Russo’s countenance reflected weakness as he explained, “I don’t know… I’m not familiar with that person.
“But he’s connected to the Ashen family. He came after me to rescue a woman named Lisa Ashen.”
“Ashen family? Lisa Ashen?” Reuben’s face darkened, prompting him to issue a swift command.
“You’ve got an hour. Fetch Lisa and her family immediately. We need to extract the truth from them!”
“Yes, sir!” Acknowledging the order, the Vern family members dispersed promptly. In the heart of Celestria in West Lucozia, the Vern family commanded substantial influence.
Beyond their wealth and prosperity, Reuben, as the family patriarch, held the dual roles of city general and commander of a formidable army numbering over ten thousand. His authority, which entailed control over the lives and deaths of ordinary citizens, was unquestionable.
Seeing Russo battered and bruised, Reuben was resolute. He was determined to capture the assailant and ensure severe consequences for anyone associated with the wrongdoer.
“Russo, don’t worry. Whoever harms you will pay with their blood!” Reuben declared firmly. At that moment, a phone call demanded attention.
After noticing the caller ID, Reuben’s expression shifted to seriousness. He gestured for medical staff to attend to Russo before hastening to a corner to answer the call discreetly. Soon, a composed voice relayed, “Mr. Vern, the prince requests your presence at the castle.”
“The prince?” Reuben queried cautiously, “General Steele, why would he summon me in the dead of night? What’s the matter?”
“The prince’s intentions are beyond our speculation. Hurry up, and don’t keep the prince waiting!” the voice responded before abruptly ending the call, leaving no room for further inquiries.
Reuben held the phone, his brow furrowed in contemplation. The recent seclusion of the prince made this summon unusual.
Could it be related to some mistake he had made? It didn’t make sense. He had been diligent and hadn’t committed any errors recently. Why would the prince seek him out of nowhere?
Could it be that the prince had a different purpose, perhaps entrusting him with an important task? If so, Reuben saw an opportunity for further advancement.
Despite his son’s tragic condition, the prospect of a promotion softened the blow.
“Take care of Russo. I have urgent matters to attend to,” Reuben instructed before leaving the hospital and heading straight to the palace.
On the other side, at the Linden family’s opulent residence, Ambrose Linden was abruptly awakened by insistent knocking.
“What is it?” Ambrose growled impatiently. As he was turning 60 years old, his commitment to a regimen of retiring early and rising with the dawn was an integral part of his wellness strategy.
He despised being disturbed during his sleep. If there wasn’t a pressing matter, the person responsible for waking him might receive a sound thrashing.
“Sir Linden! Something terrible has happened to the young master!” The panicked voice of the butler reached Ambrose.
“Young master? Which one?” Ambrose mumbled, struggling to comprehend fully.
He had three sons, each causing their fair share of trouble. He often found himself dealing with the consequences of their actions.
Fortunately, Ambrose was the current regional governor and wielded substantial influence. With the princess supporting him, he effectively dominated the political landscape throughout West Lucozia.
