*Special thanks to @Sel_Murf for the Gloden Ticket*
The hour-long drive from the heart of the city, with its concrete skyline, to the outer edges passed in silence as they left the bustling streets behind for more open spaces filled with snow.
When the car finally slowed, an imnse wrought-iron gate ca into view, blocking the vehicle from rolling forward.
Two guards dressed in dark tactical gear, with automatic rifles slung across their chests, stepped forward.
The driver rolled down his window, and one of the guards bent at the waist, scanning the back seat. He noticed that Vice-President Emily Blanch of Crowns Hotel was with a young lady.
After confirming, he gave a hand signal, and the heavy gates parted automatically, and the car rolled smoothly onto the grounds.
Cixi’s jaw slipped open when the Crown Palace ca into view; it truly resembled a palace. She pressed her hand against her mouth, staring through the tinted window.
It was a colossal structure built of blinding white stone, stretching wide across the landscaping, and the snow spread across the field made it even dreamier.
Cixi silently thanked whichever instinct had urged her to wear proper attire today.
Marion’s dress, the custom boots, and the coat Cassian had given her felt like her saviour now.
She felt exactly like a character trapped in a suspense thriller, searching for a kidnapped man — a man she had kissed for the very first and last ti.
Thinking about kissing her stomach flip. ’First kiss. The fiery kiss. A kiss to die for.’ Her cheek turned tomato-red.
Did he really have to kiss her with such passion that she couldn’t get it out of her head?
She wanted to curse him, but she held her tongue.
The car ca to a stop in front of a sweeping grand staircase that led to the main entrance.
The driver hurried out to open Emily’s door. anwhile, as Cixi reached for the handle to let herself out, a guard standing by swung her door wide open. She gave a nod of thanks, and when she stepped out, she took a deep breath of fresh air that didn’t carry the city’s pollution—a perk of staying in a place surrounded by forest.
"Let’s go," Emily said and walked straight toward the massive stone stairs.
Inside the grand foyer, the walls were white, magnifying the natural light pouring through the colossal windows. This made the large space feel even larger, almost overwhelming in its beauty.
They moved quietly through the long, arched corridors, passing by small, maintained indoor courtyards. Eventually, Emily guided her into a private elevator to the first floor.
As soon as the elevator doors closed shut, Cixi couldn’t hold her curiosity and asked, "How many people live in this palace?"
"The entire Crown family lives here, except the illegitimate ones," Emily replied briskly, her eyes dropping to check her smartwatch.
Cixi wanted to ask how many illegitimate children were living out there. But she held her tongue and moved to her next legitimate question. "So, how many are living here in total?"
The elevator doors parted, and they stepped out, taking an imdiate right turn and walking through a long corridor.
"About forty mbers. But each branch of the family occupies a different wing, ensuring everyone has their own privacy."
Cixi’s eyes grew wide at the discovery. "Just like in ancient tis when monarchs resided in castles alongside their nurous wives, siblings, and relatives? How about you? Do you also reside here?"
Emily snapped her head toward her, shooting her a deeply annoyed glare. "Yes, although I am not the Crown, but my mother is the sister of Michael Crown. And Uncle wanted to stay with them and prepare to beco a leader like him." Emily inford. "Did Cassian forget to give you basic information about us?"
She suspiciously glanced at Cixi, and Cixi rolled her eyes, thinking that even with video evidence, this woman still doubted her. If the video hadn’t convinced her, nothing would have made her believe it. Shaking off her frustration, she answered, "He never ntioned any of you."
Given that their etings usually involved blood, accidents, bullets, and running for their lives, family history hadn’t made the agenda.
"Well, Michael Crown, his three brothers, and all their extended families live here." Emily gave her so more insight.
Cixi opened her mouth to spill another question, but Emily beat her to it. She lifted a hand, palm out like a stop sign, as she walked. "No more questions about family."
Cixi clamped her mouth shut before throwing out another question. "Okay! If you live here, why does the guard still check your car? Shouldn’t he recognise it and let you through?"
This ti, Emily rolled her eyes. "What if soone stole my car and drove into the Palace with the intent to kill the residents here?" Emily questioned her in a tone that clearly suggested, ’Use your brain.’
Cixi nodded in understanding.
It was becoming clearer to Cixi that the Crown had many enemies.
Before Cixi could ask another related question, Emily continued, "At the entrance, we have a detection machine to see if any bombs or foreign objects are attached to the car. Plus, there are drones everywhere monitoring the area, and caras in the forest."
Cixi raised her eyebrows in stupefaction. She had to admit they were thorough, but if they led such a guarded life, how could Cassian have been attacked not once, but twice? What was going on behind the scenes?
If Cassian were truly the Don, he should have exercised more caution. Nothing added up.
’God! Cassian, I genuinely hope you are still alive!’ Cixi wished this with all her heart.
Her thoughts then turned back to the issue of illegitimate children.
If the family was so obsessed with keeping illegitimate children out of their luxurious palace, why on earth was Cassian, the illegitimate son, given the title of President over all the legitimate heirs?
Even if she asked, Cixi probably wouldn’t pry the answer out of Emily anyti soon. But that wouldn’t stop her. She cared only about finding out who had tried to assassinate Cassian or if they had already succeeded. Was it possible that soone had kidnapped him?
Kidnapping her kidnapper...
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