It was almost 7:00 pm when they reached the Summers Residence.The Summers were all in the living room.Eleanor approached Victoria once she saw her. "Are you hurt?"Victoria shook her head. "No, I'm not."Eleanor grinned from ear to ear. She was notably pleased. "I'm sure you're hungry. Go on and have dinner. I cooked your favorite dishes."Victoria caught a whiff of a delicious aroma as she entered the mansion. She was hungry, indeed.Still, she said, "You should go on without me, Grandma. I'm covered with grime, and I stink. "You will lose your appetite around me. I'm heading upstairs for a shower. Don't wait for me."She briskly went upstairs. Her body felt sticky, and she was covered in dirt. She couldn't stand having her meal in this state. Benjamin followed her.Upon reaching her room, Victoria told him, "Benjamin, if there's anything you want to talk about, let's talk after my shower."Then, she entered the bathroom and cleaned herself from head to toe. She toweled h
Although they promised only to take a sip, as time went on, they started drinking more and more. Eventually, they were all drunk.Samuel and Victoria couldn't stop drinking. It was like they'd known each other for years. He poured himself another glass and did the same for her.The Summer family was all about rules and emphasized respect for seniority. All this while, it was the younger ones' role to pour wine for Samuel. It was the first time he had to pour wine for someone else.Not even Abraham had the privilege, even on other occasions.As the saying went, "Drunk words were sober thoughts." Similarly, those who were drunk tended to be true to themselves in action.The other women in the family were taken aback and felt deeply threatened.Eleanor patted Samuel. "That's enough. You're making Vicky drink too much."Samuel snorted with a cold expression. "Leave us alone!"Eleanor looked pleadingly at Benjamin, who looked at Victoria. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes ha
Victoria was already tipsy from the alcohol. When Benjamin carried her and dropped her on the bed, she felt her head spin and almost vomited.She closed her eyes tightly and gently shook her head. When she reopened her eyes, Benjamin was slowly standing back up as he loosened his collar."Did someone say we're not from the same generation because I'm in my 30s?" he drawled.The age gap between them was something he took to heart. When Victoria stated they were from different generations, he felt scorned, and his heart ached.With his eyes narrowed, he looked intimidating yet undeniably sexy at the same time. He must teach her a lesson today. She would learn that he was her husband and they were from the same generation.Victoria had the urge to pounce on him. However … "Benjamin," she called. Her voice was gentle and sweet. Her brows furrowed in discomfort. "I'm dizzy and have a headache. I also feel nauseous."Benjamin stopped unbuttoning his shirt. The anger on his face was rep
On the next morning, Victoria had just eaten her breakfast. It was then the younger ones pleaded with her to go to the training ground behind their house.She didn't bring her phone and returned only at dinnertime.After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room and sipped their coffee as they chatted. It was harmonious.Eleanor pointed at the younger ones and laughed. "You brats. Don't bother Victoria tomorrow. Vicky, we'll go shopping tomorrow."You're young and pretty. You must enjoy your youth and appreciate your looks. Let's buy you some nice clothing and accessories."Are you using any skincare products? What brand are you using? I know a store that customizes skincare products according to your skin condition."Many women in Youngville have a membership there. Don't neglect your skincare routine just because you're young. You—"As Eleanor taught Victoria various ways to spend money, a guard hurried into the house.He stood to attention and saluted. "Sir, an unidentifi
After Benjamin hung up on the call, he threw the phone onto the bed. "Pack your stuff. We're going back."Victoria rose to her feet. She looked back at Benjamin's abnormal behavior and what Ethan had just said. "You knew he was arriving today?"She was asking a question, yet she seemed to know that was the answer.Benjamin was irritated. He sounded displeased as he said, "Are you questioning me? Are you blaming me for not telling you about it, and you missed his arrival?"Victoria, we're married. You are now my wife. I don't care what happened between you two in the past. If he plans on stealing you from me, he should just give up now!"Victoria realized Benjamin would become sensitive and insecure whenever they brought up Ethan. He lost control easily. He would also turn gloomy and vicious.He was like a totally different person, and it wasn't the first time this happened.Victoria fell into deep thoughts.Benjamin saw his reflection in her eyes. He quickly realized he had los
In the living room, Samuel looked at Benjamin. The latter wore a cold and unwelcoming expression."Who's that man? What's his background? What's the relationship between Victoria and him?" Samuel fired a series of questions.Benjamin did not respond to the first two questions. However, he abruptly raised his head upon hearing the last question.He stared at Samuel and answered firmly, "Victoria is my woman! She's mine!"His agitated response left everyone dumbfounded.Joshua noticed something was amiss with Benjamin.Then, he hurriedly said, "Yes, we know Victoria is your woman. We like her, too. Your grandfather is just asking about the man's—""I don't need any of you to like her. I've decided on her," Benjamin interrupted.Joshua appeared extremely shocked. It was as if he had just received earth-shattering news.He looked at Abraham, and at the same time, he heard Benjamin's stern voice announcing, "Youngville is my turf. There's no way he can cause any trouble. I'll handl
After showering, Victoria emerged from the bathroom but could not find Benjamin in the room. She looked around and finally found him in the study.As soon as she opened the door, she caught a whiff of cigarette smoke. It was faint. However, Victoria was sensitive to the smell of cigarettes. Hence, she could detect it instantly.She stood at the doorway, frowning while staring at Benjamin. He had yet to change his clothes."Benjamin, aren't you going to shower? I'm done. Deal with whatever you need to tomorrow."Benjamin merely hummed in response. He got up from his chair and said, "Wait for me in the bedroom."He looked just as he usually was. There were no signs of anything different. Yet, Victoria could not help but feel uneasy.She obediently closed the door before returning to the bedroom. After Benjamin showered, he realized she had already blow-dried her hair and was lying on the bed.He was somewhat displeased at that sight. "Why didn't you wait for me to blow dry your ha
Victoria and Benjamin had left. Hence, even after knocking for a while, no one answered the door.Ethan was furious. Then, he reached into his black backpack filled with phones and grabbed one. After that, he dialed a number with familiarity.At that moment, Victoria had just loaded her luggage into the car. She heard her phone ringing and answered without looking at the caller ID, thinking it was Lena and the others."Speak!" she snapped."You finally answered my call." A familiar voice came through.Victoria immediately looked at Benjamin, who had walked toward the driver's seat. Her hand that was holding the phone trembled."I'll make sure Benjamin will die with me if you have the guts to hang up on me!" Ethan threatened.Nevertheless, Victoria composed herself before answering, "This is not Yrindale. I won't stop you if you want to die."But you should also know what I'm like. Your actions serve no purpose other than making me hate you more."On the other side of the car,
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