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
The day soon came when they were supposed to leave.After having dinner, Victoria signaled to Wendy. Then, she went out to contact Ethan.Wendy made a cup of coffee and respectfully served it to Benjamin, sitting in the living room. She smiled flatteringly. "Here, Benjamin. I've run out of money to spend on novels."Benjamin took the cup from her. Instead of drinking it, he placed it on the table.Seeing that, Wendy picked up the cup and offered it to Benjamin again. "I just made it. Care to try it?"Benjamin stared at her thoughtfully before standing up. "Come upstairs with me."Then, he looked at Yves. "You, too."Yves pulled himself together as he looked at Benjamin, feeling anxious and uneasy. He hummed in reply before following Benjamin up with Wendy.Wendy was still holding the cup of coffee. She looked at Yves inquiringly. He looked baffled, too.Yves didn't know what that was about, either. Somehow, he felt as though Benjamin had realized something.Benjamin looked at
Yves saw Victoria and the others off.When he returned, he saw Benjamin standing on the stairs with one hand on the railing. He could sense the frost emanating off Benjamin from a distance."Ben!" Yves looked up and called.He was dismayed. He did his best and gave Victoria her last chance. Why couldn't she just take it?Benjamin was emotionless. His gaze seemed able to pierce through anyone like an arrow.Yves was mentally prepared. He aptly comforted Benjamin, "Mrs. B is only worried about you. Your safety is her top priority, and she won't allow anything at all to happen to you. Hence her choice."That proves all the more that she loves you, right? I'd be moved to the core if a woman would care that much about me. If you were in her shoes, you would've definitely made the same decision!"Benjamin slowly walked down the stairs. "No, I wouldn't. I'd bring her wherever I go."I believe she can look after herself and that I can protect her. But she doesn't believe in me!""Stil
Benjamin demanded, "Remember your promise, Victoria? You promised you'll never leave me behind wherever you go."You also said that regardless of what may happen, you'll face it with me. This is how you keep your promise?"You told me to take a nap and promised to wake me up, didn't you? But you got someone to drug me."If I hadn't sensed something was wrong, I would still be asleep by the time you and Ethan reached the Lacus Triangle, huh?"Victoria thought she had a good reason for doing what she did. Still, she felt guilty and didn't know what to say for herself when she saw him in such a furious state.And it was all thanks to Wendy, that traitor.She raised her hands in surrender and was quick to admit her fault. "I'm sorry!""What are you sorry for?" asked Benjamin.Ethan realized what was going on. Pointing at Benjamin, he accused, "The authority wasn't really regulating the air traffic, right? You were behind that!"Benjamin's presence surprised him, too. He knew Victo
Benjamin and Ethan's subordinates were already waiting when the group got off the helicopter.Ethan glanced at Benjamin and spoke before he could. "Let's take my car. My men have arranged our accommodation."Benjamin ignored him and pulled Victoria into a car. Seeing that, Yves opened the door to the passenger seat. He was about to get in when Ethan pulled him aside."What was that for?" Yves asked angrily.He broke free just in time to see his usual seat taken. "That's my spot—"Ethan responded by slamming the door in his face. Furious, Yves knocked on the car window.Ethan rolled down the window, looking irritated. "Just take my car and follow us!""Why? I want to sit with them. Ben, Mrs. B, ask him to get out. He'll only be a bother when you're trying to spend time together—"The window rolled back up just as he was still bellowing in retort. Then, the car whirred to a start.Yves stamped his feet grumpily as the car drove off, and its exhaust smoke engulfed him.Victoria
Victoria found herself a seat and sat down.Her thoughtful gaze swept across everyone in the room. Then, she pointed at the two female bodyguards."What about them? Can you send them to Yrinas first?"Liam looked at the stern and solemn-looking female bodyguards.One of them was taller than the other. They had tanned skin, and their muscular builds were not inferior to men.They were not the type most men would be interested in. Still, some men with different preferences would take a liking to unique women like them.Those people from Yrinas wouldn't turn them down, that was for sure."Sure!" Liam replied.Benjamin informed Ethan, "The other five bodyguards will go with you and Silas."Without hesitation, Ethan declined, "There's no need. I have my own men. They are waiting for me at the hotel I booked.""Your men are coming with me while you take mine." Benjamin sounded resolute."Who do you think you're talking to? Who do you think you are?"Why should I listen to you? Wh
Soon, the day of the stone gambling event arrived.All the hotels and inns were fully booked, and there was double the usual number of people on the streets. The town was bustling with activity.The event was held at Wickval Square. At 10:00 am, those who received the invitation entered the venue by flashing their invitation cards.Victoria followed Benjamin as they went in via the VIP lane. They entered the VIP room with the best view.She was in a white dress and wore her long, silky hair down.With her fair skin and sparkling eyes, she looked just like a fairy who accidentally entered the human world. She wore a pair of canvas shoes, and they gave her already youthful self a vibrant touch.Looking around curiously, she looked ethereally beautiful and innocent. Her beauty turned heads, and eyes were locked on her.Benjamin stood straight and tall in a green shirt. He looked dashing, and there was a distant yet elegant air about him. His gaze was clad in frost.Hand in hand, t
Victoria returned to the room. She could barely contain her excitement as she turned to Benjamin.She said, "Liam's intel was right. Those people next door are indeed from Yrinas."It's Gordon Walker, one of Ashton's trusted subordinates. He's recently been competing with another guy to be second in command for the drug cartel."Benjamin's attention was elsewhere. "That man's a pervert. He's in charge of abducting young ladies and using them to rake in money."He's addicted to drugs, too. After all the crimes he has committed, he deserves to be burned at the stakes."Victoria stroked her chin. "Yeah, that's the proper way to die for people like him."Unlike the other attendees, Victoria and Benjamin were not here for gambling. They were here for those people next door.She continued, "Gordon is full of himself. He'll not let that slide easily."Wendy fumed whenever she recalled how Gordon looked at Victoria."While the cat's away, the mice will play. He thinks he rules the wor