A strong smell of something burning and gunpowder permeated the air in the factory. It was somewhat irritating to the nose.Benjamin retraced his steps along the same path. He also instructed people to search the grove near the mobile wooden house.Since Victoria had said that she was going to see him, he was certain that she would. So, if something happened to her, it had to be on the way to find him.Benjamin's judgment was correct. He soon discovered subtle clues.The yielding earth in the grove had many footprints of various depths and sizes. Benjamin crouched down, carefully examining and identifying them. Then, he closed his eyes. In no time, his mind reconstructed the series of events.When Benjamin opened his eyes, he exuded an eerie chill. Ethan's men gulped nervously before asking, "Mr. Harper, d-did you discover something? It's not Victoria, right?"They knew Ethan would surely go mad if something had happened to Victoria.Benjamin turned around, his gaze dark and
Ashton had shouted at the top of his lungs. Even amidst the chaos of the night, it resonated powerfully. Many of the people present heard it, and they were puzzled. However, when bullets were raining down on them, no one had the time to think about it.Ashton's men followed his orders and charged toward Benjamin. Ethan looked at Benjamin, who was bathed in the glow of the flames. The latter exuded a murderous intent devoid of any warmth. Ethan could not help but feel that something terrible was about to happen.Benjamin skillfully took down Ashton's subordinates, who were armed with heavy weapons. Simultaneously, Wendy, using her right hand to support herself, aimed a gun at Ashton's head."Ashton Jones! You're a scumbag! I'll kill you!"Yves thought about all the innocent girls who had been hurt. At that very moment, he wished he could tear Ashton into pieces.He could not believe Ashton wanted to end Benjamin too. Right then, Yves appeared like a bomb about to detonate.
Ethan could not wait any longer. He immediately called Victoria with the phone with the shattered screen. The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. Frustrated, Ethan wanted to throw the phone to the ground again. But this time, he restrained himself."Benjamin, have you called Vicky? Call her!"Benjamin was in a daze. After hearing what Ethan said, he took out his phone in a somewhat robotic manner. Then, with a blank expression, he dialed Victoria's number.The phone kept on ringing. It wasn't switched off, yet no one answered. Benjamin refused to give up and continued calling her. After three or four attempts, everyone could see that something was off with him. Yves wanted to advise Benjamin. However, the former didn't dare speak at all. Finally, just as Yves mustered the courage to approach Benjamin, the latter's expression changed. "Vicky!" Benjamin exclaimed with joy. "Where are you right now?"Ethan, who was unsettled and in low spirits, shuddered upo
Ethan stared at Benjamin. The latter wore a casual outfit instead of a long shirt. At that moment, he fidgeted with the rosary beads on his wrist. Habitually, the corner of his lips curled into a mocking and bloodthirsty smirk. Benjamin exuded a distant and unyielding intent to kill. In an instant, Ethan connected the person in front of him with Lord Phantom of Regalia.However, Regalia had been established for more than a decade. How old was Benjamin at that time? Was he even 20 years old?Ethan found it unbelievable. But thinking of Victoria, he felt it was not entirely unacceptable. After a moment's shock, Ethan was once again worried about Victoria and Sharon. After he parted ways with Victoria, he had gone to find Sharon. However, Sharon was nowhere to be seen among the group of workers.Ethan became extremely impatient and irritable. He could not calm down, so he continued to call Sienna. "If she wanted to answer, she would have picked up the phone by now. Stop cal
Victoria received a large dose of a drug that could induce a state of unconsciousness. Despite that, her mental clarity remained sharp.At that moment, Sienna was under immense pressure. She didn't dare kill Victoria, yet was unwilling to let her go. Victoria looked up at Walter, saying, "Walter, Sienna's emotions have clouded her judgment. You should know what to do."I promise you that nothing will change as long as you hand me over. Ethan and Sienna's marriage is the only thing I don't have a say in."I know you're working with Ashton because of what he has. But that belongs to Ethan. I can persuade him to collaborate with you!"Victoria remained calm and skillfully persuaded Walter. She knew Benjamin had to be anxious. After all, he couldn't even sleep when she wasn't by his side. Victoria did not know how he would cope when he heard that she had died. Since Benjamin's mental state was unstable, he could not withstand stress. Moreover, Sean was not with him. Victoria
Ashton had no choice but to recount the factory's current situation to the person on the other end of the line. When he finished speaking, he immediately expressed his loyalty and explained, "I am where I am today because of your guidance, Ma'am. "I aim to be successful in my career to earn your respect. As for that man, I'll personally bring him in and present him to you."I had the chance earlier, but I was afraid the bullets might hit him or ruin his face. That's why I missed the opportunity. I'll definitely send him to you, Ma'am!""Ashton, do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You expect me to save you now that you're in danger."Ashton felt intense pressure as he listened to the woman's voice. He nervously wiped his sweat away. "Do you have any pictures?" the woman asked."Yes, I'll send them to you."Ever since Ashton learned about this person from Gordon, the former had sent people to follow Benjamin. However, they only managed to snap two photos of Benjami
"Stop it!"Victoria lifted her head to look Ashton in the eyes. Her expression was solemn, her gaze piercing and determined.It was indeed different from the submissive persona she had projected before. At that moment, she exuded a commanding presence. Upon hearing her stern voice, Ashton froze on the spot.Victoria continued, "If you guys have no intention to kill Benjamin and Ethan, then stop hurting us. If you provoke them, even if your rescuer arrives, the days ahead will likely be tough for you. "Ashton, leave a way out for yourself. Given your current situation, you'd better not push things too far!"Ashton stared at Victoria. Under her piercing gaze, he awkwardly withdrew his foot and barked, "Sooner or later, you'll face the consequences!"Ashton was confident that if Benjamin were someone the woman had been looking for, she would never spare Victoria. After all, Benjamin was the woman's man. While he always had women around him, if she were to find out … Suddenly,
Victoria opened her eyes and looked at Sienna.She looked gloomy and obsessive.Sienna laughed out loud and tore away the cloth stuffed in Victoria's mouth.She said, "Should I say that you're easy-going or you're just used to living in terrible conditions?"How can you even sleep like this? Did you sleep well?""It's not bad, thanks to you. It'd be even better if you could unshackle me."Victoria smiled as she shook her handcuffs and shackles. She did not show any unease or fear.Sienna hated seeing her like that. Her gaze was burning with hatred.Victoria said, "I really don't understand you, Sienna."You've always wanted to marry Ethan, and he finally agreed to it. Why are you still doing all this to ruin everything?"You have always been smart and goal-oriented. This is unlike your style. You truly are mad!"Sienna sat down close to her and said, "You're right, I am mad! I've been driven crazy!"It's been six years already. I've been engaged to him for six years."Do y
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