novelraw Chapter 319: This time, you, Griffith Squire, will take the blame
Chapter 319: This time, you, Griffith Squire, will take the blame
"Has there been any movement from the Yeager Family?" Ignatius Leclair’s voice was low, hoarse from staying up all night.
"It’s strange, really. There seems to be no movement at all from the Yeager Family."
After the incident, the actions of all the elite households were under scrutiny. Jocelyn Yeager had gone missing, and the Yeager Family acted as though they were entirely unaware—no one was even sent out to search for him.
Ignatius took a deep breath, his tightly wound emotions slipping out of control. His sharp phoenix eyes flashed with a violent intensity as he coldly commanded, "Seal the seas."
The so-called "Seal the Seas" was a privilege unique to the elite households of the South Seas. However, such an action could only be sustained for a few hours—stretching along South Seas’ coast for thousands of miles would inevitably provoke anxiety among neighboring nations. The economic losses alone would be a catastrophic figure.
The only entity in the South Seas with both the privilege and the capability to seal the seas was the Leclair estate.
"Young Master Leclair, we cannot seal the seas!" Maximilian was shocked, his complexion changing dramatically as he exclaimed, "The moment the seas are sealed, the situation grows out of hand. Forget alarming the old patriarch; even the Imperial City will be stirred up. When that happens, the panic will be uncontrollable, and the issue will spiral beyond salvaging."
For someone to cause trouble right under Ignatius’s nose, it was certainly no mere civilian. If the incident escalated further, would Ignatius really make another move, eliminating a second Wade Family? Such overwhelming authority, once confirmed, would draw intense apprehension from multiple factions.
Ignatius’s face darkened. He was well aware that sealing the seas was a reckless move. For years, even though the Leclair Family had the capability, they had refrained from using such measures for fear of causing widespread concern among other powers. His grandfather had spent years quietly recuperating in Switzerland, rarely returning to the South Seas, all as a strategy to keep their ambitions concealed. Just days ago, the old patriarch had returned to the South Seas, prompting inquiries from various factions in the Imperial City about his reasons for coming back.
"Call Griffith Squire," the man commanded with a low, direct voice, his brows and eyes radiating the decisiveness of a battlefield general.
When Ignatius’s call came through, Griffith Squire had yet to wake.
Disturbed by the ringing, Griffith—his strikingly handsome face tinged with irritation—rose and casually wrapped himself in a robe. Standing by the window and gazing at the frost-covered lawn outside, he spoke lazily, his tone devilish and laid-back, "If it’s important, spit it out; if not, I’m going back to sleep."
Thinking back, the two of them had brawled twice already, with sparks flying as if they were destined rivals. From head to toe, they radiated a mutual disdain. Ignatius calling Griffith now was nothing short of unprecedented.
"Last night, Delphine and Jocelyn Yeager disappeared together. I need your help." Ignatius came straight to the point, his voice colder than the frosty winter dawn.
Griffith’s expression instantly turned grim. Squinting his eyes, he hissed coldly, "So, after searching all night and finding nothing, you finally came to me?"
Recently, Griffith had been investigating old matters near the border and had accidentally drawn the attention of forces in the Imperial City. During this time, he had ordered Leah to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary outings, adopting an unusually low profile for himself.
As such, he had been unaware of the rumors that circulated overnight, as his trusted aides hadn’t reported them.
"I’ve checked land, air, and sea. The entire South Seas has been combed through. The most plausible location is the ocean. At dawn, I will issue the command to seal the seas. But before that, I need you to deploy men to provoke disturbances in the waters. In other words, this time, the excuse for sealing the seas will be the Golden Triangle warlord forces trespassing without invitation. And you’ll be the one taking the fall for it."
Ignatius’s handsome face was devoid of emotion, utterly ignoring Griffith’s questioning. On the one hand, he issued orders swiftly; on the other, he laid out Griffith’s terms of engagement for this operation, "Once Delphine is located, I will make my move against the Yeager Family. A third of their assets will go to you."
Griffith sneered, "I have enough mountains of gold and armies under my command—what use do I have for your petty wealth? This time, I’ll act for Delphine’s sake."
"Good. You have less than two hours left," Ignatius lowered his eyes, glancing at his wristwatch. At seven o’clock in the morning, he intended to order the sea’s closure. During the winter season, seven o’clock was the hour when most were deeply asleep and at their least vigilant—a prime time to strike.
Ignatius hung up the phone and stood by the side hall window, gazing at the thick mist outside. His thin lips curved into a trace of chilling ruthlessness.