All the furnishings there were new. It didn't look like it had been opened to the public.Ashton's gaze went past Victoria and landed on Ethan. "How is it?"Ethan walked further inside and looked around. He raised his brow."An underground club?"Ashton wagged his finger."Not a club, but a kingdom. Everything here is newly built during the first half of this year. I originally planned to wait for the new product to be released before inviting some of my regulars to visit. Never have I imagined that those stupid police would intercept my goods and ruin my plans."Not only have I not earned any money, I've even offended others. Luckily, you came just in time, Lynch. Your goods are of high quality, and whoever that tried the samples you gave me has all requested for more. They're even willing to pay a lot for it."You're really my lucky charm, Lynch."Ethan snorted as he replied, "Sure."The lucky charm that would banish you to the deepest pits of hell."Let me bring you guys a
It was already evening when they came out of the secret room.Ashton was full of confidence after showing off his capabilities."Lynch, wouldn't all women be the same after you turn the lights off? The main goal is to earn money. I'll be filthy rich once my underground kingdom opens to all."I have everything ready except for a beauty like Mrs. Lynch who could bewitch men. You're not her first man, anyway. What would it matter if she has a few more?"It was obvious that Ashton was still coveting Victoria, be it from his words or his actions. His gaze was even more so.Ethan did not bother to remain civil as he got in front of Victoria. He gave Ashton a kick in the stomach.Ashton fell back a few steps after the kick. He'd almost coughed out blood just like that.But he did not bring any bodyguards with him when they went to the underground room. So he didn't have anyone to help him up now."Mr. Lynch!"The veins on Ashton's forehead were popping out.Ethan walked forward and
On the other side, Ethan was also making arrangements through calls."Ten people from the R&D team would be enough. Dispatch the elite team to listen to my and Vicky's instructions. Remember, your top priority is to ensure Vicky's safety. Don't let anything happen to her!""Got it. There's also one more thing, Boss. Ms. Campbell went to Youngville. She came to ask me about your whereabouts before she left.""When was this?""About half a month ago."Ethan frowned. "Why are you only telling me this now?""She hasn't done anything out-of-line to harm Victoria for now, so I just got someone to watch over her.""What did she do while she was in Youngville?""She kept going to the police station and even got someone out from there.""Was it someone named Yvette White?""Yes. She seemed to realize that our men were watching her and managed to ditch them. She's no longer in Youngville now. Do you think she managed to track you down and went to Yrinas to look for you, Boss?"Ethan c
Ashton agreed to it.After Ethan had left, Ashton immediately called for his bodyguards.He instructed, "Go back to Maplewood Village early tomorrow and bring Mr. Lynch's assistant and his woman's maid over. I suspect that Lynch dude knew that woman before this. Try to ask around about this from his underling."Something was not right about Ethan's attitude toward Victoria. As a man himself, Ashton could feel it.He was worried that he would be fooled.Ashton would feel uneasy if he didn't get their relationship cleared up.After that, he continued, "Get that mute lady to come see me."…After Ethan left, he did not return to his lodging.He walked around aimlessly for a bit before heading toward the lodgings of Ashton's researchers.The urge to meet Sharon was extremely strong.As soon as he reached the ground floor of the dorms, Ashton's lackey appeared.He knocked on Sharon's door and talked to her for a bit. Sharon then went back into her room.The door opened a few mi
Victoria left the mobile house and headed back.She could smell alcohol as soon as she entered the room.She looked around the room and saw Ethan sitting by the bed. His expression was cold while holding a glass of whiskey in his hand.Victoria frowned.How much had he drunk?Ethan seemed not to realize that Victoria was back. He continued to drink.It was as if it was just water instead of whiskey.Victoria shut the door. She then went forward and snatched the wine glass out of Ethan's hand."What's wrong?"Ethan smelled of alcohol. He turned to look at Victoria with red, glistening eyes. He looked like he had just experienced some shock.Victoria placed the wine glass down on the table.She thought for a moment before asking, "You met up with your Mom?"In this factory, even Ashton was under Ethan's control. Victoria couldn't think of anyone else other than Sharon who could make Ethan like this suddenly.Ethan glared at Victoria and accused, "Why didn't you tell me that
Ashton's transaction partner had something to do unexpectedly and could only reach two days later. It would be similar to the arrival timing of Ethan's R&D team.Victoria looked at Ethan. "The person Ashton would be dealing with this time has a high status. Given the nature of this transaction, they would definitely be accompanied by many people."The more people there are, the more pairs of eyes there would be, and the bigger the risk it would have. Those people are different from the employees of the factory. They're more alert."I'm planning to bring Wendy to go have a look tomorrow night. If everything is well, we'll take action the day after."Ethan listened to Victoria's analysis. "I'll keep a lookout for you.""No need, you're too eye-catching. Just let Silas do it. You can go distract Ashton instead. Try your best to distract him from his phone, and don't go to the secret room.""Come over here, Ethan!" Wendy was sitting in front of the laptop when she called Ethan over.
Victoria brought her clothes and cell phone into the bathroom.Wendy looked at Ethan and took the opportunity to add insult to injury."You're not only the King of Infidelity, you're even mean-spirited. No wonder Victoria liked Benjamin instead of you."Ethan retorted, "Then you should ask Benjamin if he would let you watch him while he showers!"Wendy angrily replied, "I've already said I don't want to watch you while you shower!"Ethan continued, "Who knows? Wouldn't you know yourself the best whether you're an admirer or not?"Silas saw the way both of them were about to fight. He then stood up to smooth things over between them."Enough, stop quarreling now. What if someone heard us?"Both of them gave a pointed look at each other and turned their heads away.…On the other hand, Benjamin had been waiting for Victoria's call after receiving her email.He picked up as soon as Victoria had called."Cutie," Benjamin said with a low voice.He was missing her dearly.Benja
The next night, Victoria brought Wendy and Silas to the underground club as planned.Silas looked at the lavishly decorated underground club.He exclaimed, "Fuck, isn't this Ashton too fucking rich, Victoria? Should we find a chance to abduct him before we take action? We can easily ask for a few million."Wendy's eyes lit up as she agreed, "I just can't stand these rich people. They're all ill-gotten gains anyway. It'll just be a dog-eat-dog situation. Sorry, I mean a Robin Hood situation."Victoria calmly replied, "It'll be impossible to abduct him before we take action. But it's fine if you guys managed to get money from him without affecting the entire plan."That can be considered your "thank you" reward for the two of you to split equally."Ashton was involved in drug trafficking, prostitution, and even human organ trafficking. He did not let anything go to waste, no matter if it was the living or dead.These were all profiteering industries, and he would surely be rich.
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