Chapter 6

Skyler started wolfing down dinner as soon as it was placed on the table.

He was absolutely famished since he had to walk from the highway to the city, debate against Carl intellectually and sign Lily's agreement.

Sitting at the same table, Anne's teeth were gritting audibly as she watched.

Would it kill him to take it slow?! Even the way he ate was so uncivilized!

Lily was subtly frowning too, but otherwise wasn't showing it.

"I'm full," Skyler said as soon as he was done, and headed straight for the stairs. "I'm going to take a bath, and then go to bed."

"Wait!"

Lily called out, frowning and pursing her lips. "You're sleeping in the guest room tonight."

Skyler was left dumbstruck. Wasn't she the one who had arranged for him to sleep in the study next to her bedroom?

"We're not married… yet," Lily said as if to assure herself, her heart pounding wildly.

In reality, she was resistant to the idea and wasn't ready.

How could she be? She had only seen Skyler's face for the first time three days ago, and only in a photo!

"No problem!"

Skyler actually couldn't wait to take the guest room. He would be happy to stay there even after they got married.

He simply carried too many secrets, which could be exposed in time the longer he stayed with her.

Sighing in relief, Lily turned to a maid, "Mrs. Larkin, prepare the guest room."

"Yes, ma'am!" The maid nodded and left.

Since that would take time, Skyler didn't head to the guest room immediately. He stayed on the couch instead and went through the contents of the envelope that Lily had given him.

ID, driving license, passport—the Sables had really prepared all the necessary personal documents…

No, wait! There was something very important, but it was missing!

Skyler frowned, and turned toward the dining room, smiling as he asked, "Something's missing, isn't it?"

Lily quietly turned towards him, her large bright eyes staring at him quizzically.

That shouldn't be. Everything in that envelope had been prepared by her grandfather before his death.

Still, Skyler chuckled awkwardly, "There's no debit card… Well, cash works too!"

While Lily did a double take, Skyler grinned at her, pointing at himself as he explained, "You see, I need to get some clothes, don't I? And I'd need transportation. And…"

Even though he had used to pay for any expenses out of his pocket for missions before, the subsequent pay was more than generous.

For this mission, he wouldn't be getting a single dime—worst of all, it was a yearlong mission!

In this situation, shouldn't Lily be covering his expenses?

This was Horton and he was marrying with a new identity, so he couldn't access his money saved abroad or there would be trouble.

And right now, he had several grand in Yuros, but that was never going to last.

On the other hand, Lily was staring blankly at Skyler.

Had he just asked her for money…?

Was he joking?!

The way she saw it, she didn't have to pay him a cent because it was her grandfather who had arranged for him to be here. As for his expenses…

"You're despicable!"

Beside Lily, Anne lost it completely, pointing at Skyler and snapping, "You call yourself a man, asking your fiancee for money?! And you say you were a returnee coming back after studying abroad?! Bullshit! The way I see it, you're just a bum! How do you even deserve my sister?!"

Lily frowned but asked, "How much do you want?"

"Can't drive a tin can given who I am," Skyler said solemnly. "Or wear rags, for that matter… So I'll ask for a mil for now."

Guk!

Anne almost choked—that bum was demanding millions as soon as he started asking?!

Almost losing her mind, she shrieked, "Given who you are, you say?! Well, who do you think you are?!"

"Hugh."

On the other hand, Lily withheld her rage and didn't snap like her younger instead, instead telling her butler, "One grand each month for expenses… and get him a car."

A grand? What the hell?!

Skyler was thoroughly vexed—he had used to take missions worth millions, even billions on occasion. Even then, those missions would take days at minimum, or two weeks at most.

And now?! Not only was this mission a year long, but he was only getting one grand per month as pocket money.

Was he really going to live penniless for the rest of the year?!

Hell no! It would be an entire year wasted!

It seemed that he had to come up with a plan to earn some pocket money…

Hence, not bothered to argue with either woman, he started towards the guest room.

While he thought he was the one being exploited, he had no idea that Anne could shoot laser beams from her eyes, clenching her knuckles under the table.

Freeloading prick! And he made it sound like he had every right!

"Lily… How could you marry someone like that?!"

Anne exclaimed, trying to dissuade her sister. "He has nothing going for him, and is already asking for money even before you marry him… Won't he just waste all the money we have when you tie the knot?"

"It's Grandpa's wish," Lily said, wiping her lips with her napkin.

In reality, she was losing composure.

Anne was left gritting her teeth in sheer spite, when she suddenly had an epiphany. She muttered under her breath, "You want to marry my sister? Dream on!"

-

The Sable Mansion was huge.

The other buildings in the compound aside, the main mansion itself had four floors and stretched over three thousand square feet.

In one of the guest rooms of the second floor, Skyler was taking a bath, the water from the showerhead glistening over his bronze-hued skin.

His body figure was perfectly chiseled, but the muscles did not bulge too much. Moreover, there were countless tiny scars covering that perfect form, making it a gruesome sight.

Skyler did not mind it, however.

Scars? No, these were badges decorating his service!

Hiss…

Suddenly, Skyler's eyes narrowed and white mist appeared over his palm.

As it turned out, the bathroom's jalousie window had been opened slightly from the outside, and something had sneaked in.

Seeing the critter slithering on the floor, he simply appeared perplexed as the mist faded from his palm…

-

Early next morning, the sisters were once again at the dining table, waiting for the servants to bring them breakfast.

Lily was frowning. "He's not up yet?"

"He's cooking breakfast, ma'am," Hugh the butler answered.

"Hmph!"

Anne snorted in disdain. "Trying to earn our favor through our stomachs? Who needs his breakfast?! He's definitely just trying to look good to get money from Lily!"

She was naturally in a bad mood after what she attempted last night.

Just then, Skyler hurried into the dining room with a pot, and an enticing aroma filled the air instantly.

"Tch!"

Anne clicked his tongue with scorn as Skyler scooped a bowl of meat soup for her, "Here! Try my cooking."

She laughed coolly. "Stop trying to suck up to us, you bum!"

"You don't want it?"

"You're cooking?! Never!"

"Perfect!"

Skyler chuckled. "More for me…."

Something snapped in Anne right then.

What did he just say?! The food belonged to her family!

Why shouldn't she eat it, and let that bum have it?!

No, she must never allow him to exploit her family!

"You have no right! Give it to me!" Anne snapped at Skyler and started sipping.

Huh!

The meat seemed to melt in her mouth, and the taste… She never had soup this good!

Skyler had allowed the soup to cool so that the temperature was just right.

As such, in less than a minute, Anne finished her bowl and held it out to Skyler, "Another!"

"Sure."

As Skyler scooped another bowlful for her, Anne asked in reflex, "What meat is that? That texture… I never had it before."

"You asked someone to put a snake into my room last night, didn't you?"

Pfft!!!

Anne spat out the soup she was just drinking right then. Clutching her mouth, she dashed wildly to the trash can, attempting to trigger her gag reflex!

Bleurgh!!!

Soon, she was sprawled over the trash can and kept gagging violently.

On the other hand, Skyler ignored Lily's frown and scooped himself a bowl of soup.

As he did, he muttered to himself, "Puking out such good stuff… what a waste."

Even as Anne continued to puke nearby, she shrieked wildly, "Skyler Woods! I'll kill you…"