Chapter 1157: Was what he did enough?

[Pierson’s Island]

After what felt like an eternity, Finn’s group finally arrived at Pierson’s Castle. Every second felt longer than it should, and Finn could’ve sworn that it was probably one of the longest half-hours of his life.

"Welcome," Butler Lee greeted the group outside the residence with a warm smile. "Please, let our staff assist with your things."

"Uh, thanks! But it’s alright!" Lily energetically waved to the helpers of the castle. "It’s just a bag; no need to worry."

Hearing this, Max couldn’t help but glare daggers at her. ’How come she wouldn’t let them hold her things while she had no qualms throwing everything in my direction?’

"It’s okay, Ray," James, on the other hand, was still helping Ray. "We’re already here. You can always rest now."

"What happened to him?" asked Butler Lee out of curiosity, only to earn a conflicted smile from James.

"I see. Then, let us help you with Sir Ray," said Butler Lee.

"Uh, thanks. I guess the boat ride didn’t help him feel better."

With that, the servants carefully assisted Ray, taking him to a room where he could rest. As this unfolded and the master’s guests took their things, Butler Lee couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

Where were the Young Master and the Young Madam? Also, the Young Madam’s brothers?

"Uh..."

"Butler Lee, did you prepare it?" Finn asked before Butler Lee could inquire about the missing people in the group.

Deep lines appeared between Butler Lee’s brows as he looked at Finn, confused. "Prepare...?"

"The one Zoren and Penelope prepared for everyone," Finn smiled. "He told us to come here first because he had a surprise for everyone."

"..." Butler Lee studied Finn’s smile before glancing at the group, who were now looking at him curiously. When he met Finn’s gaze again and saw him briefly raise his brows, Butler Lee offered a smile.

"Of course," said Butler Lee. "However, that was supposed to be a surprise. Please, come inside and rest first. We’ll call you once everything is ready. Timing is the most important thing, after all."

"Goodness. Just what is all of this?" Max clicked his tongue, while Ginnie rubbed her chin curiously. Lily, however, was just excited to see what it was. James, on the other hand, simply shrugged, too tired from taking care of Ray.

"Please, come in," Butler Lee offered, prompting the other helpers to help them settle into their rooms. He watched the group go inside the castle with different airs about them. However, none of them shared the same air as Finn.

"Finn," Nina looked at her fiancé with mixed emotions. "I’ll be right inside."

"Thank you." Finn nodded at her and smiled. "Stay with the girls."

"Mhm. I will." The couple looked at each other for a moment before Nina let go of his hand. She offered Butler Lee a brief smile before walking past him, following the rest of the group into the residence.

Finn and Butler Lee kept their eyes on her retreating figure until she was about to cross the threshold. When Butler Lee was sure no one could hear what Finn couldn’t say, he faced the young man.

"Sir Finn, the Young Master or the Young Madam didn’t request a surprise for their guests," said Butler Lee quietly, but sternly. "Moreover, I noticed they didn’t come here with you. Is there something I should know about?"

Finn slowly exhaled, and when he blinked, his eyes narrowed. "They are in danger."

"Penny called me and told me that this gang — or syndicate abducted Slater Bennet and Benjamin," he continued, trying his best not to stutter and deliver the message clearly. "They were on the other side of the town, and she told me to bring the group here for their safety. Then she asked me to relay two messages from Zoren. One was to make sure everyone wouldn’t find out about their absence—make a surprise so grand that they would forget everything else."

"And the second one: send help. They’re planning to infiltrate whatever base that is, but I know it’s dangerous," he added under his breath. "She also told me not to go to the police, since they’re involved as well."

Butler Lee remained unfazed after hearing this. He simply nodded and kept his cool, offering Finn a reassuring smile.

"How long since that phone call, sir?" he asked, and Finn provided an estimated time. "Thank you. You’ve arrived just in time. I’m sure your quick action will save their lives."

"I don’t need thanks," Finn muttered. "I need a solution. Will you be able to help them?"

"Of course. However, panicking will do us no good." Butler Lee nodded. "Sir Finn, may I ask who was with them?"

"Everyone who isn’t here."

"I see." Butler Lee nodded again, then smiled at him. "Please go inside and stay with your friends. I’m sure they’d appreciate it, and the waiting won’t feel so long with their company."

"No." Finn shook his head. "I’m coming with you."

Butler Lee maintained his smile. "I’m afraid I can’t allow that."

"And why not?"

"You are the Young Master’s precious friend. If he sent you all here, that means your safety is our priority." Butler Lee sighed lightly, took out his phone, and tapped on it a few times. "Sir Finn, please don’t worry anymore. The Young Master sent you here for the reasons he mentioned: to stay safe and relay the situation."

Slowly, Butler Lee returned his phone to his pocket. "You’ve done both perfectly. On top of that, you managed to evacuate your group without raising any panic. That alone is the greatest help I could have asked for."

"That’s not enough..."

"It is more than enough." Butler Lee maintained his smile while holding Finn’s gaze. "Please don’t misunderstand my and my master’s intentions. For the longest time, my master not only wanted to protect someone, but he now had people he could call friends—family. Their safety comes above everything else. Otherwise, he might end up like someone... he used to be."

His smile widened as his eyes narrowed slightly. "I think you and I know what kind of path he would have gone down if Miss Penelope hadn’t come into his life. Though her and the Bennet family’s safety comes first, you and your friends’ lives are just as precious. Please trust me on this, Sir Finn."

"..." Finn wanted to argue. Though he understood all of that, he still felt it wasn’t enough. He might not be able to fight, but he still felt the need to come to their rescue.

Was what he did enough?

If only he knew it was more than enough.

Just then, Finn’s ears perked up as he heard rotor noises in the distance. Turning his head, he saw a helicopter emerging from the darkness, seemingly coming from another island nearby.

"Help is coming, Sir Finn," Butler Lee said, his hands behind his back, eyes still fixed on where the sound was coming from. "Like I said, you did a good job and reached me just in time."

Deep lines appeared between Finn’s brows as he cast Butler Lee a look. He saw the corners of Butler Lee’s mouth curve into a smile as he turned to face him again.

"Some people were worried Miss Penelope would hide the master somewhere only she knew," Butler Lee joked. "So, they’ve been hiding on the other island just in case. I didn’t let the master know, as they didn’t want him to."