Chapter 4: Terrifying Basement

In the week that followed, everything progressed smoothly.

Emma and Mary, because they were cute, were still frequently called over by Lady Emilia to serve, while Louis and Haley secretly observed the manor’s layout during their outdoor breaks.

After returning at night, they would gather again to summarize their findings.

Over the course of several days, Emma somehow acquired a large number of forks and clearly prised-off metal tools; Louis quickly fashioned them into makeshift iron claws, thanks to countless little videos from his past life—even though he often only saved them without rewatching, the random bits of information still lingered in his mind.

“The courtyard has been surveyed. The northeast corner has sparse tree cover and the lowest wall—it’s the best option.”

“Good. Let’s practice the human ladder again, then start looking for our chance.”

Budebushuo ， Yiqunxiaohaizidarentishenmede ， Yirourenxinghezhonglianglaishuowanquanmeiwenti ， Zhishi ， Duoshaoxiandeyouxiehuaji 。

Haley, being the oldest, was at the bottom, followed by Louis, then Emma, with Mary on top; the four wobbled constantly and often fell, yet not even Mary cried out once.

After this kidnapping and beating, they had grown somewhat.

Time passed quietly and steadily, the plan proceeding smoothly—yet occasionally, Emma and Haley noticed Louis staring at the wall base, snarling curses with a grotesque expression, his vocabulary utterly unlike their own limited “Xie Te” language…

Forgive their limited vocabularies—they still couldn’t imagine how anyone could devise such vicious phrases, spreading from the target’s mother back eighteen generations.

It was simply terrifying!

Especially little Mary, whose gaze toward Louis at such moments carried a hint of fear.

…

Something unusual happened today.

Nighttime.

Shortly after the four had fallen asleep, Haley, closest to the door, jolted awake and roused Emma, Louis, and Mary; they tiptoed to the door and pressed their ears against it.

Creak… creak…

Click!

Squeak…

The sound of the bolt turning—right across the hall!

Then came faint, indistinct footsteps, barely audible, quickly fading away.

“Carola and the others escaped.”

“They actually picked the lock?”

“What do we do now?”

“It’s a good thing,” Emma suddenly smiled.

That adorable little face bore a faint smile, yet now it looked strangely dark.

“No matter how much we plan, it’s never as effective as someone else acting first. If they succeed in escaping, they’ll leave traces; if they fail, they’ll give us lessons.”

“Now, we should go back to sleep and wait for tomorrow.”

Louis stared at Emma in surprise, then nodded without hesitation. “You’re right.”

After a brief hesitation, Haley also nodded. Only Mary, worried about Carola and the others’ safety, said nothing and could do nothing.

Fifteen minutes later.

Waaahhhhh!!!

A piercing scream echoed throughout the entire manor; everyone jolted awake instantly.

Louis and the other three also snapped open their eyes—they hadn’t slept at all.

Soon, doors opened one by one; Nuel dragged each child out, his expression hostile. Louis caught a glimpse of fresh blood on the man’s sleeve and his heart tightened.

In the hall, oil lamps burned.

At the center, four curled-up children emitted low moans, their heavy breathing like gasping bellows fighting for air.

Emilia, in her nightgown, face flushed with rage, saw everyone had arrived—then her eyes rolled back suddenly.

An invisible force appeared.

Boom!

The ragged moaning vanished instantly, replaced by a fine, grinding sound like an oil press squeezing fat.

Oil, blood, fat…

Puke!

Vomiting, crying, screaming—rose in waves.

“This is the fate of escapees. Nine years old—if anyone meets my standard, all of you live. Otherwise, you’ll all end up like them.”

“Come, Nuel.”

Nuel helped Emilia slowly ascend to the attic, heading toward her room.

After a while, everyone spontaneously returned to their own rooms.

Sitting on the sofa, Louis’s face was grim.

That display just now was truly terrifying—absolute no direct confrontation! And how had she discovered Carola’s group had escaped? Until that was clear, the plan couldn’t proceed.

Damn it, why are my perks just petty tricks?!

Forget it. Thinking won’t help. Since her power is this strong, escape must be planned without assuming pursuit—must be even more cautious.

“Mary, how long until you find the hidden room?”

Still dazed, Mary immediately replied, “Almost done. I’ve calculated most of it—the approximate location is confirmed.”

“Good. Pause Plan One. Proceed with Plan Two.”

Seeing Louis still capable of taking charge and remaining calm, the other three’s emotions finally steadied somewhat.

That night, no one slept well.

…

The next day.

As Louis and the others mopped the hall and the remaining residue, Mary suddenly tugged his sleeve.

Under the pretense of cleaning and with Emma and Haley’s cover, Mary pulled Louis to a corner of the attic and cautiously entered one room. “Here it is—I calculated the hidden room should be here, but I can’t find the door.”

Louis’s eyes swept rapidly as he spoke: “Go back. You and Emma might be called by the old witch—if she notices you’re missing, it’ll be trouble.”

“You’re going alone? Too dangerous.” Mary worried.

“Stop whining,” Louis frowned.

Mary nodded, crestfallen, and tiptoed out.

A normal room with framed oil paintings, one bed, one cabinet, one dressing table.

Limited space, limited furnishings—few places to hide…

Louis narrowed his eyes, opened the cabinet—nothing. Felt under the bed—nothing.

Moved the painting aside—a crude sliding door appeared.

Louis smiled. “Of course there’s something wrong.”

Then Louis pulled out a candle, lit it, and stepped inside.

The candle was one of the items prepared these past days; the risk of entering had already been considered before searching—now that the moment had come, hesitation was out of the question.

The stairs descended, darkness enveloping them, lit only by the faint candle flame—until ahead, a dim electric light appeared, faint but enough to illuminate the path.

Down the stairs, around a bend.

Louis finally saw the end—a small basement filled with all manner of objects!

More importantly, opposite this small basement was another staircase, faintly glowing!

This was likely another exit.

But before Louis could move forward, a hand suddenly shot out from the floor at the basement entrance.

(End of Chapter)