The Beginning of a Nightmare

“Hello, is this the Luo family’s residence?”

While Frost was taking Luo Yao to Fanhai New City, Mu Yaochen was in no hurry to go to the company.

Instead, she instructed her temporary assistant, The Guard, to drive to another residential area in Fanhai City.

Though not a high-end complex, the neighborhood boasted a respectable size and competent property management.

Mu Yaochen’s limited-edition Rolls-Royce idled conspicuously at the complex’s entrance.

Following the information provided, Mu Yaochen and The Guard arrived at the doorstep of one of the residents.

Mu Yaochen first rapped on the door, then tentatively called out.

Gazing at the door before her, Mu Yaochen couldn’t help but feel a pang of sentiment, realizing this was once Luo Yao’s home.

Indeed, after Frost’s period of intensive research, Mu Yaochen had now uncovered precise details about Luo Yao’s entire family.

She had even ascertained the work schedules of Luo’s Father and Luo’s Mother, and was fully aware of their recent entanglement with high-interest loans.

‘At this hour, only Luo Yao’s sister should be home, right?’

‘What was her name again…’

‘Luo Tingting, correct?’

Receiving no sound from within the apartment, Mu Yaochen cleared her throat once more.

“Excuse me, please open the door. I know where Luo Yao is right now, and if you don’t open it… I’ll be leaving, you know.”

Mu Yaochen fixed her gaze on the door, knowing Luo Tingting was likely peering at her through the peephole.

Thus, her final words were spoken softly, yet distinctly, syllable by syllable.

When the other party offered no reply, Mu Yaochen pursed her lips.

She then prepared to turn and depart, for she was Mu Yaochen, possessing countless methods to locate Luo Yao’s parents and sister.

Visiting in person was merely her preferred, more amicable approach to resolving the matter.

However, if they chose to ignore her, so be it.

Yet, just as Mu Yaochen reached the elevator doors, the previously tightly shut apartment door quietly swung open.

“Wait… do you know where my brother is?”

Precisely as Mu Yaochen was about to leave, Luo Tingting’s small head stealthily emerged from the crack in the door.

“Of course I do.”

Upon seeing Luo Tingting in the narrow opening, Mu Yaochen’s signature smile graced her features once more.

Observing Luo Tingting’s cautious yet bewildered expression, Mu Yaochen noted how strikingly similar it was to Luo Yao’s.

“Then… what proof do you have?”

Hearing Mu Yaochen’s response, Luo Tingting eyed the beautiful yet dangerous woman before her with heightened vigilance.

“Won’t you invite me in for a proper chat?”

Despite Luo Tingting’s palpable wariness towards her, Mu Yaochen’s expression remained entirely unperturbed.

“You… don’t come any closer!”

Mu Yaochen didn’t wait for Luo Tingting’s reply, instead casually approaching the door that was only ajar.

Seeing this, Luo Tingting instinctively tried to close the door, but just as she attempted to shut it, she found it wouldn’t budge, as if something was jammed.

Luo Tingting subconsciously cast her gaze downwards, only to see a small foot, clad in a petite leather shoe, wedged firmly in the doorframe, rendering her efforts to close it futile.

It was then that The Guard was forcibly jamming the door with her foot.

Noticing Luo Tingting’s inability to close it, she simply reached out and pushed the door wide open.

Witnessing this person act as if entirely devoid of pain, Luo Tingting instinctively sank to the floor.

She had exerted considerable force trying to close that door, yet the woman’s foot had remained wedged in the gap; anyone else surely would have found it unbearable…

Gazing at The Guard’s impassive face, Luo Tingting was overcome by an intense sense of threat.

“You truly lack manners, just like your brother.”

Mu Yaochen observed Luo Tingting, who was still seated on the floor, finding a striking resemblance between her and Luo Yao.

However… compared to Luo Yao, who was like a work of art, Luo Tingting was simply too ordinary.

“Where are your parents?”

Seeing the empty living room, Mu Yaochen felt her suspicions confirmed; Luo’s Father and Luo’s Mother ought to be at work at this hour.

“They’re… they’re at work! I’m warning you, get out now, or I’ll call the police!”

Luo Tingting fixed what she believed to be a fierce glare on Mu Yaochen, staring intently.

Yet, just as she reached for her phone, she suddenly felt a powerful tug that forcibly pulled her to the ground.

Luo Tingting fearfully lifted her head, only to see The Guard had directly hauled her back up.

“Little sister, quickly call your parents back. Don’t worry, someone will approve their leave.”

Mu Yaochen raised an eyebrow, her confidence stemming from her discovery that Luo’s Father and Luo’s Mother both worked for a subsidiary owned by Bluebird.

In an instant, Mu Yaochen had effectively seized control of Luo Yao’s entire family.

“What do you want?”

Finding herself unable to move, Luo Tingting was terrified, and deeply regretted opening the door, though now it was too late.

“When I tell you to call, you call. Just tell them guests have arrived.”

Mu Yaochen’s gaze turned cold; Luo Tingting, too, shared the same flaw as Luo Yao.

‘Too much unnecessary talk.’

‘Luo Yao she could tolerate, as communication between a pet and its owner was a friendly interaction.’

‘But someone like Luo Tingting simply caused her an inexplicable irritation.’

****

Before long, Luo Tingting, following Mu Yaochen’s instructions, telephoned her parents.

Although Luo’s Father and Luo’s Mother were somewhat puzzled, upon hanging up, their respective supervisors sought them out and sent them both home.

“Excuse me, who might you be?”

Upon returning home, Luo’s Father and Luo’s Mother found Mu Yaochen standing by their door.

“You must be Luo Yao’s parents, then?”

Seeing the two figures at the entrance, Mu Yaochen offered a soft, polite smile.

Luo’s Father and Luo’s Mother regarded Mu Yaochen with a degree of bewilderment.

Though the woman before them was strikingly beautiful, the aura she exuded clearly conveyed that they were not of the same social standing.

“Yes, that’s right. May we ask what this is about?”

Luo’s Mother stepped forward to inquire, her heart filled more with apprehension than mere curiosity.

Their family had recently been burdened by debt, and though things had been calmer of late, they remained constantly on edge.

“Nothing in particular, I simply wanted to ask if you still remember having another son.”

As Mu Yaochen spoke, she retrieved her phone from her pocket, its screen displaying Luo Yao’s sleeping face in the hospital.

However, she then found a more ‘normal’ picture in her gallery and handed it to Luo’s Mother.

“Son… you mean Luo Yao? Do you have any news of him?”

Upon seeing Luo Yao’s photograph, Luo’s Mother immediately stepped forward, eager to examine it closely.

However, just as she neared Mu Yaochen, a figure abruptly blocked her path.

“Please maintain your distance,” The Guard stated, her voice icy.

“Let’s speak civilly, shall we?”

Witnessing Luo’s Mother’s evident concern for Luo Yao confirmed Mu Yaochen’s expectations precisely.

Subsequently, a peculiar, unsettling smile stretched across Mu Yaochen’s lips.

If Mu Yaochen’s encounter with Luo Yao was merely a prelude, then her finding Luo Yao’s parents marked the true commencement of Luo Yao’s nightmare.