Cornered Beast, Desperate Breakthrough
As Steffan stepped out of the restroom, the quiet hallway instantly erupted with movement.
The Ashbourne Household's black-clad bodyguards were sweeping through every corridor like relentless hunting hounds. Boots thundered against the polished floor, doors were flung open one after another, and sharp voices echoed through the mansion as each room was cleared.
One bodyguard had just reached the restroom entrance.
The moment he saw Steffan emerge in a servant's uniform, his eyes narrowed.
His expression changed immediately.
Before the search had begun, every servant in the household had already been assembled and accounted for.
There shouldn't have been anyone left wandering the estate.
Yet now...
There was suddenly one extra servant.
The bodyguard's pupils contracted.
"It's him!"
His shout exploded through the hallway.
"He's here!"
The cry instantly alerted everyone nearby.
