Chapter 654: The Smiling Yama

Chapter 654: Chapter 654: The Smiling Yama

"Yes, I understand," Claire Sinclair nodded, her voice choked with emotion.

She wanted to say more, but the man behind her had lost his patience and dragged her away by force.

Claire Sinclair couldn’t help but look back at the man in the cell, who had grown visibly thinner. Her heart ached.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, Claire Sinclair was brought before an iron door—but it wasn’t the door to a prison cell.

Her escort walked up to the keypad by the door, pressed a few digits, and the iron door opened. He then shoved Claire Sinclair inside.

"BANG..." The door slammed shut again.

Claire Sinclair quickly scanned the room. There was no bed, no table or chairs—it was completely empty. The only object was a 360-degree surveillance camera mounted in the corner, leaving no blind spots.

Claire Sinclair lifted her head, stared at the camera, and said loudly, "Who are you? Why did you kidnap me?"

A moment later, a deep voice echoed through the air. "You’ll find out who I am soon enough."

Claire Sinclair’s gaze darkened. She yelled, "You’re watching me? Why did you take me?"

She waited for a long time, but there was no reply.

’Damn it!’

Claire Sinclair bit her lip, walked to the corner, took off her shoes, and sat down on them.

’Don’t be afraid. Mr. Quincy will definitely come to save me. He has to come.’

’Don’t be afraid, Claire. Don’t be scared.’

-

On the eleventh day of Claire Sinclair’s disappearance, something major happened in Aethelgard.

Outside The Golden Brocade Palace, fifty-two white cars were parked. Each was adorned with floral decorations, resembling a wedding motorcade.

Leading the procession was a modified minivan. Its rear doors were wide open, and Lucas Rhodes was seated in a wheelchair as Ayla Ryan pushed him out from the back.

Lucas Rhodes held a bouquet of lilies, his expression serene. He looked gentle and elegant, his eyes shining with a brilliant light as he stared straight ahead, as if no one else existed.

A crowd of gossip reporters, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, swarmed in from outside. Camera flashes flickered chaotically over him, accompanied by the ceaseless clicking of shutters.

When he reached the villa’s entrance, Ivy Tanner was standing there, looking stunned. She tilted her head, a guileless expression on her face, as she stared blankly at the man holding the flowers.

’She had considered how he might propose—she’d imagined every possible way—but she never expected him to be this grandiose.’

Soon, Lucas Rhodes was before Ivy Tanner. He presented the flowers with a gentle smile. "Iris, I’ve come to propose to you. Will you marry me?"

At his words, the reporters were all taken aback, staring at Lucas Rhodes in astonishment.

He was the Rhodes Family’s most mysterious Fifth Master. No one knew what industries he controlled behind the scenes, but at a young age, he had already ranked among the top twenty on Aridia’s list of billionaires. He was known as "The Smiling Yama."

Lucas Rhodes had three cardinal rules: one, he never associated with women; two, he never spoke to strangers; and three, he never appeared in public. His methods were decisive and ruthless, one might even say cruel and merciless.

Rumor had it that a woman once touched his face, and he had her hand chopped off...

In short, this mysterious Fifth Master of the Rhodes Family was a truly formidable figure.

And now, this ruthless man was proposing to a simple-minded woman!

’Is he for real?!’

Ivy Tanner feigned a look at the pure white lilies in his hands, as if she hadn’t heard his question. She delightedly hugged the bouquet. "Flowers! I love flowers!"

Lucas Rhodes reminded her, "Now that you’ve taken my flowers, you’ll be my wife, and I’ll be your husband."

"Husband..." Ivy Tanner said hesitantly, her gaze falling on the man’s face.

The corners of Lucas Rhodes’s lips curved up slightly. "Are you willing to be my wife?"

"Mhm, mhm, I’m willing," Ivy Tanner nodded.