<h4>Chapter 492: Protecting the Nation</h4>


    "Ah! Don''t kill me—"


    Goodman let out a heart-wrenching scream, hurriedly covering his head with his hands, and frantically curled up inside the car.


    Lin Ruoxi was almost hit by Goodman''s frantic movements, but fortunately, Yang Chen was quick to pull her to his side, avoiding any harm.


    The man in ck, however, did not fire his gun. Instead, he let out a screechingugh, like the sound of gears grinding, which was echoed by the other three men who alsoughed heartily. They clearly despised Goodman''s cowardice.


    Yang Chen remained silent, patiently observing the equipment of the four men in ck from head to toe, including the guns in their hands.


    Finally, Yang Chen''s gaze fixed on the identical golden sun totems tattooed on the arms of the four men in ck.


    Yang Chen squinted his eyes; he didn''t recognize this totem. In his memory, neither the world''s mercenary organizations, supernatural groups, nor national security agencies had such an emblem. Clearly, if this was an organization, it must have emerged in the year or so since he returned to the country.


    Yang Chen looked up at the men in ck, then at the totem on their sleeves. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, suddenly finding the situation interesting.


    Afterughing enough, the four men in ck nodded to each other and walked forward, first dragging the cowering Goodman out of the car.


    At this moment, Goodman waspletely limp, terrified to the point of losing his bones, and was dragged out like a rag doll.


    Yang Chen raised his hands, showing a fearful expression, and said in French, "I''ll go by myself, I''ll go by myself."


    The four men in ck said nothing. Seeing Yang Chen obedientlying out, they didn''t bother to move. They just waved their rifles, signaling Lin Ruoxi toe out as well.


    Lin Ruoxi, not knowing what Yang Chen was nning, was truly scared at this moment. Despite being calm, she was still a woman, and encountering a kidnapping without crying or making a fuss was already impressive. She couldn''t think of anything else, so seeing Yang Chen step out of the car, she hurriedly followed, hiding behind him.


    Under the threat of four guns, the three of them slowly walked towards a dark door not far away. When they reached the door, the steel door was pulled open.


    The four men in ck rudely pushed them from behind, shoving them through the door, and immediately shut it with a bang.


    In the darkness, cold, damp air seeped into their cors, and the ground was cold and hard, filled with the smell of mold.


    Goodman couldn''t stand steadily and fell to the ground as soon as he entered. Looking around, it was pitch ck everywhere. He could barely see Yang Chen and Lin Ruoxi beside him and asked in a trembling voice in French, "Where is this ce?" He hadpletely forgotten to speak in Chinese, muttering to himself.


    "It''s a warehouse."


    Suddenly, a pleasant, maic male voice came from the depths of the dark corner, answering the question.


    "Ah!"


    Goodman was startled again and took a sudden step back, only to hit his head on the steel door, letting out another painful scream. It was a case of one misfortune after another, unable to handle both ends.


    Lin Ruoxi was also frightened, instinctively grabbing Yang Chen''s arm and pressing her body close to his.


    Yang Chen smiled, gently patting Lin Ruoxi''s head with his other hand. "I''m here, don''t be afraid."


    With Yang Chen''s reassurance and gentle touch, Lin Ruoxi realized how naturally she had clung to him. Embarrassed, she quickly stepped away, her face flushing even in the darkness. "You... you... I... it was just..."


    "Just an instinctive reaction, I understand, I understand," Yang Chen chuckled even more, enjoying the moment. Unfortunately, Lin Ruoxi quickly moved away.


    Though the surroundings were pitch dark, it didn''t affect Yang Chen''s vision. He could see everything clearly, including the people in the corner.


    Turning around, Yang Chen took out his phone, not to make a call but to use it as a shlight to bring some light into the darkness.


    Even though he didn''t need the light, Lin Ruoxi and the terrified Goodman did. With the phone''s light, Lin Ruoxi and Goodman felt a bit better, while Yang Chen walked towards the corner of the warehouse.


    The warehouse was a small room, but still over a hundred square meters. Yang Chen walked to the corner, and the phone''s light revealed two figures huddled together.


    "Nice to meet you. It seems we''re quite destined to meet in such a ce," Yang Chen greeted in French with a bright smile.


    Lin Ruoxi and Goodman followed, seeing the two people in the corner. Lin Ruoxi frowned slightly, while Goodman looked surprised.


    It was a man and a woman. The man was leaning against the wall, while the womany in his arms like a docile kitten, as if this cold prison was a warm bed.


    The man wore a id suit and yellow trousers, with a handsome face, fair skin, and striking blonde hair. His blue eyes carried a hint of allure, and a mischievous smile yed on his lips. By conventional standards, this white man could easily captivate ny-nine percent of young women.


    The woman, with her silver hair, was equally stunning. Her natural, pale silver hair was extremely rare, coupled with a curvaceous figure and finely sculpted features. Her light golden eyes sparkled like stars. She wore only a light pink camisole dress, exposing arge expanse of pale, smooth skin.


    Even though Yang Chen was used to seeing various beautiful women and Lin Ruoxi was standing beside him, the unique beauty of this woman still caught his eye.


    Lin Ruoxi noticed Yang Chen''s continuous nces at the foreign woman and couldn''t help but let out a soft snort.


    Yang Chen quickly turned back, smiling earnestly in Chinese, "Darling, she''s not as beautiful as you. I just found her hair color interesting, so I took a few more nces." This was the truth. Although the silver-haired woman was beautiful, she didn''t quite reach the level of Lin Ruoxi''s transcendent beauty. However, to ordinary people, she might be considered a goddess.


    "No need to exin. If you want to look, just look," Lin Ruoxi pouted, feeling slightly appeased but not entirely forgiving Yang Chen''s behavior.


    While they were discussing this, the young couple in the corner remained silent, gazing at each other affectionately. The man asionally kissed the woman''s lips, and the woman gently caressed the man''s cheek. Their loving gestures made it seem like they were in their own world.


    Seeing the lovers embracing each other so calmly, Goodman finally recognized them and blinked a few times before saying, "Aren''t you Stern and Alice Cromwell from the Cromwell family?!"


    Stern and Alice finally stopped their affectionate gazes at each other and turned to look at Yang Chen and hispanions, their eyes finally settling on Goodman.


    "Sorry, sir, I don''t know you. Are you British?" Stern''s maic voice spoke again.


    "Oh no, it''s understandable that you don''t know me. I''m Goodman, the director of Yulei International''s European division. I had the pleasure of seeing you both at the London Fashion Week two years ago, and I remember you well," Goodman hastily tidied his clothes and introduced himself with some reserve. "This is Lin Ruoxi, the president of Yulei International, and this is Director Yang, who came with us to Paris. I never expected that you two would also be kidnapped. It''s truly regrettable."


    Yang Chen couldn''t help but admire Goodman a bit. This guy was still thinking about making connections even while being kidnapped.


    "Cromwell family?" Lin Ruoxi seemed to recall something and asked, "Goodman, are you saying they are members of the Cromwell family, the Dukes of Protectors?"


    "Yes, yes! The Dukes of Protectors!" Goodman introduced excitedly, "Mr. Stern here is the current first-in-line heir to the Cromwell family, and Miss Alice is his sister."


    In British history, during the period of the English Commonwealth, Oliver Cromwell was a strongman who abolished the monarchy and controlled the army, bing a legendary figure. However, after his death, his sessors couldn''t maintain control, leading to the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. Cromwell''s remains were exhumed and subjected to posthumous punishment by the royal family.


    Despite this, the Cromwell family remained a powerful and wealthy family with extensive connections and loyal followers. Over generations, they continued to y significant roles in Ennd. Although the family no longer held the title of Duke Protectors, they retained the hereditary noble title of Duke and were recognized as one of the most influential noble families in British high society.


    So, even though Lin Ruoxi hadn''t spent much time in Europe, she knew a bit about the Cromwell family.


    At this point, Alice also spoke, her voice sweet and soft, "So, you are the president of Yulei International. Such a young and beautifuldy, I''m so envious. There aren''t many beauties like you in the world, right, dear brother?"


    "In my eyes, Alice, you are the most beautiful," Stern said naturally, then kissed Alice''s hair.


    This scene made Lin Ruoxi shiver with disgust. She nced at Goodman, "You said these two are siblings?"


    Goodman smiled bitterly and exined, "Yes, although they are siblings, they are also publicly recognized lovers in high society, and they have received many blessings. No one in the Cromwell family opposes it, so it''s not a secret."


    "It''s just incest. I''ve seen plenty of it. No big deal. Such beautiful sibling couples, how nice," Yang Chenughed nonchntly.


    "You think you know everything," Lin Ruoxi shot Yang Chen a look, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. She had just arrived in Paris and was kidnapped, locked in an unknown warehouse, and now met an inexplicable noble sibling couple.


    Yang Chen, however, was intrigued. He squatted down, shone his phone''s light on Stern and Alice, and smiled, "Hey, stop licking each other''s tongues for a moment and tell us how you got here. What''s the situation?"