful. “Are you alright? I couldn’t reach youst night and was so worried. I feared something had happened to you, <i>so </i>I called the police. How are you? Where are you now?”
Thalia didn’t want to involve unnecessary people or worry her friends, so she didn’t mention being kidnapped by Malfoy.
She responded gently: “I’m fine now. I’m sorry<b>, </b>something came upst night, and I couldn’t answer your call.”
Katie sighed in relief.
“Thank goodness you’re alright.”
Thalia then asked: “Where are you now?”
“I’m at the hotel.”
“Send me the address. I’lle to you right away.”
Katie sent over an address.
Having just left the ckwood residence, Thalia had been driven to the hospital by the Winters family driver. She had borrowed the car when leaving the hospital.
Thalia checked the navigation–the hotel wasn’t far, just a ten–minute drive away.
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