Zachary was pretty ticked off by her reckless behavior, but he still sent his guys to the back garden to look for the lipstick. He told Seraphina, in no uncertain terms, to stay put at the base and not wander off.
At first, Seraphina didn't want to listen, but after Zachary laid out the potential dangers, she agreed and asked him to let her parents know to stay safe. Zachary promised and then headed off to the York Villa to find the lipstick.
After Zachary left, Seraphina checked her phone and, just as she thought, saw a message from Nico. He had called off his engagement and was coming back to be with her.
Seraphina was over the moon, tears of joy filling her eyes. She quickly replied and then got lost in the beautiful memories of her four years abroad with Nico, realizing more than ever how much he meant to her.
Meanwhile, on his way to the York Villa, Zachary got a call from Atlas, who insisted he attend the engagement party that night. Zachary explained he had other commitments and couldn't make it.
Atlas threatened him with his job, putting Zachary in a tough spot. He frowned deeply, unable to think of a good solution, and could only feel frustrated.
Zachary and his team managed to get into the York Villa. Using his knowledge of Seraphina's room and balcony, he efficiently directed his men to search for the lipstick.
They started with electronic detectors, but all they found were some irrelevant metal objects. The lipstick, which had a crucial USB drive inside, was undetectable, clearly shielded by some special means.
His men reported that the lipstick might be using special packaging that blocked electronic signals, making it undetectable by the devices.
They also mentioned that after a heavy rainstorm the previous night, the garden's drainage system had overflowed, directing rainwater into a nearby ditch connected to an underground drainage pipe a hundred meters away. The lipstick might have been washed into it, making the search a lot harder.
Hearing this, Zachary looked up at the sky in frustration, cursing Seraphina's habit of tossing things around. Despite this, he was determined and ordered his men to find the lipstick at all costs, even if they had to dig up the entire area. He instructed them to cut off the drainage system and call for reinforcements to speed up the search.
As Zachary was busy organizing these efforts, he got an urgent call informing him that the information about Seraphina having the lipstick had been posted on an international underground trading website, making her a target for global terrorists who knew the lipstick's value.
Zachary's face darkened, and he immediately ordered his men to trace the source of the information and cut off its spread. To prevent Seraphina from being tracked, he also ordered her communication devices to be disabled.
In the base's lounge, Seraphina was happily chatting with Nico about flight details, eagerly anticipating their reunion. She was lost in the joy of their impending happiness.
However, when she tried to send a message, it wouldn't go through.
Confused, she checked her phone thoroughly, from network settings to other functions, but found nothing wrong. Yet, the message just wouldn't send.
Unwilling to give up, she left the lounge and tried to get a signal in the hall, but her phone still had no network.
"Hey, Knox," Seraphina called out to a passing person, hurrying over. "My network's down. Can you check with your people and see what's up?"
Knox shook his head. "Sorry, Ms. York. Mr. Baker's orders. You're under quarantine, and all external communications are cut off."
Seraphina was livid. "What do you mean? I'm already stuck here, and now I can't even contact the outside world? I can't even confirm my boyfriend's flight time. How am I supposed to leave? How can I see him?"
Knox looked at her apologetically. "I'm really sorry, Ms. York. Those are Mr. Baker's orders."
The more Seraphina thought about it, the angrier she got. She couldn't understand why she couldn't even confirm Nico's flight time while staying obediently at the base.
She fumed silently, planning to have a serious talk with Zachary when he returned.
At 7 PM, in a five-star hotel downtown, an engagement party was underway. The families of the couple had gathered in a private room, waiting for the main characters of the evening to appear.
The bride-to-be, Della, had dressed up meticulously for the occasion. Naturally beautiful, her elegant attire highlighted her graceful demeanor, easily drawing everyone's attention in the room.
Atlas observed Della discreetly, noting her poise and overall appearance. Though he didn't show it, he was very pleased. In his mind, Della was the perfect match for Zachary, meeting all his criteria for a future wife.
He thought it was a match made in heaven.
But as time passed, Atlas's expression grew darker, like the gathering storm clouds outside.
Zachary, the groom-to-be, was nowhere to be seen.
The York family remained patient, but the atmosphere grew subtly awkward. Conversations occasionally stalled, and everyone silently hoped Zachary would show up soon.
Atlas was anxious. To him, the engagement party was crucial, affecting the family's reputation and future relations. Zachary's absence was a public embarrassment to the York family.
And to him.
Atlas hurriedly explained to Hawk, the York family patriarch, that Zachary was likely on a mission.
His words were quick and tinged with urgency, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
Hawk, however, was understanding and laughed it off.
To him, Della marrying Zachary was a great honor for the York family, making the wait insignificant.
Della's mother, Verity, also smiled warmly, agreeing.
They had seen Zachary's photo and were very impressed, fully approving of him.
Zachary was handsome, with sharp features and a noble demeanor.
Given the Baker family's prominence, the York family felt they were the ones benefiting from this match.
So they waited patiently, without complaint.
Della sat, her shyness evident, her heart racing with excitement at the thought of meeting Zachary.
Just from his photo, she had developed a crush.
Now, knowing she would soon meet him in person, her heart fluttered with nervous anticipation.
She began to imagine what Zachary's personality might be like and how he would react upon seeing her.
She pictured his deep, magnetic voice, capable of making anyone's heart skip a beat.