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.”
Yumi demonstrated her obedience by curtsying to Gavin. “Hello, Mr. Gavin. My name is Yumi.”
“Pleased to meet you, little one.” Though Gavin liked Yumi immediately, he felt obliged to question Natalie, “Have you discussed this with Mr. Samuel and the children?”
“Not yet. I understand your concerns, Gavin, but I will explain things to them in time. From now on, Yumi will be a part of the family. Please care for her as you do for the others.”
Gavin’s reservations had not gone unnoticed. However, Yumi was touched by how Natalie stood up for her decision.
Taking her hand, Natalie led Yumi into the living room.
The four children ran down the stairs as quickly as their short legs could carry them when they heard Natalie’s return.
To their surprise, they found that their mother was accompanied by an unfamiliar little girl.
Like a pretty little doll by the window of a toyshop, the girl took in her surroundings with her beady eyes as she clung to Natalie’s arm.
The quadruplets exchanged puzzled glances before asking in unison, “Who is she, Mommy?”
Natalie bent down to address the children. “This is your new sister,” she announced. “Though she is not related to you by blood, she’s part of the family now. I’m very fond of her, and I hope that you will be too.”
Especially you, Franklin, Xavian, and Clayton,” Natalie added, turning to the older ones. “Sophia is not your only sister to care for anymore. You have Yumi now!”
The four children merely gazed at the newcomer without a word.
“Don’t start thinking that I have a new favorite!” Natalie said patiently. “The two of you who have grown up with me have been accustomed to the inclusion of the other two, haven’t you? With or without Yumi, I still love you all the same.”
