Grayson finally realized that the contact sending him the video was a decoy. Belle had modified his phone in order to sneak out of the house.Though uncertain of how she achieved it, Grayson grasped that she possessed more skills than he had ever imagined.His expression soured as he glanced at Belle's phone on a call with Lucian. "That's all. Goodbye."After ending the call, he went to the bathroom for a smoke before returning to Belle's side.Completely in awe, Grayson couldn't shake the feeling of being simultaneously captivated and powerless while watching Belle peacefully asleep on the bed.Recognizing the profound power of technological proficiency, he pondered the fortunate realization that Belle was his wife, not his adversary. Otherwise, he would have been played like a fiddle. Given Belle's proficiency with the latest technology, handling Grayson proved to be a straightforward task.Grayson came to the realization that he had married a true powerhouse, a woman who was
Jake played it off like he didn't hear any of the noises and brushed off Scott.Sam and Rodney, on the other hand, couldn't dismiss Scott as easily as Jake did, considering Scott's identity. He held significance as a crucial member of the Quinn family and happened to be Yolanda's nephew.Yolanda, Grayson's mother, held the role of the matriarch in the Page family. Ignoring Scott wasn't an option, even for Yolanda's sake.Sam and Rodney offered Scott a cup of water. However, upon noticing Scott in the Hannibal family's soldier uniform, Sam couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Quinn, why are you wearing the Hannibal family's soldier uniform?Scott remained infuriated, persistently calling out for Grayson as if Sam's words had never reached him. "Where's Grayson? Bring him to me now! I'm going to kill him!"The corners of Sam and Rodney's mouths twitched at the thought that Scott and Belle were the only two individuals permitted to publicly insult Grayson.Although Rodney wasn't well-acquain
Grayson forcibly restrained Scott to prevent him from moving. "Just say what you want instead of whining like a bitch!"Despite Scott's attempts to free his arm, he remained held, still seething with anger as he struggled for breath. "Stay away from Belle if you dislike her so much! There are plenty of men better than you who could give her the happiness she deserves! Just let her go. I'd prefer to see Robert dote on her than you!"Grayson was utterly bewildered. Scott continued, "It's a tragedy… She's young and immature. That's why she has fallen in love with a scumbag like you."I'm really confused. Robert would have been a better match. She would undoubtedly be the happiest woman in the world with him. But she chose you!"She loved you so much, and you still cheated on her. And worse, you cheated on her with another man! Though, it would still be unforgivable if it were another woman. You're a total scumbag!"Are you bullying her because you think she's an easy target? Becaus
"Then don't! I don't need your help!" Scott shouted, glaring at Grayson before turning around to leave.Grayson was furious. "Do you still want to save Robert or not?"Scott immediately turned around. "Of course I want to save him! He's my best friend!""Then fuck off and stop causing trouble for me!"Emotionally charged, Scott questioned, "What trouble did I cause for you? Do you think I can't save him myself? Do you think I'm retarded or something? Do you still think I'm the same old me who can't do anything without your help?""Scott Quinn! When will you grow up?"Scott was stunned for a few seconds, his face turning bright red. "I'm fucking 28 years old!""Your attitude tells me you're just 28 months old!""You…"An older brother-like scolding ensued from Grayson."You have no idea what's happening at all. Robert's currently in enemy hands and could perish anytime. I can't even guarantee that I'll be able to make it to him while he's still alive, and here you are, causing
Scott wept openly after concluding his speech. His eyes had reddened when he lifted his gaze toward Grayson. "You used to refer to me as your younger brother, but our connection meant nothing in the shadow of your twisted sense of justice. "I don't care how you justify it to yourself, but the undeniable truth is that you're responsible for my mother's death! You're a heartless, inhumane, and selfish scumbag!"Grayson was so furious that he wanted to beat Scott up. "You idiot!" Back then, Scott's mother, Elise Hayes, would constantly engage in extramarital affairs, and she eventually fell in love with a gangster from the streets.While the gangster seemed outwardly normal, he contributed nothing to society, engaging in various vices and pursuing Elise solely for her wealth.Elise, on the other hand, was ready to part with everything in her life for him, even her own wedding dress. She went so far as to pawn all her jewelry and sell off the properties Louis had secretly given her.
Scott was younger than Grayson by two years. He would always follow Grayson whenever he went and would lovingly refer to Grayson as his older brother.Grayson knew better than anyone else how much Scott loved Elise. It was why he refused to tell Scott the truth.Scott believed that Grayson had informed the authorities about Elise's addictions, leading her to take her own life to escape the shame and guilt. This fueled Scott's longstanding animosity toward Grayson.Despite the burden of guilt, Grayson chose to conceal the truth, keeping it locked away in his heart, never sharing it with anyone.Recognizing the potential devastation for Scott if he discovered the truth, Grayson opted to keep the secret to himself.Even after Belle urged him to confess to Scott, Grayson persisted in maintaining the silence surrounding the painful truth.Today, Grayson was uncertain about what goals Scott might pursue in Mandoria if the truth remained concealed. The perilous nature of Mandoria made i
Grayson stroked Belle's hair and explained, "Scott's here to teach me a lesson for cheating on you as your older brother. You may not be blood-related, but the two of you sure are similar. It's like the two of you are in a competition on who can make me worry the most."Belle retorted, "I'm here to help you, not to make you worry about me!"Grayson pursed his lips and replied, "You sought out that mysterious man again when I wasn't at home. You went to the extent of hacking my bodyguard's phones to deceive us into thinking you were safe here. "You even claimed it was my personal order for you to come to Mandoria, despite never informing me beforehand. Upon your arrival, you stirred up trouble with the Hannibals and engaged in a brawl at the colosseum. How am I not supposed to worry about you?"Belle was surprised. "You knew?""What do you think?"Attempting to lean in for a kiss, she was met with Grayson's hand, blocking her advance. "Acting cute won't work on me. I won't forgiv
Grayson turned to look at the disguise placed on the table. "Did you make that yourself?""Nope. It's a gift from Grandpa Malcolm when I left the mountains. He's always loved to tinker with all sorts of curiosities. I know how to make a disguise on my own, but I could never match the intricacy of Grandpa Malcolm's work. Anyway, I think I've gained weight recently. The disguise felt tighter than I remember when I had it on."Grayson was left speechless and in awe of the remarkable talents in Belle's life. He curiously asked, "Is it uncomfortable when you're wearing it?""It's alright, I guess. It feels like the usual face mask that I use, just a bit more comfortable.""What's it made from?""Plastics designed to simulate the feel of human skin."Changing the topic, Belle continued, "Oh yeah, have you confirmed that Robert's current location is accurate?""I did. Robert is currently locked up in a prison cell within the Hannibal residence. They've also made it clear that they're k
Belle playfully reached for Sixteen again. "Come here!"Sixteen barked back, seemingly firm in his stance. "I'll cry if you don't come here, okay?" Belle then held her face in her hands and pretended to cry.Sixteen immediately calmed down as it nudged Belle's hands with its paws, trying to comfort her. Belle broke character, revealing a grin. "Are you still mad at me?"Sixteen, appeased, finally got into her arms and launched into enthusiastic licks.Grayson watched the exchange with a hint of envy. "Hey, Sixteen!"Sixteen whimpered and offered Grayson a sheepish look.Belle scolded, "Why are you scolding Sixteen? You're a bad guy!"She then petted Sixteen on its head and stood up. "Let's go! We'll get something tasty to eat! Just ignore him, okay?"Grayson was left speechless. He felt defeated by the pet dog as he watched Belle and Sixteen skip and hop into the house.Meredith had already finished preparing dinner when they arrived. She put on a gentle smile as she watched Belle
After returning to the house, Ava asked, "Why did Xenia go crazy? Wasn't she fine not long ago?"Lena wiped her hands and handed the towel back to Ava. "Someone drugged her and induced hallucinations of her worst fears. She's been on the edge ever since. After all, she did commit all sorts of misdeeds." "Someone?""Belle Walters."Ava was shocked. "Why would Belle drug Xenia?"Ava and Lena had been moving from place to place, seeking a safe hideout ever since they picked up Xenia. They had only found a relatively safe place today, so Ava finally had the chance to inquire about the details.Lena shot her a look of disgust and proceeded to ignore her question.Ava dared not press further and changed the topic. "Now that Xenia's lost her mind, can we still get her to talk?"Lena continued to ignore her and went to scribble down a prescription. She had spent the entire day with Xenia in the basement but hadn't managed to extract any useful information from her. Ava sheepishly c
Meanwhile, Ginger, too, was grappling with confusion. She'd also offered Hunter money, only to be stunned into silence by the astronomical sum in his bank statement. Compared to him, she was practically penniless. The largest amount she'd ever held was a few million Gabriel had won in the lottery—a drop in the bucket compared to Hunter's wealth."Why do you think Mr. Sanders was so wealthy?" Ginger queried, seeking Gabriel's insight.Gabriel was similarly grappling with confusion and remained quiet. However, he was preoccupied with a different mystery. His mind was consumed by the deaths of Penny and Terry. He had taken time to visit the corpses and noted the peculiarity surrounding their deaths. Their autopsies revealed unusual injuries that baffled forensics.Both victims, young adults in their prime, looked as if they'd been scared to death.Aware of Hunter's ties to the Nightwalkers, Gabriel wasn't surprised by the inheritance. Compared to the wealth amassed during the Sanders f
Belle pondered aloud, "While Hunter isn't as averse to exploring tombs as Benjamin, they share a similar disposition. Otherwise, with his expertise, he could easily be making a fortune.""The Sanders ancestors might not have been saints," Grayson conceded, "but perhaps Hunter's grandfather started a positive trend. Like Benjamin, he likely tried to shield Hunter from their legacy. A truly evil man couldn't have raised such a kind son."As Benjamin grew, he remained kind-hearted despite his timidity. And now, Hunter has grown into an upright, kind, and courageous young man. His talent for exploration makes him the pride of his lineage."Belle nodded and sighed. "Money is crucial for a comfortable life today. With what Hunter has, financial worries shouldn't trouble him. He'll be well provided for."Grayson pulled her into his arms and responded, "Don't fret. While Hunter may still be in school, he's mature for his age. He can take care of himself just fine."Belle leaned onto his s
Hunter crouched by the bed, methodically clearing away the books until a single floor tile lay exposed. Prying it open revealed a dark hole just big enough for one person. Grabbing a flashlight, he squeezed through the narrow opening and emerged into a moderately sized room of perhaps about 130 square feet. Wooden boxes, weathered with age and adorned with simple designs, filled the space.Hunter made a beeline for a particular box, brushing off the dust before prying it open. The wooden box was filled to the brim with notebooks. Hunter sat down on the floor, picked up one of the books, and started reading it.This hidden chamber and its contents were discovered by a young Hunter, seemingly guided by destiny. Hunter's father, Benjamin, had buried them, driven by a desire to safeguard their knowledge from Hunter's curious gaze. Fear had gripped Benjamin after learning about the Sanders family's history, the expertise that had seemingly drawn them toward a dangerous path. He
Nora let out a long sigh. "It's fine. Just keep it with you! I don't really need the money right away or anything. Besides, an old woman like me won't be spending much in town even if I tried."Hunter stopped Nora as she was about to leave and took a wad of money from his bag. "I have 20,000 dollars right here. It's far from the actual price, but you can keep it for now. I'll pay you the rest when I can."Nora was stunned. "Where did you get so much money?""It's the money I gathered from donations for the funeral, mostly from Ms. Belle and Mr. Grayson.""Oh, that makes sense. Here I was, wondering how you managed to get such a huge amount from donations. I can tell your friends are really kind-hearted people. You should treat them just as well as they treat you, okay? Study hard and make a name for yourself, and then you'll be able to properly repay their kindness.""Yeah, I know. Anyway, the gold nugget weighs slightly over 17 ounces. So, its worth is about 37,500 dollars. I'll pay y
As the final step of the funeral, the townsfolk gathered for a meal after Benjamin's burial. After Benjamin was buried, Belle and Ginger approached Hunter, inquiring about his plans for the future. Belle expressed her desire for Hunter to stay with her and Grayson, mentioning that their house had plenty of spare rooms. The only drawback would be that it was quite the distance from his school, but they could always arrange a driver for him.Ginger also invited Hunter to stay with her and Gabriel as their house had just finished with renovations. They also had a spare room for Hunter if he were to join their house.Hunter was genuinely touched by their offers, but he still declined them both. "I'd like to stay in my school's hostel for now. I'll think about what to do next when I graduate."Belle and Ginger recognized that they couldn't sway Hunter's decision, so they ceased their attempts to pressure him into making a choice."If you run out of space for your belongings, you ca
Hunter detailed, "I recall every person who came to offer prayers for my father... However, it was during my trip to the restroom that the dogs began barking. Upon my return, I spotted some unfamiliar footprints. Without seeing anyone there, I dismissed it. But upon hearing about Penny and Terry's deaths this morning, I began to connect the dots..."Both Gabriel and Grayson were left speechless.Gabriel exchanged a glance with Grayson before turning back to Hunter. "So, you're suggesting that the stranger who came to town also visited your house to pray for your father before departing to exact revenge on Penny and Terry for Mr. Sanders' death?""Yes.""Why didn't he meet you then?""I don't know.""Any other suspects you have in mind?"Hunter shook his head. "My father and I don't have friends other than you guys. It's just the two of us for as long as I can remember.""Could it be someone else from the Sanders family?" asked Gabriel."I don't think so. I'm an only child, and
Belle, Ginger, and the rest of the group arrived at 8:00 am. They noticed the crowd alongside police cars at the entrance to the town. The two of them then squeezed through the crowd to make it to the house as soon as they could. "What happened, Hunter?"The policemen were stunned by their sudden arrival. "Who are you?""We're Hunter's friends. You can tell us about what happened."Hunter's eyes gleamed with hope as he greeted them. "Ms. Belle and Ms. Ginger!"Grayson's car stopped in front of the town alongside a truck filled with equipment for the funeral.Without Belle and Grayson's friendship, Hunter would have had to manage all the funeral arrangements alone, and he wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet Ginger.Sam remained outside to stand guard while Grayson and Gabriel entered the Sanders family's old home.The townsfolk and the police were shocked when they saw them.They didn't recognize Grayson or Gabriel, but they could tell at a glance that they were really special peo