<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The scene was bleak and lifeless.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Thend inside the forbidden area was barren, devoid of grass or any signs of life. Exposed rocks jutted out sharply, casting eerie shadows.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Separated by the iron fence, the contrast between the two sides was striking. Outside, while the nts had lost their leaves to autumn, some greenery still persisted. Pine trees stand resilient among the seasonal changes. Inside the fence, however, there was only destion.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Even the crows circling above seemed reluctant to fly over this wastnd, as though instinct warned them to stay away.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The group took in the view with unease. Despite the strangeness of the scene, the well–trained subordinates maintained theirposure. One of them turned to Tiffany and asked, “Madam, the path is open. Shall we proceed?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany agreed, “Let’s go.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">She didn’t get back into the car but instead led the way on foot, Richard walking beside her with his hand in hers. The rest of the group followed closely.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The moment they stepped onto the barren ground, they could feel a change in the air. It was thinner, heavy with a strange, stale quality that made it difficult to breathe. Tiffany frowned, her difort clear.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Noticing this, Richard waved his hand, and a light breeze swirled around them, dispersing the stale air and making it easier to breathe.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany nced at him. “This ce is so empty. Could it be that the person we’re looking for got scared off because we brought so many people?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The note on the knife hadn’t specified that she needed toe alone. This confidence suggested the figure didn’t fear her or her entourage.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Richard didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pulled a lollipop from his pocket, unwrapped it, and held it up to Tiffany’s lips. “You must be tired from walking. Have something sweet.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany epted without hesitation.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Behind them, Garry muttered under his breath, “Seriously? That’s just cruel. She takes a few steps, and he’s already pampering her. No one cared when I was struggling to run ten miles the other day.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">John walking nearby, hesitated before responding dryly, “So tragic.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Gary sighed.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Despite the casual atmosphere between Tiffany and Richard, the rest of the group remained tense. The eerie silence of the forbidden area heightened their senses, and they stayed alert, scanning for traps or dangers.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Richard, however, walked as if he were out for a leisurely stroll. His rxed demeanor came not from carelessness but confidence, an assurance that nothing here could truly threaten them.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Seeing Richard’s calm demeanor, the subordinates felt a wave of relief. Though they remained alert, their earlier tension eased considerably</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">After walking several hundred feet, there were still no buildings or signs of people in sight.</font></font>Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">‘Is it possible we have been led here as a joke?‘ Tiffany thought. Refusing to believe it, Tiffany pressed on determinedly.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">After walking for some distance, the barrenndscape gave way to a structure.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">An old, grand building loomed in the distance. Despite its decay it still retained traces of its former glory. The size and intricate architecture hinted at its past splendor.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany stopped in her tracks, staring at the structure. A strange, uneasy feeling gripped her chest. It was as though something inside was calling to her, pulling her closer with an invisible force.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">She turned to Richard, her voice low. “I feel off. There’s something dangerous about this ce.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Richard took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’m here.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany nodded, and they stepped forward together, entering the building, their subordinates following closely behind.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Unlike the destion outside, the interior of the building was surprisingly well–preserved. The floors were clean, the furniture, like the table, chairs, and antique vases, were neatly arranged. Even the paintings on the walls appeared untouched.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Garry whistled softly as he inspected the room. “The Azure Sea Royal Family was rumored to have incredible treasures, but I didn’t expect this. Look at these paintings. They’d fetch a fortune at auction!”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Garymented, “It’s such a waste to leave them here.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany smiled. “If you like it, you can have it.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Really?” Garry’s eyes lit up as he eagerly reached for the mural. Are you sure? I mean, it feels wrong, but if you insist.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">As he removed the mural, something unexpected happened. Behind it, a small red button was revealed, hidden in the wall.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“What’s this?” Garry asked, curious. Without waiting for an answer, he pressed it.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Before Tiffany could stop him, white smoke erupted from hidden vents, spreading rapidly.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Cover your mouths and hold your breath!” Tiffany shouted.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The group reacted quickly, but the smoke was too fast. It engulfed the room in seconds, leaving many coughing and struggling to escape.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Only Tiffany and Richard remained unaffected. An invisible barrier seemed to shield them from the effects of the smoke.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany felt bad for Gary who was coughing violently. She asked, “Richard, I think you should clear out the smoke. It may be poisonous if we stay in here for too long.”</font></font>