Zayne was still trying to grasp the gravity of the situation when he turned to Lord Banks and asked, “Dad, what’s going on?”


    With a heavy sigh, Lord Banks replied solemnly, “It’s Xion.”


    Zayne’s heart raced as he quickly inquired, “Have you found Xion’s location?!”


    Shaking his head, Lord Banks continued, “I don’t have a lead yet. I need to apologize to you regarding Xion and hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”


    Taken aback by his father’s apology, Zayne responded hastily, “Dad, what are you talking about? Just tell me. If you weren’t able to save her, I won’t hold it against you.”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Though Zayne felt a wave of disappointment, he recognized theplexities of the situation. The incident had taken ce in Japan, a ce where the Banks Family had limited influence. If the rescue efforts failed or, worst-case scenario, Xion suffered a tragic fate, it was a possibility that could be understood.


    Lord Banks sighed once more, revealing, “I’ve been troubled by this matter! Xionmitted a serious offense in Japan, making her rescue incredibly challenging. This isn’t something that can be resolved with money.” His voice trembled with emotion as he added, “Zayne, I know rescuing Xion is tough, so I made a secret arrangement with the top officials of the Japanese Self-Defense Force.”


    Zayne’s eyes widened in shock. “An arrangement? What kind of arrangement?! How could you negotiate with the Self-Defense Forces when Xion and the other fifty masters are in their custody?”


    With a heavy heart, Lord Banks exined, “I aimed to maximize our interests. My idea was to create a situation where the Self-Defense Forces could achieve recognition, thereby establishing a cooperative rtionship with them. Ultimately, everything I do is for the benefit of the Banks Family.”


    Stunned, Zayne asked, “Dad, are you saying you want to save Xion, but this is just a performance?!”


    “I have my reasons!” Lord Banks replied, his pain evident.


    Struggling to keep his emotions in check, Zayne pressed on, “You mentioned a news push earlier. What are you talking about?”


    Lord Banks gestured to his second son, James, who quickly handed Zayne his phone. “Brother, read this article.”


    As Zayne read the article, his heart sank further with every line. “This old man actually used my biological daughter as leverage to curry favor with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces! Is he even human?”


    Realization hit him like a thunderbolt. “No wonder Deana knew about Xion! No wonder she suddenly wanted to divorce me! All of this was uncovered by the Japanese National Security Agency!”


    The fact that his wife, Deana, had left him over the Xion situation,bined with the shocking news, sent Zayne into a tailspin.<fn3df3> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n F?nd-Novel</fn3df3>


    He red at Lord Banks, his voice filled with fury. “Xion is your granddaughter! How could you do this?! Because of your actions, we’re now facing the unknown, with her life hanging in the bnce… and I’m getting divorced! Why did you let this happen?”


    “Zayne!” Lord Banks replied firmly. “Even if I hadn’t done this, we wouldn’t be able to save Xion!”


    Zayne clenched his jaw, his anger boiling over. “If saving her is impossible, do you really think manipting the situation is the answer? Do you have to toy with Xion’s fate just to please the Japanese Self-Defense Forces?!”


    Seeing Zayne’s escting frustration, Lord Banks frowned slightly and retorted coldly, “I’ve said it before: I did this for the sake of the Banks Family!”


    Zayne could no longer contain his rage, shouting, “The interests of the Banks Family?! Are you seriously willing to sacrifice my daughter’s life for that?!”