Chapter 91: When the Paddle is Lost (i)
Still Noon...
City B was alive with the soft hum of engines and the golden gleam of the midday sun reflecting off the polished rooftops. But inside the estate of the Silver family-famously known as Silver Mansion-a quiet tension hung in the air. The grand, centuries-old gates creaked open as a sleek black SUV rolled slowly down the stone-paved driveway, returning from a long journey.
Inside were three figures-three men of strength, legacy, and silent power. Grandfather Silver Sky, the patriarch of the Silver family and the pillar that had kept it standing tall through storms and seasons, had finally returned. He had just come back from visiting an old friend overseas-a deeply personal reunion filled with laughter, memories, and solemn reminders of time's passing.
With him were his two sons-Mark, the firstborn and rightful heir to the family legacy, and Matthew, the second and more quietly formidable of the two. Mark and Matthew had traveled together to close a major international deal-a business venture set to broaden the Silver family's empire in real estate and renewable technology.
Now, they were home.
The staff had been on high alert. The butlers and maids, neatly arranged in line, bowed in precision as the car came to a smooth stop in front of the marble entrance. Uniformed guards stood at attention, saluting sharply. The air, somehow, seemed to pause in respect.
The door opened.
Grandfather Silver Sky stepped out first, leaning slightly on his polished cane-not because of age's weakness, but because his presence deserved a symbol. His gaze was sharp, alert. The mansion before him was more than home-it was legacy.
"Home at last," he muttered, his voice deep with calm authority, his eyes scanning the tall white columns and familiar ivy-covered walls that had watched over generations of Silvers.
Mark followed closely behind-broad-shouldered, sharply dressed in a tailored navy suit, and radiating the kind of calm confidence that made people listen without him needing to raise his voice. Right behind him was Matthew, more reserved, his eyes always calculating, taking in everything with silent precision.
"Father, I believe the staff missed you," Mark said with a dry smile.
"Hmph. They missed your wallets, not me," the old man chuckled, though his tone held warmth.
Inside the mansion, all was as it had always been. Grand, stately, untouched by time. The polished mahogany staircase reflected sunlight streaming from the crystal chandeliers overhead. The scent of cedarwood still lingered in the air-a fresh mist sprayed by the maids not long before. Oil portraits of Silver ancestors lined the walls like silent guardians.
But despite all its beauty, a certain stillness haunted the grand hall. The Silver Mansion felt quieter than usual. No one else was around. No family laughter. No warm welcome. No celebration.
Because all the others, were not at the mansion, including Grandmother Lydia.
They were at Scott's home, having arranged to organize a small welcome gathering when they arrive. A soft family celebration.
Grandfather Silver paused in the hall, his cane tapping lightly against the marble floor.
"Where are they?" he asked in a low tone, eyes shifting from one butler to another.
"Sir," the head butler spoke gently, "They've all gone to First young master's residence. Preparations are underway to welcome you and the masters with a small homecoming gathering."
"Hmph. Scott," the old man muttered, though his voice didn't hold displeasure-just thought.
Mark and Matthew exchanged brief glances but said nothing.
Even with the silence in the mansion, the Silver name echoed louder than ever in the city outside. Rumors had begun to swirl-about power shifts, enemies rising, secrets brewing. And now, with their return, the family was stepping back into a city that had changed while they were away.
~~~~
After some hours...
Aria was the first to return home. She had expected to meet the others already inside-but by sheer coincidence, she arrived at the exact moment her family pulled into the driveway.
The atmosphere shifted the moment the car doors opened.
Charlotte, her mother, was the first to speak-her voice sharp with pent-up emotion.
"Where have you been all this while, Aria?" she demanded, stepping out quickly and marching toward her daughter.
"You've been playing me? Or your family?"
"Is this how I raised you?"
Her words weren't loud-but the disappointment in her tone stung more than any shout.
Aria opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"Mum, please calm down. You're just getting better," Joan, her second daughter-in-law, said gently, stepping forward.
Flora stood quietly beside them, cradling baby Jeda in her arms, her eyes darting nervously between the two women.
Grandmother, unable to watch the growing tension, stepped in swiftly.
"That's enough," she said firmly. "Today, your husband is back. Let's not welcome him like this. Everyone, inside."
She took Aria's hand in hers and gave it a light squeeze.
Without a word, Aria followed her in-her heart weighed down, her lips sealed shut.
The rest trailed behind, the earlier edge slowly softening as they entered the house.
"Welcome, honey," Charlotte said, switching to a polite tone.
"Welcome, Uncle," Joan added.
"Welcome, Grandfather," Flora chimed in.
~~~~
Everyone settled in the living room, the silence filled only by the faint clinking sounds coming from the dining area where the maids had already laid out a generous spread-an array of dishes, both local and continental, all steaming and inviting.
But no one moved toward the table just yet.
Grandfather Silver Sky, seated at the center of the room in his carved armchair, looked around at each face before him. His presence alone commanded attention-and respect.
Then, he spoke.
"I've heard quite a lot while I was away," he began, his voice steady, neither harsh nor gentle-but heavy with meaning. "But I have plans... and I believe firmly that my sons-" he glanced briefly at Mark and Matthew-"will never disappoint me."
His eyes slowly shifted toward everyone in the room.
"And that includes my grandsons."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.
"I've just been gone for a while, everyone," Grandfather began, his voice calm but firm, "but I've heard everything that's been happening here-and I must say, I'm not happy with Aria's actions."
His gaze shifted toward her, serious and unwavering.
"You made your mother sad, Aria. Do you know how deeply that hurt her? Mark was even ready to cut his trip short and rush back to City B just to make sure his wife was okay."
He paused, looking toward Charlotte, then back at Aria.
"I'm grateful she's fine now, but you, Aria... with everyone seated here, let me say this clearly: at our next family gathering, I want to see you with that boy-Duncan. Yes, we know his family, but that's all we really know for now. So bring him here. Let us see for ourselves that the two of you are serious."
He took a breath, then continued, his voice growing sterner.
"Morever -how many times have I warned you about that club life? Going out, getting drunk. What if it hadn't been someone you knew that night? What if it was someone else-someone who took you to a place where we'd never find you? What if something worse had happened? What would you say then?"
He continued, his tone softening.
"You know you're my favourite in this house. But don't make me regret saying that. Don't disappoint me. Do what I've asked. Immediately. Do you understand?"
Aria nodded slowly, her eyes lowered. "Yes, Grandfather. Thank you so much," she whispered.
Just then, the main doors opened, and Maxson and Scott walked into the living room. They both greeted their father, grandfather, and Uncle Matthew with warm smiles.
"You're welcome," Grandfather said, nodding at them. "We were about to move to the dining room before you came in."
Mark turned to face them more directly. "But before we do," he said, his voice firm, "you two should speak with your sister. She really needs to be advised."
There was a pause-a shared understanding between the siblings.
"This is not the time for stubbornness or selfish decisions," Mark continued. "You know the times we weren't home. Aria does what she wants, how she wants, and she doesn't realize how fragile things are right now."
His tone deepened, almost cautionary. "We all know the enemies surrounding our family. We can't afford recklessness. We must be careful-very careful."
Then he softened slightly. "That's all I have to say for now. I won't let this situation ruin our homecoming."
He turned his gaze to Charlotte.
Then Grandfather spoke.
"And Charlotte," he said gently, "you know you're like a daughter to me. Please... forgive her."
Charlotte hesitated, lips trembling slightly. "Yes, Grandfather, I will," she said quietly.
"But she truly disappointed me. While I was sick at Scott's place... she never even came to check on me. Not once. Just video calls-and that's not the same."
Her voice cracked with hurt. "She's the only daughter I have. Why is she treating me this way?"
Tears welled in her eyes, and her hand instinctively reached for her chest.
Maxson quickly moved to her side, placing an arm around her. "Mom... Mom, it's alright. Please don't cry," he whispered. "Let's just go eat together, and we'll talk through all of this."
Charlotte gave a soft nod but remained visibly shaken.
Scott added gently, "Mom, please don't stay angry. We've already spoken to her, and I know she's ready to make things right."
Just then, Aria stood, took a few quiet steps forward, and knelt before her mother.
"Mum... I'm so sorry," she said, her voice small and sincere. "I'll never do that again. Please forgive me."
Charlotte stared at her for a moment, then slowly leaned forward, pulling her daughter into a tight, tearful embrace.
"I forgive you," she whispered, holding her close.
And in that moment, the tension in the room eased a little, replaced by a silence filled with grace, understanding, and the first threads of healing.
~~~~
Just after lunch, the Silver Mansion buzzed with a rare kind of joy. Laughter floated through the hallways as the family gathered in the living room again, sipping juice and chatting about Baby Jeda's upcoming second birthday.
"It must be glamorous," Grandfather Silver Sky declared, tapping his cane. "Two units of each dish, finest decorations, guests from near and far. A celebration worthy of her."
Flora smiled, cradling Baby Jeda. "It'll be perfect.
One by one, family members began to drift away. Some went to their rooms. Grandfather called his grandsons– Maxson and Scott, into his study. Matthew had already returned to his own mansion to reunite with his wife and son.
Mark and Charlotte went off to catch up in their room. Flora, as usual, joined the kitchen staff to help, despite their protests.
Outside, Joan strolled the lawn with Baby Jeda. The estate was peaceful-hedges trimmed, statues gleaming, breeze soft against the trees. Jeda sat quietly by a garden hedge, playing with her toy.
Joan's phone rang. An old friend.
She smiled. "She'll be fine here," she murmured, stepping a few meters away, still keeping Jeda in view. "Hello, girl! Long time!"
The call stretched-five, maybe six minutes.
Then Joan turned.
Her heart dropped.
Jeda was gone.
"Jeda?" Her voice tightened. She scanned the grass. Nothing.
She rushed to where the baby had been-the toy was there. But Jeda wasn't.
"Jeda?!"
Frantic now, she searched the hedges, the koi pond, the walkway-everywhere.
She ran inside. "Maid! Have you seen Baby Jeda?!"
The maid froze, horrified. "No, ma'am. I thought she was with you!"
Flora heard the commotion and rushed in. "Joan, what's wrong? Where's Jeda?"
Joan could barely speak. "She... she was just there. I stepped away to take a call... when I came back, she was gone!"
Flora's face went pale. "You left her alone outside?!"
"She was playing quietly! I didn't want to disturb her!" Joan sobbed.
"Did she crawl off somewhere? What about the guards?"
"One said he saw the gate move slightly-but thought it was the wind!"
By now, the whole house was alert.
Grandmother came rushing. Scott, Maxson, Aria and Charlotte, emerged from the mansion with Grandfather and Mark.
"What's going on?" Grandfather's voice boomed.
Flora cried, "We can't find Baby Jeda!"
Silence.
Then chaos.
"Lock the gates!" Grandfather ordered. "Nobody leaves this house!"
Guards jumped into action.
Scott and Maxson bolted in different directions. Mark rallied the staff. Charlotte, just stepping outside, froze.
"You can't find her?! How could you lose her?!"
"I only stepped away for a minute!" Joan cried. "I swear-I didn't think she'd move!"
Charlotte gripped Joan's shoulders. "You left a baby alone?!"
Joan collapsed against the wall, her breath shallow. "Where is my baby...?"
Maxson stood motionless, rage and fear clouding his eyes. His voice came out low and hollow:
"She didn't wander off. Someone took her."