As soon as Gordon stepped out, he ran into several of his subordinates.When they saw him, they were initially surprised. Then, they surrounded him with joy and fear on their faces.Gordon looked at them and recalled how they had left him alone to save their own lives not too long ago.Fortunately, he had managed to avoid danger. Otherwise, these useless men might have been the cause of his death.The more Gordon thought about it, the angrier he was. He vented his frustration by delivering a slap here and a kick there. Of course, none of them dared to show their anger.Soon, someone with a quick mind explained, "Gordon, we weren't running away for our lives. W-We went to look for backup."Are you alright? Who were those people just now?"Were they the pretty girl's people? What's their background?"I heard that the man with the pretty girl has an 800 million dollar bid on that stone. It's apparently just a toy for her."The price has increased, but they refuse to sell it, no
When Victoria and Benjamin returned to the inn, Liam warmly welcomed them.Then, he looked at Benjamin and said, "Sir, someone is waiting for you in your room."The moment Victoria stepped into their room, a figure suddenly leaped in front of them. If Liam hadn't informed them earlier, she would have gotten physical."I'm back!"Standing before them was a man about the same age as Yves. However, unlike Yves' playful personality, the man exuded a cheerful and healthy vibe, especially with his infectious smile.Victoria immediately recognized the man before her. He was Benjamin's psychiatrist, Sean."Sean, what are you doing here? You've got some nerve showing up!"Just as Victoria was about to greet him, Yves pounced on Sean. He grabbed Sean's head and playfully knocked it with his own."Ben's paying you to have a good time everywhere, huh? Do you still have any shame?"The two fooled around for a while until Benjamin asked them to stop. There were bruises on both sides of Sean
The meeting took place at a hotel in the city center of Yrinas.The economy of Yrinas was not well-developed. The government heavily targeted their primary source of income. Thus, the wealth did not bring any benefits to the common folks.Many roads in Yrinas had potholes. Although the highway had deteriorated, no one repaired it. Moreover, there were random toll booths in various places.In general, the city was in a chaotic state.When Ethan arrived, Ashton and his men were already waiting. After a rough journey, displeasure was evident on Ethan's face.As soon as he entered the room, Ashton noticed Ethan was not in a good mood and frowned. Gordon had realized it, too.Gordon approached Ethan with a fawning expression. "Hey, man. What's wrong with you?"Ethan glared at Gordon, irritation written all over his face."What have you been up to all these years? Don't you know how to make a proper arrangement? Why did you choose this godforsaken place?" he questioned.His words le
Ethan tapped his fingers on the table, demanding, "Let's split it 40-60. I'll take 60% and 40% for you!""I get 40% and you'll have 60%? So, you'll handle the distribution while I'm in charge of the channels?" Ashton asked with a frown.Yet, Ethan raised his index finger and wagged it."No, no. The only thing I'll provide is my team. They'll teach your men how to manufacture the drugs. As for everything else, it's your responsibility."Ashton's frown deepened upon hearing that. "Mr. Lynch, are you saying you're only giving us the formula? And I have to take care of the materials, labs, clientele, and others?"You're in the same business, Mr. Lynch. You should understand how risky this is. What I mentioned earlier are just minor issues."There's a high possibility that there will be casualties. The Celestrian police are strict about this."I'll be honest with you. I've been facing problems recently. My goods got looted, and a lot of my men were hurt."How am I supposed to pay th
Ethan and Silas left the hotel. After getting into the car, Ethan asked the latter, "Could Ashton be Benjamin's dad's illegitimate son?""No idea. Even though they look alike, I don't think they're brothers. As you said, Ashton is like a knockoff version," answered Silas.He added, "Look at how pretentious he was with his long shirt and rosary beads. If Benjamin were anything like that, Victoria definitely wouldn't fall for him."But I'm not sure. I'll make a call and find out.""Benjamin is just as pretentious. The two of them are as bad as each other. Who are you calling?"Silas replied, "Yves."Ethan quickly stopped him. "What does Yves know? I'll make the call. Let me ask Vicky."Silas cast a sympathetic look at Ethan upon hearing that. Yet, the former immediately exposed him, saying, "Just go ahead and call Victoria if you want to."While they were talking, Ethan had already taken out his phone. He proceeded to dial Victoria's number, but no one answered."Could it be tha
Benjamin and Ethan worked together, tackling the situation simultaneously.Soon, Ashton found out that people in Lostaria and Mysonna knew about what Ethan had. He was furious and lashed out at Gordon."Boss, you really can't blame me for this. I wanted to stick with him 24/7 and fulfill the duties of a gracious host," answered Gordon.He continued, "But he simply wouldn't have it. You've seen Mr. Lynch's temper. He's a madman."When he asked me to get lost, I didn't dare to stay any longer. But I did ask if we could negotiate the split further."He said as long as we have something that intrigues him, he'd consider it. He's been searching for that woman lately."Horkville wasn't far from Yrinas. Moreover, Gordon was a local big shot. He could easily bring Victoria to Yrinas.But Gordon was a coward.Benjamin spent money without restraint. Formidable bodyguards armed with guns also surrounded him. He was worried about potential mishaps."If you keep dragging this out, he'll me
At that moment, Victoria had already regained consciousness. First, she texted Benjamin to let him know she was safe. Then, she sat by the window with Wendy.She had spent the last two days lying in bed. After a bumpy ride, Victoria couldn't stand lying down any longer.There were low wooden houses outside, and the road was made of concrete.They saw half-naked men walking around. Moreover, all of them had guns holstered at their waists.In the distance, there were trees. The house was hidden among the densely packed trees."Victoria, this should be their main base, right?"Victoria immediately shot a warning glance at Wendy. The latter understood. She covered her mouth and gently hit herself."Sorry! It's supposed to be Mrs. Harper. Look at all these men. They're short and chubby."They're even exposing their bellies. It's truly an eyesore."However, Victoria was not interested in that topic.Seeing that Victoria was ignoring her, Wendy remarked dejectedly, "It's all trees
The room had an attached bathroom.Wendy and Victoria entered together. In the bathroom, there was a bathtub.Right then, the tub was being filled with water.Wendy leaned closer to Victoria, whispering, "I can see Mr. Jones is ruthless. But didn't they say he's emotionally stable?"He acted like a madman earlier. Is there a problem with your information source?"Wendy let her imagination flow as she continued, "He looks so much like Benjamin. Even their dressing style is the same. I'm sure this isn't a coincidence."Could he be Benjamin's brother? Perhaps he's the abandoned illegitimate son?"He resents Benjamin for his social status, and that's why he wants revenge. But he also admires Benjamin, so he imitates his behaviors and habits."Wendy was an avid romance novel reader. Hence, she did it methodically when it came to analyzing the plot.Victoria pondered on it. She recalled what Ashton had said and how he had acted earlier.He indeed showed signs of both admiration and
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