novelraw Chapter 327
Chapter 327
Delphine was startled by the deep, inky darkness in Ignatius Leclair’s eyes. He was always enigmatic, an unreadable man. Even when displeased, he rarely revealed such a fierce gaze.
She was already on edge, having spent the entire night in fear and without a sip of water. Her pale lips were dry and slightly cracked. Now, with the man biting down on them, she gasped in pain, only for him to escalate his punishment further.
Ignatius kissed her until she was on the verge of fainting before finally letting go. His phoenix eyes lingered on her now-flushed lips, dark and deep, tinged with a trace of regret. He had kissed her too fiercely—the corner of her lips was already torn.
He pulled her into his embrace and said, his voice low and magnetic, "Sleep for a bit. We’ll be home soon."
Ignatius didn’t say a word about her disappearance the night before. He knew full well that she had spent the entire night with Jocelyn Yeager. His chest tightened with a pent-up frustration, so much so that he didn’t even want to ask.
Delphine remained silent after being kissed for so long, her lips faintly aching. She didn’t dare make a sound, curling up like a small animal in the man’s arms.
Ignatius observed her as she nestled timidly, clutching the fabric of his collar, falling into an uneasy sleep. She reminded him of a defenseless little creature. Reaching out, he meticulously smoothed the furrowed lines above her brow. Only then did he lift his gaze, his expression dark and commanding, and say to his assistant, "Inform Griffith Squire. She’s been found. Tell him to come to the Leclair Estate. Restore everything to order within half an hour."
Ignatius glanced at his wristwatch. It was precisely 8:30 a.m., leaving him just half an hour until his appointment with Richard Shaw.
Maximilian nodded without delay.
Half an hour later, the helicopter descended onto a military base not far from the Leclair Estate.
The operations in the South Sea were withdrawn, restoring order to what it had been before. The morning sun lay hidden behind thick layers of mist and clouds, as the streets gradually began to stir with life.
Jing Liu arrived with Dr. Zheng to greet the helicopter. Seeing Ignatius descend while holding the frail form of Miss Delphine, wrapped in an oversized coat, Jing Liu stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Master Leclair, the heads of the families, led by the Yeager Family, are gathered at the estate demanding answers. The old patriarch is barely managing to hold them off and has requested that you return as soon as possible to resolve this crisis."
The fallout from the Fenghai incident had triggered a chain of severe consequences, now erupting within the walls of the Leclair Estate.
For years, the Leclair Family had maintained a dominating yet cautious stance, leaving no room for others to find fault. But now, with the sudden emergence of this incident, the other family heads were at once shocked and elated. Should this matter escalate to a certain level, it could mean a fatal blow to the Leclair Family.
Early that morning, the elder of the Yeager Family had rallied a coalition to storm the gates, seeking to wrest power from them.
Upon hearing this, Ignatius’s thin lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. These decrepit old men, with one foot already in the grave, still refused to relinquish their grip on power and status.
"Once the Cloud Family’s ship docks, Old Six, you’ll handle the interrogations and identify the traitor onboard. Bring both the uncle and nephew of the Cloud Family, as well as Reginald Yeager, directly to the estate," Ignatius commanded methodically, holding Delphine as he got into the car. His phoenix eyes, dark as ink, lifted as he asked, "Has Griffith Squire arrived yet?"
Maximilian had just been in touch with the Squire Family. His expression turned grim as he replied, "Master Leclair, Griffith Squire said whether you’re alive or dead isn’t his concern. He’s gone back to sleep."
Ignatius let out a cold laugh. That bastard. The moment the situation was under control, he wanted to turn on him.
"Master Leclair, the old patriarch can’t hold them off much longer. The estate is in utter chaos," Jing Liu said in a hushed tone. "This matter has reached levels beyond control. A call from the Imperial City has been made directly to the estate. Investigators will be dispatched imminently."
Even with Richard Shaw tirelessly working to delay matters in the Imperial City, he couldn’t suppress it for long.
Ignatius lowered his eyes to gaze at Delphine, her face flushed with a faint feverish hue. The sensation of her soft, fragile form in his arms was grounding.
The man spoke, his voice cold and detached, "Return to the estate."