Neve Sherwood knelt on the ground, biting her lip. "Father, my subordinates told me they had already killed her."

"Useless trash—" Tate Sherwood slapped her hard across the face.

Neve Sherwood clutched her face, her eyes red-rimmed. "Father, please give me another chance."

"Mr. Yuri has already intervened and let her move into the Patriarch’s Manor, and now she has the protection of the Trent Family. How are we supposed to make a move?"

"That’s exactly why we must be ruthless and see it through to the end..." A harsh glint appeared in Neve Sherwood’s eyes.

Meanwhile, Aurora Sinclair, dressed in night clothes, used the cover of darkness to slip out of her room.

She made her way to a courtyard and climbed an unassuming pavilion. There, from under a roof tile, she retrieved the Family Head Order—the symbol of the Sherwood Family.

Just as she was about to leave, a palm strike whistled toward her from behind.

Aurora Sinclair threw a swift punch, and the immense Power from their clash blasted out to the sides.

With a deafening BOOM, the wall beside them collapsed.

Their expressions turned serious simultaneously, their eyes filled with caution.

Aurora Sinclair pulled back her numb arm and retreated several steps. ’This man is a Great Martial King.’

"Who are you? What nation do you serve? Trespassing here could incite war."

Aurora Sinclair didn’t answer, turning to flee.

The commotion they caused had already attracted the attention of people in the manor, and Drake Trent’s aura, in particular, was drawing closer.

Seeing her flee, the man immediately gave chase, but Aurora Sinclair’s speed was too great, and he eventually lost her trail.

Having successfully escaped, Aurora Sinclair held her breath and leaped into another manor, tiptoeing toward a certain room.

The light in the room was still on, as if someone had been waiting up for her.

Aurora Sinclair leaped through the window and threw herself onto the man’s back.

Alvin Morgan seemed to let out a breath of relief. He turned, reached out, and gently tapped her nose. "Did you get it?"

"Mhm." Aurora Sinclair placed the Family Head Order from her clothes into his hand. "Just now, I ran into a Great Martial King."

"Are you hurt?" Alvin Morgan immediately began to look her over, checking the back of her hands.

Aurora Sinclair shook her head. "I’m fast..."

Before she could finish, a level-one alarm suddenly blared outside.

It was urgent and piercing, echoing across the heavens.

The commotion outside grew louder and louder.

"Aurora, the one you ran into was the Guardian of Niphoria—"

A flash of regret appeared in Aurora Sinclair’s eyes. ’I should have been more careful.’

"It’s dangerous to go out now. You hide here and stay put."

Alvin Morgan rose and walked outside. Beta Morgan and Benjamin Morgan were looking at him with grave expressions. "Sir, someone has infiltrated Niphoria."

Alvin Morgan pointed toward the room. The two understood instantly and sighed with a hint of resignation.

"What do we do now?"

"Cover her and get her back to the Patriarch’s Manor."

Neve Sherwood, with her bodyguards in tow, followed Tate Sherwood as they gathered at the Patriarch’s Manor.

Aurora Sinclair took the opportunity to blend back into the group. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The entire Patriarch’s Manor was now enveloped in the Guardian’s domain of Power. The slightest disturbance would be detected.

Aurora Sinclair held her breath and suppressed her own Power until it was undetectable.

"You lot, search over there..." Neve Sherwood ordered, pointing in the direction where the Trent Family was staying.

Alvin Morgan immediately led his men over, but halfway there, they ran into Drake Trent.

Aurora Sinclair quickly lowered her head, suppressed her aura, and hid among the bodyguards.

"Have you seen my maid?" Drake Trent asked.

Alvin Morgan subtly blocked his line of sight. "Mr. Trent, please return to your room."

"What’s happening outside?"

"An intruder has broken in. I must ask you to return to your room." Alvin Morgan gestured for him to leave.

Drake Trent’s brow furrowed. He flicked his sleeves and turned away, but after a few steps, he suddenly spun back around, swiftly lifted the chin of a bodyguard next to Aurora Sinclair, and peered at them closely.

This bodyguard was short, about the same height as Aurora Sinclair.

Startled by his action, Beta Morgan immediately stepped forward, blocking his potential line of sight to Aurora Sinclair. "What do you think you’re doing?"

Drake Trent slowly lowered his hand, glanced at him, and without a word, turned and walked back the way he came.

Beta Morgan’s heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled.

’That Drake Trent is too suspicious. We have to be on our guard against him.’

Alvin Morgan safely escorted Aurora Sinclair to a nearby empty room, gave her a few silent instructions, and then pretended to search the other rooms.

During this time, Drake Trent went back to Aurora Sinclair’s room once more. Only after seeing that it was empty did he finally feel at ease.

The alarms blared all night. The streets, houses, and even the people near the Sherwood Clan’s estate were all thoroughly searched, but still, no suspicious intruder was found.

「The next day.」

Drake Trent finally found Aurora Sinclair in an unfamiliar room.

He forcefully pulled her into his arms and growled, "Why are you in here? I was looking for you all night."

Aurora Sinclair’s body stiffened. She pushed him with all her might, struggling back several steps, and said warily, "Men and women should keep their distance. Don’t get any ideas..."

Drake Trent felt a little defeated. It was the first time in his life he’d met a girl who was completely uninterested in him; she was wary of him as if he were some kind of terrifying beast.

"Joy, I was so worried about you last night."

Aurora Sinclair nodded. "I’ve been here the whole time."

"Why didn’t you tell me beforehand that you were changing rooms?"

Aurora Sinclair replied bluntly, "I didn’t want to sleep with you."

"..."