While here Adrian and Clara were feeling distressed and apprehensive on how and where to find Sarina, in another corner of the Capital City, in the famous Crownshire Hills, an even more intense storm was raging, ready to destroy everything inside it.
Crownshire Hills wasn't just like any other district out there. This place in itself was the perfect representation of luxury and power. Every second rich person in the Country M, wanted to live here, not just as a proof of their wealth but to build connections with the people living there.
There were only 11 villas built in there, each more expensive than the last yet still very sought after that even the richest people were willing to pay any price to get their name as one of the owners of these 11 villas.
And stood among them was the Ashford Manor, the biggest and the most expensive villa of all; also called the heart of the Crownshire Hills, and living there was The Ashford family, a name and legacy that had continuously shook the world again and again with their kindness and discoveries.
Counted in the top 5 five richest families in the world, no one except themselves knew the extend of power they held in their hands. Despite maintaining a low-key attitude towards life, enemies think a thousand times before making a move against them.
Because they also know in the hearts; the real power of Ashford wasn't something to be tested. Their rules and traditions had never failed to amaze everyone as they continued to stick to them generation after generation till now.
The Ashford which usually used to shine brighter than ever everyday was now currently covered black and depressive aura as inside, the three silhouettes of the family stood in the living room, sharing the same feeling of anger and despair.
CRASH...
The crystal has shattered, shocking everyone present there.
"What do you mean you can't find my Rosalia? All of you only had one job and that was to protect my daughter and you couldn't even do that correctly. If I don't seem my Rose in front of my eyes in the next one hour, I will personally give you such a death that even your family won't be able to recognize you."
A middle aged man, Alexander Ashford angrily exclaimed, his eyes fuming in rage as he looked at the bodyguards and his daughter's caretaker Jenny kneeling in front him; their soul trembling in fear and their head bowed down in shame.
It has been around 4 hours since they had lost the sight of their young miss Rosalia and even after many trials and thorough search, they still haven't found a single clue on where she was, making Alexander even angrier.
On the side, a beautiful woman, Celeste Ashford, was crying incessantly, holding onto her precious daughter; Rosalia's picture, hiding her face in the arms of her second son, Cassian, who had been trying to calm down his mother for the past one hour.
Cassian's own face and eyes very filled with fury as he glared at the people who were supposed to protect his baby sister, kneeling there and facing his father's anger.
"Be grateful that the one standing in front of you all is me. If it was my son, none of you would have been able to keep your lives till now."
A shiver ran down every guard's spine upon hearing Alexander's words. There face becoming paler as they thought of him, their eldest young master and the next heir of the family. They had no doubt that a bigger retribution was waiting for them when he returns.
"Activate the elite team right now and have them search for Rose immediately. I want to know the exact location of my daughter is in the next 10 minutes no matter what."
Ignoring the people in front him, Alexander picked up his phone; dialing the familiar number his assistant and right-hand man and ordered.
"You all better pray that I find my daughter safe and sound otherwise….. I think I don't have to mention the consequences. Leave. Go to the den and take your punishment until Rosalia is found. My son will decide what to do with you all after that."
Hanging up the phone, he gave the guards a last glance and warned, dismissing them for their punishment. Grateful, the guards bowed and quickly ran away from there, going straight for their punishment.
They knew it was their mistake for losing their young lady in the first place and for that they were ready to accept the consequences for it. As for their final fate, they had no doubt that as long as Rosalia was found, they still had a chance to survive.
For now, they couldn't only hope and pray for her rescue.
"Alex, we will find our Rose, right? She will come back to us, right? Please say something. I want my daughter back please Alex, please."
Left alone, Celeste ran straight into her husband's arms, questioning him repeatedly, her eyes completely red from crying.
"We will find our Rose, Cleste. I promise; I will never let anything happened to my princess. Never."
Embracing his trembling wife in his arms tightly, Alexander gently placed his chin over her head, his eyes closed as the tears he had been holding back traced down his cheeks. But unlike his emotions, his voice was firm and resolute as he vowed to bring back his daughter.
Only Alexander knew what the dread he had been in ever since he came to know about his princess's disappearance. It felt like someone had forcefully taken away his heart, making it hard from to continue living.
Looking around the house which used to always resonate with Rosalia's words and laughter become so quiet left them very unaccustomed and disconsolate.
'Where are you Rosalia? Without you, this place doesn't feel like home. Your continuous long talks, your holding my clothes and refusing to let go, when you complain about your brothers, we miss them a lot. Please come back fast. This life feels incomplete without your presence.'
Alexander and Celeste stood there, staring blankly at the house, each lost in their own thoughts while reminiscing their time together.
Looking at his parents who usually were the strongest support of his life, breaking like this in front of his eyes, Cassian felt even more broken from inside.
'How I wish you were here Lucien today. Why did you have to be locked away training at time like this when only you can support this family.'
Cassian thought as the silhouette of his elder brother appeared in his mind. He knew how much his elder brother loved Rosalia. If Lucien had to divide his heart according to how much he loved his family, then Cassian had no doubt that the one with the biggest part will be Rose.
She wasn't just a younger sister but his child for Lucien. Being the eldest along with the 11 years age difference between them, he had always treated her as if she is his own daughter, never refusing her of anything.
The Lucien, who usually was cold, indifferent and never listening to anyone will immediately melt at the sight his baby sister, agreeing to whatever demands she made.
No one in the family could soothe Lucien's anger except for Lucien. Only in front of her will he keep his identity and responsibilities as the heir of Ashford family aside and become just Lucien, Rosalia's elder brother.
Her one world and he was willing to burn down the world for her. Anyone who had dared to look at Rosalia with wrong intentions, Lucien had made sure that those can't look at anything under any condition.
"Mom, dad. Should we inform Lucien about this? If would get very angry if comes to know about it later."
Well aware of Lucien's love for Rose, Cassian worriedly asked; trembling as he imagined his face when he will get to know about what happened and the consequences of not informing him before-hand.
"No need to inform him for now. His training can't be disturbed under any cause. As for him finding it later, I will deal with it myself."
Alexander resolutely replied. As much as he knew it was for the best to let him know everything as soon as possible, as Lucien will no doubt burn down the entire world to find his sister, but as the patriarch and head of the Ashford family, he was also bound by his responsibility.
No one, including him and his family was allowed to disturb the next heir's training no matter what happened. It was a rule set in stones that everyone including Lucien himself was aware of.
"Then dad where are we..."
Cassian had just began speaking when suddenly a red alarm rang in Alexandar's phone, snapping him back to reality when he realized what that alarm meant.
"Trace the beacon hidden in Rose's pendant as soon as possible and find her location as soon as possible. Get the chopper ready along with the elite team ready for action. We are leaving in five minutes."
Ignoring Celeste and Cassian's shocked and confused faces, Alexander hurriedly picked up him phone and ordered.
Within minutes, the entire surrounding changed as Alexander picked up his gun and walked towards the helipad where his assistant along with his team, armed and all ready for the upcoming mission were waiting for him.
"Don't worry Celeste. I will bring our Rose back with me safe and sound. Trust me, ok."
Looking at Celeste eyes which were filled with nothing but fear, Alexandar gently cupped her face and somberly promised.
Lovingly pecking her forehead, he nodded at Cassian to take care of his mother before turning around; all the love and patience in his eyes gone, replaced by rage and killing intent of beast, ready to hut down everyone who dare to hurt his daughter.
Loading the magzine into his gun;
'I am coming princess.'