Yves brought Silas and the others to the jewelry display section.Yves was no stranger to this place. He had brought female celebrities here several times and demonstrated his generosity as a big spender. The store staff were familiar with him.However, it was the first time he brought a group of men along.The staff looked at Yves with a mix of curiosity and speculation.Yves was preoccupied with Victoria and Tilly's situation. He gave the staff a few instructions before saying to Silas and the others, "My stomach doesn't feel great. I'll head to the restroom."Feel free to browse and get anything you like. When you're done choosing, charge everything to my account."Victoria and Tilly had bought so much that they could not possibly carry it all, but they wanted to continue shopping. Victoria handed her car keys to the store manager and said, "My car's license plate number is YV 153 VLE. Please store the items in the trunk. I'll come by to pick up the keys later."When Yves s
Lena's attention swiftly shifted from the items on the table to Victoria.She turned to Victoria and said, "Here in Rosalia, we work for money. There has been no precedent of us providing free labor to anyone—not even for a senior mentee like you."Victoria rolled her eyes.She remembered all of her money that they had squandered over the years. The sum was more than enough to pay for the help she was now requesting.Victoria raised her index finger and said, "I'll pay you 100 million dollars. I'm selling my houses in Youngville and Danube City.""You're seriously willing to sell your houses for merely 100 million dollars? Are you underestimating me, or do you think I'm a fool? You're filthy rich. You don't need to resort to this," Lena retorted."But go ahead, ignore the risks. The Harper family's security team? They're a pack of elite fighters. The White family is nothing to scoff at either.Lena continued, "This mission won't be a simple brawl. It might drag on for ten days a
Holding Ciel's hand, Victoria led him out of the outdoor gym.Selene was twirling proudly before Silas and the others. She seemed pleased with herself and thought she was the prettiest princess in the entire world.Victoria disapproved of girls being too concerned with their outer appearance. However, she couldn't deny Selene looked innocent and adorable this way.She was the opposite of Ciel who was reserved and often kept a straight face. He was so mature that he didn't seem like he was three years old. He wasn't the least bit adorable.Who did he take after?It had to be Simon.Silas and Waldo were carrying some things as they spoke to each other. They were in a good mood.Then, Victoria saw Yves. She thought she was imagining things.What was he doing here?Tilly was startled. Her eyes widened as she turned to Victoria timidly."Vicky," her voice quivered. She took Ciel's hand and thought of leaving.However, Ciel refused to go with her and looked at Victoria instead.M
Tilly's face changed instantly. Panic overwhelmed her.Grabbing Selene's arms, Tilly covered her daughter's face again to shield her from the others. Then, she stepped forward and stood before Ciel.Tilly swallowed nervously as her eyes darted from Yves to Benjamin. "They aren't, in any way, related to Uncle Simon!" she shouted.Yves replied solemnly, "They are the spitting images of him, especially this boy. He resembles Simon as a child. Look at how he behaves. He's wise beyond his age. They're identical. Geez, I'd even believe that boy is Simon's clone!"Tilly was on edge. Her eyes reddened, and she looked like she was about to cry. "I said they're not his children!"Yves glanced at her. "Tilly, don't you think you're lying through your teeth?"The next second, he looked enlightened. "It can't be!" he exclaimed. "Are they your and Simon's children? When did this happen?"Gosh, and you gave birth to two at once, too! Amazing! Does Simon know? I don't think he knows, though. Yo
Benjamin and Yves entered the room.Benjamin stood behind Lena and called out, "Ms. Frost.""Hi there, sweetheart," Yves greeted.Lena turned around.Yves' eyes widened. When he noticed Lena was looking at him, he wittily commented, "Are you really Mrs. B's mentor? You're a sweetheart, indeed. Are you even 30?"Lena looked delighted as she touched her face. "Are you serious? I'm 35, but many say I look like I'm in my 20s.""35? You don't look your age at all. I thought you were in your early 20s. I would've mistaken you for Mrs. B's sister. You're young and gorgeous, yet you're the mentor to a group of excellent mentees. You're truly awesome."No woman would dislike someone who praised them for being young, pretty, and capable.Lena, more so, enjoyed such compliments. She grinned from ear to ear.Benjamin glanced at Yves and back at Lena.She wore a tight-fitting gown. Although she was sitting, no flab could be seen at all. Instead, her curves looked stunning.She was in her
"You mean we'll get to kick some asses soon?" Silas cracked his knuckles, ready for action."Victoria, what are the benefits we'd get over there? How much do we earn per month? If we take on a mission, how much bonus do we get?" Money was Wendy's top concern.She needed to pay for her games and novels. She couldn't do without money."I heard their team leader, Sevyn Harper, is drop-dead gorgeous and still single. If he falls for me, the Harper family will be ours." Ruby Warner flicked her hair and winked."How much does a team leader earn? A lot?"…Eager to express their opinions, they ended up cutting Victoria off.Victoria countered, "Is this about the money? Someone's trying to steal Benjamin and take my place as his future wife. She's provoking me. She even hired men to kill me when we were in Danube City."Can you put up with someone doing this to me, the person who's been looking after every one of you all these years?""No!" everyone said in unison."Which fool is aft
Tilly stared at Victoria and waited solemnly for her reply.Victoria pondered briefly before asking, "Did Simon tell you we've already obtained our marriage certificate?"Tilly nodded."He's nice to me. To be honest, no one has treated me the way he does before, regardless of his motives.""So you married him out of gratitude?"Victoria thought about it. "If it were someone else, I wouldn't have agreed to register our marriage before I'm 20. Maybe I only did that because it was Benjamin."She thought Benjamin was special to her.Victoria continued, "I enjoy the way he treats me. I'm satisfied with our relationship. If he feels the same and plans to live with me forever, I'm okay with that."I'm fine with being with him for the rest of my life. But, if he wants to break up someday, I won't bother him any further. If he turns his back on me, I'll do the same."Victoria sounded calm and unworried.Still, she felt a dull throb in her heart when she thought of him turning his back
Victoria was still fuming when they left Rosalia Estate.In the passenger seat, Tilly was full of smiles. "Don't be offended by a child's babbling. Why are you getting so worked up over what a three-year-old said?"Besides, don't you think it's cute and funny how children can always come up with such astonishing statements? You—"Victoria interrupted angrily, "No, I don't see what's funny about that!"She was there when the children were born.When Tilly was pregnant, she told Victoria that she couldn't look after her babies after they were born. But, she couldn't bring herself to abort the babies either, and she almost fell into depression.Victoria couldn't stand watching Tilly's depressed state. She asked Tilly to keep the babies.Ever since then, Victoria had been determined to take full responsibility for the children.She wished the children could live up to the standards and hopes she had for them. But, those kids were impossible!One fawned over men who matched her tas
Victoria saw that Benjamin wasn't looking like he was kidding at all. She placed both of her hands on his chest and turned her head away when he leaned in to kiss her.She then pushed him away hard and changed the topic by saying, "I heard that Solomon was beaten up in his own house last night."Benjamin chuckled lowly and said, "There's no use changing the topic."As he was talking, he arched his neck and pressed his lips near Victoria's ear.Victoria's ears, especially her helix, were extremely sensitive. She subconsciously pulled her hands back and covered her ears with her palms.Benjamin took the chance to wrap his arms around Victoria's waist and pulled her close to him. His face was close to hers.Victoria could feel Benjamin's burning desire as she was pressed down onto his lap. She now knew better than to struggle.This was just shooting herself in the foot!It wasn't that she didn't know what he was like, but she just had to stir him up.Victoria felt uneasy when she
Victoria used her other hand to support her cheek as she blinked.She said, "How could someone who dislikes wasting words and unnecessary chatter nag endlessly over just a small wound?"Benjamin coldly asked, "Are you complaining that I'm long-winded and annoying now?"He looked aggrieved, as if he would be angry if Victoria were to answer "yes".Victoria laughed out loud again and replied, "I'm not!"She used her finger to poke at Benjamin's cheek.She was smiling when she asked, "Are you madly in love with me, Benjamin?"Benjamin looked at Victoria seriously as he crouched by her legs.If it was before this, he would've nodded and replied "of course" without hesitation. But now …Benjamin couldn't be as confident and sure when he recalled Wendy's previous words.Victoria didn't think much of it and took Benjamin's silence as affirmation.She continued, "I'm thinking that you're definitely madly in love with me. That is why you're so heartbroken and reacted abnormally even
"Where are we heading to now, Ben and Mrs. B? Why are the people here so weird? Why are they dressed up as if they're in a period drama?"What is this place? Why are the both of you here?"Yves was back to his lively self as soon as he got into the carriage. He started asking endless questions."You regained your memories now, Ben? I knew you'd never forget about Mrs. B no matter what. Even if you did, you'd definitely remember everything as soon as you saw Mrs. B!"Yves gushed on. It took him a good while to realize that Benjamin's expression had changed. Even the atmosphere in the carriage became strange.He asked, "Did I say something wrong?"Wendy laughed dryly and replied, "He's not as deeply in love with Victoria as you think he is. He didn't remember anything."Yves laughed awkwardly before pursing his lips.He started to butter Victoria up."How did you know Ben is here, Mrs. B? How did you find—"Victoria pursed her lips and glanced at Gwen who was driving in the fro
Yves stared at Anna. She started out mumbling, and her voice grew louder toward the end.He looked confused. "Ben, Mrs. B, what is she talking about?"He was sure she was speaking the same language but couldn't, for the life of him, understand what she meant.Upon listening to Anna, Wendy immediately felt she was too quick to agree to Yves' request because of the money. She wanted to push him aside.However, he was in a sorry state with his limp. His face was visibly thinner than before, and his eyes weren't as bright as they used to be. She found herself sympathizing with him.Victoria pressed her lips together, and her brows creased further.Benjamin turned to Silas. "Go and get Asher!"Anna didn't dial back on her arrogance. "Great idea. I'm looking for him, too."There was a horse race today, yet he locked me up in that cabin! I have a score to settle with him!"Victoria recalled Asher leaving the stables urgently during the day and had a hunch about what happened."If yo
Yves looked up with teary eyes and could vaguely make out Benjamin's sour face.He rubbed his eyes with all his might. Benjamin's face slowly became clear to him as his vision cleared."It's really you, Ben! Oh, Ben!"He was pleasantly surprised, as though he finally had someone to rely on. He teared up in excitement.The next moment, he became aggrieved again. He was just like a three-year-old who was bullied by a stray cat.He cried, "You're here, Ben. Why didn't you ask someone to look for me? You've no idea what I've experienced."I've been locked away in that shabby cabin and almost lost it. I miss you so freaking much!"Benjamin looked less sour now. He took out his handkerchief that he brought along wherever he went.He passed it to Yves, who had tears and snot all over his face. "Clean up. You're a grownup man, you know. Look at you."With one hand taking the handkerchief, Yves clung onto Victoria with the other.Benjamin stared at his hand that was holding onto her.
Asher felt his heart shatter. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I've already gifted it to someone else!"The person in charge felt his heart ache, too. "I wanted to inform you when you arrived, but you told me to talk to you after the race."You've always said that horse has a character and that you like it, no? I never expected you to give it away."Who did you give it to? Could you, perhaps, buy it back from him?"Asher was dispirited. "I can't."He waved it off and continued, "Forget about it. It belongs to someone else now."I'd been obliging to its every wish for all the time it had been here. Still, it never obeyed me."It's intelligent and chooses its own master. I can't tame it. It's no better than an average horse to me."Tell those who witnessed that incident that they shouldn't talk about it to anyone. You may leave."The person in charge glanced at him. Bowing, he acknowledged the instruction he received and left.Asher looked toward Sebastian and sighed dejectedly
Silas and Wendy immediately hurried over in excitement when they heard they were going to split the winnings.Wendy, who wasn't the best in maths, counted gleefully, "We bet one thousand gold coins. As the odds are at one to 246, we'll get … ten thousand, 200 thousand … 244600 gold coins. Am I right?"She surprised herself when she said that out loud. She and Silas exchanged glances and started hopping about in delight.That was a lot of gold coins! They were rich!"Ten percent of 244600 gold coins would amount to roughly 24 thousand gold coins, so 20 percent would make it about 50 thousand. Victoria—"Silas and Wendy were already dizzy. Turning to them, Victoria instructed, "Give us a moment, and take Onyx with you.""You …" Silas looked at her suspiciously. Was she planning to keep all the money to herself?She gave him a warning glare, and he and Wendy obediently led Onyx away.They shouldn't offend their moneybag right now.Victoria looked at Asher. "That's over 240 thousa
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. It was a teenager who was around 15 years old. Not bothering to keep up his image, he sat on the floor and clung to Sebastian's leg.Besides him, many others were standing around Sebastian. They all looked at Sebastian pitifully.Asher loudly asked the one kneeling, "Just look at you, Troy Lancaster! What happened to your enthusiasm?"It's only a meager sum. Do you really have to react this way?"Troy Lancaster? He was the Lancaster family's youngest son, Sebastian's younger maternal cousin.Victoria had a photographic memory. She saw his name when she skimmed through the log book earlier.He had bet 500 silver coins, which wasn't the least of all. It wasn't a hefty sum either, considering who he was.The Lancasters had very conflicting approaches in his upbringing. His mother pampered him, while his father was very strict toward him because he thought he was spoiled.Judging from his reaction, he must've been greedy and impulsivel
Once Roxy left, several women with ill intentions who criticized Victoria earlier became uneasy. They came up with excuses and left one after another.As the drama ended, everyone calmed down. Some were listless, while some were feeling down.There were also a few who approached Victoria, among whom were mainly men. They earnestly introduced themselves.Benjamin scanned the men who surrounded Victoria and somehow felt betrayed. Glowering, he seemed about to fly off the handle.His glare was too harsh, and many retreated after a short exchange with Victoria. She studied those who resolutely remained beside her.Compared to people from the outside world, the clan members had less desire for material possessions.Those who stood their ground didn't feel displeased at losing a hefty sum in the bet. They also withstood the pressure Benjamin's glare exuded.It was fair to say they were the best among the best.They were from decent families and had been receiving proper education sin