As Victoria had wished for, she ended up weak in her knees. Benjamin had to carry her back to their room.The next day, Ethan called her when she was washing up in the bathroom.Benjamin picked up the call."Hello.""Where's Vicky?"It was already after 10:00 pm when he ended his call with Logan last night. Ethan was worried that he might disturb Victoria's rest if he called that late. Hence he waited until now.His mood turned sour when he heard Benjamin's voice.Benjamin was in a good mood as it was his and Victoria's first time in the study last night. As such, he did not immediately hang up on Ethan and have him blocked.He calmly replied, "She's washing up. You can just tell me whatever you want to tell her."Ethan blurted out, "Why is she only washing up now?"Benjamin's lips curled upward. He replied as if he was provoking Ethan and showing off at the same time. "She was too tired after last night. We slept in."Ethan's mood worsened. "Why are you so shameless, Benjam
The other staff of the Warde family saw what was happening. She quickly shut the door and blocked off the exit.Ginny looked at her and rolled her eyes. Suddenly, she became very angry."How dare you still show your face, Colette? Are you here to hurt my Victoria again? I won't be fooled by you again. Fuck off!"The "Colette" who was standing by the entrance was baffled. She explained, "No, Mrs. Jameson. I'm not …""You're still trying to quibble. I won't be deceived by you again! Are you trying to harm Victoria? I … I'll beat you to death!"Ginny shielded "Victoria" behind her and jumped onto "Colette"."Colette" struggled for help.Louis and "Victoria" went to help her out and pulled Ginny aside.Ginny sat on the bed with a sorrowful look. She started wailing."Are you blaming me, Victoria?"You're definitely blaming me. I made an unforgivable mistake. You shouldn't forgive me!"She hugged a pillow and cradled it as if it were a baby. "No, you should just forgive me. Can y
The call was from Rex. "Have you been busy recently, Aunt Victoria?"His voice sounded low and depressed. It was as if he was worried that Victoria would say that she was busy. He then hurriedly continued before she could even answer."I accidentally overheard Great-grandpa and Granduncle Abraham's conversation. Tim, Steve, and my uncle were caught by a group of atrocious drug dealers."Those people are cunning and their demands are crazy. They said they'd kill my brother and the others otherwise. It'll be hard to rescue them. I know I shouldn't ask you for this, Aunt Victoria, but I …"Rex was choking on emotions at the end of his words.Victoria's sleepiness had evaporated suddenly. She looked solemn. "Are you sure? Don't be too anxious. Let me call Uncle Abraham and ask about the situation."Benjamin noticed something was not right. He then asked, "What happened?""It seemed like Rex and the others were caught. It should be those people whom Uncle Abraham had mentioned before
Ethan looked at Victoria. His brows furrowed as he thought about it.He drummed his fingers on the table. "There are people from the Summers family among the hostages right, Vicky? You're digging my grave for me!"Yves looked at Victoria. "People from the Summers family? Who are they?"Yves mimicked the way Ethan had acted and thought about it seriously.But he couldn't understand it after thinking for a good while."How can you tell it was related to the Summers family?"Why couldn't Yves figure that out himself?Victoria ignored Yves and answered Ethan, "It was indeed someone from the Summers family. What, do you think they are undeserving?""The Summers family is Benjamin's maternal family. They're also his backing. Aren't you worried?""Worried about what?""Worried that I'll join forces with those people and overthrow the entire Summers family!"Yves bit his tongue in shock and looked at Victoria.Victoria stared at Ethan. Her gaze was full of trust. "I trust that you
Ethan's expression changed out of shock. He looked at Victoria and was met with her cold and scrutinizing gaze."You'll need a certain amount for it to cause harm to the body, no matter what it is. You've only had it once, and it's from smoke inhalation."It wouldn't affect your fertility unless there was something wrong with your body in the first place."You … Didn't you do it with Vicky that night, Benjamin? Have you not thought about experiencing that sort of physical pleasure again?"Victoria pointed at Benjamin and said seriously, "Tell the truth.""I have. A normal person wouldn't be able to resist the pleasure brought by that thing. It was very addictive, but I'm not an ordinary person."Yves looked at the way Benjamin was reliving the memories. He was extremely curious."Tell us how it felt like, Ben. Did it bring ecstasy? It must be good stuff if you're even saying that."Do you still have some, Ethan? I'll try it!"The way Ethan looked at Yves was as if he was looki
Yves quickly ran as soon as he saw that the situation wasn't right.After Yves left, Victoria looked at Benjamin. She then called him in a honeyed tone, "Benjamin."Benjamin had a straight face. He was stubborn. "I'll disguise myself as Ethan's underling and go with him. You can help us from the outside."Victoria had also put away her cheeky smile. She firmly rejected him."No way! Do you think those people are stupid? Drug traffickers are all smart, and none of them are easy to fool."I'll still stand firm on my previous point. I'll sneak in with Ethan and you can help from the outside."You're powerful, smart, resourceful, and capable, Benjamin. You'd be able to handle it even if anything happens. This is the safest way to do it!"Victoria stared at Benjamin as she tried her best to persuade him."Are you hesitant because you're worried about my safety, or are you worried about me and Ethan?"Benjamin's lips were pursed. The atmosphere was beyond icy.It was the first time
Victoria listened to Isaac's blunt and incisive analysis at the side. She couldn't help but be in awe.With age came wisdom after all.Benjamin glanced at Victoria. He calmly answered Isaac, "Just get someone to investigate if you're worried."He then ended the call.Benjamin stared at Victoria. "Are you keeping something from me?"Victoria smiled like she was in a good mood. She denied, "What do I have to keep from you?"Even if there is, that means you're not supposed to know about this, and I also don't want you to know about it. You shouldn't be asking me about it further."Jamie had told Isaac that he had fallen in love and was considering marriage. It seemed like the fish was already on the hook now.Benjamin tactfully stopped asking."What about Ethan's account number? Has he sent it over yet?"Victoria glanced at her phone and passed it over to Benjamin."Copy and send it to me."Victoria then copied the account number and sent it to Benjamin."I'll give Quinton a
Looking worried, Victoria rested her chin on her hands.Yves tensed up upon seeing that. He asked nervously, "What is it?"Victoria's brows furrowed. She said with a solemn expression, "I'm just a little concerned about Benjamin."You saw how he was at the Harper manor. Going to the Lacus Triangle will be very dangerous. What if—"Yves blurted out, "Then don't go!""What about Timothy and the rest? Do you think Benjamin will just leave them high and dry?"Yves sighed. He looked stressed, too. Giving up on them was not an option. "But Ben will be worried if you go!""And I'll be worried if he goes."The topic was left hanging in the air.Another two hours passed. It was slightly over 10:00 pm when Quinton left the study. Yves saw him off personally.The moment they were out of Benjamin's sight, Yves put his arm around Quinton's shoulders. "What took you so long? What were you guys talking about?""We talked about work."Yves nudged him. "I don't believe you. Talking about wo
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