Chapter 157: Chloe and Alpha’s Families Move In

Over the past week, the same headline dominated every major news station, online platform, and discussion forum across New Liberty.

[MISSING JAIL TENANTS]

What made the incident so terrifying wasn’t the number. It was how impossible it was. Only nine inmates had disappeared. Nine.

A number so small that it should’ve been insignificant in a nation housing tens of thousands of prisoners, yet those nine people had somehow managed to throw the entire country into a state of unease. Every single one of them had vanished from a security detention facility in City A.

There were no broken walls, no damaged doors, no disabled security systems, no dead guards, and no alarms. Nothing. The electronic locks to their cells had remained engaged from the inside. Security cameras hadn’t recorded anyone entering or leaving.

Even stranger, every investigation reached the same conclusion. The prisoners had simply disappeared. Scientists proposed spatial anomalies, awakened researchers theorized about teleportation abilities, military analysts suspected an organized rescue operation by an unknown S-Rank, conspiracy theorists blamed extraterrestrials, and religious groups called it divine judgment.

Everyone had an opinion, but no one had an answer. Even after an entire week of investigations, the only tangible clue remained the same mysterious symbol discovered on the floor of one of the empty cells.

An arrow piercing a heart, with six magnificent wings spread around it. The authorities refused to release the image to the public, fearing it might trigger panic or encourage copycats.

Unfortunately, that only made the rumors worse. People whispered that a new organization had appeared. Others claimed an ancient cult had awakened. Some believed the apocalypse had already begun.

Regardless of what people believed, the atmosphere throughout City A had subtly changed. Police patrols increased. Military checkpoints appeared near sensitive facilities, and even awakened hunters found themselves being questioned more frequently than before.

Nine missing prisoners and nine unanswered questions.

***

Far away from the city center, life inside the Ashard Estate remained surprisingly peaceful. The enormous black entrance gates stood open beneath the warm afternoon sun. A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass across the sprawling grounds while birds chirped from the rows of ancient trees lining the driveway.

Standing near the entrance were several familiar faces.

Silas stood at the front, casually dressed in a black T-shirt, gray joggers, and white sneakers. Beside him stood Anna, dressed casually after finishing her shift early. Chloe shifted nervously from one foot to another.

Gromda towered over everyone, currently in her seven-foot form, wearing a loose white hoodie and black athletic shorts. Even while trying to look inconspicuous, she was impossible to ignore.

Alpha stood with folded arms, pretending he wasn’t excited. Raymond maintained his usual composed posture. Behind them stood the six estate staff members Raymond had personally hired over the past week.

The head maid, two housekeepers, the chef, who wasn’t really needed, a groundskeeper, and a maintenance technician. Each of them wore elegant uniforms.

Everyone’s attention turned toward the long driveway as a black luxury SUV appeared between the rows of trees. It rolled forward smoothly before slowing to a stop directly before the group.

The driver’s door opened first, and a middle-aged man stepped out. He looked to be in his late forties, with neatly combed dark hair streaked with silver at the temples. He wore a tailored black chauffeur’s uniform complete with white gloves.

His posture was straight enough to shame military officers. Walking around the vehicle, he opened the rear door with practiced elegance before giving a respectful bow.

"Young Master."

Silas smiled. "Welcome back, Christoph."

Christoph nodded politely. "It was a pleasant journey."

Raymond stepped forward.

"For everyone," he announced, "allow me to formally introduce Mr. Christoph Adler. The estate’s chauffeur. He comes highly recommended and has over twenty-five years of experience driving corporate executives, diplomats, and awakened officials."

Christoph offered another courteous bow.

"It is an honor to serve the Ashard Family."

Silas scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Please don’t make me sound so important. I’m just getting used to this myself."

A faint smile appeared on Christoph’s usually serious face.

"As you wish, Young Master."

The rear doors opened.

The first person to step out was Chloe’s mother.

She looked to be in her early forties, with long brown hair tied neatly behind her and gentle dark eyes remarkably similar to Chloe’s earlier ones. She wore a modest cream-colored dress and looked around the estate with open amazement.

Behind her came Chloe’s father.

Tall and broad-shouldered, with neatly trimmed dark hair and calm features, he carried himself like someone who had spent years working hard with his hands. His expression remained composed until he looked at the mansion.

"Is this..." He looked at Chloe. "...where you live now?"

Chloe nodded shyly. "Yes."

"I..." He looked back toward the estate. "I think I finally understand why you kept saying not to worry."

A small laugh escaped Anna. The final passenger from Chloe’s family practically launched himself out of the SUV. A boy around twelve years old landed on both feet before immediately looking around with sparkling eyes.

"WHOOOOAA!! So this is the mansion?! It’s bigger than our entire neighborhood!"

He spun around excitedly.

"There are fountains! There are trees! IS THAT A GREENHOUSE?!"

Chloe sighed.

"My little brother..."

The boy immediately spotted Silas, and his eyes widened.

"You’re really Pink Cupid!"

Silas blinked.

"Pink Cupid?"

The boy nodded furiously. "That’s what everyone online calls you!"

Alpha immediately burst into laughter. "Pfft-"

Silas slowly turned.

"Don’t."

"I’m trying..."

"Don’t."

"I’m really trying!"

Before Alpha could recover, another passenger stepped out. She was a beautiful woman with soft dark blonde hair tied into a bun. Her elegant features immediately explained where Alpha inherited his beauty from. She looked around nervously before spotting her son.

"Alpha."

Alpha smiled. "Mom."

She walked over immediately before pulling him into a tight hug.

"I’m glad you’re safe."

Alpha awkwardly patted her back.

"I’m fine..."

"I know, but mothers worry anyway."

The final passenger stepped out shortly afterward. A little girl no older than ten peeked shyly from behind the SUV door. She had shoulder-length white blonde hair and large blue eyes.

Upon seeing Alpha, her face lit up.

"Big Brother!"

She sprinted toward him. Alpha barely had time to react before she crashed into him with enough force to almost knock him over.

"Oof! You’ve gotten heavier."

She puffed her cheeks.

"I grew!"

"I noticed."

Silas watched the reunion quietly, and a warm smile slowly appeared on his face. For the first time in years, these families wouldn’t have to worry about ren, or dangerous neighborhoods, or monster attacks reaching their doorstep without warning.

The Ashard Estate was more than large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. Raymond stepped forward with perfect timing.

"If everyone would follow me. We’ve already prepared your living quarters. The luggage has also been brought ahead and placed inside."

The guests exchanged astonished glances.

"So fast?" Chloe’s mother asked.

Raymond smiled professionally. "We strive for efficiency."

Silas clapped his hands together.

"Then..." He looked toward everyone gathered before the mansion.

"Welcome home."

For a brief moment, the worries of missing prisoners, which were Silas’s doing, looming apocalypses, and hidden enemies felt very far away.

Today, the Ashard Estate had become a little more like a home.