She wanted to say something more, but before she could, she fell into deep darkness.
“Grandma’s body is still too weak. Let her rest,” Sylvia whispered as she tucked Queena in. “Now that Grandma is awake and Aunt is safe, I need to go on a business trip.”
“A business trip? Where are you going now?” Austin looked at her in surprise. “Sylvia, you seem very busy lately. Is something happening? If you need help, even though I’m old, I can still do something.”
Recently, many things had happened at home, and Sylvia had been handling them, saving the elderly couple a lot of worry.
Austin noticed and remembered this, feeling even more tender towards his granddaughter.
Whenever he looked at her, it was as if he saw a shadow of his daughter from years ago.
Now hearing that she had to go on a business trip again, he felt a mix of emotions and an indescribable sadness. Seeing the child so busy while he did nothing made him feel bad.
He urgently wanted to do something, anything, to help her.
“Grandpa, your health is more important than anything. Stay here and take good care of Grandma with the caregivers. I’ll be back once I solve the matter,” Sylvia said, her bright eyes looking at Austin. She saw him take out a token from his pocket.
He examined the token for a while, then wiped it and handed it to Sylvia. “It’s time to give this to you.”
Sylvia looked at the token in her hand with curiosity. It had words inscribed on it: “Skyquake Bell.”
The token was made of amber and decorated with leaf-wrapped totems, giving it an ancient and mysterious look.
“What is this? What does Skyquake Bell mean?” she asked curiously.
“Our Hipps Family has been loyal for generations, always existing to protect the royal family. If you look at our family history, you’ll see that since the time of Prince Javon, our ancestors were the famous Skyquake Bell. The Skyquake Bell was like the secret police or elite guards of earlier times. When the Skyquake Bell rings, the divine seal must appear,” Austin sighed deeply, a hint of sadness in his expression.
“That’s why our Hipps Family has remained prominent for centuries. But a hundred years ago, the imperial families that followed us were suppressed by various forces and forced into seclusion. We hold the Skyquake Bell token but are too weak to restore our former glory. Now, with Lucille vying for power, Sylvia… I hope you can use this Skyquake Bell token to find those families. When they see this token, they will follow you. You and Franklin won’t be alone against Lucille; you’ll have a better chance.”
“Where are those families now?” Sylvia hadn’t expected such a secret about the Hipps Family.
“I don’t know. But I know where the Skyquake Bell is. Find it and ring it; then you’ll meet the descendants or contacts of those secluded families,” Austin said as he pulled out an old map.
The map was worn and ancient, with barely visible writing and locations.
“Grandpa, don’t worry. I’ll do as you say. But first, I need to go on this business trip,” Sylvia said gratefully. “I didn’t expect you to entrust me with such a mysterious power. Thank you for your trust.”
“Whether our Hipps Family can survive and continue its glory or be destroyed by Lucille depends on you,” Austin said earnestly, patting her shoulder. “Go now.”
Sylvia nodded firmly, gripping the Skyquake Bell token as she turned to leave.
She needed to save Alex immediately!
Watching Sylvia’s slender figure disappear, Austin’s eyes grew moist. He murmured to Queena, “Old lady, you won’t blame me for giving this burden to Sylvia, will you?”
A red private jet soared into the sky, heading towards Middle Evroya.
When Sylvia arrived in Middle Evroya, it was already 8 PM.
The private jet landed in the suburbs, and Jaden drove to pick her up.
“Sylvia.”
“I brought $300 million,” Sylvia handed him a bank card. “If they want ransom, give them this money. Ensure the child’s safety.”
“$300 million?” Jaden was stunned. “They only asked for $100 million.”
“The extra $200 million is just in case. Kidnappers are cunning; we must be prepared,” Sylvia said as she pushed through the bushes.
Looking at the dark night sky above, her expression was serious. “I hope the child is safe.”
After exiting the woods, they saw a black car.
Peter was sitting in the driver’s seat. Seeing Sylvia, he quickly got out of the car. “Sylvia.”
Sylvia nodded at him. “You’ve done well recently.”
Peter had used his computer skills to track down the kidnappers’ van and their recent whereabouts, saving Sylvia a lot of effort.
The car drove along a rugged mountain road in silence.
Occasionally, there were sounds of insects and wild animals.
Sylvia closed her eyes for a brief rest.
About an hour later, they finally reached the city road.
The bumpy ride gradually smoothed out.
When they arrived at the association, it was already past 11 PM.
Sierra had been waiting for Sylvia without sleeping, pacing nervously in the living room.
The Gentry sisters were also there with her.
The sisters were graduates from prestigious universities and had become Sierra’s capable assistants after some training.
Hearing that Sylvia was coming, they stayed up as well.
“Where is Miss Andrews now? Should we call Jaden?” Adeline whispered to Fatima.
Fatima shook her head; she wasn’t as sharp as Adeline.
“I don’t know. Maybe you should call?”
Adeline pouted. “Never mind.”
“She should be here soon,” Sierra glanced at the twins. “Go wash some fruit and prepare some snacks.”
“Got it!” The sisters immediately got up to prepare.
They had never done such tasks at the Gentry family but had become adept at them here.
Especially with the association’s work; they no longer dared to be careless like when they first arrived.
They knew they were doing meaningful work.
A few days ago, a little girl covered in sores had been abandoned and brought to the association.
After treatment by the doctors, she was now recovering.
It was truly pitiful.
As they finished washing the fruit and approached the living room door, they heard footsteps. Fatima turned instinctively and saw a tall woman approaching through the night.
The woman wore a beige trench coat, her flowing garment billowing in the night wind, looking very dashing.
“Miss Andrews!”
Fatima exclaimed in surprise. “You’re here?”
Sylvia nodded at her. “Long time no see.”
“Come in and rest,” Adeline said shyly with a smile. “We just washed some fruit.”
Sylvia waved her hand; she wasn’t in the mood for food.
Entering the living room, she saw Sierra trying to appear calm but clearly anxious underneath.
“Give me all the information on the kidnappers and tomorrow’s transaction details,” Sylvia said wearily, rubbing her temples.
“Alright,” Sierra responded quickly and rushed to get the documents from her room.
Though it was late at night, no one felt sleepy.
At around midnight, Sylvia looked up from the documents at the clock on the wall and stood up tiredly. “Everyone should rest now. Tomorrow I’ll meet these kidnappers myself.”
Sierra was startled by her words and grabbed her arm nervously. “Miss Andrews, what if they have guns?”
“It’s okay; I know martial arts. Alex is only two years old; I can’t let him die,” Sylvia reassured her with a pat on her hand. “Rest now.”
The next morning, after having breakfast with Sierra and others, Sylvia looked deeply at Sierra. “I’ll bring Alex back safely.”
Then she turned and got into the car.
Seeing her leave, Sierra knew she was going to meet the kidnappers for the transaction.
Sierra felt panicked and immediately opened the car door to get in too.
“Get out,” Sylvia said coldly. “You’ll only hinder me.”
Sierra shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “Miss Andrews, let me go!”
If someone had to die, it should be her, not Sylvia!
She clutched a package containing an identical trench coat to Sylvia’s.
Sylvia tried to open Sierra’s door but was blocked by Sierra’s body.
“Miss Andrews, I can’t let you go die for me.”
“I told you to get out; did you hear me?” Sylvia’s voice was icy enough to freeze the entire car.
Sierra shook her head. “No, I must go with you.”
Sylvia’s expression grew colder. “I don’t agree.”
“Miss Andrews, I beg you. Alex is my son; if I don’t go, I won’t be at peace,” Sierra said tearfully. It was clear she hadn’t rested well last night.