Ch. 1961..1970

Chapter 1961

Chapter 1961

Persephone jolted, pulling herself back to the present, and gasped. She glanced around the room, then gazed into the distance. This place was far from where Morpheus lived. Essentially, it was like one was in the north of the city and the other in the south. Perhaps Seamus had chosen this place to keep her separated from Morpheus.

Persephone felt like there was a huge weight on her heart.

Soon after, Catherine brought back the herbs, and the kitchen was filled with the scent of medicinal brew. Once the herbal soup was ready, Persephone carried a bowl and gently knocked on Seamus' door. Seamus was changing his bandage. When he saw Persephone come in, his hand jolted, causing his wound to reopen and stain the fresh bandages with blood.

"Don't move!" Persephone hastily set down the bowl. "Let me help you."

Seamus wanted to refuse, but she firmly held his hand. Her eyes were red like she was going to cry.

"I'm sorry..." she stammered after a moment.

Seamus hurriedly reassured her, "Miss, what are you saying?!"

"It's all because of me." Tears streamed down Persephone's face. "If I hadn't been stubborn and insisted on coming to Flinge, you wouldn't have ended up like this..."

"It's my fault," Seamus murmured. "I failed to arrange things properly again, letting those two take advantage and nearly harming you."

"Who were those two men?"

"Local gang members." Seamus glanced at her. "Miss, I'm not blaming you... We should have left long ago. Look, you've already attracted the local underworld's attention. They might have known your identity and wanted to harm you, then use you to threaten your grandfather, Nicholas..."

Persephone bit her lip, unable to look at him.

There was a barely perceptible smile on Seamus as he continued. "If it weren't for Morpheus... wouldn't you have left here with me long ago?"

"This has nothing to do with Morpheus!" Persephone blurted, "It's all because of me that you've suffered! It's not about him!"

Seamus sighed. "You're still protecting him."

Persephone could sense the frustration in his tone. He didn't blame her but seemed utterly disappointed in her. However, Morpheus' life or death remained uncertain, and that was what truly distressed her... "Seamus, I'll take good care of you." Persephone spoke softly. "But... please don't mention Morpheus again. Give me your phone. I'll call my parents to send someone to pick us up."

Seamus' expression changed, his eyes flashing with an inscrutable chill.

"What's wrong?"

"Miss..." Seamus paused. "Let's not tell them about what's happening here."

"Why?"

"Do you want them to worry? I always tell your parents about good news and spare them the worries."

Persephone paused. In her impression, her family's love and indulgence toward her were boundless. She could seek help at home for any difficulty, without any hesitation about sharing good or bad news. Yet, Seamus was telling her now, "Miss, you've grown up. You have to consider them. You can't act so irresponsibly anymore!

"Even though we're facing a bit of trouble now, it's manageable. Let's not worry your parents!"

"But-"

"Do you really want your parents to lose sleep worrying about you?"

Persephone gazed at him quietly. Truthfully, she felt Seamus was becoming more and more peculiar. Whether it was her own perception or not, he didn't seem like the same Seamus from Centrolis-the Seamus who had always put her first in everything.

Although the current Seamus was still prioritizing her in everything, every word he uttered felt like he was educating and condescending her.

Perhaps a person's character would change based on their environment.

Persephone took a deep breath.

Chapter 1962

Chapter 1962

Persephone felt a bit disgruntled, but seeing Seamus' injuries softened her heart.

"You should focus on healing first," she murmured. "I won't make any calls for now. I don't want to worry them either."

"Yeah, that's right." Seamus chuckled. "That's what Mr. and Mrs. Hamerton's sensible daughter would think."

Persephone forced a smile and handed him the bowl of medicine. She inadvertently sniffed it and found its scent a bit odd. However, she couldn't quite pinpoint what was strange about it. Maybe different locations where herbs grew could create different scents?

Seamus drank the herbal soup and advised her to return to her room and rest.

Instead, Persephone went downstairs to the courtyard for some fresh air.

It had been days since she last ventured outside. This neighborhood was semi-private, hosting many out-of-towners and even foreigners. There were also several vendors setting up shops nearby.

This place was close to the city center, so the security here was much better than the street Morpheus lived on. The atmosphere was more lively and warmer as well.

As dusk approached, the stall owners began setting up at the night market.

Persephone dared not go far and just wandered around the vicinity, observing the bustling night market from a distance. To avoid complications, she prepared to head back after looking around. At that moment, a young girl bumped into her.

The little girl held a bunch of roses that were wrapped in pale pink paper, sending shivers down Persephone's spine.

"Do you want to buy flowers?" she asked.

Persephone's mind went blank instantly!

Persephone's heart hung in the balance as the girl handed over a rose.

The little girl blinked and smiled at her. "Miss, you're as beautiful as the flower!"

Persephone's hands trembled slightly as she took the rose. Subconsciously, she pinched it and found a thickly folded note inside.

The first line read: [He's recovering well.]

The second read: [Beware of those around you.]

Persephone widened her eyes and grabbed the girl's shoulder.

"Who... Who is it?"

The little girl just looked at her without saying a word.

"Who exactly is it?!"

The girl smiled. "Miss, if you don't like it, just throw the flower away!"

Persephone watched as she ran off into the distance, her heart pounding.

For the past few days, she had been restless. Like the last note, she didn't dare keep this one. She memorized every word, tore it to pieces, and threw it into the trash. 'He is recovering well...' she thought and sighed in relief.

However, to beware of those around her?

Persephone sat by the window and looked into the distance, her gaze growing more indecipherable.

"Go away! Go play somewhere else!" Suddenly, Catherine's voice echoed.

The other two bodyguards also shouted outside the window.

Upon seeing Persephone, one of them explained, "There's been a group of boys around here lately, running around and carrying guns. They're really annoying!" "Guns?" Persephone was startled.

"Miss, don't worry. They're not real guns," the bodyguard reassured her. "Just those water and airsoft guns that kids like to play with. Water guns are fine, but airsoft guns can be a bit troublesome. Those toy bullets pack quite a punch and can even shatter glass!

"These boys have been causing mischief around this area. I'm afraid it might disturb Seamus' rest, so I asked Granny Catherine to shoo them away."

Chapter 1963

Chapter 1963

Persephone paused. The group of young boys running around, laughing and playing, all seemed about eight or nine years old undoubtedly the most irritating age group.

However, when they saw her, they blinked their large eyes and smiled. Their crystal-clear gazes eased Persephone's guard.

"Don't chase them away." She turned to the bodyguards. "They're just kids. Why bother about it so much?"

"But..."

"This is a neighborhood, not our own home! Let them play. They'll leave on their own in a while. No need for fuss."

The two bodyguards exchanged looks, nodded helplessly, and turned back to the room.

As Persephone leaned against the railing, she found herself a bit envious of these kids. Seeing them made her reminisce about her childhood. Except, her childhood was never as carefree as theirs. Hamerton Manor was enormous, palace-like, but no matter how vast a place, it was always smaller than the sky.

She was like a little bird yearning for the outside world, wanting to soar high and break free from the constraints of her family. Yet, she forgot that only the Hamertons could protect her properly. Persephone sighed and was about to head back to her room when she heard the sound of airsoft guns. Her heart skipped a beat as she instinctively glanced toward the boys' direction. They had used the airsoft guns to shoot two letters onto the wall-"OK".

Persephone's eyes widened.

The boys waved at her, smiling, and pointed at the wall. One of them even raised a pair of boxing gloves!

Persephone's heart raced in an instant. She looked around and confirmed the boys were indeed waving at her, showing her the boxing gloves, and spelling out "OK" on the wall to her.

She covered her mouth, her mind blank. The boys had already run off by the time she snapped out of it.

Upon hearing the airsoft guns, the bodyguards rushed over and anxiously inquired about the situation.

"Miss, it must be those kids with the airsoft guns, right?" one of the bodyguards grumbled. "These boys probably can't afford school and always cause trouble on the streets. They're really annoying! "Miss, were you scared just now?

"Although airsoft guns aren't like real firearms, they still have a certain degree of impact. Next time these boys cause trouble, don't stop us from driving them away!" Persephone was so nervous her breathing became erratic. She didn't absorb a single word they said. Her mind was full of that "OK" and the pair of boxing gloves. Had Morpheus sent those boys? Was he trying to let her know he was doing fine and slowly recovering through them?

Yet, how did he know where she lived...

This barrage of questions left Persephone's already confused mind even more chaotic.

Suddenly, a deep voice came from behind her, "Miss, what are you doing standing here?"

Persephone jumped in fright. She swiftly turned around and saw Seamus staring straight at her.

"Seamus..." Persephone refocused, suppressing her racing heartbeat. "Seamus, are you... feeling better?"

Seamus remained silent, walking directly to her side. The balcony wasn't spacious. Still, there was always some distance between them when they stood together. In a while, distant thunder rumbled.

Chapter 1964

Chapter 1964

Persephone glanced at Seamus, who was still wrapped in bandages.

"Go back to rest. You are still injured and can't stand for too long," she softly said.

Seamus gazed into the distance and remained silent for a moment before smiling faintly. "Miss, am I useless?"

"What are you saying?!"

"I can't even protect you..."

A sense of guilt crawled over Persephone's heart like ivy on a wall.

"Don't be like this." She looked at him. "If not for you this time, I wouldn't know what terrible things might have happened... Seamus, thankfully, you're by my side."

"Really?" Seamus turned around.

Perhaps due to the lighting, Persephone had the feeling that Seamus looked even gloomier, like thick dark clouds on the horizon. There was an indescribable sense of oppression.

"If you had to choose between me and Morpheus, who would you choose?"

Persephone was taken aback, her hands subconsciously fiddling with her dress.

"I'm sorry. I said the wrong thing again." Seamus forced a smile. "Morpheus is the one you like, and I, to put it nicely, am your bodyguard. Bluntly speaking, I'm just a dog of the Hamertons... Heh, what right do have to compare with Morpheus?"

"Seamus!"

Persephone felt uncomfortable. She recalled a time from her childhood when she had been riding a horse, and the horse had been alarmed out of the blue. It had galloped around the track with her. She had been terrified, screaming, and it was Seamus who had risked himself to stop the horse, placing himself beneath its hooves to save her.

Even the equestrian instructor at the time had said they, as professionals, wouldn't dare to use that method to save someone. And Seamus, at that time, was just a teenage boy. He could have easily lost his life to the horse's hooves, yet he had risked everything to protect her, choosing the most dangerous path.

"Miss, everything I do is for you." His voice was hoarse. "Don't worry. Once I'm healed, I'll ensure you get home safely." Persephone's gaze dimmed slightly. "Focus on healing first. Right now, your health is the most important thing."

Seamus messaged Wynn, arranging to meet him in secret.

Wynn was surprised. He hesitated for a moment, then carefully dressed up before arriving on time. As he entered a dark corner of the bar, there was only one table there, oddly out of place in the whole bar. Seamus sat there with no alcohol in front of him, only half a cup of lukewarm water. His countenance revealed no emotion, appearing somewhat stern as he observed Wynn.

Wynn sat opposite him but immediately stood up, afraid of upsetting him.

After Seamus nodded, he sat back down with an appeasing smile.

Although the sight of Wynn's face made Seamus nauseous, he had to take this step.

"Why?" he coldly demanded.

Wynn was puzzled, not understanding what he meant.

"Why update Sephy?!"

"Update... What?" Wynn was even more confused. What did Seamus mean? He hadn't seen Persephone since the match that had almost cost Morpheus his life!

"Seamus, are you... mistaken?" Wynn hurried to explain, "I don't know what you're talking about, but I haven't seen Sephy for a long time! Besides, weren't you supposed to leave? Why are you still in Flinge?"

"We were going to, but something unexpected happened that night." Seamus lit a cigarette, his features shrouded in smoke. The smoke also concealed his slight sneer. "Don't you admit you're somewhat related to that unexpected event?"

Chapter 1965

Chapter 1965

"That's impossible!" Wynn was agitated. "Seamus, how could you suspect me?! I...

"That day, Morpheus got hurt, and Sephy wasn't with him. He almost lost his life! I was busy taking care of him. How could I have the time and energy to plot against you guys? Besides..."

Wynn was incoherent, both angry and aggrieved. "Besides, I don't understand what you mean by an update! What kind of update am I supposedly communicating to Sephy? What information am I passing on?"

Wynn felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, and his voice trembled as he fought back tears. He had come to the meeting today with great excitement, thinking that someone like him didn't deserve much, but just seeing Seamus was good enough... Yet it was all his wishful thinking.

Seamus doubted and questioned him right from the start, not giving him any chance to breathe.

"I don't understand what you're saying," Wynn said as he calmed down. "But anyway, I haven't done anything you're accusing me of!"

"Okay, don't be angry. I was hasty with my words." Seamus pushed the coffee he had ordered toward Wynn.

He had seen Wynn drink this kind of coffee in Morpheus' home. It was a local blend from Flinge. Wynn always added a bit of vanilla extract to it when he drank, so Seamus had instructed the bartender to add some vanilla extract to the coffee as well today.

"Um... is it to your taste?"

When Seamus smiled at Wynn, the latter was flooded with complex emotions. "Seamus..."

"I've misunderstood." Seamus' gaze was sincere. "Sephy is a naive girl, and I'm just afraid she'll get hurt."

"Weren't you supposed to leave? What happened?"

"That night... We ran into some trouble."

"What do you mean by updating Sephy?"

"Well..." Seamus smiled but didn't respond. He didn't need Wynn to know about that. His reaction had satisfied him.

Seamus was relieved as his speculation was confirmed-Wynn, indeed, didn't have the nerve or capability for it. That person who prevented Persephone from boarding the ship that night wasn't Wynn.

He carefully thought back. The problem must have been with that flower-selling little girl. Persephone hadn't boarded the ship promptly after receiving that rose. She must have known something... Despite that, the little girl had disappeared long ago, and the rose thrown into the trash didn't have any useful clues.

Persephone had never been to Flinge. Apart from Wynn and Morpheus, she didn't know anyone else. Moreover, one of them was critically injured, and the other was too busy taking care of the injured to be doing something else...

The person who had informed Persephone and prevented her from boarding the ship wasn't just someone who knew him well. They knew all his plans!

Most importantly, this person was doing it for Persephone!

A chill ran down Seamus' spine. It felt like a pair of eyes constantly watched him from the shadows.

"Seamus? Seamus?"

Wynn's voice pulled Seamus back to reality. He composed himself, smiled faintly, and almost knocked over a glass.

"You're injured too?"

"It was that night," Seamus said in a low voice. "We didn't manage to leave due to an accident. I was protecting Sephy and ended up..."

"Sephy also got hurt?" Wynn was deeply concerned.

"She's okay. I won't let anything happen to her."

"That's good..." Wynn reminisced about his interactions with Persephone, smiling wryly.

Persephone was a little angel, a warm little sun. She was also the first person to tell him that there was nothing wrong with people like him. Only when people's hearts were dirty did they see everything as dirty.

Chapter 1966

Chapter 1966

Although Wynn didn't know exactly who Persephone was, he could tell she was a girl her family had cherished since birth. Now that she was unable to return home and amidst the chaos in Flinge, she must be feeling very scared.

Then there was Morpheus... Even though his life was saved, he had been lying in bed for over half a month, barely conscious.

When he wasn't clear-headed, he would call out Persephone's name. When he was lucid, he would stare blankly at the ceiling, perhaps thinking about Persephone.

If only they could meet...

Seamus suddenly spoke up. "By the way, Wynn, how is Morpheus doing?"

Wynn paused for a moment before honestly replying, "Not too good. That match was an accident. The thing he took before the match... Anyway, he was schemed against. I suspect it was Fat Jim... But who knows? These things are hard to say."

Seamus narrowed his eyes, lifted the glass in front of him, and downed its content.

"Morpheus is severely injured. He's just holding on to life right now. What happens next... it's up to God."

"Take this to him."

"What?"

Wynn was taken aback only to see Seamus toss several packets onto the table. He picked them up and smelled them. They all carried an herbal scent.

"These are pre-concocted herbs. Take them to Morpheus."

"This..."

"Don't worry." Seamus smirked. "Sephy prepared them."

"Sephy?" Wynn was astonished.

"Yes, Morpheus should know. Sephy knows a bit about this stuff." Seamus raised his hand. "That night, I was almost beaten to death, and Sephy's been making this herbal concoction for me. This formula reduces swelling and stops bleeding. It works."

"Really..." Wynn smiled. "I didn't know Sephy knew how to prepare medicine!"

Seamus nodded, but there was something cryptic in his smile. He had long ago detected that something was off about the medicine.

Persephone had spent her childhood in Southeast Aciatic, and he had too. When Persephone learned about herbal medicine from the royal doctors there, how could he have not heard about it? Given their shared exposure, how could he not realize that the medicine was problematic?

In fact, Persephone must have known the medicine was problematic as well! Yet, she still made him take it! What was she trying to do? Was she trying to harm him?

Seamus clenched his fists, a chill flashing in his eyes.

"In that case, let me thank you on behalf of Morpheus!" Wynn smiled.

"No worries," Seamus said flatly. "He had also taken care of Sephy before. I should thank him if anything. Wynn, when you return, don't forget to tell him that... Sephy specifically prepared this medicine for him, okay?"

He emphasized the words "specifically prepared" through gritted teeth.

Wynn didn't grasp his meaning and continued to respond with a smile. "Yeah, yeah, I get it! This is Sephy's heartfelt gesture toward him!"

"Right." Seamus sneered. "As long as you understand!"

Meanwhile, Persephone was rummaging through Seamus' room, overturning everything.

She didn't know what she was looking for-she was just aimlessly searching. The chilling words on that note haunted her mind like a nightmare. [Beware of those around you.]

Apart from Seamus, who else could be considered as people around her?

Chapter 1967

Chapter 1967

Persephone carefully reflected on everything that had happened since arriving in Flinge.

On her very first day here, she got separated from everyone. She was blindfolded and taken to the most infamous red-light district, to an underground arena, and eventually, ended up before Morpheus. What would her fate have been if she hadn't encountered Morpheus in the beginning?

The night she first planned to return to Centrolis, the boat exploded. The second time, if it hadn't been for that little girl who brought her the rose, she couldn't even imagine what she would be facing. Could all of this really be explained away as mere coincidences?

Besides catching a whiff of medicinal scent, Persephone found nothing in Seamus' room. Instead, the two bodyguards had been looking at her in puzzlement.

She got up and nonchalantly walked out, but not before giving the two a warning glance.

"Miss, you-"

"What? Do I need to report to you about searching Seamus' belongings?"

The two immediately lowered their heads in silence.

"It's actually not important," Persephone casually said. "There's no need to tell him about today's events."

"Understood!"

She glanced at them and composedly walked out. She then headed to the kitchen. Inside one of the cabinets, she found some unprepared herbs. Catherine had purchased them from the market. They were already ground, each portion wrapped in paper bags.

Persephone opened one of them, recognizing the familiar herbal scent, but something felt off when she carefully sniffed it.

She pinched a bit between her fingers to crush in her palm, quickly realizing that the proportions were wrong!

Her heart lurched. She couldn't have made a mistake with the prescription she had given to Catherine!

The proportions had been tampered with, and the person who had adjusted them was quite knowledgeable in medicine. If she hadn't been exposed to these things since childhood, she wouldn't have been able to detect it.

When the proportions were off, it would affect the effectiveness of the medicine. A slight imbalance could turn the decoction from being hemostatic and anti-inflammatory to something counterproductive... At that moment, Catherine entered, carrying lots of groceries. Upon seeing Persephone in the kitchen, she first froze, then an undecipherable glint flashed through her eyes.

She smiled and softly asked, "Miss, what are you doing here?"

Persephone paused, recalling the note in the rose.

[Beware of those around you.]

Could it be referring to Catherine?

"This medicine..."

Catherine noticed the ground bits in Persephone's hand.

"I-I just opened it to check," Persephone explained softly. "Shouldn't it be time to prepare medicine for Seamus? He's been taking it for so many days and doesn't seem to be getting better." "Let me handle it." Catherine smiled. "You're not used to these kitchen chores."

Persephone looked at her warily. "How do you know I'm not capable?"

"They all call you 'Miss'." Catherine squinted. "Since you're a 'Miss', surely you don't do the rough work!"

"I'm not a pampered woman." Persephone smiled. "I can handle these tasks."

Catherine grabbed Persephone's hand, startling her, and their eyes met suddenly.

Despite Catherine's age, she was strong. Time hadn't beaten her down. Instead, it seemed to have made her more resilient.

Persephone's heart jolted, and she took two steps back involuntarily.

Chapter 1968

Chapter 1968

"Miss." Catherine smiled. "Let me handle it, alright?"

She released Persephone's hand, gesturing for her to step aside, and began taking out the medicine packets from the cabinet.

Persephone stood by to watch silently, her heart beating faster and faster.

She felt like Catherine was counting something.

After a while, Catherine murmured to herself, "Why are these medicine packets... missing some?"

"What?" Persephone was stunned. "What's missing?"

"The quantity is short," Catherine said. She placed her hands on her hips and exhaled. "Miss, look, I remember clearly. There were 25 packs yesterday, but there are only 17 today. How could Mr. Rutherford possibly consume eight doses in a day?

"Moreover..." Catherine paused, lowering her voice. "Except for the first time I brought back and prepared a pack, Mr. Rutherford hasn't had any since then."

"Huh?" Persephone was shocked. "H-How do you know? Don't you prepare medicine for him every day?"

"I do prepare it, but he doesn't take it." Catherine looked at her. "When I went to clean his room, the flowers in his windowsill pot had withered, and the soil had a strong herbal scent. Miss, tell me, did he take the medicine or not?"

Persephone froze in place.

When she entered Seamus' room earlier, she also smelled the herbal scent. She had assumed it was because he took the medicine daily, hence the smell in the room.

It was actually from the flower pot...

Seamus must have known the medicine was problematic. That was why he hadn't taken it!

How could the medicine have gone wrong? And where did those missing packets go?

Persephone's legs felt weak, and she had to lean on the table for support.

Catherine glanced at her and continued her work. She washed and sorted the vegetables, prepared meals for the day, and took out a special pot for making the medicine. Everything seemed routine, yet subtly unusual.

Persephone stood frozen like a statue.

Catherine suddenly asked her, "Miss, do you really trust those around you?"

Persephone's breath bated. "What do you mean?"

"Some people may not be physically around you, but they still care for you." Catherine's tone was nonchalant. "Others may be around you but harbor ulterior motives..." "Granny Catherine!" Persephone hurriedly grabbed Catherine.

Catherine turned to her, seeming like she had many things to say but kept them unspoken.

She smiled gently. "I should tidy up your room. It's sunny today. I'll take your quilt out to air."

"What you said earlier, what did you mean?" Persephone pressed.

Catherine didn't answer. "Leaving the quilt without sunning it invites mites. A quilt with mites can be aired, but if the heart houses poison, it won't be resolved by just airing it out."

She let go of Persephone's hand and slowly walked into the room.

Persephone stood there, her mind blank for a long while. These days, she felt like she was in a maze, unable to find an exit no matter how hard she tried. Now, not only could she not find a way out, but she couldn't even see the path beneath her feet clearly.

She felt like she was surrounded by fog, and there was no one she could trust.

Feeling helpless, she slowly crouched down and hugged her shoulders, a mix of helplessness and fear washing over her.

In spite of it, she fought back tears. When she calmed down, she understood that the only one who could save her was herself.

Chapter 1969

Chapter 1969

When Seamus returned, he noticed someone had tampered with his room. His expression changed instantly, and he turned sharply toward the other two bodyguards and erupted in anger. The two were scolded so harshly that they stood still with their heads lowered, afraid to speak.

As he calmed down, he suddenly spotted Persephone standing at the door. Seeing her cold demeanor and the smirk on her face-a smile that echoed the air of superiority ingrained in the Hamerton genes- his heart jolted.

He restrained his temper and respectfully addressed her, "Miss."

"That was quite a forceful call. Seems like your injury is almost healed, right?" Persephone's calm voice was cryptic. "Since you're recovered, let's go back to Centrolis. Give me your phone. I'll call my parents to send someone to pick us up."

"Miss..." Seamus gestured, asking the other two to leave first. He sat beside Persephone but moved on the nearby carpet after some thought.

Looking up at her, he said, "Miss, don't trouble them for such a trivial matter."

"Trouble?"

"Not just trouble." Seamus' expression turned serious. "We're being watched now. Otherwise... we wouldn't have failed to leave twice. If you make that call and those people listen in..."

"I'm their daughter. Can't I make a phone call to them?" Persephone's gaze held a hint of scrutiny. "Since I arrived here, I lost my phone and haven't contacted them... I need them to know my situation, and they'll find a way to bring me back!"

"I've been in contact with them!" Seamus interjected. "I told them you're doing well here."

"But I'm not!"

"Miss-"

"Seamus." Persephone's gaze was commanding. "Why do you keep stopping me from contacting my parents?"

"I..." Seamus paused but quickly regained his composure and covered the deep wound on his chest. Whenever Persephone saw this wound previously, she would be deeply filled with remorse. "Miss, could you... get the medicine for me?"

Persephone's heart clenched. Seamus' pale face in pain was crumbling her defenses bit by bit.

After a moment of hesitation, she fetched the hemostatic pills and bandages from the cabinet, handing them all to him. Unlike before, she didn't personally feed him the medicine or help him with the bandage. Seamus wanted to call out to her, but she turned and dashed off.

The two bodyguards entered anxiously and looked at Seamus with an inquiring gaze.

"No need to go after her." Seamus' expression was dark as he slowly stood up from the floor. "She's just being childish and needs a moment to calm down."

"Will she be okay?"

"She's grown up. What could happen to her?!" Seamus seethed with anger. "It's you two. Figure out whose side you're on!"

The two men trembled, looking at each other with fear.

"But Seamus..." After a pause, one of them stepped forward. "Do you really think she... is still a child?"

Seamus narrowed his eyes, a chilling glint rising from their depths.

Persephone dashed downstairs in one breath.

Chapter 1970

Chapter 1970

Persephone knew Seamus would think she was throwing a tantrum, something that had happened countless times before. Whenever she got upset with him, she would turn and run, and he would come to appease her.

Judging from the earlier situation, however, Seamus probably wouldn't chase after her this time. He thought he could control her in Flinge.

Persephone dashed out of the community gate and waited nearby for a while to confirm that Seamus wasn't following her. Then, she retrieved a cap and a coat hidden in the bushes, changed into them, and quietly slipped away through another path.

Following her memory, she arrived at the small, secluded convenience store.

The store owner was still the old man sitting quietly at the shop's entrance. The only difference between George and a statue was his sharp-eyed gaze.

When he saw Persephone, his eyes widened. As if a sealed spirit had been released, he slowly stood up. "It's you?"

Persephone stood not far away, panting from her sprint, unable to articulate her words.

George subconsciously looked behind her as if searching for something.

"I... I didn't bring anyone..." Persephone moved closer, trembling. "I don't know what to do... I don't know whom to trust here. I made calls from your shop to Centrolis before. I want to—" "Hush!" George shot her a sharp glance, then stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.

Seamus stared at his watch impatiently, its ticking making him increasingly restless.

From his understanding of Persephone, she wouldn't be gone for long. She was too pampered-a hothouse flower. How could she survive in Flinge, an unfamiliar land?

However, the two bodyguards had been searching around for a while now, yet there was no sign of Persephone anywhere!

"Mr. Rutherford." Catherine smiled as she knocked and entered. "Are we eating or not? I've reheated the meal three times."

Seamus glared at her in agitation.

Unfazed, Catherine continued. "One can't function without a meal... Mr. Rutherford, you need to eat first to have the strength to look for Ms. Sephy!"

"Get out!" Seamus growled.

Catherine smiled and closed the door behind her.

Just then, Seamus' phone rang.

Upon answering, Fat Jim's anxious voice came through. "Mr. Rutherford, he's missing!"

"Explain clearly. Who's missing?"

"It's..." Fat Jim paused like it took him a lot from him to tell the truth. "It's the guy you asked me to keep an eye on, Ryan Frazier..."

"What did you say?!"

Seamus almost smashed his phone. His eyes widened, his breath quickened, and his ears buzzed.

"What are you saying?" Seamus gritted his teeth. "Ryan was supposed to be dead!"

"No... I... I was planning to sell his organs. Before I found a buyer, I didn't kill him..."

"You useless fool!"

"You... You can't blame me!" Fat Jim defended, "You told me to deal with him as I wish, and he's a living man. Killing him was a waste. His organs are in good condition and worth a lot of money! Besides, I didn't expect him to be able to run off after having a kidney cut out..."

Seamus felt like coughing up blood. He roared into the phone, "Can't you fucking do your job properly? I told you to kill him! Why didn't you follow my instructions?!"