Chapter 342

Chapter 342

"I guessed. Shopping apps are usually used frequently, so they're put in the most convenient spot."

"And that just happens to be where I prefer it too."

Ethan nodded with a smile.

"Go ahead and keep using it. I'll stay here with you."

I lowered my head and continued browsing the shopping page, my mind racing to figure out how to send a message.

I scrolled to a purple coffee pot set and suddenly remembered the code Fanny and I had agreed on as kids: red meant danger, yellow meant wait, and purple meant all clear.

Only the two of us knew that code.

If she saw this purple gift box, she'd definitely go find Leopold.

And as long as Leopold kept tabs on Ethan, he'd be able to find me.

"I'll get this one." I showed Ethan the page. "My mom likes purple. She'll definitely love this set."

Ethan glanced at it without much thought. "What's the delivery address?"

I gave him Fanny's hotel address.

Ethan placed the order for me.

Throughout the entire process, he didn't suspect a thing.

He even ordered a bouquet of violets for Fanny on the side.

He called it: "Good things come in pairs."

---

Evening.

Ethan suggested a walk downstairs. "The air outside is better than inside. You've been in your room too long. You look pale."

I changed into flat shoes and followed him out.

Probably because we were surrounded by trees, the wind here carried a distinct dampness.

"Are you cold?" Ethan saw me hugging my arms and made a move to take off his jacket.

I refused quietly. "I'm not cold. I'm just not used to walking like this anymore."

"Then we'll head back after this path. The scenery here is the best."

At the end of the trail was a mountain slope extending downward.

The view was wide open, and the surrounding scenery was beautiful.

It gave you a sense of sudden clarity.

Neither of us spoke. We just quietly soaked it in.

Only the rustling sound of wind through the leaves remained.

"Bang!"

A purple firework exploded in the distant sky.

Then a second. A third.

One after another, purple fireworks bloomed in the night, stunningly beautiful.

"Who's setting off fireworks at this hour?" Ethan looked in that direction.

I didn't say anything. My gaze locked firmly on that patch of purple.

My heart surged.

Was it Leopold?

Had he really received the message and come looking?

"The wind is strong here. Should we head back?"

Realizing Ethan might have picked up on something, I was afraid I'd reveal my true emotions. I turned first.

"Okay. Let's go."

As soon as we got back inside, Ethan's phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, his brow furrowing.

"I'm going outside to take this call."

With that, he pushed the door open and walked into the yard.

Through the glass, I watched his expression grow graver and graver as he spoke.

I walked to the sofa and turned on the living room TV.

The news channel was reporting on the Seymour family.

"As everyone knows, the Seymour Group has developed rapidly in recent years and has ventured into countless industries. Now it's imploded and is suspected of cross-border money laundering. Core executives have been jointly investigated by multiple countries..."

I slowly sat down.

The news footage cut to the scene outside the Seymour Group building.

A massive crowd had gathered there.

Employees demanding justice. Cheated business partners.

As I was watching, Ethan walked back in.

He glanced at the TV screen and came directly behind me.

"Cindy, my grandfather isn't feeling well. I need to leave for a bit."

I looked up at the right moment. "Is it serious?"

"Not too bad. But the Seymour family's mess has dragged the Guise family into it and triggered a credibility crisis. The board is very unhappy, so I need to go handle it."

"Then you should go quickly."

Ethan came around to face me, his gaze heavy as he stared at me. "I'll only be gone for three hours."

"Stay here and wait for me. Don't do anything you shouldn't. Okay?"

I smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

"Good."

Ethan reached out as if to pat the top of my head.

I tilted my head and avoided it.

He didn't get angry. He turned and picked up a remote, pressing a button.

A red light immediately lit up below the TV, and the news broadcast froze instantly.

"From this moment on, all signals within a two-mile radius are blocked. Forget phone calls—you can't even send messages."

"The villa's security system has also entered maximum lockdown. No one can disable it except with my fingerprint or iris scan."

Blocking signals wasn't enough. He'd even activated the iris security system.

I asked coldly, "Are you done?"

"One more thing." Ethan bent down to meet my eyes. "Everything I'm doing is to protect you, not to restrain you."

But restraint itself was a threat.

"I understand. Go to the hospital. Don't keep Mr. Cade Guise waiting."

Ethan nodded in satisfaction.

When he reached the door, he turned back, pulled a book from under the table, and tossed it on the sofa.

"If you're bored, you can read. You haven't been in good spirits these past few days. It's fine to rest early too."

The moment the front door closed.

I heard the electronic lock click into place.

I got up and walked to the window, watching Ethan drive out the gate and disappear into the night.

Back in the living room, I didn't touch the book. I had no interest in watching the news either.

I just sat quietly on the sofa.

Waiting for Leopold to come find me.

---

An hour later.

The faint hum of the TV's electrical current stopped abruptly.

The host's movements on the screen froze completely.

I bolted to the window.

There was no movement outside the gate.

I ran to the door and twisted the handle.

The door was locked tight. It didn't budge.

Time ticked by. I started pacing back and forth in the living room.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind me.

Just as I was wrestling with the door, I heard a voice.

"Busy, are we?"

I whipped around.

Leopold stood behind me.

He wore a dark gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up to mid-forearm. His face showed exhaustion, and his clothes were dusted with grime.

"Leopold!"

I ran over and threw myself into his arms.

Leopold opened his arms with a smile and pulled me into his embrace.

His large hand patted my back soothingly twice.

"How did you get so thin? Isn't Ethan feeding you?"

My throat tightened. I said softly, "No. I just didn't have an appetite."

After tightening my arms around him, I pressed him again. "How did you find this place?"

"I got your mother's message and came to this area. I was watching the surroundings the whole time I set off the fireworks. But Ethan hid well."

"It wasn't until just now, when I saw his car leave, that I was able to reverse-track and find this place."

Leopold's explanation was matter-of-fact, but I knew the process had been dangerous.

One wrong move and he would have tipped Ethan off.

"Ethan said he'd only be gone for three hours. There's less than two hours left."

"Then let's go."

"The security in the kitchen has a loophole. We can leave from there without triggering the alarm."

Leopold pulled me toward the kitchen.

I refused. "Wait. I can't leave yet."

"I've already found a lead on the control subject. I'll arrange for someone to remove it from Orion soon. But you can't stay here. It's too dangerous."