Paul Ashworth placed the baby back in the cradle in her hospital room and went to be with Sylvia Blaine.
When no one was looking, the baby in the cradle suddenly opened her eyes. Seraphina Ashworth pursed her lips. 'Heh, who would've thought reincarnation was real?'
'But this era seems completely different from my past life. Oh well, since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. Was being reborn into this family a twist of fate or destiny? Either way, this new family seems pretty nice. Since I've been given a second chance at life, I'll live it differently this time.'
Her mind made up, Seraphina Ashworth closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
When the Ashworths returned home, they found three handsome young boys and a delicate little girl sitting in the living room.
"Grandpa, how's Mom? What about my little sister?" a boy with fine features asked, running to Mr. Ashworth's side and tugging on his hand.
"Your mom gave birth to a girl," Mr. Ashworth said, stroking the boy's head. "A beautiful little princess."
"Is she really pretty? So we have a little sister now? When is she coming home?" The children chimed in, one question after another.
"Maurice, Victor, Jasper, Cecilia, quiet down now," Miss Ashworth said, looking at the children. "Go and do your homework. Your little sister will be home in a few days."
"Yes, ma'am." The eldest, Maurice, led his brothers upstairs.
In this world, people practiced Ancient Martial Arts. The ranks were divided into Martial Artist, Samurai, martial master, Martial Sect, Martial King, Martial Venerate, Martial God, Martial Saint, and Martial Emperor. However, not everyone had a constitution suitable for cultivation. With the scarcity of Spiritual Energy on Earth, cultivation was exceptionally difficult.
Of course, the profession of Alchemist also existed. But Alchemists were as rare as a phoenix's feathers and thus in extremely high demand. Every great family hoped to recruit an Alchemist and would never dare to offend one. After all, with Elixirs, one's cultivation could advance with twice the results for half the effort.
In truth, the Ashworth Family was a truly prestigious and noble clan; every single one of its members was extraordinary.
The patriarch of the Ashworth Family, Warren Ashworth, was a political heavyweight, and his power had reached the level of a Martial King. There were six great families in Aethelburg: the Reginald Family ranked first, the Ashworth Family second, and the Blaine Family third. The Ashworths, Reginalds, and Blaines had been allies for generations. This bond, strong in the previous generation, was now cemented even further as their children had become in-laws, making their relationship better than ever.
The fourth-ranked family was the Sterlings, followed by the Winters Family in fifth, and the Montague Family in sixth.
The eldest Ashworth son, Zachary Ashworth, followed in his father's footsteps and entered politics. His wife, Sharon Forrest, was the eldest daughter of the scholarly Forrest Family from the south. She was a doctor at Aethelburg University Hospital and mother to a son and a daughter: Maurice, the eldest of the grandchildren, and Cecilia, the fourth.
The second Ashworth son, Chester Ashworth, was also in politics and had achieved considerable success. His wife, Susan Lindsey, was a world-renowned painter and Sharon's younger sister. They had one son, Victor, the second grandchild.
The third Ashworth child, Rebecca Ashworth, was a lawyer who had married Hector Reginald, the second son of the Reginald Family.
The fourth Ashworth son, Paul Ashworth, went into business instead. He founded the Apex Group, one of the top ten corporations in the world and the largest in Aethelburg. It was said that if Paul Ashworth so much as stamped his foot, the entire economy of Veridia would be thrown into chaos. His wife, Sylvia Blaine, was the youngest daughter of the Blaine Family and known as one of the Twin Belles of Aethelburg. They had one son, Jasper, the third grandchild. Now, five years later, she had become pregnant again—this time with a girl, much to the delight of the entire Ashworth Family.
Now that the baby was safe, everyone could finally turn their attention to discussing the sudden incident.
"Someone was definitely pulling the strings behind what happened to Sylvia. We must investigate this thoroughly," Mr. Ashworth said grimly, sitting on the sofa.
"Sylvia didn't even leave the house that day. She was home the entire time. How could she have been suddenly poisoned?" Chester Ashworth asked.
Zachary fiddled with the Jade Ring on his thumb. "So you suspect there's a mole in the house?"
"Exactly. There's no other way she could have been poisoned. But Sylvia is always so careful; it's unlikely she'd be poisoned without realizing it. That's why I think it had to be someone we trust," Chester said, propping his chin on his hand in thought. "Sharon, did Sylvia eat anything that morning?"
"That morning... hmm," Sharon Forrest said, slowly recalling the events of the day. "Sylvia hadn't had much of an appetite for a few days, so Mom had the kitchen prepare some bird's nest soup for her. She had a few spoonfuls, and then her contractions started."
"And who brought the soup to Sylvia?" Chester pressed.
"It was Mrs. Lawson," Susan Lindsey said after a moment's thought, her voice suddenly sharp with realization. "Mrs. Lawson prepared the soup, and she's the one who brought it to Sylvia."
Rebecca picked up the thread. "So, you're saying Mrs. Lawson was involved?"
After a moment of silence, Mr. Ashworth began, "In that case, we'll..."
Just then, the butler burst in, interrupting Mr. Ashworth. "Sir, bad news! Mrs. Lawson is gone!"
"So it really was her," Miss Ashworth said, slapping the armrest of her chair in anguish. "But why? She's been with us for seven years. We treated her so well."
"Zachary, Chester, I don't care what it takes, bring her back," Mr. Ashworth ordered calmly. "Someone is pulling Mrs. Lawson's strings. While you're at it, run a thorough background check on every servant in this house. Make sure something like this can never happen again."
"We know what to do, Dad. We have to get back to work now," Zachary said. After bidding farewell to their father, the two brothers left.
"Those of you with work to do, go on. Rebecca, you should head back, too. Go let your father-in-law know we're all safe," Miss Ashworth said, waving for everyone to disperse.
A week of searching yielded nothing. It was as if Mrs. Lawson had vanished from the face of the earth. Her family was gone, too, without a single trace. With the mastermind still at large, the incident became a ticking time bomb buried in the hearts of the Ashworth family.