The Promise of Happiness (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 772

Chapter 772 The Secret

In the meantime, a man was seated atop a towering chair toying with the cat in his lap in a quiet garden in Loang.

“Benjamin escaped? What about the child?” The man narrowed his eyes dangerously as he stared at the quaking figure of the woman on one knee before him.

“The maid who had helped the child escape bit her tongue and died on the spot after being caught by our men before we could force her to reveal the girl’s whereabouts.” The woman’s hand was lightly placed on her left shoulder. Her fearful, bulging eyes were kept firmly on the ground. “Rest assured, Your Majesty, we will renew our efforts to locate the child in Chanaea.”

“I’m sure you’re aware of the importance of locating this child, Zophie,” the man said coldly, “and of the meaning behind the jade key she carries with her.”

“I do.”

“You and Gale were always my favorites to delegate my most important tasks to.” The man suddenly stood up from his throne and caused the cat to jump off his lap with a yowl. He walked to Zophie and lifted her chin with a cruel finger. “I’m growing tired of disappointments from the both of you,” he said. “I will not allow your careless blunders to undo years of intricate planning just when it is about to come to an end!”

Despite the deliberate slowness in his tone, the chilling menace emanating from his words made Zophie shudder.

Not daring to move a muscle, Zophie did all she could to express her loyalty to her liege. “I understand, Your Majesty. I will leave for Chanaea tonight and bring you that child.”

The man relinquished his grip with a grunt of satisfaction. “If you fail to locate the girl within a month, I’ll be expecting you to carry out your own punishment.”

Blissfully ignorant of the complications surrounding Yumi, Natalie returned to the Bowers residence with her newly adopted daughter.

Gavin was a little surprised at the sight of the pretty newcomer. “This child is…?”

Natalie made the introductions. “I’d adopted Yumi from the orphanage. Yumi, this is Gavin, our butler. You can call him Mr. Gavin.”