After hanging up, Zach immediately turned to Sally. "Your Majesty, I've found my master."
"You've found her?" Sally's voice was a mix of shock and elation. "Are you serious?"
In that instant, a light returned to her eyes. It was as if she had been given a new lease on life. If Dr. Oracle was found, Hollis could be saved.
"Yes, it's true," Zach confirmed.
"Thank God, thank God!" No one could understand Sally's overwhelming relief. She pressed on, "Where is Dr. Oracle now? I'll go with you to get her!"
She had to go herself. She couldn't risk anything else going wrong. If she didn't go, what if there was another mishap?
At her words, Zach's expression soured. "My master... has been locked up in the Royal Police Department."
"What?" Sally thought she was hearing things. Who in their right mind would have the audacity to imprison Dr. Oracle? This needed to be investigated immediately.
"Yes, you heard me correctly. She's been detained. Your Majesty, I have to get to the police department at once!"
"Yes, yes, of course! I'm coming with you!"
Sally fell into step behind Zach. A procession of vehicles quickly departed from Witting Castle, speeding toward the Royal Police Department.
The department was some distance from the castle, an hour's drive by car. Sally sat in the back, her anxiety mounting with every passing second. She wished she could teleport there instantly, repeatedly urging the driver.
"Faster!"
"Go faster!"
The bodyguard in the passenger seat turned around. "Your Majesty, this is already the fastest we can possibly go."
Sally pressed her temples. It was the top speed, yet it still felt agonizingly slow.
Meanwhile, at the Vance family estate, Dowager Vance was anxiously awaiting news from her daughter, Rosemary.
Finally, she heard footsteps approaching.
She rose from her chair just as Rosemary walked in. "Rosemary, any news? Did you find the benefactor?"
Rosemary shook her head, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "Not yet."
Perhaps she had underestimated the difficulty of the task. She had put people on it for a long time, trying every possible method, but they still hadn't located the person the royal family was searching for. Now, Rosemary was beginning to wonder if this so-called benefactor even existed.
At her daughter's words, the Dowager's face also fell. "How can that be? They said the person is from Eldermere and isn't very old. It should be much easier for us to find them than for the royal family."
Rosemary shook her head again. "I
shook
don't know what's going on. I've asked everyone I can think of, and I've even alerted the Eldermere Chamber of Commerce. They promised to contact us immediately if they get any leads."
The Dowager nodded, then clasped her hands together, murmuring, "God willing, may we find the benefactor soon!"
Only by finding this person could the Vance family finally shed its disgrace and return to Eldermere in triumph.
After all this time away from their homeland, did she not want to go back? Of course she did. More than anyone. She hadn't returned simply because she couldn't.
But if they found the benefactor, everything would change. They would be granted a noble title, transforming them into Valerium aristocracy then, they could return home in glory. Once back, they would become the premier family in all of Eldermere.
Then, both the Gonzales and Richards families would have to bow to them. The mere thought of it sent a thrill through the Dowager.
Rosemary had been searching all day and was exhausted. She sank onto the sofa, took a sip of water, and then asked, "By the way, Mom, has that bitch from the Gonzales family signed the confession yet?"
The Dowager shook her head. "Audley hasn't gotten back to me. I assume not."
Rosemary's eyes narrowed. "Still hasn't? You were right, that bitch is tougher than she looks."
She continued, "Mom, to be safe, I think you should call Audley again. Tell him to turn up the heat and get that little bitch to sign the confession as soon as possible."
"Yes, you're right," Dowager Vance agreed, pulling out her phone. "I'll call Audley right now."
Upon receiving Dowage Vancer's call, Audley immediately had Caitlin brought to the interrogation room.
Eight hours had passed since her detainment, yet Caitlin showed little sign of fatigue. Her sharp, elegant features were composed, with not a trace of dishevelment.
If one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would believe this was a person who had spent eight hours in the dark room?