NOVEL NEXT Chapter 483: A Feather for a Scepter
The new security team had only been hired recently, after Lyla's return.
Before that, the estate's protection had been entrusted to disciples of the Silverwood family. But after her father's incident, it had never been properly investigated how many of them had turned traitor. Lyla, unwilling to take the risk, sent all of them back to the family's Hidden Territory.
Of course, a sprawling garden villa like this couldn't function without guards. At her mother's insistence, a small, obscure security company had been brought in instead. Supposedly, it belonged to her mother's best friend's nephew. Her mother had vouched for them, saying she trusted them completely.
Lyla had objected, but her mother wouldn't hear of it. Exhausted from managing crisis after crisis, Lyla had given in. After all, she told herself, her father's safety depended on her, not on anyone else. If she failed, it wouldn't matter how many guards stood at the gates.
Now, she regretted it.
The security captain's smug attitude was already grating. He strutted about as though the Silverwood estate existed at his mercy, forgetting that he and his men were barely hired help. Her mother had given her best friend a favor, and now these men mistook it for authority. Without her father around, her mother had proved unfit to manage the Silverwood Group at all.
The thought gave Lyla a headache. But this wasn't the time to dwell on it.
She looked at the captain bowing and scraping before her and felt her patience snap. Not only had he ignored her instructions, he'd dared to take liberties with household rules, requiring visitors to make appointments before stepping through the gate. He had no right. Especially since she had specifically ordered the opposite.
Her voice was cold when she spoke. "Didn't I make myself clear? Whatever happens, you report to me immediately."
The captain bent lower, plastering on a smile. "It was just a small matter, Miss Lyla. I thought we could handle it without troubling you."
"As security, your employer's word is law. If you can't manage even that, then pack your things and get out."
Her tone left no room for argument.
The captain straightened a little, his face darkening. "Miss Lyla, are you firing us over something so trivial? You'll be responsible for the breach of contract fee."
Lyla's lips curved into a sharp, humorless smile. "Are you threatening me? Do you really think the Silverwood family cares about a paltry contract fee?"
The captain faltered, but before he could reply, Lyla's voice rang out again. "Lars!"
The young man who had been pinned to the ground suddenly sprang upright. The four guards holding him down were flung aside in an instant.
"As a Silverwood, you let yourself be beaten without fighting back?" Lyla's eyes were ice.
"This is your home," Lars said awkwardly. "I came to deliver a message, not to pick a fight. I thought it best to avoid trouble."
Lyla frowned. "There's a time to endure, and a time to act. If you'd forced your way through, you'd have reached me much sooner. The message you carried would already be delivered. Instead, we've wasted precious time."
Lars rubbed his hands, chastened.
The guards around them began to understand. This young man wasn't some intruder—he was family. Their captain's confidence wavered.
"Who's your big brother?" Lyla asked suddenly.
"My… my big brother is Sir Ethan!" Lars straightened his back, his voice steady now. The timid boy from a moment ago seemed to vanish.
At that, Lyla laughed. The sound was light, bright, and startlingly beautiful, like sunlight breaking through clouds. For a moment, even the guards were transfixed.
Then she stopped, masking her expression once more.
"Lars, you're in trouble," she said smoothly. "If Ethan learns I was threatened with a breach of contract fee because of you, how many bones do you think he'll break?"
The names Markham and Ethan flashed through Lars's mind. He shivered. "Sister Lyla—no, Boss Lady…" he stammered.
"Stop," Lyla cut him off. "Today, I'll let my father decide whether to expel you from the Silverwood family."
"Huh?" Lars blinked, stunned. It can't be that serious… can it?
Lyla's playful smile deepened. "But since I was threatened, I suppose it's only right to pay that breach fee. Maybe even throw in some medical expenses. Don't you think?"
Without another glance at the dumbstruck guards, she turned and walked toward the villa.
Dozens of security men stood frozen. Even Lars hesitated.
Her voice drifted back from the doorway. "Finish it quickly. Don't kill them. When you're done, come to me in the study on the second floor."
The silence broke.
Every guard turned toward Lars, and Lars turned to the captain. A wicked grin spread across his face.
Moments later, a scream echoed across the grounds.
Lyla paused just inside the doorway and allowed herself a small smile.
Since her return from the Silverwood Hidden Territory, through her father's collapse and Ethan's disappearance, she had endured and suppressed her anger. If not for appearances, she would have dealt with the arrogant captain herself. He had disregarded her orders, made decisions in her place, and threatened her. She had wanted to act.
But when Lars appeared, she stayed her hand. He wasn't a bad boy—just timid. And she knew he was close to Ethan and Markham. He cared more about Ethan than about the Silverwood name. That was why she had asked him who his big brother was.
The answer had worked better than she expected. At the mention of Ethan, Lars transformed. His hesitation burned away, leaving behind steel.
Lyla smiled to herself. She needed people she could trust, and though keeping Lars here would stir gossip—after all, she had once sworn never to use Silverwood disciples again—she decided to test him. If he could prove himself, he might become exactly what she needed while she searched for Ethan.
Two minutes later, Lars appeared at the door of the second-floor study.
Lyla stood at the window, looking out over the courtyard. Below, dozens of security men lay groaning on the ground. None could stand.
The captain didn't move at all.