Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 65: Taken Away by Force

Frederick Lynch’s patience was wearing thin. The fact that he would conduct such a conspicuous search during the banquet proved that whatever was missing was extremely important to him.

Felix Finch was defiant. "I wouldn’t touch anything that isn’t mine. You don’t have to worry about that."

"We’ll see about that after we search you."

Miles Hawthorne’s expression soured. "Felix Finch is my man. Are you saying you suspect him?"

Frederick Lynch didn’t have time to waste. Security guards moved forward and restrained Felix Finch, while the Lynch family’s butler stepped up to frisk him.

Seeing Miles Hawthorne’s dark expression, Hannah Lynch carefully said, "Miles, don’t be angry. Once the search is over, his name will be cleared."

The butler searched Felix Finch thoroughly, inside and out, then turned to Frederick Lynch with a grave expression and shook his head.

Frederick Lynch’s gaze swept across the crowd. He had no idea who could have gotten into the study.

"Dad, why don’t you just check the security footage?"

Frederick Lynch had already considered that, but the culprit had clearly come prepared. They had disabled the cameras first, then picked the lock to the study and found the letter. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The person must have taken advantage of the large crowd tonight. After all, the guests were either the Lynch family’s closest relatives or prominent figures in Stoneworth. Frederick Lynch couldn’t possibly search every single one of them.

"What’s wrong?" A sudden voice next to her ear made Raina Reddington jump.

She gripped her purse even tighter. "Nothing’s wrong. It’s just really stuffy in here. Let’s go outside."

Ethan Lancaster’s gaze fell on her hand. "What did that purse ever do to you?"

Raina Reddington loosened her grip slightly and shook her head, but she didn’t let go of the purse.

Seeing so many people watching, Frederick Lynch knew the evening was bound to end on a sour note. "Let’s begin the dinner."

"Yes, sir." The butler was also weighed down with worry, but he couldn’t show it in front of the guests. He had to start the dinner to stabilize the situation for now.

"Miles, come upstairs with me." Frederick Lynch tossed out the command before turning and heading upstairs.

Miles Hawthorne’s gaze swept over Felix Finch, a flicker of confusion and unease in his eyes. ’If Felix doesn’t have it, then where is it?’

Ethan Lancaster led Raina Reddington to their seats. She was on pins and needles. A moment ago she’d been starving, but now she had no appetite at all. The Lynch family’s main gate was still shut tight; it looked like they weren’t finished yet.

"I’m not feeling well. Can we go home?"

Ethan Lancaster glanced at her face. "What’s wrong?"

"My stomach really hurts."

The man glanced around, noticing that a few elders close to the Lynch family had also been asked to go upstairs. The other guests, unaware of what was happening, were all whispering among themselves.

"Looks like we might not be getting out of here tonight."

"It probably won’t come to that. But if you want to walk out that door, you might just have to strip naked first..."

Although said in jest, the words weren’t entirely baseless.

Raina Reddington grabbed her purse, about to stand. "I’m going to the restroom."

"Alright."

Inside the Lynch family’s study, Miles Hawthorne took off his jacket and handed it to a nearby security guard. Hannah Lynch stomped her foot in frustration. "Dad, what are you doing? How can you suspect Miles?"

"Go outside."

"No!"

Frederick Lynch watched as the security guard frisked Miles Hawthorne, but they still found nothing. He was burning with anxiety. Miles Hawthorne took back his jacket and put it on. "What exactly did you lose?"

A knock sounded at the door. Frederick Lynch gestured for Miles Hawthorne and Hannah Lynch to leave.

Three middle-aged men of similar age were standing outside. As Miles Hawthorne brushed past them, the hatred in his eyes vanished as quickly as it appeared.

When Raina Reddington returned to the table from the restroom, Ethan Lancaster was grabbing his phone and getting up. "Let’s go."

She quickly put a hand on Ethan Lancaster’s arm to stop him. "My stomach feels much better. Besides, we can’t just up and leave an event like this."

"Are you sure?"

’The Lynches probably don’t suspect me. But if I try to leave now, wouldn’t that be practically painting a target on my back?’

She picked up her chopsticks, placed a piece of sweet lotus root in her mouth, and said, "It stops hurting once I eat something."

Out of the corner of her eye, Raina Reddington saw Miles Hawthorne coming downstairs. He leaned against a landscape painting by the staircase, looking as if he might melt right into the artwork.

Ethan Lancaster had a sharp eye; nothing ever escaped his notice. He picked up his chopsticks and placed a shrimp in Raina’s bowl.

"Thank you."

"Just eat your food. Don’t get involved in things that aren’t your business. I hate it when people cause trouble for me."

Raina Reddington ate the food in her bowl and forced a smile. "Playing it safe to protect myself? I’m an expert at that."

Inside the Lynch family’s study, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. After a moment’s hesitation, Hannah Lynch knocked on the door.

When Frederick Lynch saw her enter, his displeasure deepened. "Get out."

"Dad, you searched Felix Finch and Miles. Do you suspect they took it?"

"This is a family matter. You don’t need to worry about it. Get out."

Hannah Lynch boldly took a step further into the room. "I think Mrs. Lancaster might have it."

"What?" Frederick Lynch glanced at the men beside him. "Hannah, what did you see?"

She shook her head slightly. ’I should tell him that Miles Hawthorne and Raina Reddington have a past. If he’s going to be suspicious, he shouldn’t spare Raina. But that’s hardly evidence, and Dad would never offend Ethan Lancaster over it.’

Hannah Lynch was furious. She was used to getting her way and just wanted to publicly embarrass Raina Reddington at an occasion like this.

"I saw Felix Finch talking to her."

She was just saying it off the cuff, not realizing that it had actually happened.

"Really?"

"Yes. If something’s really missing, then she’s the one who has it."

Mr. Sheffield, sitting to one side, looked troubled. "What do we do now?"

"We have no choice but to offend the Lancaster family."

"We can’t just frisk her, can we? Don’t you all know what kind of man that Fourth Master of the Lancaster family is? We’d be messing with his woman. It’d be a miracle if he didn’t tear us apart."

Frederick Lynch threw his hands up in frustration. "Then what do we do? Just let her walk out of here with it?"

Hannah Lynch knew her word alone wouldn’t be enough to sway Ethan Lancaster. She had already thought of a plan before entering the room. "Dad, I have an idea."

"What is it?"

Hannah Lynch’s gaze dropped, and she gently placed her right hand on her stomach.

Ethan Lancaster was pulled away by an urgent phone call. As he stood up, he said to Raina, "I’m going to step outside to take this. I’ll be right back."

"Okay."

Raina had only taken a few bites when the Lynch family’s butler hurried to her side. "Mrs. Lancaster, you’re needed upstairs."

"What for?"

"Miss Lynch is feeling a bit unwell and would like you to take a look at her."

Raina Reddington put down her chopsticks but showed no sign of getting up. "If she’s unwell, she should go to the hospital. She shouldn’t wait."

"Mrs. Lancaster, please, just help us out." At this, the butler took action, grabbing Raina’s arm and pulling her to her feet. A nearby maid saw this, grabbed Raina’s other arm, and together they began forcing her upstairs.