Chapter 134: I’ve Never Seen Anyone This Unlucky
Chapter 134: Chapter 134: I’ve Never Seen Anyone This Unlucky
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan were completely stunned. Good grief. Just the other day, they were discussing whether their third son had also been handed some cannon fodder script. Now, this "heaven-sent fortune" had landed on their own heads—the two elders—and a double portion at that?
It was one thing to be cannon fodder, but to be taken out so carelessly... It was the kind of death that would leave you unable to rest in peace. It was just too infuriating!
Arabella Donovan was also quite exasperated by her family’s status as a full cast of cannon fodder.
’Tsk, tsk, tsk... I knew it. Big Brother takes the fall and gets stabbed, Second Brother is mired in scandals, Fourth Sister is a professional scapegoat, and I just get wiped out completely. It made no sense for Mom and Dad to get off scot-free. Turns out, it was just because your roles were so well hidden you couldn’t find them without looking hard? Second Brother at least has the ’Lover’ title to back him up. You two were just dragged out to add to the body count...’
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan: "..." ’Please stop! We’ve heard enough!’
Eloise Donovan and Justin Donovan, however, were already used to the world’s malice toward their family. As long as Serena was around, no one could even think about using them as cannon fodder to climb their way to the top.
So, compared to their parents’ complex emotions, they were perfectly calm. They even had the presence of mind to share the news in the group chat with the other two unlucky souls who weren’t home, so they could all laugh about Mr. and Mrs. Donovan’s miserable fate.
Dennis Donovan, for his part, hadn’t expected the Donovan family’s fate to be so fraught with hardship. He had seen unlucky people before, but never had he seen a family *this* unlucky!
For a moment, he felt a subtle, tender pity for the family—the kind an elder feels for the younger generation.
After dinner, Arabella Donovan went upstairs to research the hot spring’s location. Dennis Donovan followed Mr. and Mrs. Donovan into the study, while Eloise Donovan and Justin Donovan, likely guessing the elders had something to discuss, tactfully made themselves scarce.
As soon as they entered the study, Mrs. Donovan began, a bit anxiously, "Uncle, Serena grew up on a mountain, so she can be very blunt. If she said anything to offend you, I hope you’ll be the bigger person and not hold it against her."
"On the contrary, I think she’s a wonderful child. She’s genuine, kind, earnest, and soft-hearted—far better than us hypocritical adults who constantly have lies on our lips."
Mr. Donovan froze, realizing that Dennis Donovan was referring to the fact that they could all hear Arabella Donovan’s thoughts but chose to hide it. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
Mrs. Donovan, however, cut right to the chase. "Uncle, we know why you’re here. Arabella... she does have some strange abilities, but she doesn’t have a bad bone in her body and has never thought of using them to hurt anyone. For the sake of her good nature, can you please spare her? Please don’t make things difficult for her."
"Make things difficult for her? How could I possibly do that?"
Such is the heart of a parent. How could Dennis Donovan not see what these two were worried about? He knew perfectly well they had brought him to the study to sound out his intentions toward Arabella Donovan, but he didn’t resent them for it.
"I couldn’t be more grateful to her. The person I’ve been searching for for so long was right within my grasp all this time. If it weren’t for her, this old man with one foot in the grave would likely have gone to it full of regret. Rest assured, if she can truly help me find Guinevere, she will be my, Dennis Donovan’s, benefactor for life."
"As long as I am alive, I will protect her. And even after I’m gone, my successor will be sure to protect her and her family."
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan were stunned for a moment before they understood. This was Dennis Donovan’s way of making his position clear.
He was telling them not to worry. After this, he would move quickly to deal with the vultures circling his assets and connections, ensuring they would never have a chance to harm Arabella Donovan or the Donovan Family.
The guarantee was undeniably sincere and potent. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan exchanged a glance and breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief.
"That sets our minds at ease. You and Serena are going to Crovia tomorrow—do you need us to come along and help?"
"No, that’s not necessary. A large group would only attract attention and might complicate things. Besides, if you suddenly decided to tag along, it would make Serena suspicious."
"Then..." Mr. Donovan’s face clouded with worry. "In that case, we won’t go. But Uncle, please take more men with you. From Serena’s description, the place where the madam is located must be very remote. The saying ’remote backwaters breed vicious men’ isn’t just empty words. What’s more, if they have someone specifically watching her, there’s no guarantee they don’t have others helping..."
Dennis Donovan smiled. "You needn’t worry about that. I know what I’m doing. I already sent for my men during dinner. I would never put Serena in danger just to rescue someone."
The reason Dennis Donovan had reined in his eagerness and agreed to leave with Arabella Donovan tomorrow was twofold. First, he wanted to calm his heart and compose himself, so he could meet the woman he had missed for so many years in his best state. Second, he planned to use the evening to arrange everything so he could bring his love home without any lingering worries. While he was at it, he would also deal with those unfilial children and grandchildren, getting some long-overdue payback on her behalf.
Having found his love, Dennis Donovan was like a withered tree blooming in spring. Gone was his earlier restraint. Now he was itching to go on a rampage and put on a good show for his beloved.
It was a good thing Arabella Donovan didn’t know this, or she would have undoubtedly sighed in her heart: ’As expected, every man gets a competitive streak when it comes to true love—and my grand-uncle is no exception! At this rate, all the shadowy figures eyeing his fortune won’t be enough for him to slaughter for his lover’s amusement.’
Arabella Donovan had just gone upstairs with her new mission when she remembered that Caspian Rhodes had mentioned a couple of days ago that he had lived in Crovia for a time with his grandparents.
As someone who’d lived there, he would surely know things with more accuracy and detail than an internet search.
Feeling they were on friendly terms now, Arabella Donovan didn’t hesitate to ask for her friend’s help, telling him what she needed.
Caspian Rhodes, who was still working overtime at his office, was a little taken aback when he suddenly received a message from Arabella Donovan asking for help.
When he saw her asking about hot springs in Crovia, directions around the city, and things to watch out for, he reflexively arched an eyebrow. "You want to go to Crovia for the hot springs?"
"Yes! And preferably a place that not many people know about, somewhere I won’t be disturbed."
"By yourself?"
"No, no, I’m going with an older relative."
"An older relative?" Caspian Rhodes frowned, thinking for a moment. "Hold on, let me call my grandparents and ask."
"Okay, okay, thank you! Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Rhodes."
Caspian Rhodes was quick. A few minutes later, he gave Arabella Donovan a definitive answer. "Crovia’s geography is unique, so there are hot springs in many places. But I heard a village recently dug up some new ’magma hot spring’ that’s supposed to be better for patients needing hydrotherapy."
The moment Arabella Donovan heard the gimmick, she knew this had to be the place Butler Donovan’s illegitimate son had gone. The name alone sounded like a bluff. ’Weren’t people who went there afraid of being boiled alive like a pot of dumplings?’
"That’s the one. Can you send me the address?"
"Sure. Are you and your relative going tomorrow? As it happens, I’m also heading to my grandparents’ place to visit. Need me to give you a lift on my way?"