The unsettling news of Kingston's visit to Ashford Mansion jolted Caspian and Augustus into action.
"Brother, we have to go check. I have this awful feeling," Caleb's voice trembled with concern.
"I feel it too. Edward Kingston is always up to no good," Caspian affirmed, a deep furrow forming between his brows.
"Let's not wait around. Even with the heightened security, my anxiety is through the roof," Caleb confessed, his eyes reflecting his unease.
"You're right, Caleb. Let's go," Caspian replied, determination sparking in his eyes.
In haste, they jumped into their car and sped towards their home.
En route, Caleb's voice broke through the tense silence. "Cas, your phone is ringing. Connect it to Bluetooth."
They swiftly connected the call.
"Sir, the mansion is on fire. We can't find Madam and Sir. And the little princess is nowhere to be found. We can't even get inside," Raphael, Ashford's devoted butler, was audibly distressed.
"Why weren't you there, Raphael?" Caspian's voice quivered his concern for his family piercing through.
"I had gone for Madam's weekly purchases. We're trying our best to extinguish the fire," Raphael's voice wavered with a mix of sorrow and urgency.
"We'll be there soon. Keep going," Caspian urged before ending the call.
"Mom, Dad, and Lottie... What could have happened to them? Are they alright?" Caleb's voice shook with fear.
"I'm going as fast as I can," Caspian reassured, his knuckles white against the steering wheel.
Upon arrival, the grand Ashford Mansion was engulfed in flames, its former elegance now a tragic spectacle.
The fire was slowly succumbing to the efforts of the firefighters.
They bolted out of the car and raced towards the entrance.
In Caspian's mind, a whirlwind of emotions threatened to consume him. He prayed that his family was safe, that they were hiding somewhere within the mansion.
"Raphael, is the fire contained?" Caleb asked, his eyes scanning the scene with a mix of hope and trepidation.
"Almost, sir," Raphael replied, his face etched with weariness.
Without waiting for a response, Caspian charged into the mansion, Caleb hot on his heels. They made their way to the Business lounge.
Caleb's pace quickened, and his anguished scream pierced the air. Caspian reached him breathless, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Mom... Dad..." Caleb's voice broke, the sight before them too horrific to process. Their parents, their pillars of strength, were now partially burned, their lives cut short by cruel violence. It was Edward Kingston's malevolence that had brought them to this grim fate. Fury ignited within Caspian.
We reached them. Both of them were hugging, an image of love and unity even in death. We were envious of the bond they shared. But the pressing question remained: where was Lottie? Our cherished princess.
"Caleb, where is Lottie?" Caspian's voice quivered, his heart pounding in his chest.
Caleb's sobs echoed through the room. "Let's find her," was all he managed, his voice choked with grief.
They called out for her, their pleas echoing through the scorched halls, yet no response came.
Desperation gripped them. Raphael's voice cut through the tension.
"Mr. Ashford, Little Princess is here!" he called out.
They sprinted towards him.
Lottie was trapped beneath a fallen pillar, her small form unconscious, her fragile frame stained with blood. Raphael fought to free her, tears streaming down his face.
"My princess," Caspian's voice wavered with anguish.
Together, they carefully extracted her, cradling her in their arms. They rushed her to the secret underground safety area.
Their family doctor, Nathaniel Beaumont, awaited them.
Lottie was rushed into the operating theatre. The brothers waited outside, their hearts pounding in sync with the agonizing seconds that ticked by.
When the doctor finally emerged, his words felt like a cruel twist of fate.
"The surgery was successful, but she's in a coma. As for her legs, we'll have to wait for her to wake up to know more," he informed them gently, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Heartbreak washed over them. Their parents were gone, and their sister lay in a coma. The Ashford family faced an uncertain future, their lives forever changed by this nightmarish tragedy.