Chapter 83: Rescue and Self-Reliance

"We'll split up," Elias declared decisively, turning to his subordinates and issuing orders in a low, commanding tone. "Mobilize everyone. Search the eastern road and its surrounding areas—hidden side paths, abandoned buildings, anywhere that could be used as a hideout. If you find even the slightest clue, report to me immediately!"

Elias's subordinates also wasted no time and quickly set out, while he personally studied a map, planning potential search areas. His finger moved swiftly across the map, pointing to several red-marked locations. "Here, here, and here. Search every corner thoroughly. Whoever finds Livia gets double the reward. Move!"

Meanwhile, Marcellus also sprang into action without hesitation. Standing tall, he turned to his captain of the guard, his tone sharp and commanding: "Take the elite squad and set out immediately. Start from the west road and work your way east. Leave no stone unturned. Report any unusual findings to me immediately!"

The captain of the guard nodded and hurried to organize the team. Marcellus, after a moment of contemplation, grabbed his long coat and pistol, speaking coldly to his confidant. "Prepare the car. I'm going personally."

The two men hung up without exchanging another word. Though suspicion lingered between them, both knew the priority now was to find Livia.

Elias stood at the mansion's entrance, watching his soldiers and subordinates depart. His gaze held a mix of emotions as he clenched his fists, murmuring under his breath, "Livia, I won't let anyone hurt you."

On the other side, Marcellus drove with a grim expression, leading his team at full speed. Livia's image lingered in his mind, and his eyes grew sharp with determination. "Whoever dared to lay a hand on her will pay dearly," he vowed silently.

Within thirty minutes, Elias's covert operatives discovered a car abandoned on the roadside along Livia's return route. The wheels were stuck deep in the mud, with visible skid marks and dents indicating sudden braking and a collision. The area around the car was in disarray.

"This is the car Livia was driving," one of the guards confirmed, inspecting the vehicle. He retrieved a few strands of long hair from the headrest and handed them to Elias, whose voice turned heavy. "These are hers. No doubt about it."

Elias's brows furrowed deeply as he called Marcellus. The call connected quickly, and before Marcellus could speak, Elias cut to the chase: "We found Livia's car, but she's not in it. This wasn't an accident. She's been kidnapped."

Marcellus's deep voice came through the line, calm but laced with a chilling undertone. "I suspected as much. Whoever took her knows who she truly is. This kidnapping is no coincidence. They're after what I possess."

Elias's voice lowered, his tone cautious and wary. "You're referring to… the 'Grail'?"

"Exactly," Marcellus replied coldly. "But there's another issue. You need to think carefully. Who among your men can truly be trusted? Livia left from one of your secret locations, disguised as a man, yet they knew who she was and intercepted her route. This wasn't random—it was a meticulously planned operation. If neither of us is behind it, then you have a traitor in your ranks."

Elias froze, his expression darkening as he instinctively scanned his surroundings. His subordinates appeared focused on examining the scene, but suspicion now clouded his judgment.

Stepping away from the group, he spoke in a low voice, "You're suggesting there's a mole among my men?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Marcellus said coldly. "They knew her identity and her movements. If it wasn't your men leaking information, how else could this ambush have been so precise?"

Elias fell silent, clenching his fists as he suppressed a surge of anger. After a moment, he spoke again, his tone grim. "Fine. I'll investigate thoroughly. But the priority right now is to save her. I'll send you the car's location and the surrounding clues. Get over here quickly."

Marcellus scoffed, his voice softening slightly. "Send me your location. I'll be there shortly. Whoever orchestrated this won't stop here. The kidnappers will likely contact one of us soon. We need to regroup."

Elias hesitated briefly. He hadn't expected to work alongside Marcellus under such tense circumstances, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and replied, "Fine. We'll meet at the scene."

After hanging up, Elias barked new orders to his men: "Identify suspicious targets immediately. Gather and analyze all the clues we've found."

On his end, Marcellus summoned an elite squad of guards, issuing cold, decisive instructions: "Follow every lead. Anyone who dares interfere—eliminate them without mercy."

Both men, driven by anxiety and fury, spared no effort to rescue Livia. No matter their differences, her safety was their only shared goal at that moment.

Meanwhile, Livia herself was not sitting idly by. Though restrained and isolated, she was determined to seize any opportunity to gather information and devise her escape.

She knew that Elias and Marcellus were undoubtedly doing everything they could to find her. She trusted them—but above all, she trusted herself.