"In other words…" Frank reared his head and leveled Glen a look of disdain. "Vicky is only worth fifteen billion dollars to you?""What, is that not enough for you?" Glen frowned in growing impatience—Frank really had an appetite!"No." Frank smiled, shaking his head. "In your world, money can buy everything… But for me, it's just scrap paper. I won't give up on Vicky no matter how much you pay me, because she's priceless to me.""Frank Lawrence!" Kendra flipped out right then, pointing at Frank as she snapped, "We've been playing nice, whippersnapper!""Be reasonable!" Glen bellowed at Frank too. "I've been extending enough olive branches endlessly, but if you keep being stubborn…""What?" Frank leveled a gloating look at Glen's furious glare."Retainers! Take him—we'll enforce our family's law!" Glen bellowed, giving up on all pretense since Frank was not giving in.He would kill Frank right here and now—they just had to make him vanish if he refused to give up on Vicky!"Wai
However, Glen could also see his father's tearful, miserable look.Eventually, he gritted his teeth and gave in. "I'll let you see Vicky if you cure my father completely, alright?!""I don't believe you." Frank smiled and shook his head."What—" Glen blurted.Frank raised a hand to stop him right then, his expression cool as he said, "I've already seen how you rose to prominence as a magnate—verbal agreements are clearly pointless since you won't honor them. Do you really think your words still hold sway over me? How cute."Frank's ruthless unmasking of Glen's true nature almost gave Glen a stroke, but he mustered himself for his father's sake and asked Frank stiffly, "Then what are your demands?""I want to meet Vicky right now," Frank said calmly. While Glen did not refuse him immediately, he shook his head and asked quietly, "Why should I trust you? What if you refuse to help my father after you meet Vicky?""Then it's pointless to discuss this." Frank waved him off. "Take
With those words, Frank laughed coolly and started to leave."Wait… Please wait!" George cried out in anguish, dropping out of bed with a thud as he crawled toward Frank. "Please, you have to help me! I don't want to die… Not like that!"His cries left Kendra panicking. She rushed up and grabbed her son by the arm as she begged, "Oh, just let him meet Vicky! It's really no big deal!""It's not as simple as you'd like to think, Mother!" Glen explained even as he struggled out of her grasp, his cheeks heating up like a kettle, "You know Vicky's temper—if he sees her and she decides to leave with him, do you think we can stop them? I had to go through great lengths just to convince her to accept the family's arrangement. What if she regrets it once she sees him?"Sighing, he added, "And don't forget that Titus is still outside. Do you think we can hide this from him? What would he think of us if he finds out? It's going to be a crisis!""B-But…" Kendra was dumbstruck. "But we can
Naturally, the woman was none other than Vicky.She did not hesitate to lunge at Frank as soon as she saw him, and as they locked gazes for several beats, she jammed her lips on his with passion that would leave anyone blushing."Ahem…"There was no telling how long had passed, and they finally pulled away when a servant cleared her throat."Madam Zims, could you cough elsewhere? I hate you!" Vicky rolled her eyes at the woman, staring daggers."Actually, Ms. Turnbull…" Madam Zims glanced pointedly nearby, and Vicky turned to find Titus himself standing there.The sinister look on his face was palpable—forget Vicky lunging at Frank and kissing him enthusiastically, the fact that she had to be told that Titus was there made it clear Vicky really did not care about him."I think I should remind you that we're getting married in three days, Vicky," he said darkly."Hah! Who wants to marry you?! I'm taking it back! I'm leaving with my darling!" Vicky snapped, her legs still wrapped
Vicky was an authority on that subject.However, she was not drawn to Frank just for his looks—it was his style, attitude, and measures which left Vicky profoundly enchanted.If she never met him, he might really have gone with the family's arrangement to marry Titus.But now that she had Frank, she could not care less about Titus.Moreover, Titus' accomplishment and current position was something he gained by riding his family's coattails, whereas Frank relied on himself to get where he was today.In time, he would outclass Titus by a mile—something which Vicky held in profound conviction.Leveling a solemn glare at Titus, she said, "I never believe in bullshit like fate—I'll take my life in my own hands, so I'll tell you this now: I'll never marry you. I love Frank and adore him, and he's the only one I'll ever marry. That engagement of ours? Hah! Fuck off!""Please, Ms. Turnbull!" Madam Zims dropped to her knees audibly, kowtowing endlessly, "Please reconsider! Every life in
Titus could see that he was achieving nothing too and got into his car.Before he left, he wound down his window and said quietly, "Vicky, it's all up to you—whether you're choosing my family's protection, or to let the South Sea Crow wipe out your family. I won't tell you what to do."Make up your mind in three days—during your family's annual dinner, an envoy from my family will send for you. If you refuse, consider the alliance between our families severed… at that point, you can really do whatever you like."With that, he reclined against his seat as he told his chauffeur to drive away.Vicky was left standing there, scowling.She was not stupid—if anything, she was quite smart. One did not become the most famous independent woman in Riverton by being a simpleton.In fact, she had already spotted Titus as soon as she saw Frank.That was why she instantly made up her mind to greet Frank so intimately while giving Titus the cold shoulder. It was her way of telling Titus that s
"Oh, right…"Vicky turned toward Frank, frowning as she remembered something. "Darling… Did Uncle Glen let you see me just because you asked? That's really not his style.""Oh, don't get me started…"Frank was about to promise Vicky that he would deal with the South Sea Crow, only for him to change the subject.As such, he had no choice but to tell her about the 'trials' he had to pass just to meet her.Vicky was stamping her feet in frustration just as he was halfway done. "I told him not to upset you whatever he did or threaten you with your family. He just wouldn't listen… And Uncle Zac too! Who on earth asks for a favor like that?!""Heh. Hold your horses—I haven't reached the fun part." Frank chuckled.Shaking his head, he told Vicky about the wager with Titus and Glen, the pain he went through with Professor Roberts just to treat George, and everything else.Vicky pursed her lips, almost cursing out loud. "Uncle Glen doesn't even care if Grandpa dies?! And it's your succe
Giving Frank a wistful gaze, Vicky asked, "When are you leaving, darling?""Not at the moment," Frank said after some thought. "I still need to treat your grandfather, and I estimate it'll take three days before I remove all the rot earwig eggs inside him. After that, I'll be handling your problem." "My problem?" Vicky was left a little stunned."Yeah." Frank nodded and smiled. "You said your family is on edge because of the South Sea Crow, right? I'm here now, and I'm not about to watch you suffer—I'll deal with her, and then we'll go back to Riverton together, okay?"His offered hand and earnest offer left Vicky spacing out for a moment. She put her palm on his warm hand, though she soon came to her senses and lowered her head so she could wipe away a tear without him seeing.Forcing a smile, she shook her head and said, "Darling, I know you're amazing and accomplished so much I wouldn't ever dream of… But the South Sea Crow is different. I don't want you to get in danger be