Chapter 1121 The Faster The Better Jerome could never forget the image of Natalieâs protective figure standing in front of him when they were children. Back then, he still wasnât the son of a Loang general but a child in the countryside.
Often, he was bullied by children older than him.
While his mother was heartbroken over the treatment he received from other kids, she couldnât keep her eye on him all the time. Hence, after Natalie learned about his situation, she always kept him by her side. When those children tried to bully him, she would retaliate like a tiny, angry leopard.
At that age, Jerome still had no idea what beauty was, but he didnât forget what it was like to be protected by someone. That feeling was something he would never forget until the day he died.
Seeing how Natalie was momentarily stunned, Jerome continued, âRelax. I personally interrogated Zophie and have changed her testimony, too. Since the jade key is now in the royal familyâs hands, Iâll let this matter go. Donât worry. You and your children wonât be affected.â
She hesitated slightly. There was even a look of avoidance in her eyes because the jade key was actually still in her possession. The key Jerome took from Zophie was a copy Varre had made.
The jade key was of vital importance. While she was still uncertain if the key was a blessing or a curse, what she did know was that if the key fell into the wrong hands, the situation would be dire.
Since the key was the last thing Yumiâs birth mother and family had left for her, Natalie believed it solely belonged to Yumi. She wouldnât give the key to anyone without obtaining Yumiâs permission beforehand.
âWhatâs the matter with you, Natalie?â Jerome asked with suspicion. âWhy do you look so serious right now?â
Upon lifting her head, she turned her attention to him. Again, she hesitated but ultimately kept the secret to herself. âItâs nothing. I think Iâm just slightly tired after talking for so long. My body hasnât fully recovered, after all.â
She paused before lowering her eyes. âThank you, Jerome. Truly. You disobeyed military orders to change the testimony for me, and Iâm very grateful for it. However, please donât do something like this for me again. You and your parents have done a lot for me alreadyâ¦â
Instead of arguing with her, he simply nodded because he was aware of Natalieâs personality. âOkay. I promise.â
âMhm.â
Somewhere inside the palace located in Yaleview, a man smashed the cup in his hand to the ground when he learned Zophie was captured.
Clang!
âWhat happened to Zophie?â Kingâs hand was cut when the broken pieces of the cup flew upward.
Blood flowed out of his wound and along his fingers. However, it was as though he didnât feel any pain at all as a murderous look filled his darkened eyes.
âShe kidnapped Natalieâs child and tried to take Natalieâs life,â Mistem Brown informed.
âWhat?â King roared. âThat idiot! I told her Natalieâs still useful to me and that sheâs not easy to deal with! Compared to her grandfather and little sister, sheâs even harder to tame! Without proper preparations, any attempt at subduing her will only be for naught!â
At that moment, Mistem was half-kneeling on the ground, enduring Kingâs wrath.
Then, he continued, âThereâs one more thing, King. According to my sources, not only did Jerome capture Zophie, but he also obtained the jade key guarded by the Jankovich familyâs orphaned descendant. It has been handed to Bastienâ¦â
Suddenly, the palace turned so silent that he could hear the blood dripping down from the back of Kingâs hand.
Mistem didnât have the nerve to lift his head because he was aware that the jade key was a treasure King had been looking for a very long time.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, just as he felt as if his knees had turned swollen and numb from kneeling for so long, he heard Kingâs voice again.
âIs Zophie still alive?â King asked.
In a small voice, Mistem answered, âSheâs still alive, but Jerome is keeping a very close eye on her.â
As King picked up the handkerchief next to him and wiped the blood on his hand away, he ordered in a frigid tone, âThis reckless, traitorous wastrel doesnât deserve to be kept around! Take care of her! The faster, the better!â The more he spoke, the softer his voice sounded.
However, Mistem dared not waste even a second. âUnderstood, King!â