Kicking Open the Door

On the wall inside his room, a huge 'Wan' character was scrawled.

"It was Grace Wan! She must've taken Minghan!" The Dowager Lady managed to say before fainting on the spot.

Fortunately, Evan Xiao happened to return that day. When he heard about it, he immediately went to the Wan Clan to demand their surrender.

Shannon, who was especially good at finding people, went with him.

Leon Zane, whose powers had been restored, also joined them.

Compared to them, Grace's cultivation was far weaker. Going along would only hold Evan Xiao back, so she stayed home to await news.

She waited anxiously for any updates.

Unexpectedly, though three of them went, only two returned.

Only Evan Xiao and Shannon came back.

Minister Zhuo was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's my father?" Grace asked.

"He's not with the Wan Clan," Shannon replied. "Everyone in the Wan Clan swears they had nothing to do with it."

"Not there? If he's not with the Wan Clan, then where is he? Shannon, aren't you able to divine people's whereabouts? Have you found anything?"

"I..." Shannon looked at Grace apologetically. "I can't find any trace of Marquis Lawrence."

Grace's heart trembled. It took her a long moment to gather the courage to ask, "What does that mean? Is he..."

Is he... gone?

"Not necessarily!" Shannon said quickly. "He could be trapped inside some kind of spell array, so I might not be able to locate him!"

Grace was silent for a long time, thinking about that 'Wan' character on the wall. She said, "It must be Grace Wan! Who else could've taken my father? Shannon, tell me how to get to the Wan Clan! I'm going to find him!"

"Grace!" Shannon grabbed her. "I think, with Zane Wan dead, Grace Wan probably can't mobilize the rest of the Wan Clan right now. She can't do it alone."

"So you're saying it wasn't Grace Wan?"

"I'm not sure either..."

Grace looked at Evan Xiao. "Evan, why aren't you saying anything?"

Evan Xiao glanced at her and said, "I'm heading back first."

He left before she could reply, walking away in a hurry.

Grace thought his behavior was odd and asked Shannon, "What's wrong with him?"

Shannon shook her head. "I don't know."

"What about Leon Zane?"

"He didn't come back with us. Maybe His Highness sent him to look for Marquis Lawrence, but I'm not sure exactly."

"Shannon, are you absolutely sure my father isn't with the Wan Clan?" Grace pressed.

"I'm certain. He's really not there."

"Then where did he go?" Grace asked, tears streaming down her face, her heart full of worry.

Shannon patted her on the back. "With His Highness here, he'll definitely help you bring Marquis Lawrence back!"

"That's right! Isn't Evan Xiao the Divine Crown Prince? He'll definitely help me save my father!" Grace suddenly wiped away her tears and headed outside. "I'm going to find Evan!"

Shannon frowned deeply but eventually followed her out.

Evan Xiao had already returned to the General's Manor.

Strangely, as soon as he got back, he locked himself in his room.

Louis Lin was pacing anxiously outside. When he saw Grace, he rushed over and asked, "Miss Grace, what's wrong with His Highness? He looks terrible!"

Grace was startled. "Really?"

"Yes!" Louis Lin said. "He looked so strange just now, it really scared me!"

Grace suspiciously knocked on the door, calling out, "Evan Xiao, Evan Xiao, open up! It's me!"

There was no response from inside.

Grace could sense something was wrong. She called again, "Don't scare me! What's going on? Open the door!"

Suddenly, there was a loud crash from inside—like a bunch of teaware had hit the floor.

Grace kicked the door open without hesitation.

Evan Xiao was sitting on the couch reading official documents. He seemed perfectly fine, but teaware was scattered all over the floor.