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
Naturally, the other Turnbulls were less than friendly toward Frank.Other than Vicky, they all had looks of a constipated person whenever they glanced Frank's way.He was a real piece of work, but they could neither snap at him nor chase him away.Hurt him? They were still counting on him to cure George!All they could do was to defame him in private, even blaming him for George's condition when he contracted it six months ago.Frank did not care at all—it was the last day of treatment for George and the day of the Turnbulls' annual dinner.Starting from the morning, luxurious cars were driving into the Turnbull estate, with men and women striding in as they attended the prestigious banquet.They were all family or regional executives, all of them embodying the might of the Turnbulls as one of the Four Families of Morhen.Naturally, Frank could see that not the entire family was gathered just yet.-At the center of the dazzling banquet hall, countless servants were hurrying
Frank took a sip of wine after clinking glasses with Titus but soon noticed something as the liquid slid down his throat."What…" He frowned, glancing at the dark-red wine."Problem?" Titus asked. "That's a special grade Romanee-Conti, imported from Franconia. They produce less than 400 barrels each year, but 200 of those have been brought here expressly for this banquet." After his commentary, Titus made a look of dramatic realization. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Lawrence—I've forgotten that hillbillies like you never get to experience such fine wine, let alone relish the exquisiteness in its taste."Nearby, Yonca hid her laughter behind her palm, while other Turnbull family members frowned at Frank too.Who was he? Why had they not seen him around before?His very presence was a polar opposite from the glitz and glamor of the banquet hall, so they couldn't help being curious.Still, Frank wasn't frustrated, even smiling and nodding. "Hehe… There really is something special about t
"Haha! Walter's back too? Terrific!" Frank turned and spotted a pair of familiar faces entering the banquet hall just then.Naturally, it was Vicky's parents, Walter Turnbull and Susan Redford.It seemed that they had to attend this banquet even though they lived in Riverton.Glen Turnbull was on hand to receive them, though his eyes soon widened in surprise and he looked around, searching. "Where's Les and Neil? Aren't they not coming back?" he asked."They're…" Walter was left making an awkward face, unsure what to say.Susan nudged him on the back, clearly wanting him to speak up."Ahem."Walter cleared his throat, and took out two reports, handing them to Glen as he explained exasperatedly, "Les was conspiring with our enemies and stole the recipe for the Beauty Pill which Vicky spent a fortune to acquire… He was killed during a fight thereafter.""What?!"The bombshell left Glen freezing, his lips trembling.Les was his second son… and he got killed in Riverton?!
Glen straightened himself, suddenly cold and authoritative again as he stared fixedly at Walter. "A child of our family must not die under such mysterious circumstances.""Exactly," Zac growled, repressing his rage. "I can't let my son's death go unanswered. And I want to know why!""Naturally, I've come prepared," Walter said, pulling out a stack of documents compiling evidence of Les Turnbull and Neil Turnbull's crimes, including photo evidence."Hey. Look," Susan noticed Frank sitting in a corner without a care just then and nudged Walter to look.Walter and Frank's eyes just so happened to meet just as Walter turned.With that, Frank got up and walked slowly through the crowd to reach them. "Mr. Turnbull, Mrs. Turnbull. We meet again." He smiled in greeting.However, both of them appeared awkward since Frank's name was in the documents they had just handed to Glen and Zac.There was no hiding it now.Walter cleared his throat and asked with an edge an elder would use, "Wh
The banquet hall erupted in an uproar at Glen's outburst."What?! Someone killed Les Turnbull?""No way, he's dead? And that brat killed him?!""That's the son of the family head we're talking about… Who the hell let him in here?"Frank could feel everyone's eyes on him.He glanced coldly at Walter in turn and said calmly, "Yes, I killed him.""How dare you!" Glen bellowed, clearly unable to retrain his own wrath.That man had killed his beloved son and would strut on his own turf freely like it was nothing?!How would he hold his head high if word got out?Nonetheless, Frank was laughing out loud and shaking his head. "Then did you read the part on why I killed him? You're a real failure of a father."Everyone swore they could hear Glen's teeth gnashing.Frank ignored him, however, and turned toward Walter, sighing in disappointment. "Shouldn't you be standing up to explain the facts? I remember how you bravely volunteered that you'd speak with your own brother personally…