A perilous mystery unfolds, revealing the stirring drama within a powerful elite family.

The hospital corridor was bathed in a harsh, pale light, exuding a chilling coldness. Yan Xiaonian stood outside Xiao Sheng’s hospital room, pacing back and forth, her brows tightly furrowed, worry etched deeply across her face. Occasionally, she would lean close to the door, peering through the small observation window to look at Xiao Sheng lying on the bed, her heart a swirling mix of emotions.

“Xiao Nian, you must be exhausted too. Sit down for a bit,” Xu Jian said as he hurried over with steady steps. His tall, upright figure was clad in casual clothes that couldn’t conceal his commanding presence. Though fatigue marked his face, he forced a gentle smile, trying to dispel the dark cloud hanging over Yan Xiaonian’s heart. In his hand, he held a steaming cup of coffee, tendrils of warmth rising from it, as if to add a touch of comfort to the cold atmosphere. He bent slightly, offering the cup to Yan Xiaonian, his eyes full of concern as he spoke softly, “Worrying like this won’t help. If you exhaust yourself, what will happen to the child? Look, your eyes are bloodshot. You need to rest.”

Gently patting her shoulder with a brotherly tenderness, his broad, warm palm seemed to carry a calming strength, soothing her through the touch.

Yan Xiaonian shook her head slightly and accepted the coffee, but her hands trembled uncontrollably, causing a few drops to spill over the rim. Taking a deep breath, as though summoning great resolve, her voice quivered as she spoke, “Xu Ge, I can’t help but worry. What happened today was terrifying.”

She looked up at Xu Jian, her eyes filled with panic. “I was fine at home, then suddenly someone drugged me. When I woke up, I was already in a bridal sedan chair, confused and bewildered, married to Xiao Sheng without understanding what was happening. My head was dizzy, and I had no idea what was going on.”

Xu Jian frowned deeply, listening intently, nodding occasionally, his gaze full of concern. “That Huang Fang and her daughter have truly gone too far, committing such a criminal act. Continue, what happened next?”

Biting her lip, Yan Xiaonian continued, “I thought it was just a farce at the wedding, but that night, Dafa suddenly disappeared. It felt like the sky was falling. When I got the message from Zhenzhu, my heart nearly stopped. As soon as Xiao Sheng found out, he didn’t hesitate—he took me straight to find the child, chasing all the way to the abandoned factory in the western suburbs.”

Her eyes reddened, tears welling up. Hastily wiping them away with her sleeve, she pressed on, “When we got there, I saw Dafa tied to a rickety chair, trembling uncontrollably, his mouth sealed with tape, only able to make muffled sounds. My heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife.” Her voice choked with emotion, her face a mask of pain and guilt.

Xu Jian patted her shoulder, offering comfort. “It’s not your fault, Xiao Nian. You’ve been through enough already. What happened with those men in black?”

Yan Xiaonian steadied herself with a deep breath. “Before I could recover, a group of masked men in black rushed out and surrounded us. They brandished shining knives, their eyes fierce and hostile. It was clear they meant harm. Xiao Sheng was incredibly brave; to protect me and Dafa, he grabbed an iron rod and fought them off.”

A glimmer of admiration flashed in her eyes. “His skills were amazing—he quickly overwhelmed several of them. But there were too many, and he gradually grew tired, even wounded. If you hadn’t arrived with the police in time, I can’t imagine what would have happened.” She patted her chest, still shaken.

Xu Jian’s expression hardened, his fists clenched. “These people are outrageous—kidnapping and intentionally harming others. I won’t let them off easily. Don’t worry, I’ve already sent people to investigate, starting with Huang Fang and her daughter’s connections. We’ll find the clues and bring them all down.”

At that moment, a faint sound came from the hospital room. Yan Xiaonian hurried inside to find Xiao Sheng struggling to sit up. Seeing her, he managed a weak smile. “I’ve slept long enough. How’s everything outside?”

She quickly went to his bedside, supporting him gently. “Don’t move too much. You’ve just escaped danger. It’s calm outside for now—the men in black fled, and Xu Ge is here.”

Xiao Sheng nodded slightly, but his eyes were thoughtful. “This isn’t simple. Someone must be orchestrating this carefully, aiming for us.” He paused, looking at Yan Xiaonian. “Xiao Nian, think carefully—have you offended anyone recently, besides Huang Fang and her daughter?”

She lowered her head, pondering, then shook it. “I just returned to the country, focused entirely on work and Dafa. I can’t think of anyone I might have offended. My life has been simple—work, then home to Dafa.”

At that moment, Xu Jian entered, picking up the conversation. “I’ve already sent people to investigate from Huang Fang and her daughter’s social circle. We should find something soon. This is a serious case of kidnapping and assault—I won’t let them go.”

His face was stern, and as a police officer, his determination to solve the case was evident. His sharp, resolute gaze seemed to already map out the investigation’s course.

Xiao Sheng looked at him with approval. “Thank you. If you hadn’t arrived in time with your team, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

Xu Jian waved off the praise modestly. “We’re all in this together; helping each other is only right. Our priority now is to unmask the mastermind and stop them from acting so boldly.”

Yan Xiaonian watched the two men exchange their tacit understanding, a warmth rising in her heart.

Not long after, Ou Lie rushed in, his expression grave. “President, we’ve found some leads.” He lowered his voice beside Xiao Sheng. “It’s a business rival of yours who’s held a grudge for a long time. They secretly colluded with Huang Fang and her daughter, hoping to deliver a fatal blow. Those men in black were their hired thugs.”

Xiao Sheng’s eyes turned cold as he clenched his fist and struck the bedside heavily. “Hmph. Daring to scheme behind my back—I won’t let this go. Anyone who dares harm me will pay a heavy price.” His voice was icy and resolute, as if plotting a fierce counterattack.

Yan Xiaonian was startled, realizing just how dangerous the battle behind the scenes truly was. She looked at Xiao Sheng, who, though weak in the hospital bed, still radiated an awe-inspiring aura.

“What’s the plan now?” she asked softly.

Xiao Sheng’s gaze softened. “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, they won’t last long. You and Dafa should stay with me for now. I’ll arrange protection for you both. Once I recover, we’ll settle this once and for all. Under my watchful eye, I won’t let either of you suffer another injury.”

Yan Xiaonian felt a warmth in her heart, about to speak more when her phone suddenly rang. She picked it up to see a call from Wu Zhenzhu. Answering, Zhenzhu’s anxious voice came through: “Xiao Nian, Dafa’s gone missing! I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find him. What should I do? I only went to the bathroom for a moment, and when I came back, he was nowhere to be seen!”

Yan Xiaonian felt as if struck by lightning; the phone nearly slipped from her hand as her face turned pale as death...