In that fleeting second of distraction, her body slipped further down. The bodyguard seized the bedsheet dangling to the ground and gave it a sharp tug.
Sophie Sullivan was flung off as easily as an ant from a branch.
THUD! She landed on the lawn, grimacing in pain, her face deathly pale.
"Take her back!" The bodyguard ruthlessly hauled her up and dragged her back to the bedroom.
Caught red-handed in her escape attempt, her next try wouldn't be so easy.
That very night, the window was sealed shut with cast-iron bars, blocking her only possible escape route.
That night, she battled the gnawing pangs of hunger.
The next day, it was again the aroma of food that awakened her. Sophie Sullivan opened her eyes, feeling weak from hunger. She went to the door and pounded on it, but there was no response.
Back in the asylum, the woman in the white lab coat had often left her without food for a day or two at a time. Enduring two days without food or drink wasn't particularly difficult for her. Besides, there was water here.
She went into the bath chamber, fetched some raw water from the washstand's faucet, and drank it straight. After a few sips, her stomach felt a little better. She left the bath chamber, returned to the bed, and lay down, conserving her energy.
「Surveillance room.」
The bodyguard pulled up the surveillance footage from the Detached Courtyard from last night.
Thomas Shannon had his long legs lazily crossed, his fair, slender fingers idly stroking Harry, the puffed-up Chinchilla cat nestled in his embrace.
Harry's fur was thick and fluffy, adorned with tabby stripes that made him look majestic and exceptionally handsome.
"Harry, quiet down." Thomas Shannon gently pinched Harry's ears, his gaze fixed on the surveillance monitor.
The window on the third floor opened, and five minutes later, a rope fashioned from a twisted bedsheet was tossed out. Soon, a slender figure appeared outside the window.
The moment Sophie Sullivan climbed out of the window, a glimpse of black lace underwear showed beneath her skirt.
A smirk played on Thomas Shannon's lips. What an interesting and fearless woman.
None of the women in the castle had ever dared to escape. She was the first.
When he saw her being unceremoniously flung down by the bodyguard, Thomas Shannon chuckled softly. An expected outcome.
For a moment, Charlie River couldn't quite grasp his Young Master's intention. Then, Thomas Shannon spoke, "Switch to her bedroom."
The bodyguard complied, and the surveillance feed switched to Sophie Sullivan's bedroom. It was a live feed.
On the screen, Sophie Sullivan repeatedly banged on the door. When that yielded no results, she ran into the bath chamber. She emerged shortly after, wiping her mouth with one hand. That gesture... she must have drunk some water.
Seeing Sophie Sullivan lying motionless on the bed, Thomas Shannon snapped his fingers. "Turn off the water supply to her bedroom."
"Yes, Young Master." Charlie River immediately relayed the order.
Without water, let's see how long she can hold out.
Lifting Harry by his furry nape with one hand, Thomas Shannon rose, preparing to leave. After taking two steps, he paused again. "Hasn't she said a single word?"
The bodyguard in charge of surveillance replied, "The woman hasn't uttered a word. She didn't even make a sound when she fell."
Thomas Shannon's eyebrows arched slightly. "Charlie River, are her vocal cords truly damaged?"
"Young Master, our doctor performed a thorough examination. Her vocal cords are indeed damaged."
"What's her name?"
Charlie River shook his head. "She has no name, only the designation Number 1932."
"Heh." A slight tug played at the corner of Thomas Shannon's lips as he strode away.
Charlie River quickly followed him out of the surveillance room and began his report, "Young Master, the new batch of maids has completed their training. Would you like to inspect them personally?"