"Young Miss, you're finally back!"
Ji Zhinan looked at them and asked, "Where's my dad?"
"The master returned a day ago. After he came back, he told us to deliver all the wine in the cellar to the studio, and then he locked himself inside and wouldn't come out. Butler Charles tried to get in, but the master beat him up and threw him out..."
They were servants who had served Li Yuan for many years, and this was the first time they had ever seen their master so out of control, even attacking the ever-loyal butler, Charleson.
Ji Zhinan paused for a moment, then immediately asked, "Where's Charleson?"
"Butler Charleson is resting in his room."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Zhinan ran to Charleson's room, pushed open the door, and went straight in.
Charles was lying in bed when he heard a loud bang at the door. He looked up and saw Ji Zhinan.
"Young Miss!" Charleson was overjoyed; the young lady had indeed heard his words to the bodyguard.
Ji Zhinan was taken aback when he saw the bruises on Charleson's face.
"Uncle Charleson, how are you?"
"It's nothing serious. I'm just getting old, and my body isn't as strong as it used to be," Charleson said with a smile. Seeing Ji Zhinan's worried look, he touched the bruise on his face and explained with a smile, "I fell down by myself. I've been with Mr. Ji for so many years, and he can't bear to hit me hard."
"..." Ji Zhinan remained silent.
She paused, then asked Charleson, "How much does my dad know?"
Upon hearing this, Charlesson's smile faded, and his expression turned serious: "We've found everything. You've found evidence to support every single thing Hart said."
"..."
Charleson looked up at Ji Zhinan: "The master is currently locking himself in his studio, drinking alone, and it's all strong liquor. I'm worried something might happen to him if he's alone. Miss, please go upstairs and check on him!"
Without saying a word, Ji Zhinan turned and left.
Charleson breathed a sigh of relief. His former master was cold-hearted and unyielding. Since finding the young lady, he had become much more humane. He hoped she could help him through this ordeal.
When Ji Zhinan came out of Charleson's room, Gu Yibei was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. When he saw her return, Gu Yibei said, "The studio door is locked. Bai Chuan went to get the key."
Bai Chuan was very quick; he returned with the spare key in about two minutes. Gu Yibei pulled Ji Zhinan upstairs quickly.
As they approached the studio, Gu Yibei suddenly stopped. He took Ji Zhinan's hand and placed the key in her palm.
Ji Zhinan looked at him, puzzled.
“Dad probably doesn’t want to see anyone except you right now. Go inside and talk to him nicely. I’ll wait at the door. Call me if you need anything.”
Looking at the key in his hand, Ji Zhinan nodded, let go of Gu Yibei, and took the key to open the door.
Gu Yibei took two steps back and then leaned against the wall to wait for news.
Ji Zhinan unlocked the door and pushed it open, immediately being hit by the pungent smell of smoke and alcohol.
Seeing the scene before her, she frowned deeply.
This studio was designed by Li Yuan himself. The decoration, the objects, and even the placement of the paintings on the walls were all carefully selected. The entire studio is filled with portraits of Xi Luo.
But now, the once clean and tidy studio is as messy as a garbage dump. All of Shiro's portraits are piled up on the floor in a messy state, paint is on the walls and the floor, and all the easels are overturned.
Ji Zhinan's heart sank. He quickly looked around and finally found Li Yuan in the corner of the studio.
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