Chapter 1464

"Don't panic," Lily coaxed softly, pressing her hand against Olivia's back. "This fake piece of skin means the person who sent it didn't actually harm Edward. He might not even be in their hands."

"The sender probably found the ring somewhere," Lily continued. "You know how skilled Edward is. Even if he couldn't defeat his opponent, he could defend himself. If he were captured, his captor wouldn't need to send this fake skin to intimidate you."

Lily examined the pigskin, shaking it gently. It felt remarkably realistic; she might have believed it herself, were she less familiar with such things.

"Yeah," Olivia agreed. "You're right. Edward must be fine. He'll be okay! Still, Lily, promise to take me with you to Burnwken."

"What would you do there?" Lily asked immediately.

"Look for Edward, of course! I want to see him!" Olivia replied decisively.

"What if you can't find him?" Lily pressed.

Olivia faltered, momentarily speechless.

"Then I'll keep looking. I'll find him somehow."

"Are you aware of the situation in Burnwken?" Lily continued her questioning.

Olivia was taken aback.

"The plague... the war..." she whispered.

"Exactly!" Lily exclaimed. "It's chaotic. I can defend myself; can you?"

"I—I can protect you too!" Olivia stammered.

"How?" Lily asked, the words blunt but truthful.

Lily then spoke calmly, "Olivia, I know you're worried, but we need to be rational. We don't know the situation in Burnwken. I'm going to assess the situation. I don't know what to expect. I know kickboxing, and I'll bring bodyguards. But if we encounter danger, I'll still need to prioritize your safety."

Olivia remained silent, recognizing her own unreasonableness but unwilling to yield. The waiting was agonizing; she needed to see Edward safe with her own eyes to find peace.

"Listen," Lily said gently. "Stay here. It's safe, and you'll have support. If I need help, I'll call you. And how could I explain to Edward if something happened to you? He wouldn't even have a scratch, and you'd be the one he'd worry about."

Lily gently pinched Olivia's cheek. "Be a good girl."

Olivia, persuaded by Lily's skillful reasoning, nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you."

"What about Galen? Will you leave him with just the nanny?"

Lily glanced upstairs. "No. I've arranged for a babysitter. I'll assess the situation in Burnwken and return as soon as possible."

"I can look after Galen," Olivia offered.

"It's fine," Lily smiled, shaking her head. "You're pregnant, and Galen can be quite a handful. I don't want him to tire you out."

"Speaking of which," Olivia said, "aren't you risking too much going to Burnwken, pregnant with twins?" Lily's pregnancy was more advanced than her own.

"It's fine!" Lily touched her belly. "Consider it early exposure. As children of the Russell family, we face these challenges."