Headhunting (5)

The Crosspell patriarch, Elliot Crosspell, wore an impassive expression, but a worried look flickered across his face.

It was all because of his precious daughter, Elinore Crosspell.

Her adolescence should have ended long ago, yet one day, Elinore Crosspell had suddenly begun looking at him as though he were garbage.

At first, he thought it was because he had expelled her younger brother, Aiden Crosspell—or rather, the young man now known simply as Aiden—from the family.

The value the family held most dear was neither history books kept in the archives, nor stale spiritual doctrines, nor a more tangible reputation or wealth….

It was simply bloodline.

Elliot knew very well that Elinore Crosspell, who had been taught the importance of bloodline from childhood, cherished her only younger brother.

That was why, even when she ran away from home to the outskirts of the city to find Aiden, Elliot Crosspell did not specifically order a search for her.

He merely waited anxiously, thinking she would change her mind once she confronted the cold reality.

Indeed, until only a few days ago, he had thought Elinore had pulled herself together anew...