Bobby, Can You Help Me With Something

Minister Zhuo had already leapt in through the open window. After searching for a long time, he came out looking frustrated and said, "The silver notes were taken by them. I think there's a secret passage in this room leading outside."

"Silver notes?" Maya Summers' eyes widened. "Did they kidnap me to extort you? How much did they ask for?"

Minister Zhuo, torn between worrying about the money and his sister, said, "Let's not talk about that now. As long as you're safe, that's what matters. Let's hurry back! Mom must be worried sick!"

Maya nodded and left with Minister Zhuo.

However, Grace stayed behind.

She waited there for Cutie Pie.

Cutie Pie still hadn't come out!

Before long, Cutie Pie squeezed out from the same window where the silver notes had been thrown in.

It had something in its mouth and handed it to Grace.

Grace took it and, upon seeing what it was, her expression instantly changed.

It was actually a finger.

A woman's pinky finger.

The nail was painted a deep purplish-red polish.

The color was so distinctive that Grace instantly thought of one person—Sophie Sun.

Just a few days ago, she had seen that exact color on her nails.

If it was her, it would make sense.

She was desperate for money to buy Black Ginseng!

To buy seventy thousand Black Ginseng plants, she'd need about thirty-five million silver. She asked the Zhu family for forty million, so she'd pocket five million...

Grace tossed the finger to the ground and stomped it to bits, then turned and headed for the Spirit Alliance.

She'd assumed Sophie Sun wouldn't be there.

To her surprise, Sophie Sun was at the Spirit Alliance.

She stood tall in the courtyard, hands in her pockets, sneering, "Well, if it isn't Miss Lawrence! Haven't seen you in three or four days! Not even a hello—do you think the Spirit Alliance is your own house?"

She was really playing the part.

Grace discreetly glanced at Sophie Sun's hands in her pockets and said, "I've been busy cultivating these past few days and forgot to check in. I hope President Sun will forgive me."

"Hmph! I heard your cousin Princess Maya Summers was kidnapped?" Sophie Sun asked with a grin. "Did you get her back?"

"She's safe now."

"If she's safe, then get to work! Go find Vice President Liu—he needs help!" Sophie Sun said, then turned and sauntered away.

Grace slipped into the back yard, making sure no one saw her, and went to find Bobby.

The two of them huddled in the shrubbery. Bobby asked, "You came—does that mean the princess is safe?"

Grace nodded. "She's safe. Thanks for helping raise the ransom."

"We just did what we could," Bobby said. "The Shane Family raised a lot, I heard they put together five million. That Samuel Summers was practically frantic."

Grace smiled. "Bobby, can you do me a favor?"

"What kind of favor?"

Grace: "Find a servant who won't arouse Sophie Sun's suspicion, have them get close to her, and see if her right pinky finger is still there."

Judging by the curve, it was a right-hand finger.

"Huh?" Bobby was confused.

"Just check first, and I'll tell you why later..." Grace said.

Bobby nodded and slipped away quietly.

Only then did Grace go find Vice President Liu and help him sort herbs for half the day...

Half a day later, Bobby snuck back to find her. "I bought a box of President Sun's favorite pastries, then paid a servant I don't really know to cozy up to her. When she reached for the pastries, he actually got a good look!"