"Lucas, what's the situation outside?" Grace asked, handing him a cup of tea as he returned from gathering information.
Lucas accepted the tea and sighed. "All I know is that the elders of the Beggar Sect seem to have been captured. The sect is in chaos now, completely scattered. I plan to return first to reorganize the sect, then rescue the elders."
Grace frowned. "That won't work. Going back now might put you in a difficult position."
"Why?" Lucas asked, puzzled.
Grace hesitated before answering, "Just now, downstairs, I overheard two Beggar Sect disciples talking about how Lucas 'sold out the sect for glory.' They said that while so many were caught in Apricot Grove, you alone escaped—as if it had all been prearranged..."
"Preposterous!" Lucas slammed his fist on the table. "I, Lucas, am a man of honor! How could I ever do such a thing? I'll return at once and clear my name!"
"No, Lucas." Grace met his furious gaze with a steady one of her own, though a flicker of fear lingered in her eyes. "Right now, the world believes you betrayed the sect. But those who know the truth—like us—understand what really happened. This must be the work of someone behind the scenes. Have you forgotten about Jackson, the one who escaped?"
The mention of Jackson struck Lucas like lightning. He clenched his jaw. "Grace... you're right. Then what should I do now?"
Seeing his lost expression, Grace couldn't help but chuckle. "Lucas, since when does the leader of a great sect have no ideas of his own?"
Lucas scratched his head sheepishly. "Well... ever since I met you, I suppose I haven't needed to think for myself." His words carried a teasing warmth, and Grace froze for a moment, her cheeks flushing.
Snapping back to reality, Grace quickly proposed, "Our best course is to rescue the elders first. Once we bring them back, the rumors will collapse on their own."
Lucas's eyes lit up. "Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? You truly are the clever one, Grace."
Grace smiled. "For now, Lucas, go and find out where the Western Xia Hall is holding them. Once we know, we can plan our next move."
"Right. I'll go at once." Lucas downed the rest of his tea in one gulp, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and strode out.
The boyish gesture made Grace's heart soften. Watching his retreating figure, a sudden thought flashed through her mind—Maybe marrying Lucas would bring happiness.
But Lucas, oblivious to the impression he had left, soon returned with boisterous energy. "Grace! More tea—we have honored guests today!" His voice rang from the doorway, brighter than Grace had ever heard.
She hurried to open the door and saw—
"Sophia! It's me, Sophia!" The familiar face beamed at her, followed by Amelia, Logan, Ethan, and the ever-stoic Noah. Henry was there too.
Only one was missing—Elliott.
Though she had met him only once, Grace remembered him vividly. He was the one who had fought Lucas to a standstill. Lucas had admitted that even if he could defeat Elliott, the cost would be devastating—a battle where both would be left broken.