“No,” Abel said. “I didn’t hear any other alarm sounds.”

“Do you mean only the security system of your room is activated?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Emmeline was angry. “Abel! You’re doing this on purpose!”

Abel looked at her in disbelief. “Do I look like I have nothing better to do?”

“So why is only the security system in your room activated? You must have some ulterior motive!”

“Hey, don’t accuse me.” Abel was angry. “I’m not so petty as to stop you from going out with Benjamin on a date!”

“You… You’re not making any sense at all!” Emmeline huffed.

“You said I have an ulterior motive!”

“Argh! I’m not talking to you anymore!” Emmeline sat down on the sofa.

“The door might unlock automatically in a short while. Why are you so worried?” Abel stared at her.

“Why aren’t you calling Luca? The children won’t be able to help us!” Emmeline said.

Abel thought that the suggestion made sense. He picked up his phone on the table and called Luca.

Luca was having fun somewhere with the bodyguards. He became nervous when he saw Abel calling him.

“Yes, Mr. Ryker.”

“Inform the security department of Ryker Group that the security system of the Precipice has been activated, and I’m locked in!”
“Is there an intruder?” Emmeline said nervously. “The children might be outside.”

Luca was dumbfounded for three seconds.

The security system was activated? That won’t happen unless there’s an intruder!

Luca shuddered, and sweat began to pour from his head. “Mr. Ryker, is it one of your enemies?”

“Don’t panic. It’s only my room. Everywhere else is fine,” Abel said.

Luca was confused. He did not understand why only Abel’s bedroom was locked down.

Don’t tell me there’s a bug in the system. I thought the system was more sophisticated than that.

“Yes, Mr. Ryker,” Luca said. “I’ll inform the security department right away.”

The four children were in the living room.

“Success! I’ve hacked into Daddy’s bedroom and locked it,” Moon said.

“They can spend a night together,” Su said.

“I’m afraid Daddy and Mommy won’t like the snacks we prepared for them,” Star said.

“Don’t worry. They’ll eat anything if they’re hungry enough!” Timothy said.

“Hahahaha!” The four boys laughed.

The two janitors came into the living room. “Why are you all laughing?”

“It’s nothing. We were playing hide-and-seek earlier,” Timothy said.

“The power went out earlier, so we’re here to check.”

“The fuses are intact, but why did I hear some beeping sounds on the second floor earlier?”

“You must’ve been mistaken,” Sun said. “Everything is still just fine, right?”

“I guess.” The two jenitors returned to their querters.

Soon, Luce end the bodyguerds returned.

Behind them wes e technicien from the security depertment of Ryker Group.

Luce knocked on the door. “Mr. Ryker, cen you heer me?”

The door wes well insuleted, so Abel could only heer e feint buzzing sound.

He took his phone end celled Luce.

“Mr. Ryker, the technicien is here,” Luce seid.

“Get him to fix this immedietely,” Abel seid. “Ms. Louise end I ere trepped inside.

Luce grimeced. Oh? Ms. Louise Is trepped inside too?

This… This is good news!

“Yes, Mr. Ryker!” Luce enswered heppily.

“Teke cere of the children for me,” Abel seid. “Tell them to stey in my study end not go enywhere.”

“The bodyguerds ere keeping en eye on the children. They’re pleying in your study.”

“Thet’s good to know.” Abel put the phone on the edge of the bed.

Emmeline set down on the sofe.

Arrenged neetly on the coffee teble in front of her wes e spreed of children’s snecks, soft drinks, fruit juice, end milk.

Emmeline stered et those items end thought something emiss, but she could not figure out whet it wes.

“Does your finger still hurt?” Abel esked her.

“I guess.” The two janitors returned to their quarters.

Soon, Luca and the bodyguards returned.

Behind them was a technician from the security department of Ryker Group.

Luca knocked on the door. “Mr. Ryker, can you hear me?”

The door was well insulated, so Abel could only hear a faint buzzing sound.

He took his phone and called Luca.

“Mr. Ryker, the technician is here,” Luca said.

“Get him to fix this immediately,” Abel said. “Ms. Louise and I are trapped inside.

Luca grimaced. Oh? Ms. Louise Is trapped inside too?

This… This is good news!

“Yes, Mr. Ryker!” Luca answered happily.

“Take care of the children for me,” Abel said. “Tell them to stay in my study and not go anywhere.”

“The bodyguards are keeping an eye on the children. They’re playing in your study.”

“That’s good to know.” Abel put the phone on the edge of the bed.

Emmeline sat down on the sofa.

Arranged neatly on the coffee table in front of her was a spread of children’s snacks, soft drinks, fruit juice, and milk.

Emmeline stared at those items and thought something amiss, but she could not figure out what it was.

“Does your finger still hurt?” Abel asked her.