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 rested in the room for a while. In the evening, she left the room with Ethan.When she reached downstairs, someone came up to her.It was a young adult who looked around 17 to 18 years old."Mr and Mrs. Lynch, where are you two going?"Ethan smiled insincerely, and his voice sounded slightly dangerous. "Why? Did Ashton ask you to follow us?"The young man shook his head and explained himself. "Ashton said Mrs. Lynch had injured her leg. He assumed it would be hard for her to move around."He also said it would be tiring for you to carry her around. So, Ashton asked me to stay here. Do you need a wheelchair?"It'll be perfect to head over to Nazia Hill now. You'll be able to see the beautiful sunset. I'm quite familiar with the place here. I can show you two around."Victoria pinched Ethan's waist. Because of the pain, Ethan put Victoria down."You can bring the wheelchair over. There will be no need for anything else."The young man quickly brought a wheelchair over
Victoria was also low in spirits.She quietly took out her phone, wanting to call Benjamin.She wanted to tell him about everything that had happened. She wished to listen to his voice. In the end, she held it in and merely sent him a message."I'm not at Ashton's factory. Tomorrow, Silas will search Maplewood Village. I'm fine. Don't worry about me."At around 8:00 pm, Freddie came over again."Mr and Mrs. Lynch, do you two want dinner? What do you want to eat?"Ethan was slightly annoyed. "Fuck off. Don't bother me!"Freddie quickly reported it to Ashton.Ashton's first thought was that Ethan and Victoria fought. He did not give it much thought.But he still asked his men to send some food to Ethan's room.Victoria and Ethan had just taken a bite out of their meal when they heard a noise from outside their room.They met each other's gaze and put down their cutlery. They quickly ran out of their room.In the five-story employee's hostel, the ground floor was filled with p
The woman had her back to Victoria. It was dark outside. Victoria could only see her side profile and the wrinkles on her face.Victoria looked around and noticed there was no one around her.Victoria remembered how odd the woman had acted around Ethan. She decided to use this opportunity to investigate the truth.Victoria took two steps forward, but Sharon had already sensed her presence.Sharon turned around. When she saw Victoria, she began to panic.Subconsciously, Sharon covered her face with her hands and ran away."Wait, don't run!"Victoria wanted to catch up with her. However, due to her injured leg and her unfamiliarity with the area, Victoria did not chase after her.She slowed down her footsteps and pushed away the grass on the side.Victoria had seen something fall out of the woman's pocket.Very quickly, Victoria found a photo.When she picked up the photo, she immediately recognized Ethan as the boy from the photo.Other than him, there was a young and beauti
Not long after they returned to their rooms, Silas called Ethan."Wendy and I have searched every place that could hide a person just as Victoria has ordered us to do. We did not see anyone from the Summers family. We've looked around for a long time."There was evidence that someone stayed there not too long ago. They must have been transported elsewhere within the past few days."When Wendy returned to her room, she found a piece of paper. On it was a message saying the people inside had already been transported away, but they did not say where."Ethan quickly told Victoria everything Silas had told him.He frowned. "Does anyone in Maplewood Village know about your real identity and purpose? Is it one of the Summers family's spies? They must have quite a high position in the organization."If they knew the Summers family members were being transported away, why don't they tell us where they are? Whose side are they on? Do you know what they look like?""I don't know. I've been
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