You thought wrong. That 'bang' wasn't the sound of a gun being fired.

Shi's body hit the ground, writhing in pain. Lillie didn't shoot him. No, she wouldn't want to taint hers and Ethan's bedroom with blood and gore.

​​

Instead, she ruthlessly slammed the butt of her gun at the back of his head.

It's not worst than a bullet shot, but the strength she exerted in the hit was so ruthless that he earned a minor concussion, and his eyesight slightly and temporarily impaired.

"Shi!"

Shi's vision was already a bit dark thanks to the pillowcase, but he can tell that it's swimming with black spots. Dizziness disturbed his balance and an irritating ring overwhelmed his ears. Just how hard did the damn woman hit him?

"I'm tired already," Lillie stood up and unceremoniously planted her foot on Shi's head to keep the three from doing anything funny.

"You—!" The three glared at Lillie for what they did to their friend and leader. Wasn't hitting him enough? Why do you have to step on him?

And with a single snap of her fingers, dark figures emerged from out of nowhere and filled the dim room. Loud clattering resounded before the light finally shone upon them.

Blinking away the sting from the light, three of the Four Horsemen could now properly see who the mysterious figures were.

What the—people in servants uniform were pointing various sorts of weapons at them. The informant didn't mention that the f*cking Tranquil Villa servants were some sort of undercover agents!

"Bring them to the basement." Lillie looked down at them. Her frosty ambiance could make anyone succumb to fear as the sensation of death lingered near—within hands' reach to their soul.

The murderous intent she expelled was so potent the air around them thickened that it's hard to breathe, their hearts beating rapidly.

"Do show our dear guests the Bai family's hospitality."

"Understood, miss." Ryder, the captain of her undercover agents—the Shadow Guards—bowed. "Our sincerest apologies for our oversight and allowing these rats to go far."

"Please punish us as you see fit, eldest miss." All of them said in unison, bowing deeply in shame.

These undercover agents who intercepted the intruders were the Shadow Guards Lillie handpicked and brought with her from the Bai estate.

It was her who personally oversaw their training, molding them to be the finest soldiers worthy to protect the Bai family.

There are a hundred of them in total. She only brought five—plus Butler Tian and Cook Annie—with her to Tranquil Villa, the rest were divided to stay back at her parents and grandparents' mansion.

"We'll discuss that at a later date. For now, Ryder, Butler Tian, follow me to my office. The rest are excused." Lillie flicked her wrist in dismissal.

"Yes, eldest miss."

Tranquil Villa's five Shadow Guards disguised as servants restrained the Four Horsemen. They escorted them out of the bedroom and proceeded to lock them down in the basement.

Shi's consciousness left him completely so they had to carry him and treat his injury first before he joins his comrades.

Inside her office, Lillie scrutinized it for anything amiss. Her extraordinarily sharp memory allows her to realize that everything was touched, but nothing was missing.

"Have you checked Ethan's office?"

"Yes, miss. And much like yours, nothing was gone." Ryder confirmed.

"But there's also evidence it has been rifled." Butler Tian added, serving her a mug of warm milk with honey.

Lillie accepted the cup and took careful sips of the sweet drink. "There's a traitor in our midst. Our dear guests were 'happy' to point out who. Sadly, there has been a minor...disagreement that stopped us from proceeding with the discussion."

Those four would be a beneficial addition to her power. Where she would assign them was the question. Should they work for Lillie Bai or White Bird?

Before that, if you're wondering how sure she was that they'll join her, the answer is that they don't have a choice. Either join her or die.

Commit themselves to the oath of subjugation. In the Underworld, the oath is akin to selling your soul to the devil, where your life is theirs to use at every whim.

That oath was usually unheard of in the Human Realm unless you're associated with the Underworld. Lillie Bai being aware of it confirmed the Four Horsemen's suspicion.

But it wasn't enough to make any conclusions. More importantly, it wasn't worth exchanging their freedom for.

"It's apparent that they've memorized the estate's layout. As for who was responsible..."

"Butler Tian and us Shadow Guards will take over the investigation." Ryder understood what Lillie was hinting, thus acted accordingly.

"If it comes to a certain point where our dear guests continue to act stubborn, do what you must to make them submit."

"As you wish, eldest miss."

"It's getting late, eldest miss. I suggest you retire to bed and savor the remaining hours of sleep you have left before your flight later in the morning." Butler Tian retrieved the empty mug from the coffee table.

"I'll trust your judgment, Butler Tian." She said. "Good luck, gentlemen, I'll leave the rest with you two. Take care of the estate in our absence."

"We won't disappoint you, eldest miss."

***

"Little Flower, my darling! I've missed you!" Agathe Crevier eagerly hugged her daughter and kissed her on both cheeks. "And what's this? Ethan's not with you?"

She peered over her daughter's shoulder, checking left and right. But there was no sign of her son-in-law.

"Something unexpected came up. He probably landed in Shanghai by now." Lillie said, pulling herself out of her mother's clutches.

Only to receive another one from her dear father.

"How's your health, my dear? Although you still look radiant as ever." Alexander Bai affectionately kissed his daughter's forehead. "Is that punk taking good care of you?"

"I'm doing great, dad. And yes, he is, as you've noticed. So there's nothing to be worried about."

"What kind of father would I be if I don't worry constantly about my only daughter?"

Lillie smiled with mixed amusement and fondness.

"She certainly looks lively than ever, isn't she?" Agathe Crevier agreed as she stood next to her husband.

Both parents fondly watched their children interact and engage themselves in a pleasant conversation.

Lillie actively listening and indulging her little brother, ruffling his already disheveled ash-blond hair with pride when he spoke of his achievements.

The siblings seem to be closer than before.

Agathe Crevier observed her daughter like a hawk. Indeed her daughter always looked effortlessly beautiful even on a bad day.

But her maternal instinct was screaming that there's something vaguely different about her daughter that she couldn't quite figure out yet.

It's on the tip of her tongue...

"Agathe!"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her dear friend and in-law's voice. Han Rushi, Ethan's mother, caught the Bai family's attention, waving excitedly as she and her family approached them.

"Lucy, darling!"

Oh well, she'll figure it out eventually.