Operation Red Book

There was still singing and dancing in McMillan Manor. Men and women were dancing on the dance floor to the smooth piano music. When they got tired, they would leave and be replaced by the next group.

The gentlemen enthusiastically invited the ladies, and the ladies gathered together to talk about gossip in the palace, and occasionally take a bite of the exquisite pastries on the table.

The servants were still moving around outside the dance floor, replenishing the cakes, tea and wine, and listening to the ladies and lords' orders from time to time.

But in the dark, the servants had already put on nervous looks. They patrolled carefully and reported the slightest sign of trouble to the servants of the next level, who then made the decision.

At the door of the hall, a lady had an argument with a servant. Her face turned red and her voice was as loud as a bell.

"I have to go back, now! Why won't you let me out!"

Facing the noble lady's questioning, the servant did not panic, but replied calmly and politely:

"I understand your anxiety, but Madam has ordered that you must have a carriage to pick you up before you can go out. It's dark and chaotic today, and if something happens to you on the road, our Madam really can't take the responsibility."

"Who do you think you are? How dare you stop me! My child has a fever, can you take responsibility?!"

"I'm so sorry, madam will be down to deal with it right away." The butler bowed respectfully to her.

"If you leave me alone, I won't be able to leave your McMillan Manor?"

The lady took off the blue diamond earrings from her ears and stretched out her hand to break through the door behind the butler.

"Louisa!"

Mrs. Emerson's gentle voice sounded behind the lady.

The lady turned her head, and a tear had already rolled down her red eyes.

Mrs. Emerson walked slowly down the stairs, her gait graceful and elegant.

"What's going on?" The lady's voice was a little hoarse.

"Mrs. Emerson, I am so sorry! I can't stay until the end of the ball. My child has a high fever, and I must go back now."

Mrs. Emerson frowned and took Louisa's hands. She tilted her head to glance at the dance floor, leaned closer and whispered to her, "Where's your husband? Isn't he going back with you?"

Unexpectedly, Louisa started sobbing, and tears as big as beans rolled down and hit the wooden floor.

"He, he refused to go back. He wanted to finish attending the dance. He said the child just caught a cold and there was no need to worry too much." Louisa said with a sob.

"Barry, arrange a carriage, prepare medicines to reduce fever and treat colds, and send Lady Louisa back as soon as possible."

The lady turned and spoke to the butler, who responded, bowed to the two of them and left.

"My dear, you have to go back. Your child needs a mother."

Madame spoke tenderly to Louisa, patting her hand gently.

Count Waite was walking around the dance floor, trying hard to find Ivy. He smiled and rejected the invitations of one lady after another, and his brows gradually became furrowed.

"Where is Miss Ivy?" Count Waite's heart gradually became tormented.

Looking at the exquisite cheesecake on the table, he took a step forward, took advantage of the break in the dance floor to walk directly across the long dance floor and came to the terrace where he had talked with Ivy before.

The moonlight and camellia were still as cool and clear as before, but the terrace was empty. He leaned on the railing and looked around, hoping to see a glimpse of Ivy in the shadows.

He paced back and forth on the terrace with his head in his hands, his anxiety growing heavier.

Suddenly, something glowed in the peripheral vision of his right eye, and Count Waite walked in the direction of the flash.

He squatted down and grabbed the hairpin on the ground. The three dangling tassels hinted at the danger to its owner.

Count Waite put the hairpin into his pocket, turned over and went down the terrace, bending over to search carefully around the terrace.

With the help of the soft moonlight, Count White finally found the golden hairpin pressed under the white petals.

Both ends of the golden hairpin were stained with blood, and a few drops of bright red were sprinkled on the white petals and green grass.

"Oh no, Miss Ivy is in danger."

Count White took a look at the pitch-black camellia forest, tightly clenched the golden hairpin in his hand, and walked into the darkness resolutely.