Ethan, of course, wouldn't cooperate.He glared at Ashton and questioned, "What do you mean by this?"Ashton smiled and explained, "I've never asked you to reveal the formula. Here, we follow whatever you say. Hence, don't make it difficult for me."Once we're familiar with and trust each other, we won't need this anymore. All my brothers who followed me went through the same. Gordon still blindfolds himself."Ashton's cold gaze flickered toward Victoria as he spoke.Victoria shrank back and obediently blindfolded herself with the black cloth.Ethan snatched the black cloth away and positioned himself in front of Victoria to block Ashton's view of her.He warned, "If you have something to say, say it to my face. Don't scare my woman!"Ashton, with an ambiguous tone, said as he retracted his gaze, "Lynch, you really cherish her. Are you serious about her?""It's none of your business!""Lynch, you're wealthy and handsome. What kind of woman do you want that you can't find? Jus
The car had been driving for almost half an hour and was beginning to sway. After another ten minutes, it finally came to a stop.Ethan reached to remove his blindfold, but Ashton stopped him."Wait, Lynch. We're not there yet."Ethan stopped in his tracks. He seemed dissatisfied as he got out of the car impatiently. "What about now?"Ashton looked at Ethan, whose mood seemed to change rapidly, like a volcano about to erupt. It was a headache for everyone.Ashton lowered his voice. "I'll have someone to guide you."Ethan got back into the car and looked toward Ashton. "I want to head back. I'm not going!"Ashton's temple throbbed visibly. He was so angry that he felt like shooting Ethan with a gun.He spoke in a calm tone, "Just a few more minutes. We'll be there soon."Ethan remained unmoved. "You think I don't know what you and your people are up to? You covet my woman. You're trying every means to take advantage of her and make her betray me!"Only then did Ashton come to
The laboratory door was thicker and heavier. Without fingerprints and the password, it was impossible to open it.Next to the specially made door was a reinforced bulletproof floor-to-ceiling window.At this moment, only two people were standing inside the airtight and spacious laboratory.They were wearing protective suits and face masks. This made it impossible to see their faces or figures. However, Victoria noticed one of them seemed to be a woman.Everything inside the laboratory was clearly visible through the glass window.In the midst of the conversation, Ashton's men brought protective suits and gas masks for Ethan.Ethan glanced at Victoria and pointed to her while stating firmly, "She's staying with me. Get one person out of there!""Okay."Ashton weighed the situation and didn't argue with Ethan.He knew it would be futile. Having come this far, he didn't want to provoke Ethan unnecessarily.Soon, someone brought a set of protective gear for Victoria.Protesting
Ashton fired the gun.Victoria shouted as she looked at him coldly.She looked at the broken shards scattered across the floor. She began to think fast. She covered her head with her hands and squatted down.When she squatted, her left ankle was cut by a shard on the ground. Blood immediately began to flow out of the wound. Victoria screamed once again from the pain."Vicky!"Ethan's eyes widened in shock. His gaze was filled with bloodlust and guilt."Ashton, you're just begging for death!"When Ethan returned to his senses, he began throwing punches at Ashton with pure hostility.Ashton was not able to react in time. If it weren't for the bodyguards making it in time, Ashton would have been beaten to the ground.Ashton's bodyguards had restricted Ethan and were ready to punch back.Suddenly, Ashton stopped them."Stop! All of you, stop! Mr. Lynch is my honorable guest. No one is allowed to put their hands on him!"Ashton wanted nothing more than to kill Ethan.However, i
Ethan's voice was low as he lashed out at Victoria."Ethan Cross."Victoria's expression changed as she called his full name."Do you know where we are now? Do you know what we have been doing?"Can you be more aware of your actions? Can you control your actions and your temper?"Victoria's voice was cold. Her anger was evident as her tone was full of displeasure with a hint of a warning."Can't you tell Ashton is already questioning our relationship? He's been trying to test you on the way here."In the laboratory, your actions were just confirming his suspicions. Do you know how stupid you were acting?"Ethan's eyes turned red as he looked at the calm Victoria."Then how do you think I should act? Should I remain unmoved when I see someone pointing a gun at you? I will never be able to do that!"Ethan was hurt and aggrieved. Victoria's heart could not help but soften at the sight."Is this your first time knowing me? I won't let anything happen to myself."However, do you
She stopped herself as her presence became overpowering. She looked at Ethan and warned, "Remember my words."Ethan was like a child who had just been reprimanded. He responded unwillingly, "Got it."He did not dare to face an angry Victoria.Just as he answered Victoria, someone knocked on their door."Lynch, are you done? How is your lover doing?"Is everything alright? Do you need me to call a doctor? Can I come in?"Before Ethan could respond, Ashton had already begun opening the door.Inside the control room, Victoria was sitting down, whereas Ethan was left standing.Victoria lowered her head in anxiousness as Ethan's expression was tense. The items inside the first aid kit were scattered around the floor.Ashton could tell Ethan was in a bad mood. Before Ethan could go crazy, Ashton smiled and said, "Lynch, after careful consideration, the previous incident had indeed been my fault. "To express my sincerity, I'll give you another 0.005% on top of the five percent of s
They were inside the laboratory. Ethan had put on his hazmat suit and mask.He asked Ashton's people to prepare all the materials and apparatus on the laboratory table. He arranged everything into a row and began to work.The gas mask covered his face. However, his actions seemed focused.Every step he made was orderly and clean. It was as if he had done this a hundred times.The measurement tools were a waste of money in his eyes.Ethan had inherited his mother's talents. He was a natural chemical genius and had shocked many outstanding professors with his talents.Every time he was experimenting, he would shine brightly like a star.Sienna fell for him by watching him carry out his experiments. She had spent too much time looking and was captivated by him.But in the eyes of outsiders, Ethan looked like he was just making a mess. It did not look like he would succeed.Gordon's mood went down the drain as he watched Ethan. "Boss, is that all he can do? Can he even do it? He l
When Ashton returned, his advancements to please Ethan were even more obvious.No matter what Ethan said, a smile would remain on Ashton's face. It was as if Ashton's temper had disappeared."Lynch, we've already used up the batch you made today. Could you make some more?"Ethan leaned back on his chair. "I'm too tired. I'm also in a bad mood, so I don't feel like moving."Ashton asked with embarrassment, "How can I lift your mood? Just tell me. I'll do anything within my capabilities. I'll even give you the stars if I can."Ashton slapped his chest with confidence. Then, he tried to persuade Ethan."Lynch, you choose to work with me to earn money. We should quickly introduce such a brilliant product to the market."You can make a few samples for me to look for buyers. A one-day delay means earning less. We are both businessmen. We cannot incur any losses."Ethan folded his hands against his chest. He did not seem to be in a rush. "I showed you my capabilities. Shouldn't you sh
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