Chapter 157: Chapter 157

At the dinner table, after listening to Lucy recount various experiences abroad, Jackson Baker remarked, "It was truly thrilling. I’m proud of you. Anyone else might have failed this mission, but you didn’t let them succeed."

"Just luck, it seems heaven didn’t want Your Highness to die."

"You’ve thwarted Your Highness’s plans; he must hate you now, and might be looking for you everywhere."

"Father-in-law, don’t worry. They won’t find me. I’ve instructed people to destroy several surveillance cameras near the airport."

Jackson nodded, "That’s good. Come, let’s have a toast to celebrate Lucy’s safe return."

"Cheers!" Lucy beamed with joy, clinking glasses one by one with everyone.

Back home, she was delighted and inevitably drank a bit too much.

After dinner, Liora Hughes saw she was half-drunk and instructed Jacob Green to help her back to her room to rest. However, Lucy didn’t want to stay in her room and asked Jacob to take her for a drive.

Seizing the opportunity, Jacob asked his father-in-law and mother-in-law to leave, then drove on the highway back to Ningham.

Jackson and Liora initially wanted them to stay overnight but didn’t insist when they decided to leave.

Jacob carried Lucy to the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and drove away with her.

On the highway, he opened the car window for her, letting the wind blow in, messing up her hair.

Lucy rested by the window, squinting at the fleeting scenery outside.

She murmured contentedly, "So good."

"Having you by my side is so good."

"Your Highness, seeing you return safely really makes me happy. You don’t know how worried I was when you were abroad."

Since meeting Emma Bennett, Nick had been chattering non-stop, but Emma maintained a calm face without expressing any extra emotion or making any response, simply listening quietly.

Nick was accustomed to his way of responding based on mood and didn’t feel awkward.

Even though Emma hadn’t uttered a word throughout the journey.

"Your Highness, we’re at the Presidential Mansion."

"Hmm." Emma raised a cold smile.

His return had been spread to the Presidential Mansion early on, so upon entering the house, the President, along with his wife and the couple of Your Highness, greeted him.

After all, it had caused a significant stir, with foreign media extensively covering his hostage news at the airport for a day.

As family, they had to put up a respectable front.

Emma saw these people as soon as he got out of the car. Fınd the newest release on noveⅼfire.net

"Dad saw the news of you being held hostage, were you injured?"

Emma smiled slightly, "No harm."

"That’s good, really worried me." The President continued, "Emma, what happened when you disappeared abroad previously?"

"The hotel was too stuffy, I wanted to get some fresh air and had a subordinate take me to live in the civilian area for a while."

"Why didn’t you contact us? At least assure us of your safety. I’ve heard it was Evelyn Butler’s subordinate who took you from the hotel, where is he?"

"He went back to my grandfather’s house, don’t blame Evelyn, it was my command that he did it. If you’re blaming anyone, blame me for worrying everyone. It’s my fault."

"Let it be, as long as you’re safe. Never do this again."

Arthur Bennett spoke, "During your disappearance, your father couldn’t sleep and aged several years, really worried about you."

Emma responded, "There’s something I must report to Dad."

"The person who tried to assassinate me at the airport was from our Presidential Mansion."

The President and Arthur exchanged a glance, showing some change in their expressions.

"Someone from our Presidential Mansion? How could that be?"

"It was a subordinate who went abroad with me."

Just then, Richard and four others were walking over, as they missed a flight and returned on a private jet.

Upon hearing Emma’s words, Richard could hardly believe his ears. He couldn’t imagine Emma would directly slap him with such a huge accusation. Although he was Arthur’s man, he had no opportunity to attack this time. He thought that since he hadn’t acted, he shouldn’t bear this accusation.

Richard knelt down immediately, "I am Richard Leigh, Second Highness, how can you frame me with this unfounded accusation? Even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn’t dare assassinate you. Everyone can testify. Mr. President, you can ask Dylan, Noah Quincey, Andrew Fallbrook, and Lucas. They can vouch for me."

Other four people quickly spoke in support.

Emma then laughed, "It seems the four of them are undoubtedly accomplices too. I implore Dad to do right by his son and immediately execute them all as a warning!"

Richard’s eyes showed an everlasting shock; he understood then that this blind prince had known all along they were Your Highness’s men but hadn’t taken action or shown any sign of it.

The President pursed his lips with a stern face, "First investigate who their master is, if confirmed with accuracy, execute them later. Take them away to be interrogated. Without my permission, no one is allowed to visit."

Richard and the others were then taken away.

The President and others also left afterward.

Emma knew this matter would end with Richard and the others’ deaths, as his father was aware of the real mastermind.

Sure enough, two hours later, Nick returned to report, "Your Highness, Richard and the others have been executed and have mentioned the mastermind."

"They claim it’s Nation R’s Red Dragon Hall."

Emma had no interest in listening to anything further, knowing more than anyone that Richard and the others were merely Arthur’s pawns.

The Red Dragon Hall of Nation R was just bearing a huge fabricated burden.

"Your Highness, why didn’t Evelyn Butler continue to stay in the Presidential Mansion with you?"

"Don’t want to." Emma instructed, "Nick, don’t worry about my diet anymore, let Ethan and Aaron McCarthy handle it."

Nick was stunned but quickly responded, "I’ll follow Your Highness’s arrangement."

Still, he felt some anxiety, unsure whether Emma trusted Ethan and Aaron more or started doubting him.

"Additionally, let Theodore Fenn serve me closely from now on; you take care of yard chores."

Nick felt as if a bolt from the blue, "Your Highness, why is this? If I’ve made mistakes, please tell me, I’ll change."

"Don’t overthink it. While abroad, I simply felt Theodore Fenn takes better care of people. Do what you’re supposed to do."