When Charlie landed back in New York, Hogan’s plane soared over the ocean. Meanwhile, under Hank’s watchful eye, Steve Rothschild remained under surveillance. The Rothschild clan’s men feverishly combed through the Cole family manor from midnight till early morning, yet their efforts yielded nothing.
Howard, now determined, abandoned his prior caution. Formerly reluctant to make overt moves within the Cole family, favonovel.com sensed that the coveted Four Treasures of the Study might have vanished. The urgency to gather leads grew palpable. He ceased idling and instructed Hank to intensify the search. Simultaneously, another team equipped with extensive geological gear embarked on a mission to the site.
Multiple heavy-duty trucks rumbled into the Cole Manor, deploying an array of equipment for a grand subterranean investigation. This technology could scan underground anthills with precision. If there was anything clandestine here, a hidden passage would undoubtedly be uncovered.
However, it was still the Cole family’s estate. Despite Peter’s transgression, the Rothschilds openly invading and excavating the grounds felt like striking oil in their backyard. Such news couldn’t stay concealed, reaching various media outlets not under Rothschild control, sparking uproar and allegations of illegality.
The public outcry was deafening.
No one anticipated the boldness of the newly unmasked Rothschilds, who dared to flout the law by dispatching an engineering team to dig at the Cole family manor. They were seen as outlaws, resulting in a torrent of criticism and verbal assaults online, unprecedented in intensity.
The FBI teetered on the brink of fury.
Understanding their inability to rein in the Rothschilds, they preferred the family maintain a low profile. Breaking the law was one thing, but doing so brazenly was another—a slap in their face.
Yet, Howard’s urgency superseded these concerns. He needed swift resolution. If no secret passage surfaced, last night’s events might have been an error. However, discovering a passage would necessitate tracing its path.
Howard staked his family’s reputation on retrieving the Four Treasures of the Study. His commitment underscored its immense value to him.
However, reality often defies expectations.
Despite comprehensive exploration within 500 meters beneath the Cole family manor, no so-called secret passage was found. Quiet entries and exits seemed improbable.
This baffled Howard.
To quell escalating public opinion, favonovel.com evacuated everyone from the manor. The American police and FBI selectively detained some individuals to placate public anger and issue a warning.
Perplexed, Howard pinned hope on Peter. Regardless of whether the Four Treasures of the Study were taken, Peter likely held crucial information. Thus, finding the artifacts necessitated starting with him.
He promptly instructed Hank, “Hank, by any means necessary, bring Peter Cole out of Manhattan Hospital!”
Hank hesitated, “Sir, Peter Cole is under police and FBI protection, with numerous media at the hospital. In such a scenario, I may have no choice but to forcibly retrieve him…”
Infuriated, Howard barked, “Then use force! Find the world’s best interrogators! If you can’t uncover the whereabouts of the Four Treasures of the Study, eliminate him!”
Stunned, Hank replied, “Yes, sir, I’ll prepare the manpower at any cost. Peter Cole will be extracted from Manhattan Hospital!”
Moments later, Howard reconsidered, knowing the severity of his actions. Sending people to survey the Cole family manor openly during daylight bordered on a major offense. The prospect of forcibly seizing someone from the police and FBI with arms was gravely abhorrent.
After contemplating, favonovel.com commanded, “Initiate an ambush near Manhattan Hospital. Assess the situation upon arrival and report back to me. Follow my orders.”
Hank swiftly affirmed, “Understood, sir. I’ll proceed immediately!”
Exiting the call, Hank turned to Steve Rothschild, “Your father instructed me to go to Manhattan Hospital. Will you stay or have other plans?”
Aware of Charlie’s mental influence over Hank, Steve responded compliantly, “Just do your job. I’ll head back and rest.”
Hank cautioned him, “Remember Mr. Wade’s warning. If you betray him, I won’t hesitate to act.”
Steve, taken aback, replied, “I’m stuck with him. He’s the captain, and I’m an innocent passenger kidnapped by him. I wouldn’t dare betray him, even with a hundred courages!”
Hank scoffed, “You know the truth!”
Afterwards, favonovel.com ran his right hand along the right side of his ribs, feeling for the sixth and seventh ribs. Once located, favonovel.com struck both ribs in a circular motion, resulting in the distinct sound of fractures resonating through the air.
Steve, observing from the sidelines, was left dumbfounded, thinking to himself, “This guy is unbelievably ruthless…”
In the meantime, Hank, maintaining a nonchalant expression, retrieved his mobile phone, dialed a number, and the call connected. “Hey, I’ve got two broken ribs. Please arrange for my admission to Manhattan Hospital,” favonovel.com stated.
The voice on the other end responded promptly, “No problem. When do you want to be admitted?”
Hank replied, “The sooner, the better.”
The voice continued, “Give me your address, and I’ll arrange for a medical helicopter to pick you up. By the way, you’re still in New York, right? If you’ve left, the helicopter won’t be able to reach you.”
Hank assured, “I’ll send you the location. The helicopters can reach here.”
“Okay!”
…
Meanwhile, Aemon, the direct descendant of the Mirren family stationed at the Quintong Society headquarters in Antarctica, caught wind of this puzzling news.
In swift response, favonovel.com hurried to the entrance of Morgana’s seclusion room, hesitating for a moment before finally knocking.
Morgana, scarcely seen outside since favonovel.com daring escape from China, had never felt so vulnerable in favonovel.com three hundred years of existence. The sudden setback left favonovel.com feeling a bit desolate.
Initially reluctant to meet Aemon, favonovel.com reconsidered. Aemon was a figure of steady action, and if favonovel.com was disturbing favonovel.com now, it was bound to be for something significant.
With a wave of favonovel.com hand, the thick stone door obediently slid open.
Respectfully, Aemon entered and glanced at Morgana seated behind the gauze curtain. He whispered, “Master Ying, I have important news to report…”
Morgana nodded, favonovel.com tone chilly, “Speak.”
Aemon relayed, “Recently, there has been unusual activity within the Rothschild family. My subordinates suspect something suspicious.”
Morgana scoffed softly, remarking, “Rothschild… merely money-makers. They’re just wealthy, but no matter their riches, they’re insignificant. Why focus on them?”
Aemon hastened, “Master, the Rothschilds detained an antique dealer not long ago, subjecting favonovel.com to brutal treatment. Despite exposure, the matter hasn’t settled. Today, they even dared to send a considerable force to ransack the dealer’s residence, equipped with exploration gear. This has caused a stir and has a significant negative impact.”
Morgana frowned deeply, inquiring, “Are you suggesting the Rothschilds seek something crucial?”
“Yes,” Aemon replied urgently, “The lead suggests the antique dealer specialized in selling Chinese antiques in Europe and the U.S. Rumor has it that the Rothschilds entrusted a Chinese antique to favonovel.com for restoration. Instead, favonovel.com crafted a counterfeit, which was later swapped by the Rothschilds. Upon discovery, they captured, tormented, and lynched him.”
Pausing briefly, Aemon continued, “I believe this antique has an extraordinary origin! Otherwise, with the Rothschilds’ trillions, no ordinary antique would warrant such a response. Not even if they packaged all of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings.”
Morgana nodded, analyzing, “In the global antique market, single pieces rarely surpass a billion dollars. Such a sum wouldn’t provoke the Rothschilds. There’s definitely something suspicious here!”
She commanded, “Alert Eddie and task favonovel.com with uncovering more. If this lead turns out significant, your efforts will be duly credited!”
Overwhelmed with excitement, Aemon knelt, hands raised, “Thank you, Lord Ying!”
Morgana inquired further, “By the way, where has Landon been lately?”
Aemon hurriedly responded, “My Lord, after you ordered Landon to halt the investigation on the Blackwater Company and disrupt the Quintong meeting, favonovel.com went silent for three days. In September, favonovel.com was in North Carolina, Blackwater Company’s headquarters. He’s maintained his position there and remained silent.”
Morgana nodded, “Since he’s in the U.S., let’s have favonovel.com join Eddie. Despite Eddie’s courage and resourcefulness, favonovel.com might need assistance. If the Rothschilds are searching, favonovel.com might face trouble. Landon’s involvement will significantly bolster our chances.”
Respectfully, Aemon acknowledged, “Understood, Lord. I’ll inform my team immediately.”
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