The mystery of the missing child, the turmoil behind the aristocratic family.

The night was as dark as ink. Within the Xiao family mansion, lights blazed brightly, yet they could not pierce the layers of accumulating gloom that hung heavy in the air. After expelling Yan Yurou from the room, Xiao Sheng rubbed his temples wearily and turned to Yan Xiaonian, his gaze deepening with a mixture of inquiry and guilt.

“Go rest now. No one will disturb you tonight,” Xiao Sheng’s voice softened, shedding some of its usual hardness, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible concern. Yan Xiaonian nodded faintly. Frail in body, her steps wavered as she rose. Led by a servant, she slowly made her way to the guest room. Along the path, her thoughts were a tumult of confusion and fear over the uncertain road ahead—caught inexplicably in the midst of a wealthy family’s turmoil, her son’s whereabouts unknown—tears welled up in her eyes.

Xiao Sheng stood alone in the room, his gaze growing more profound and resolute. He understood all too well that although this storm seemed to have settled on the surface, beneath lay turbulent currents, with unseen hands orchestrating every move. He took out his phone and called his assistant, Ou Lie. “Use all available resources. Thoroughly investigate Huang Fang and her daughter, as well as anyone who has had frequent contact with them recently. I want to know who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes.” His tone was cold and unyielding, his eyes flashing with the sharpness of a hunting leopard ready to strike.

“Yes, President. I’ll handle it right away,” Ou Lie replied swiftly on the other end, his voice crisp and efficient.

Meanwhile, Yan Yurou, having been cast out, returned home in a daze. Huang Fang’s anxiety boiled over into fury. “You fool! How did you mess things up this badly?” She raised her hand and struck Yan Yurou hard across the face. Yan Yurou’s cheek immediately swelled, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. She clutched her face as tears surged uncontrollably, yet she dared not utter a sound.

“Mom, what do we do now? Xiao Sheng wants to send me away…” Yan Yurou sobbed, her voice trembling, eyes filled with helplessness and despair.

Huang Fang paced back and forth, her gaze dark and calculating. Suddenly, she stopped and leaned close to whisper into Yan Yurou’s ear: “Don’t be afraid. We still have a trump card. That little bitch’s son is her greatest weakness. We’ll start with that child.” Yan Yurou’s eyes flickered with a cruel light; she clenched her teeth and nodded.

Elsewhere, Yan Xiaonian tossed and turned in the guest room, unable to sleep. Her heart ached with worry for her son, Yan Dafa, unsure if he was safe or searching for her. Just then, her phone rang—a message from Wu Zhenzhu: “Little Catfish, Dafa is missing. We’ve searched everywhere but can’t find him. What should we do?” Yan Xiaonian’s face paled as if struck by lightning. In a panic, she quickly dialed back.

“Zhenzhu, what happened? When did Dafa go missing?” she asked, voice quivering, near tears, her heart gripped tightly by an unseen hand.

“Just now. I woke up and he wasn’t in bed. We’ve looked everywhere and can’t find him. Little Catfish, please think of something!” Wu Zhenzhu cried anxiously on the other end.

Yan Xiaonian hung up, heart pounding with fear. She rushed out of the room and collided with Xiao Sheng in the corridor.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Sheng asked, frowning deeply as he took in her panicked state.

Without hesitation, Yan Xiaonian tearfully told him about her son’s disappearance.

Xiao Sheng’s eyes sharpened. He knew this battle had reached a fever pitch, and the enemy was resorting to desperate measures. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll help you find your child,” he said firmly, gripping her shoulder and meeting her gaze with unwavering resolve, offering her strength.

Yan Xiaonian clung to this lifeline, pleading earnestly, “Xiao Sheng, please, Dafa is my life. They’re definitely targeting me through him. I can’t lose him.” Tears streamed freely down her face.

Xiao Sheng furrowed his brow, suspecting Huang Fang and her daughter were behind the child’s disappearance. With steely determination, he vowed, “Rest assured, they won’t get away. Anyone who dares harm that child will pay a heavy price.”

At that moment, both knew all too well the mastermind behind this wealthy family’s storm was tightening the noose around them. Only by joining forces could they hope to find a glimmer of survival amid the raging tempest and break free from this deadly trap...