Amelia whispered, "Is my mother well? How have you been?"
Ella didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Lucas and said, "Brother Lucas, your Dragon-Subduing Technique has reached perfection. But could you release the people from Swallow Manor first?"
Lucas glanced at his subordinates and commanded, "Release Sir Ethan."
Logan flexed his wrists and said, "Many thanks, Chief Lucas."
Without another word—and without thanking Ella—he walked over to Amelia with Ethan.
To onlookers, Ella's silence might have seemed like camaraderie, an unspoken bond where gratitude was unnecessary. But those who knew the truth understood the real reason. Even Lucas could tell—this man wasn't thriving in Swallow Manor.
Then, a voice from the Beggar Sect interrupted. "Chief, they injured Elder Benjamin. We can't just let them go!"
"Right! Chief Jackson speaks sense—they must answer for this!" others clamored.
Ella recognized Jackson immediately, but he remained calm, waiting to see how Lucas would handle this.
Lucas frowned. "This matter requires the elders' judgment. But where are Elders Michael, Alexander, William, and James?"
Silence.
Lucas' sharp gaze swept the crowd. "David, where is your elder?"
The named man scrambled forward, dropping to his knees. "Chief, it wasn't me! Please, don't kill me!" Jackson's expression darkened.
Then Samuel arrived with a contingent of men, dragging four bound elders—the very ones Lucas had mentioned. Their faces were twisted with indignation.
Lucas was baffled. "Elder Samuel, what is the meaning of this? Release them at once!"
He moved to untie them himself, but the elders jerked away arrogantly.
Ungrateful fools, Ella thought bitterly. Soon enough, Lucas will risk his life to save yours.
Still, he held his tongue. He needed to wait for the real mastermind to appear.
Meanwhile, Ethan and Logan grew impatient. "We must find Young Master Noah. What about you?"
"I'll stay," Ella said. "Tell Young Master Noah that once I settle matters with the Beggar Sect, our deal is done. Even if Amelia begs me, I won't lift a finger for him again."
Ethan and Logan exchanged glances, then left without another word. Amelia hesitated—she wanted to follow, but they hadn't even acknowledged her. Now she was stuck.
She turned to Ella. "You won't help me with anything?"
Ella smiled. "Amelia, do you remember our agreement?"
She fell silent.
Meanwhile, Henry's mind raced with wild speculations.