The Favored Heiress
Chapter 866: Ming Dailan Meets Landis

Chapter 866: Chapter 866: Ming Dailan Meets Landis

The next day, an unexpected event caught Ming Dailan off guard; Mrs. Andrew had to return to the British Imperial ahead of schedule.

Though puzzled, Ming Dailan had no choice but to arrange a flight to send her back.

At the airport, Mrs. Andrew smiled as she reminded, "Lan, please take care of that painting for me."

Ming Dailan smiled back, but her expression was already a bit unnatural. "Don’t worry."

She was a bit annoyed with herself for acting impulsively, now finding it hard to backtrack.

Mrs. Andrew glanced at her nonchalantly before turning around and walking into the terminal.

The other two Countesses stayed in Dian City with Ming Dailan.

Leaving the airport, Ming Dailan looked troubled.

Mrs. William observed her expression and cautiously suggested, "Lan, I heard there’s a classic British play showing at the Dian City Theater. How about we go and watch it this afternoon?"

Ming Dailan wasn’t particularly interested and still had that painting on her mind.

She had called the exhibitor yesterday, and even though they knew she was the Duchess of the British Imperial, they still refused to cooperate.

This left Ming Dailan both angry and helpless.

Amidst the bustling crowd around the airport, a jeep suddenly stopped in front of them. Landis, wearing a jacket with his left arm bandaged and resting on his chest, slammed the car door shut and strode over quickly.

Foreigners were not common in Dian City, and among the predominantly Asian-descent faces, the tall Landis stood out noticeably.

Ming Dailan took another look and felt a sudden sense of familiarity.

Her gaze followed Landis, and their eyes met briefly. Ming Dailan quickly looked away.

Only for Yin Mo to suddenly speak up behind her, "Landis?"

Landis’s expression turned slightly chaotic. After steadying himself, he nodded in acknowledgment toward Yin Mo before merging into the crowd without a word.

Ming Dailan looked back suspiciously, "You know him?"

Yin Mo, with a calm demeanor, nodded, "A former member of the Ducal Residence’s Knight Squad, Landis. I remember...his team was responsible for your travel security back in the day."

Ming Dailan gazed pensively in the direction Landis had disappeared to, distant and blurred memories gradually becoming clear.

That person seemed to have accompanied her to Parma back then.

...

At two in the afternoon, unable to resist the invitations from the other two ladies, Ming Dailan ended up going to the theater to watch the play with them.

Oddly enough, the actors in this performance seemed unfamiliar with the script, stumbling over their lines throughout the entire act.

An hour and a half later, the three of them, accompanied by bodyguards, left the theater.

Mrs. William sighed with disappointment, "The actors’ skill with lines was poor, but the script was passable."

"Do you think that noble mother, if she knew in the end that her stubbornness led to her son’s death, would she be in agony?"

Mrs. Brown seemed to have been engrossed in the play, continuously recalling its plot.

They ignored Ming Dailan’s slight change in demeanor and continued their spirited discussion.

Mrs. William replied, "Hard to say. She preferred to trust outsiders rather than her own son, with no sense of personal judgment. Even if she ends up in agony, it would be her own doing."

Ming Dailan suddenly stopped, "I’m going to the restroom."

She had watched the play too, and initially felt nothing, but Mrs. William’s words somehow made her uncomfortable.

Last month, in the Medical Alliance town, Li Qiao also said the exact same words during Ningning’s kidnapping.

Ming Dailan hurried to the restroom, leaning on the Glazed Pavilion sink to collect her thoughts.

Yin Mo accompanied her, watching her expression through the mirror discreetly.

A few minutes, or perhaps even less, later, Ming Dailan slowly lifted her head, her gaze scattered, "Find a way to bring Landis to see me."

Yin Mo feigned surprise, hesitantly furrowing her brow, "This..."

"What?" Ming Dailan’s eyes darkened, "Can’t even handle such a small matter of getting the painting?"

Yin Mo lowered her head humbly, hesitantly stepping forward and lowering her voice, "No, please don’t be anxious. Over the years, the master has always sent people to hunt down Landis. I’m just worried that if you meet him, it will be dangerous."

Ming Dailan narrowed her eyes, slightly startled, "Hunt him down?"

"Yes." Yin Mo’s voice lowered even more, "I don’t know the reason for the hunt, so..."

"Find him, immediately, quickly." Ming Dailan grew suspicious, grabbing Yin Mo’s hand repeatedly, "Make sure no one finds out."

Yin Mo nodded respectfully, "I’ll go now. You return to the hotel and wait for my news."

Ming Dailan felt utterly chaotic, Li Qiao’s words, Mrs. William’s words, continually washing over her reason.

What on earth had Landis done, and why was Old Xiao trying to kill him?

All these questions received answers three hours later.

...

As night fell, Ming Dailan sat anxiously in the hotel, waiting for news from Yin Mo.

Suddenly, a knock on the door startled her, causing the teacup in her hand to fall onto the carpet, scalding her hand with hot water.

Panic-stricken, Ming Dailan called out for entry, and Yin Mo pushed the door open, followed by Landis, whose face was pale with new wounds.

"What’s going on?" Ming Dailan quickly stood up, looking at Landis as past memories became increasingly clear.

He had indeed accompanied her to Parma eleven years ago.

Yin Mo closed the door, her expression grave as she explained, "Ma’am, the Knight Squad we brought received orders to assassinate Landis this afternoon. I just managed to lead them away."

Ming Dailan’s fingers curled slightly as she composed herself and scrutinized Landis’ pale complexion, frowning as she asked, "Why did you leave the Ducal Residence?"

Landis looked at Ming Dailan with obscure eyes, respect was absent, and he laughed hoarsely, "Duchess, are you feigning ignorance, or do you genuinely not know?"

Ming Dailan touched her scalded hand, smiling wryly, "Landis, if you cooperate with me, perhaps I can spare your life. Otherwise..."

The threat was unmistakable.

Landis’s piercing blue eyes remained fixed on Ming Dailan, and after a long pause, he chuckled mockingly, "You can’t even save your own uterus, yet want to save my life?"

Ming Dailan was rarely scrutinized so blatantly, Shang Zonghai was one such person, Li Qiao another, and now Landis joined the list.

She sat back on the sofa, her gentle expression gradually turning cold, "What do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean?" Landis, touched on a nerve, suddenly stepped forward and shouted angrily, "You and the Old Duke are birds of a feather. How dare you ask me what I mean? My parents, my lover all died by your hands; what right do you have to question me?"

Yin Mo prepared to step forward to protect Ming Dailan, but Landis, driven mad by thoughts of his dead parents, was uncontrollable.

Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, he reached out, reeking of blood, and grabbed Ming Dailan by the neck, lifting her from the sofa.