Chapter 804: Chapter 804: Don’t Harboring Designs on My Child

Madam Xiao knew her emotions had betrayed her, losing the initiative.

She regained her composure, smoothed out her skirt, and sat down again, smiling calmly, “Let’s not discuss whether he will save her or not for now. So you kidnapped Ningning for the sake of that coachman.”

Li Qiao’s eyelids drooped, her eyebrows raised slightly, “To trade a ‘coachman’ for the Duke’s daughter is well worth it.”

Madam Xiao sighed with regret, “Li Qiao, you are so clever, you can’t be unaware of the consequences of targeting my daughter. Since you want to cure the coachman, with this kind of attitude, even if Ah Hui agrees, I will not consent.”

“Then there’s nothing to talk about. You may leave.”

Li Qiao spread her hands, her expression showing a hint of disappointment.

Madam Xiao remained seated, her eyes, quite similar to Shang Yu’s, rippled with layers of meaning, “For just a coachman, you are willing to risk it all, it seems… you truly value loyalty and affection.”

The last four words, she emphasized.

Li Qiao leaned casually on the sofa, her fingertips propped against her temple, and laughed inappropriately.

A meaningful curve appeared on the lips of Madam Xiao.

At that moment, Su Moshi, who had been silent, set down his cup, the clear sound attracting Madam Xiao’s attention.

She glanced to see Su Moshi rotating his high-backed chair towards her, shaking his head with a low laugh, “Knowing that she values loyalty and affection, if you still intend to target others, that would be truly reckless.”

Madam Xiao’s words had a double meaning.

Clearly, she had other ideas in mind.

An unspoken silence filled the living room.

In her first exchange with Li Qiao, Madam Xiao couldn’t help but be surprised by her intelligence and rationality, as if she had no concerns and was impervious to persuasion.

Right then, the vibrating of a cell phone broke the standoff.

Su Moshi apologized as he picked up the phone. Hearing the report, his brows rose slightly.

It turned out that Xiao Yeyan, using his status as the second son of the Charlman family, had barged into the laboratory with bodyguards, attempting to find Xiao Yening.

Su Moshi eyed Madam Xiao’s composed demeanor and said with a frown, “No need to call the police. Contact the International Health Organization and the British Commonwealth Government, report that the Charlman second son has violated international health laws, and let the two parties decide on the punishment.”

His words fell with impact, and Madam Xiao pursed her lips, giving a light smile, “Is the Medical Alliance intending to publicly oppose the Charlman family?”

“Madam Xiao is astute.”

Su Moshi replied with a shallow smile, his poised demeanor betraying no joke.

From then on, the Medical Alliance chose to stand firmly with Li Qiao.

Time flowed like water, and forty minutes went by, the situation reaching a deadlock.

Madam Xiao, with no other options, stood up and walked to the window to make a phone call.

She had to take Xiao Yening home tonight.

While the phone was ringing with the waiting tone, the vibrating noise came from Li Qiao’s pocket instead.

Madam Xiao sensed something was amiss and, as she turned her head sharply, she saw Li Qiao holding up her phone and shaking it, “Madam Xiao, instead of bothering Shaoyan, why not ask your stepson for help?”

Shang Yu’s cell phone was in Li Qiao’s hand.

Madam Xiao closed her eyes briefly, then finally made the call to Xiao Yehui.

Whether by coincidence or not, the call automatically disconnected without anyone answering Xiao Yehui’s phone.

Madam Xiao’s expression grew increasingly troubled, and Li Qiao’s words began to echo in her mind.

—-When a sister goes missing, how come neither dad nor brother show up?

It’s well-known that the human heart is vulnerable to instigation, and even though Madam Xiao was aware that it was Li Qiao’s ploy, some displeasure was still fermenting wildly in her heart.

Outside the window, the sky was gradually darkening, and Madam Xiao grew increasingly anxious.

Li Qiao lazily yawned, “I’ve heard the Duke has a lot on his plate, it seems to be true, too busy even to care about his own sister’s safety.”

Madam Xiao, suppressing her anger, turned and picked up her handbag from the sofa, heading for the door.

Su Moshi raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Leaving just like that?”

Li Qiao caressed Shang Yu’s cell phone, curling her lips faintly, “She won’t. Let’s go and see.”

Just as Li Qiao had thought, Madam Xiao wasn’t the type to give up so easily, nor could she ignore Xia Yening’s fate.

Outside the mansion, Li Qiao sauntered out the door and, as expected, saw Madam Xiao and Xiao Yeyan talking in low voices.

A short distance away stood two teams of town security, each holding a baton, their presence formidable.

Madam Xiao stood straight before Ye Hui, “What did he say?”

Xiao Yeyan nodded slightly, straightforwardly replying, “Father said that you have full authority to handle it.”

“I have full authority?” Madam Xiao, having been remarried into the Ducal Residence for many years, was feeling powerless for the first time.

Because Myst Town was unreasonably protected by international health laws, the Nobles’ Convention also wouldn’t allow them to cause trouble in the town.

That was international law, inevitably above both the British Commonwealth Government and the Royal Family.

Just then, a conspicuous royal vehicle approached from the distance.

Everyone turned towards the sound, and as the car came to a stop, the hope that had rekindled in Madam Xiao’s eyes once more faded to dimness.

Shang Yu, wearing a knee-length coat, stepped down from the back seat. He looked straight ahead with furrowed brows and pursed lips, striding forward.

The moment Madam Xiao saw him, her face was a mask of fury, and just as she was about to speak, Shang Zonghai’s voice sounded faintly, “Dailan.”

Shang Yu walked briskly up to Li Qiao, took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, pulling it tight with obvious displeasure, “Wearing so little?”

Li Qiao’s slender figure was enveloped in the man’s oversized coat, and she was pulled into his arms, his movements somewhat domineering.

She smiled, saying she wasn’t cold, and glanced towards Shang Zonghai, asking in a low voice, “Why has dad come?”

Shang Yu’s lips formed a straight line, as he held her shoulders and looked her over carefully, “Did she give you a hard time?”

Li Qiao shook her head, “No.”

Who was troubling whom, after all, was still unclear.

Down the path, Shang Zonghai was dressed as always in his unchanging dark grey Tang suit, casually holding Buddha Beads, walking at a leisurely pace towards Ming Dailan, the security making way for him.

When old acquaintances meet, it’s always a flood of mixed emotions.

Madam Xiao’s eyes revealed a flash of resistance, and she turned away with a cold laugh, “I was wondering what kind of ability Li Qiao had to kidnap my daughter, it turns out you were helping her from behind?”

Shang Zonghai rubbed the Buddha Beads at a measured pace, his sharp eyes filled with a mirthful light, “If I had been helping, would your daughter still be alive?”

“You…” Madam Xiao fell silent, her attempt at composure unable to hide the tension and fear on her face.

Through Shang Yu’s arms, Li Qiao caught this exchange, observing for a moment before she faintly realized that Ming Dailan seemed to harbor an instinctive fear of Shang Zonghai.

Shang Zonghai stood with his hands behind his back, giving Madam Xiao a profound look, “Dailan, I’ve told you before, don’t target my children.”

Madam Xiao snorted, glaring with fury as she said through clenched teeth, “Shang Zonghai, Ningning knows nothing, if you want revenge, come at me.”

Shang Zonghai pressed his thin lips together, moving with a composed and reserved grace, “Is it you who poisoned Yun Lih?”