the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart Chapter 157: Richard Shaw doesn’t have to be a well-known Ma

Maximilian initially couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the news. It was only after conducting further verification that he discovered such occurrences were all too common in the area, with many families even selling daughters so their sons could afford marriage.

Ignorance—utter and extre ignorance.

"That family, make sure they’re not allowed to hurt anyone again." Ignatius Leclair ordered coldly, putting an end to the couple’s chances of being released from prison.

Ignatius felt a heavy weight in his heart, as though sothing were pressing down on him.

"Have you tracked down that trafficking syndicate?"

"That group has long conducted transactions with a man nicknad ’General Dai’ of the Golden Triangle. Five years ago, after Griffith Squire took over Dai’s territory, this group also disappeared without a trace."

It all made sense now. Ignatius pressed his aching temples, his slender fingers trembling slightly as an ominous chill settled over him. A lingering dread crept in.

Without the Squire siblings, perhaps he would never have seen young Delphine again.

His expression darkened as he initiated a video call to Richard Shaw in the distant Imperial City.

After a brief mont, the video connected. A beautiful and exquisitely dressed boy with round, jet-black eyes blinked at the screen. Upon seeing the cold and handso Ignatius, the child’s eyes curved into crescent moons as he brightly called out to soone behind him, "Daddy, it’s Uncle Ignatius!"

The most pampered young master of the Shaw Family eagerly dashed off with the video call device.

Outside was a ticulously landscaped courtyard. A path paved with green stone andered through it, while lush green clumps of fern-like bamboo sprouted from the corners of the walls. Jagged stones stood proudly, embracing the Zen-like atmosphere that a flimsy wooden fence could not contain.

"Little Zephyr, which uncle is it?" Richard Shaw asked warmly from the courtyard.

"It’s Uncle Ignatius." The boy’s voice rang out brightly and cheerfully.

Soon, the cara flipped from views of the courtyard to the steady and strikingly handso face of the man.

"In a bad mood?" Richard gently stroked the boy’s head, sending him off to play. Only after watching him skip away did Richard turn his attention back with a teasing smile.

"Still tinkering with your crafts?" Ignatius asked, his face devoid of emotion.

Ever since Richard had shed his burdens, he had taken up residence in a distant suburban retreat, crafting everything from the wooden house to the courtyard with his own hands.

Ignatius’s sharp gaze took in the scene before him. With or without his illustrious role as a Major General, Richard’s skills as a woodworking artisan would certainly sustain him—ignoring the need for any interference from Ignatius.

"Idle hands, I suppose. What brings you to suddenly?" Richard chuckled lightly, positioning his video phone atop the green stone table in the courtyard.

"I need your help with sothing important."

Ignatius thodically recounted the situation at the borders, and Richard’s well-defined brows gradually furrowed in response.

The ignorance and backward customs prevalent in the region—were the local authorities just blindly shirking their responsibilities?

"I recall that before you stepped down, you operated in the Golden Triangle area during a mission. While I don’t want to get involved in these matters, I do need to investigate sothing." Ignatius’ gaze sharpened. Finding Richard ant ensuring that this issue would be fully pursued.

Richard remained silent, tapping his wristwatch without hesitation. In Ignatius’s presence, he placed two calls using a number he hadn’t used in years to gather details. Only then did he lift his eyes to et Ignatius’s own.

"The situation in the Yunnan border region will be escalated to the proper level, and specialized personnel will handle post-event coordination. However, the Golden Triangle’s dynamics remain highly unpredictable and volatile. After stepping down years ago, I can’t overstep my authority in these matters."

Richard spoke with steady deliberation, "As for that trafficking syndicate you ntioned—five years ago, on General Dai’s forr territory, they were eradicated by a warlord code-nad ’Shiva.’ Regarding Shiva, you’ve likely encountered him before; word has it he’s recently been spotted in your jurisdiction."