Chapter 143

Just as Asher arrived at the Blackwood residence, Grace's car pulled into the underground car park. The two entered the house, one after the other. In the ground floor drawing-room, Lady Blackwood, Andrew, and Catherine awaited them on the sofa.

Asher entered with urgency, his composed voice belying the anxiety churning within him. "It was Thalia's friend who contacted the police. She couldn't reach Thalia and became concerned, so she reported her missing. The police only contacted the Winters family to confirm Thalia's disappearance. The authorities don't yet know she's been kidnapped by Malfoy, and since she's only been missing for a few hours, they haven't officially opened a case."

Asher's expression was grim, his dark, fathomless eyes cold with determination. "Malfoy has called, demanding that I come alone—"

"Absolutely not! You can't possibly go alone!" Grace interrupted before Asher could finish, her voice pitched with genuine alarm.

Since learning of Thalia's kidnapping by Tom Malfoy, Grace had been in unusually good spirits. She had even been humming to herself on the way to the Blackwood residence. However, upon hearing that Asher planned to rescue Thalia alone, her cheerful mood instantly evaporated. Her expression became agitated, her voice tense with concern. "Malfoy certainly won't let you leave alive. It's far too dangerous for you to go alone. We should inform the police and have them accompany you!"

Asher's brow furrowed, his tone deadly serious though perfectly measured. "That's out of the question. We cannot involve the police. If Malfoy discovers we've contacted the authorities, he'll kill her immediately."

Grace persisted: "But her friend has already reported her missing. The police already know she's disappeared."

"As I just explained," Asher replied with forced patience, "the police only know she's missing, not that she's been kidnapped. If we coordinate with the Winters family and inform the police that she's been found, the matter will be closed. Then we can focus on rescuing Thalia."

Andrew asked, "What's your plan for the rescue?"

Asher's expression was resolute. "Malfoy is targeting me. I'll exchange myself for her."

"You've lost your mind!" Andrew exclaimed.

"You can't!" cried Grace. Lady Blackwood declared, "I absolutely forbid it!" The three objected almost simultaneously.

Catherine's expression grew somber as she asked, "Is there truly no other option?"

"I must go," Asher stated in a tone that brooked no argument, the quiet intensity of his voice revealing how deeply this affected him.

Grace urgently protested: "But exchanging yourself is completely mad! How can Thalia Winters' life possibly compare to yours, brother?"

Upon hearing this, Asher's frigid gaze swept toward her. His look was so intimidating—a warning mixed with fury—that Grace immediately fell silent. She opened her mouth, but no sound emerged.

A moment later, Asher said coldly: "I never want to hear such words from you again."

Grace's eyes reddened at the corners, her lip caught between her teeth, feeling utterly wounded. "Brother, is Thalia Winters truly more important to you than your own life?"

"Yes," he replied without the slightest hesitation. This single word left the entire Blackwood family speechless with shock. The room fell into a deathly silence.

After a prolonged moment, Lady Blackwood recovered, her face contorted with anger as she reprimanded, "This is absolute madness!"

Andrew's expression was equally grim. "Asher, have you forgotten what your grandfather told you?"

"No," Asher replied calmly, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his inner turmoil. "There's no need for such concern. While Thalia does indeed mean more to me than my own life, I'm not foolish enough to trade my life for hers. If I were to go alone, neither of us would survive."

Hearing this, everyone's expressions relaxed somewhat. Catherine asked, "Are you saying you already have a solution?"

Asher nodded and proceeded to explain his plan in detail. After listening, Lady Blackwood frowned. "It's still far too risky. You are the Blackwood heir—our only heir. I cannot allow you to put yourself in such danger!"

Chapter 141

"Exactly, brother," Grace implored. "You mustn't go. I think we should inform the police and let them rescue Thalia. If you go, Malfoy certainly won't spare you."

Asher's face hardened, his eyes sharp as daggers, full of warning. "I said, no."

"I'm only concerned for your safety, brother," Grace wilted under his glare, her voice breaking with what appeared to be genuine distress. Though her tears were partially an act, they weren't entirely feigned; she truly was worried that Asher might not return.

Asher ignored Grace's theatrics. He looked at Andrew, Catherine, and then Lady Blackwood. "Father, Mother, Grandmother, this is currently the best rescue plan available. Let's proceed as I've outlined. I need your cooperation."

Lady Blackwood shook her head firmly. "I disagree. You cannot go."

Asher set his jaw, his expression impassive though his eyes betrayed his fierce determination. "Grandmother, I've made my decision." The implication was clear: your objection is irrelevant.

"You… you…" Lady Blackwood trembled with anger. "You would truly risk your life for this woman? Very well. I see I can no longer control you. I shall inform your grandfather immediately and let him deal with you!"

Seeing the elderly woman's agitation, Andrew grew alarmed. He quickly patted her back, trying to calm her. "Mother, please don't upset yourself. Your heart condition might flare up again." Andrew was genuinely caught in a difficult position. The elderly lady had recently suffered a heart attack and had nearly not been revived. Now she was becoming this agitated again. He feared that before they could rescue Thalia, his mother might be in serious danger.

"Brother, you can't do this," Grace pleaded. "Grandmother has a heart condition and can't handle such stress. You can't frighten her like this. If anything should happen to you, Grandmother would…"

Seeing that Asher wouldn't be dissuaded, Grace invoked Lady Blackwood's health—ostensibly out of concern, but in reality, a form of emotional manipulation and veiled threat.

After receiving Tom Malfoy's call, Asher had quickly devised a rescue plan. His plan was indeed the best option available under the circumstances. Originally, Asher could have gone straight to Harwich without returning to the Blackwood residence. But remembering Malfoy's warning that he would kill Thalia immediately if they involved the police, Asher worried that the Blackwood and Winters families might panic and disrupt his rescue plan. Thus, he had returned home to explain his strategy.

As tensions mounted, Randolph and Victoria arrived. "Any news of Thalia?" Randolph asked urgently as he entered.

Asher revealed the truth. "What! You're saying Thalia's been kidnapped by Tom Malfoy?" Randolph's face drained of color.

Randolph became frantic, his eyes widening as he lunged forward, only to be restrained by security personnel. "Randolph, please try to calm down," Andrew urged.

"Calm? You keep telling me to be calm!" Randolph's eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving. "You claimed that breaking off the engagement would keep my family safe from Malfoy. Yet here we are—the engagement has been over for months, and he's still targeting Thalia! I demand an explanation from you this instant!"

Compared to Randolph, Asher maintained his composure. With genuine remorse in his eyes, he spoke patiently. "Sir, Thalia's life hangs in the balance. This isn't the time for explanations. I need your cooperation to rescue her. Once she's safe, I promise you'll have the answers you seek."

Asher shared his plan with Randolph. Upon hearing that Asher was willing to risk his own safety to save Thalia, Randolph's expression softened slightly, his emotions gradually settling. "Let's proceed with your plan," he agreed.