Old Friend, the Grand Heir Is in Trouble

William Wang Jinling—the number one gentleman in the world. Whenever he appeared, he stole all the limelight from Victor Yun. When Victor heard Serena mention William, his eyes flashed with an unreadable emotion. He leaned back slightly, but his ears perked up to listen.

"No, I've been busy lately and haven't seen Evan for a long time. I don't have any news about William either. If you're worried, I'll ask around." With so many things going on recently, Dominic Zhai almost forgot about William, and felt a pang of guilt.

"Yes, please ask if you can. William's been gone too long, and I'm starting to worry. But no news of trouble is the best news." Serena felt a little relieved, but that comfort vanished as soon as she arrived at her West District courtyard and saw Evan Wang Jinhan pacing anxiously in the main hall.

Serena's heart skipped a beat. She hurried forward: "Evan Wang Jinhan, what happened?"

Evan turned quickly, rushing to Serena. He opened his mouth to speak, but when he saw Victor Yun, he swallowed his words and shot Victor a sharp glare. Victor got the hint: "Serena, I'll take my leave."

"Sorry for the poor hospitality. I'll make it up to you with a proper banquet another day." Serena had no mind to keep Victor Yun; Evan's expression made it clear something serious had happened.

Once Victor left, Evan motioned for Dominic to check for eavesdroppers. Only after confirming they were alone did Evan say gravely, "Serena, my elder brother is in trouble!"

"William? What happened to him? Is he hurt or something?" Serena panicked for a moment, but her training as a doctor quickly steadied her. She asked calmly.

If he'd come to her for an injury, that would be easy—so long as William was still breathing, Serena was confident she could save him.

"No, my brother is missing. I haven't heard from him in a whole month. I sent people to look for him, and the folks in Clearwater Town said he actually left two months ago."

If he was injured, it would be easy—there’d be no need to come to Serena. The Wang clan has plenty of skilled doctors.

"Missing? Did you find out who’s behind it?" Serena wasn’t naive; as soon as she heard Evan’s words, she understood what was going on.

If no one had interfered, how could William have vanished? He was always surrounded by top guards.

Evan shook his head. "I couldn’t find anything. The people I can use are limited. All I know is that two months ago, my brother was seen in Easestream City. After that, he disappeared from every town. A month and a half ago, I got a letter from him saying he’d run into some trouble but had handled it.

A month ago, he wrote again to say he was safe. But for the past month, I haven’t gotten any letters. Ten days ago I sent men to investigate and found that after reaching Easestream Town, he didn’t go to the next city—he disappeared.

Someone saw a person who looked like him heading north. North isn’t toward the capital or Clearwater Town—it’s just a huge canyon with no real road. I suspect something happened to him there. I tried to send more people, but the clan elders found out and detained everyone I could use." If not for this, he wouldn’t have come to Serena and dragged her into the mess.

"They detained your men? What’s going on? Is something wrong inside the Wang clan? Why won’t the elders let you search for William?" Serena didn’t lose her head over William’s disappearance; she asked the key questions, clear and logical.

Sometimes, things that seem unrelated can be decisive.

"My brother’s trip to Clearwater Town is a clan trial set by the family head. Until he finishes, he can only use his own people. He can’t touch any Wang clan resources, and no clan member is allowed to help him.

If the elders find out anyone helped him, they investigate. Malicious help gets you expelled; even well-meaning help earns a warning or expulsion, depending on severity. If the elders decide my brother succeeded by relying on clan support, he’ll lose his position as future head." Evan explained why he couldn’t help and why the Wang clan was staying out of it.

What kind of ridiculous rule is that? Are they just trying to torment people to death? Serena muttered, cursing the Wang clan’s cold-heartedness: "Has news of William’s disappearance gotten out?"

This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Click next page for more!

Helping is a crime, sabotage is justified—if William’s disappearance reaches the Wang clan, some people will be eager to act and take the chance to kill him.

"Not yet, but tomorrow is another story. So many people are watching my brother. Even though I kept my search secret, the elders noticed, and others will soon realize something’s wrong. I guess by tomorrow at the latest, word of his disappearance will reach them. But don’t worry, it’s a Wang family secret and won’t go public." That’s why Evan came to Serena so urgently.

My brother was already in danger—if the Wang clan stirs things up, it’s not just his position as heir at risk, but whether he survives at all.

"So we have to find him fast. We need to leave tonight, or we’ll lose the advantage." One night isn’t long or short, but it could decide William’s fate.

"Yes." Evan looked at Serena with desperate hope. William has plenty of friends—if news of his disappearance got out, many would help search. But...

They have to act in secret. If word leaks, William loses his place as heir. That means Evan has very few people he can rely on.

Serena understood: this had to be handled quietly. Evan came to her because he trusted her. "Jinhan, do you have anyone left you can use?"

"Not a single one. The clan’s watching me, and I’m not even allowed to visit Prince Samuel Manor. They only let me come here because you’re considered harmless. Didn’t you notice the guards outside?" Evan forced a bitter smile. Luckily, Serena and Dominic Zhai arrived by carriage—if the guards had seen Dominic, they probably wouldn’t have let Evan wait here for Serena.

"You mean, if we go looking for William, we can’t even use Dominic Zhai’s people?" If that was the case, things would get complicated.

She had no one at her disposal. Should she ask Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan for help?

Forget it—even if Nolan agreed, Serena wouldn’t feel comfortable asking. Nolan already disliked her closeness with William; if she asked him to send people, it would embarrass William and annoy Nolan.

"It’s not impossible to use them, but the more people we move, the easier it is to get exposed. If the enemy finds out, word of William’s disappearance will spread early and we’ll lose our advantage. Prince Samuel Manor’s people can only move as backup." In other words, Serena should go alone.

Evan looked at Serena apologetically. He knew he was pushing her into danger, but couldn’t think of anyone else in such a short time...

"I understand. Jinhan, go home first. I’ll leave the city in half an hour." If she went alone, the enemy wouldn’t suspect anything.

After all, who would believe a woman could track someone down?

Evan’s eyes reddened. He bowed deeply to Serena: "Serena, I’m sorry—and thank you. The feelings you have for my brother, neither of us will ever forget."

He’d always thought his brother was foolish, risking himself again and again for Serena—a woman whose heart didn’t seem set on him. But seeing Serena charge in alone for William, Evan realized his brother wasn’t foolish at all. In this world, finding a true friend is rare and precious.

"Don’t thank me. William’s business is my business. Go home now. I’ll have Dominic Zhai slip away later so no one notices he was here." The security in Serena’s courtyard was solid; ordinary people couldn’t get in.

"Alright. I’ll go now. I’m leaving my brother’s fate in your hands." Evan felt guilty—he wouldn’t have sent Serena, a woman, into danger if he had any other choice.

Serena was a skilled doctor and brave, but that didn’t mean a woman who’d never traveled far could survive outside, find his brother, and bring him back...