Chapter 81: Where Is Livia?

Elias sat in the study of his secret base, his brow deeply furrowed as the events of the day replayed in his mind. His relationship with Livia had finally been revealed to Marcellus, and the years of pent-up conflict between him and Marcellus had erupted at last. Despite the lingering resentment he harbored toward his brother, Elias never truly wanted to harm him. They had once shared a bond akin to brotherhood. Yet none of this could overshadow the feelings he held for Livia. To protect her, he was willing to sacrifice everything, even if it meant severing ties with Marcellus forever.

He sighed, placing his pen gently on the desk. He knew he couldn't afford to remain idle; he needed to act swiftly. However, he also understood that directly deploying his forces near Marcellus's estate would be tantamount to declaring war, something that would only escalate the situation further. This wasn't what Livia would want. Picking up his phone, he dialed Red's number and gave his instructions.

"Gather your men and discreetly survey the area around Marcellus's estate," Elias ordered. "If you notice anything unusual, report to me immediately. But don't alert anyone to your presence."

Red's voice on the other end was cautious. "Boss, what about the 'treasure hunt' mission your friend gave us? The guys have been digging for days without finding anything. Also, Marcellus is your brother, right? What exactly are we looking for? And can we really avoid being noticed near the estate of one of the city's most powerful families?"

Elias paused for a moment before responding with resolve. "Forget the treasure hunt. My friend already knows, and she asked me to thank you all. Next time we meet, I'll make sure you're compensated with her reward. As for Marcellus, focus on observing changes in the estate—guard rotations, personnel movements, anything out of the ordinary. Stay at a distance; even if you're spotted, Marcellus won't harm you. I'll make arrangements to get you into his guard unit if necessary."

Red acknowledged the orders with a firm tone. "Understood. I'll get it done."

After hanging up, Elias opened a hidden door and stepped into a dimly lit room filled with maps and books. This was the heart of his secret operations. He summoned a few trusted subordinates and spread his plans out on the table before them.

"While most of the visible forces answer to Marcellus, Livia's status as the lady of the estate means the guards won't harm her outright. However, Marcellus's secret forces…," Elias trailed off, his voice heavy with determination. "They're no match for ours. From now on, I need you all to give it your all. Our priority is to ensure Livia's safety at any cost."

One of his men hesitated before asking, "What if Marcellus does intend to harm Livia? Are you truly prepared to confront him head-on?"

Elias's gaze turned icy, sharp as a blade. "If he dares harm her, I won't hesitate. I may not want to hurt Marcellus, but if he threatens Livia, I'll show no mercy. Protecting her is our absolute priority."

The room fell silent as the men nodded solemnly, their loyalty unwavering. Elias observed their busy preparations, but his heart remained restless. Time was running out. He had to act before Marcellus could make his next move.

Taking a deep breath, Elias picked up the phone again, his hand trembling slightly. Though he forced himself to remain calm, the worry for Livia's safety burned within him like an unquenchable fire. When the line connected, Marcellus's familiar yet cold voice came through, igniting a complex mix of emotions in Elias.

"Calling to gloat, Elias? Or are you just eager to rub it in that Livia chose you?" Marcellus's tone was laced with mockery despite the weariness in his voice.

Elias gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger. "I don't have time for games. Let me make this clear: if you harm Livia, I won't hesitate to act—even if it means forgetting everything we once shared."

"Shared?" Marcellus scoffed bitterly. "Did you think about that when you were sneaking around with her? And for the record, I would never harm her. There are things you wouldn't understand, so spare me your sanctimonious threats."

"I don't care what I don't understand," Elias shot back. "Just know this: I'll be watching you."

Marcellus's tone turned derisive. "What a joke. Didn't she decide to stay with you? Watching me won't do you any good. If anything, I should be keeping an eye on you. Who knows what other schemes you're cooking up."

Elias let out a cold laugh, his voice dropping to a chilling tone. "Cut the act, Marcellus. She said she was coming home shortly after you left, but I haven't heard a word from her since. Are you seriously telling me she's not at the estate?"

The silence on the other end was deafening, the weight of it pressing down like a storm. After a long pause, Marcellus's voice came through, low and tinged with a mix of anger and unease.

"What did you just say? Livia decided to go home?"