Chapter 322 Thalia Is Not Here?
As soon as the box was opened, a bloody smell instantly filled the entire courtyard. Inside the package was a bright red severed hand, cut off at the wrist.
Eileen couldn't hold it in and threw up.
Steven was sitting in a lounge chair when he saw this scene, and his face immediately darkened. "Where did this package come from?"
"Not sure. A delivery person brought it to the front door, saying it was something very important that you had to sign for personally."
Eileen came to her senses and stepped back a few more paces. Looking at the person standing at the door, she was furious. "This is absolutely outrageous! Sending anything and everything into the courtyard - what do you think this place is?"
"I..." The servant felt very wronged. In the past, they had been punished many times for not delivering documents promptly. This time, they were being scolded for delivering something too promptly.
Looking at Eileen, they had grievances but couldn't voice them.
Steven suppressed his anger and glanced at the foam box. Seeing it was empty with nothing else inside, he signaled the servant to destroy it. "Burn it, don't leave any traces."
"Understood."
"Who would want to keep something like this anyway!"
"Who could be so cruel to send us this?"
Eileen gulped down several mouthfuls of water. She was holding the cup so fast that her hands were trembling slightly. Steven had a vague idea of who it might be, but couldn't be certain.
"The Jimenez family has many enemies. It wouldn't be strange, no matter who it is. Things were better before, but now in Regal City, there are probably plenty of people who want to see us fall."
Eileen said nothing, though she certainly knew their current situation wasn't what it used to be.
Steven could tell what Eileen was thinking and comforted her gently, "Don't overthink it. We're both getting old, and overthinking won't help. Go call the kids."
"Okay."
As soon as Eileen went inside, Steven had someone bring him his phone.
He made a call to Stefan.
Steven told Stefan about what happened today. Stefan found it strange and hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I haven't seen Mr. Brown at all on my end. There's no question of offending anyone. Could there be some misunderstanding about this? Or is there something going on that we don't know about?"
Steven's eyes darkened a bit. He knew that the Jimenezes were aware of his attempt to find William, and he had explicitly told the other Jimenez family members not to get involved in this matter. But those people in the Jimenez family definitely weren't that obedient.
They must be trying every possible way to prevent William from returning to Regal City.
"Mr. Michael Jimenez is also there."
"Michael?"
"Yes!" Stefan responded, "But as far as I know, he probably hasn't seen the person either."
...
"Mr. Brown, we've brought the people back."
Late at night, Mistwood Hill was completely silent. The sounds of insects and birds in the forest were blocked out by thick walls. The auxiliary building was hidden among the trees, with dim yellow streetlights scattered along the cobblestone path, creating a sense of melancholy in the quiet forest.
In the basement, a man and a woman were begging desperately. One of the man's hands had been cut off. The bleeding had been stopped, but the blood-stained clothes hadn't been removed.
"We really don't know anything. Please let us go!"
The woman never expected that even after running to Regal City, she would still be caught and brought back. What that person had said was all lies.
They had been held in the car the whole way, driving for eight straight hours to Emerald City. When they arrived, they were thrown into this dark, sunless basement.
This kind of operation - how could it be done by ordinary people?
"It's okay if you don't know. We have plenty of time to work on you. Think it over carefully!"
"Before you think, consider whether that man beside you has any extra time for you to waste," Finn said, lighting a cigarette and looking at the woman casually.
Hearing this, the woman's panicked eyes fell on the man beside her. Seeing his arm, her heart jumped. "You... this is illegal."
"We're breaking the law, but poisoning people isn't?"
"What poisoning? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Finn took a drag of his cigarette and didn't bother arguing with the woman. He glanced at James. "What do you think will happen if we lock them up for the night?"
"The woman will be fine. The man will die," James said concisely.
James's eyes held a faint blue glow, beautiful yet sinister, appearing even more mysterious in this dim environment.
Clearly, they were a couple - otherwise the woman wouldn't have reacted so strongly when Finn said that.
Hearing James's words, Finn nodded and stood up. "Then let's go! We'll come back tomorrow."
The woman's face showed panic. "Wait... wait."
Finn looked at her, waiting for her to continue. The woman was clearly hesitant, wanting to speak but not daring to.
Finn snorted. "You've already used your first chance. I never give people a third chance. Keep thinking."
With that, the basement's iron door slammed shut with a clang.
"Mr. Brown," in the nighttime, Finn saw the scattered lights under the eaves, walked over, and reported the situation to William.
"She hasn't confessed, but it's only a matter of time."
"Go rest!" Knowing Finn had been traveling constantly these past few days, William turned to tell someone else to keep watch.
Finn left, and William glanced at James.
The latter sensibly followed.
William stood tall and upright, his bearing like a pine or cypress, his whole body wrapped in a low-key, restrained air. All his emotions were hidden beneath his brows and eyes, unfathomable.
In the study, the lights were bright, and James's light blue eyes were finally fully illuminated.
Blonde hair and blue eyes, with a royal air.
Compared to William's low-key restraint, he seemed wrapped in an impenetrable melancholy, just like a melancholy prince.
"Thalia's not here?" James asked.
"She went to record a show."
"It's three minutes past twelve," James glanced at the time, implying - isn't this show running a bit late?
"Industry requirements." William poured him a cup of coffee.
"The Jimenez family is full of intrigue, and Steven holds all the power. Now that you've gotten involved in the Jimenez family's affairs, I'm afraid it will take some time to extricate yourself."
William picked up his coffee and took a sip. "Any movement from the Carter family?"
"They heard that the Lowe Group was acquired and have been trying to find out more."
"You can leak the information."
James's eyes tightened. "You mean you're going to get involved in the Jimenez family's mess?"
"Mr. Brown, there's no benefit in this for you."
William swirled the coffee in his hand, looking at James with a calm tone. "Aim for the top, and you'll reach the middle; aim for the middle, and you'll reach the bottom; aim for the bottom, and you'll reach rock bottom. What state do you think I'm in right now?"