Grayson's instinct was to shield Belle from all the dangers the world presented, but he realized that in doing so, he had overlooked her innate kindness to help others. Belle wasn't as delicate as he had imagined, given that she grew up in the mountains.During the age when most children enjoyed carefree lives under the protective wing of their parents, Belle had been navigating a hazardous environment. Her days were marked by the constant threat of wild beasts and the lurking danger of being discovered by adversaries of the Aspens. Belle was a vibrant, active individual who relished adventures and confronted challenges head-on.Grayson realized that hiding the truth from her was akin to binding her hands and feet.What Belle said was right. She was powerful enough to handle herself, and she had also contributed to rescuing Robert as much as he did in the plan. She was someone who could truly be of help to him."I'll listen to you and pay more attention to your feelings from no
Grayson couldn't figure it out just yet. "Forget it. We'll need to come up with a whole different plan to save Hunter. For now, let's just get Robert back to Maltford."The discovery of Hunter in the Hannibal family's prison was an unexpected surprise for Belle. Saving him would require a different attempt at breaching the prison.The immediate concern was safely transporting Robert back to Maltford.Belle asked, "Have you come up with how to get him back to Maltford yet?""Yes. Once you confirm Robert is doing well, I'll arrange for his return to Maltford. We can think about saving Hunter afterward.""Alright."Upon reaching their residence, Grayson reminded Belle to use the voice changer and resume her Angora disguise. He couldn't risk exposing her identity to the Hannibals.With suspicions growing among the mysterious families, disclosing Belle's presence in Mandoria might trigger simultaneous attacks from all sides. Grayson couldn't afford to defend himself in enemy territor
Belle didn't intend to leave. "I'll leave after he takes the medicine."Grayson was annoyed. "Does he need your help to take his medicine or something?"Both Belle and Robert could tell that Grayson was jealous.Robert glanced at him before turning back to Belle. "I'm sure you're tired from saving me. I can take the medicine myself. You should go and rest."Belle pouted at Grayson before looking at Robert. "We'll arrange for your trip back home to Maltford soon. Scott's also here, so Grayson will be sending the both of you back together."Robert was surprised. "Scott's here as well?""Yup, you're best friends, right? Of course he's here to save you. He was sent away once, but he clawed his way back into Mandoria just for you. Don't worry. He's safe with us. He doesn't know that we've already rescued you, though."Robert let out a sigh of relief. "Are you guys not going back to Mandoria yet?""We still have something to do. Anyway, you should rest now. Don't talk too much and st
Belle released a silent sigh, then removed her voice changer and disguise. Scott found himself speechless.Belle proceeded to explain, "Wearing a disguise was essential for me to move around without drawing attention. Due to my background, Grandpa insisted I wear one whenever we ventured beyond the mountains. It's a meticulously crafted disguise, making me virtually unrecognizable with it on."Scott swallowed and replied, "I really thought that Grayson cheated on you."Belle smiled. "Grayson only loves me and nobody else."Scott's lips trembled when he realized that he had misunderstood Grayson.Having him take a seat, Belle positioned herself across from him. "Grayson informed me that he's disclosed everything to you."Scott teared up at the mention of his past. His brows furrowed, lips pursed, fists clenched, and his breath quickened."Being able to love someone who reciprocates is fortunate. However, not everyone gets to experience such luck in life. All we can do is accept t
Belle smiled. "There you go. You look much better when you're smiling. Don't dwell on the things that upset you so much. You still have a father who really loves you."Scott's lips trembled as he recalled how he had been causing trouble for Grayson because of Elise, which also strained his relationship with Louis.His communication with his own father was scarce.Scott felt immensely guilty of everything.With a sigh, Scott composed himself. "Don't worry. I've been contemplating various matters for days now. Thank you for being here for me. Knowing that Grayson wasn't cheating on you, I have nothing to worry about. Can you tell him to let me out of here? I still have something I need to do.""What is it? Are you going to save Robert?"Scott was shocked. "You knew?""Of course. But you needn't trouble yourself. We've rescued him. That's the surprise I mentioned earlier."Scott's eyes widened in shock. "Seriously?""Why would I lie about this? Let's go. We'll pay him a visit."
Before long, word of Scott causing turmoil in town reached Belle and Grayson.Scott had brought some men to cause trouble at the jewelry stores operated by the Hannibal family. He casually snatched up any appealing jewelry and tossed it into his luggage. When confronted by the Hannibal family's men, he opted to destroy the goods rather than surrender them.Expressing a clear demand to meet the Hannibal family's boss, Scott vowed to persist in causing chaos until granted an audience. However, not even Morgan and Cadel were willing to entertain him at the moment. Aware of Scott's mission to rescue Robert, they saw no reason to engage in dialogue.They would never give Robert back to Scott, even if it were just the corpse. Witnessing Scott's disruptive actions only fueled resentment within the Hannibal family. Although they perceived him as a spoiled brat, they refrained from harming or offending him due to the potential repercussions of the powerful Quinn family.The other major fa
Belle sighed with relief upon learning that Scott's plane had finally taken off."Hopefully, it's smooth sailing all the way back home," she remarked. She would no longer have to worry about them as long as they managed to get out of Mandoria.Grayson offered reassurance, saying, "It will be fine. Don't worry about it."In celebration of successfully rescuing Robert, Grayson took Belle to dinner. Sam and Rodney had spent the entire afternoon procuring various delicacies for the occasion.Belle, however, was still worried about Hunter. "We gotta think of a plan to get Hunter out of the prison.""Stop thinking about Hunter for tonight, okay? We can think about it after a good night's rest."'I'm worried that they might have already relocated Hunter.""Don't worry. Even if they did, we'll find a way.""How can you be so sure? Do you already have a plan?"Grayson explained, "I've sent some of my men to keep an eye on Hunter. Once they report back, we'll devise a plan to rescue h
Shane gleamed with delight while showering Grayson with compliments.Belle ventured into the kitchen, meticulously inspecting each dish to ensure none harbored poison before serving them on the table.Struggling to adapt to local delicacies and experiencing a recent decline in her appetite, Belle found tonight's dinner particularly pleasing. "It's delicious!"Grayson promptly turned to Rodney and instructed, "Prepare a one-million-dollar gift for the chef. Mr. Roland can deliver it later."Shane was astounded by the chef receiving a million-dollar bonus simply because Angora enjoyed the food. The sudden and extravagant gesture left him utterly bewildered by Grayson's extraordinary treatment of Angora."Eat as much as you'd like," Grayson said as he put on gloves to personally deshell the crab for Belle.Envy brewed within Shane as he pondered how many lucrative business deals he could secure if he occupied Angora's position. He realized that having good looks was truly an advanta
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