Suspicion

"Quick, quick, quick! Run faster, all of you!"

Li Juntang was burning with anxiety, constantly urging his guards forward.

At that moment, he found himself irrationally blaming the size of his mansion --- it was too large to reach the scene quickly.

"Your Highness! What’s going on?!"

Just then, Zhang He and Wu Yong arrived with an elite unit, having rushed over after hearing the alarm.

Most of them hadn’t even had time to get dressed --- bare-chested and frantic --- since this was the first time they'd ever encountered such an alarm within the residence.

"A thief has infiltrated the estate! Lock down all exits immediately. Do not let them escape!" Li Juntang had no time to explain and issued the order without hesitation.

"Move! Seal the entire estate!" Zhang He shouted, leading his men swiftly into action.

They had been trained for this exact moment --- it was finally time for them to prove their worth.

"Follow me!" Li Juntang continued charging ahead with a squad of guards.

But just then, a thunderous explosion came from the direction of the secret chamber ahead.

It shook the entire estate as if an earthquake had struck.

At the same moment, a courtyard about a hundred meters ahead collapsed!

Tons of earth and stone buried the underground chamber, leaving behind only a pile of rubble.

Dust billowed into the sky like war smoke.

Seeing this, Li Juntang froze in place, eyes wide with shock.

He had never imagined something like this could happen.

He thought the secret chamber might have been robbed --- that some valuables were stolen --- but even in the worst case, the loss wouldn’t be catastrophic.

But now, staring at the ruin before him, his heart bled.

These were treasures he'd accumulated over more than ten years!

If everything was buried under that rubble, most of it would be destroyed. The loss was immeasurable.

It felt as if two knives had been stabbed straight into his heart.

"Bastard! Bastard!!"

Li Juntang's face twisted with rage, his body trembling all over.

"Your Highness, what do we do now?"

The guards behind him exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do.

They had come to protect the treasures and catch the thief, but now the valuables were buried, and the thief was nowhere to be found. They were momentarily frozen in confusion.

"Dig! Dig out those treasures!" Li Juntang roared.

He might be able to accept the loss of some items, but the Dragon Origin Qi absolutely could not be lost --- otherwise, it would be a complete disaster.

"Call everyone! Start digging!"

The guards dared not hesitate. They summoned more people and began digging with all their might.

At this moment, Zhang He and Wu Yong who arrived as well, drawn by the commotion were stunned by the scene before them, quickly realizing how serious the situation had become.

This was no longer just about catching a thief --- it was time for a full-scale investigation.

The estate had been peaceful for years, and now, suddenly, such a catastrophe. And with no warning signs beforehand, it was highly likely there was a traitor within.

Knowing Li Juntang's suspicious nature, a purge was inevitable.

Anyone deemed suspicious could very well end up at the bottom of a river.

At that moment, Li Juntang seemed to think of something. His expression turned cold and sinister.

"Zhang He! Wu Yong! You two, bring your teams and come with me!"

With that, Li Juntang turned on his heel and stormed off in the direction of Dustin’s residence.

Zhang He and Wu Yong followed without a word. They knew full well --- His Highness now suspected Lord Rhys.

After all, the estate had been fine until Dustin arrived. And now, just one night after his arrival, this disaster struck. How could that not raise suspicions?

“Logan Rhys… better hope it wasn’t you!”

Li Juntang clenched his teeth, eyes filled with venom. He stormed toward Dustin’s courtyard at top speed.

The lights in the courtyard were still on.

Without saying a word, Li Juntang kicked the gate open, and a swarm of guards rushed in with him.

Hearing the commotion, Dustin walked out of the room in casual clothes, his face full of confusion.

"Your Highness? What’s the matter? You seem… furious."

"Let me ask you --- where were you just now?" Li Juntang questioned coldly.

"I’ve been in my room the whole time. Haven’t gone anywhere. What happened?" Dustin replied, feigning ignorance.

The truth was, after being trapped earlier, Dustin had no choice but to break through by force --- anything to avoid getting caught in the act.

The result was massive destruction: the courtyard collapsed, and the secret chamber was buried. The noise had alerted the entire estate.

But he had no other choice.

"You're sure you never left your room?" Li Juntang studied him from head to toe, full of suspicion.

If Dustin had anything to do with the destruction of the secret chamber, there was no way he could've covered his tracks completely in such a short time. There had to be some clue.

"I’m sure," Dustin nodded calmly, his expression unchanged.

"You! Search him!" Li Juntang signaled with his hand.

Dustin’s clothes were clean --- nothing suspicious on the surface --- but if he really had stolen the treasures, he must’ve hidden something. A search would reveal the truth.

"Wait!"

Just as Zhang He and Wu Yong stepped forward, Dustin raised a hand to stop them, his face showing displeasure.

"Third Prince, what’s the meaning of this? If I’m not welcome here, I can leave right now. There’s no need to humiliate me like this." - Ton