Chapter 146
At that thought, Lucinda slowly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, they were ice-cold and razor-sharp.
"Where's the Black Wolf Crew's base? How many people? What's their firepower?"
The person on the other end froze, then quickly rattled off coordinates and numbers before adding, "The Black Wolf Crew's been operating in Sylvanor for over a decade. They've got at least two or three hundred men, armed with everything from pistols to rifles. Their base is in an abandoned mining complex—easy to defend, hard to attack. Boss, are you coming over?"
"Yes."
Elijah's voice turned urgent. "But the Black Wolf Crew—"
"I know." Lucinda cut him off. Her voice was unnervingly calm, yet it radiated authority. "Notify all Origin Oath Crew members. Get your gear ready. I'm heading over now. Until I arrive, don't make any reckless moves. Keep eyes on the Black Wolf Crew and make sure Ms. Lancaster stays safe. Don't send small teams to get slaughtered, and don't send too many and tip them off. Wait until I'm there."
As she spoke, she slowly rose to her feet.
Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but it couldn't dispel the cold aura radiating from her. "I'm bringing her back myself."
The line went quiet for two seconds. Then Elijah's voice came through, charged with emotion. "Yes, Boss!"
After a pause, he couldn't help but ask, "Boss, should we contact the Dusk Reign Crew? They've got the biggest foothold in Sylvanor. If we could borrow their channels—"
"No need." Lucinda interrupted, her tone flat. "The Dusk Reign Crew doesn't get involved in other people's business. Asking them won't help. Besides, my people are enough. I don't need to beg anyone."
The call ended. Lucinda slowly lowered her phone. But her fist remained clenched.
Niamh—the person who had once pulled her back from the edge of death.
This time, no matter the cost, she wouldn't let anything happen to her.
She looked up and caught sight of Hayden outside the window. She forced the surge of emotion back down.
In the garden, Hayden was wearing a straw hat and watering the roses. He said something to the butler, who suddenly laughed.
The old man immediately lifted his chin with pride, like a child who'd just won a game.
Sunlight fell on his silver hair. He looked warm, vibrant, alive.
Lucinda watched quietly for a few seconds. Her emotions churned beneath the surface.
If Hayden found out something had happened to Niamh…
She didn't dare think about it.
Meanwhile, on the terrace, Reginald's expression had turned stormy.
"You're sure it's the Black Wolf Crew?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it sent a chill down the spine of the person on the other end.
"Confirmed. Ms. Lancaster's last known location was Blackrock Canyon. By the time we got word, she'd already been taken."
Reginald's eyes turned glacial. The veins on the back of his hand stood out sharply.
Niamh was his only sister—and after their mother's death, aside from his father, she was the most important person in the Lancaster family.
Over the years, she'd loved freedom, loved adventure.
He didn't approve, but he'd always let her live her own life. Because it was hers to live.
But now, someone had dared to touch her.
"Notify the Dusk Reign Crew. Full combat readiness. Now."
The breathing on the other end stopped short.
The Dusk Reign Crew—one of Sylvanor's three major powers, controlling the eastern region. For years, they'd formed a three-way standoff with the Black Wolf Crew and the Origin Oath Crew.
Everyone knew the Dusk Reign Crew was strong. But no one knew that the man behind it was Reginald.
And Reginald himself had no idea who was backing the Black Wolf Crew or the Origin Oath Crew.
"Effective immediately, all personnel enter Level One alert. All core members assemble at once." Reginald's gaze was frighteningly cold. "Also, prepare a plane. I'm going personally. No one moves until I say so. Send me the Black Wolf Crew's full intel."
"Understood. Boss, should we contact the Origin Oath Crew? They've got serious pull in Sylvanor too. If we could coordinate—"
"No need." Reginald cut him off. His gaze landed on his father's figure in the garden. His voice dropped. "The Origin Oath Crew doesn't get involved in other people's affairs. Asking them won't help. My sister's situation—I'll handle it myself."
"Yes, sir!"
The call ended. The terrace fell silent again.
Reginald stood there for a long time. The wind lifted the hair from his forehead, revealing the darkness in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, turned around, and pushed open the door to the living room. By the time he stepped inside, every trace of emotion had been locked away. As if nothing had happened at all.
Lucinda looked up. Their eyes met.
For a moment, each of them saw something faintly off in the other's gaze. But neither said a word.
The air went still.
Reginald walked over and sat beside her. His gaze rested on her face. "What's wrong?"
Lucinda's expression remained calm. "Something came up at the company."
Reginald frowned slightly.
Almost at the same time, Lucinda noticed the lingering coldness in his features.
"And you?" She looked up at him. "What happened?"
Reginald was silent for two seconds. Then he said evenly, "Some work overseas needs handling."
Lucinda nodded. She didn't press further.
After a pause, Reginald spoke again. "I'll probably be gone for a few days."
Lucinda's fingers paused slightly. She nodded. "Okay."
Reginald looked at her, his tone serious. "While I'm gone, use my car. I'm leaving the driver and bodyguards with you."
"I don't need them." Lucinda's refusal was immediate.
Reginald's frown deepened. "Cindy."
"I really don't."
"Why not?"
Lucinda looked up at him. Her tone was calm. "No one can bully me."
Reginald was momentarily speechless. And he knew she was telling the truth.
Given Lucinda's personality, if she ran into danger, the other party would be the one in trouble.
With that thought, he sighed helplessly. "Then promise me one thing."
"What?"
Reginald reached out and gently took hold of her wrist.
His palm was warm, but his grip carried a rare seriousness. "If anything happens—anything at all—call me first. Don't try to handle it alone."
Lucinda looked at him. Her heart skipped guiltily.
But if she didn't agree now, knowing Reginald's personality, he'd probably assign someone to tail her twenty-four-seven.
With that in mind, she nodded. "Got it."
Only then did Reginald relax slightly. He glanced down at the time and slowly stood. "I should go."
Lucinda looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "Already?"
"Yes." Reginald nodded. His voice remained gentle. "They're pushing hard on the other end."
Lucinda nodded. She didn't ask further.
Just then, footsteps sounded from the garden.
Hayden walked in from outside, still holding the watering can. The moment he stepped through the door, he caught Reginald's parting words.
The smile vanished from his face. "What do you mean, you're leaving? You just got back. Your seat's not even warm yet."
Reginald pinched the bridge of his nose helplessly. "Dad, there's something at the company."
"What could be so important at the company?" Hayden's eyes widened. "Is the place going to collapse without you?"
Reginald fell silent.