Chapter 87: Kidnap I

"Unusual?"

Felix and Esther exchanged glances, seemingly having arrived at the same thought.

Celestine, who noticed the look passing between her parents, immediately interrupted before either of them could say anything.

"Yes! If you still don’t believe that Lumi has absolutely no Guiding energy, then feel free to take her for another examination and be disappointed!"

Her voice was unusually sharp, drawing everyone’s attention toward her.

"After all, we’ve already had her examined so many times, haven’t we? What’s one more examination going to change?"

Celestine folded her arms across her chest, deliberately adopting an irritated expression, as though she were simply annoyed that Reeta and Leon continued questioning something the Pei family had long since accepted.

However, beneath that seemingly impatient attitude, her heart was pounding.

She had noticed the way her parents looked at each other the moment Reeta mentioned something unusual about Lumi. It was only a brief exchange, but Celestine knew them well enough to recognize that they were beginning to suspect something.

And that was precisely what she had been trying to prevent.

She couldn’t allow them to discover Lumi’s healing ability, especially when she had spent so many years making sure her sister kept it hidden.

Reeta studied Celestine for a moment, her eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly.

’Is she trying to make us bring Lumi out of here ourselves?’

It was an interesting possibility, especially considering how quickly Celestine had jumped in to insist that Lumi’s examination would yield nothing. If she genuinely believed her sister had no unusual abilities, there would be little reason for her to react so strongly.

Unless, of course, she was trying to protect something.

Reeta didn’t press her further, however, choosing instead to turn her attention back to Felix.

"Well, Master Pei? Since your daughter herself has no objections to another examination, would you still like to refuse?"

Felix’s expression darkened at the subtle provocation.

"Celestine is merely being considerate. That doesn’t mean I have to agree to every request you make."

"Of course." Reeta nodded, looking entirely unbothered. "But if the results are exactly as you expect, then surely this matter can finally be put to rest. We won’t have to trouble your family about it again."

Esther frowned, clearly displeased with the direction the conversation had taken.

"We will bring her ourselves if you all insist."

"Mother..."

Before Celestine could finish speaking, a loud crash suddenly rang out from upstairs, followed by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering.

Everyone turned toward the staircase.

"What was that?" Esther demanded, her brows furrowing.

Before anyone could answer, hurried footsteps sounded from above. A servant came rushing down the stairs, his face pale with alarm.

"Master! Madam! Something has happened in Miss Lumi’s room!"Felix’s expression darkened. "What happened?"

"Th-The window..." The servant swallowed nervously. "It sounded like a broken window!"

"Broken window?"

Felix’s brows furrowed as he exchanged a glance with Esther, who looked equally displeased by the unexpected disturbance.

"Whose room?" he demanded.

The servant hesitated before answering, "Miss Lumi’s room, Master!"

Felix immediately strode toward the staircase, with Esther following closely behind. Reeta and Leon exchanged a brief glance before following them, while Celestine hurried after the group, her heart suddenly filled with unease.

Darian, who had been feeling uneasy ever since the loud crash, couldn’t shake off the growing sense that something was wrong. He quickly followed the others upstairs, only to stop abruptly when they reached Lumi’s bedroom.

His eyes widened at the sight of the numerous padlocks securing her door.

For a moment, he simply stared at them, unable to believe what he was seeing. Then his gaze shifted toward Felix, who was taking a set of keys from a nearby servant.

"Did you lock her?!"

Darian’s furious shout echoed through the corridor, startling everyone.

Felix paused, turning his head toward him with a displeased frown. "What does that have to do with you?"

"What does it have to do with me?" Darian repeated incredulously, his voice rising. He pointed at the locks on Lumi’s door, his expression darkening with every passing second. "You put all those locks on her bedroom door, and you’re asking me what it has to do with me?"

Esther’s face immediately soured.

"This is a family matter, Mr. Darian. You have no right to interfere."

"A family matter?" Darian let out a disbelieving laugh, though there was no trace of amusement in his eyes. "You’re locking your own daughter inside her bedroom, and you expect everyone to pretend that’s perfectly normal?"

Felix’s jaw tightened.

"I don’t need to explain how I discipline my daughter to outsiders."

"Discipline?" Darian’s gaze swept over the locks again, and his anger only grew. "Is that what you’re calling it now?"

Before Felix could respond, Darian stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the keys in the servant’s trembling hand.

"Open the door. Now."

"Darian," Leon called as he arrived with Reeta by his side, his expression darkening at the sight of the padlocks. "Calm down and move aside."

Darian turned toward him, his jaw clenched, but before either of them could say another word, another loud cracking sound came from inside the room.

Everyone froze.

"What’s happening in there?!" Celestine exclaimed, her face paling as she rushed toward the door.

"We can’t wait for him to open the locks one by one!" Reeta cried out in panic, her usual composure finally slipping as she heard another crash from inside.

"Move."

Leon strode forward without hesitation, positioning himself in front of the door before delivering a powerful kick.

The door flew open with a deafening crash, the padlocks rattling violently against the broken frame as it swung inward.For a split second, everyone stared into the room, trying to make sense of the chaos before them.

Then, Darian’s eyes widened.

By the shattered window stood a man dressed entirely in black, his face concealed behind a mask. Lumi lay unconscious over his shoulder, her arms hanging limply at her sides as he prepared to escape through the broken window.

"LUMI!"

Darian’s furious shout shattered the silence.

The masked man turned his head slightly, seemingly unsurprised by their sudden appearance. Without uttering a single word, he tightened his hold on Lumi and leaped through the window.

"STOP HIM!" Leon roared, rushing forward.