"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
Sienna's lips curled up. Her melodious voice was laced with cruelty.She was provoking him.She didn't allow Ethan and the others to speak and immediately ended the call.…Outside, the rain had stopped. The fire in the factory building had also been extinguished.But the sky was still gloomy, and the wind was strong.It looked like the rain would pour again anytime soon.Benjamin and Ethan's expressions were even gloomier than the weather.They had an aura that deterred people from coming near them.The others didn't even dare to breathe loudly.Yves was indignant as he spoke, "Is this Ashton some mole rat? He's digging around everywhere, why isn't he living underground yet?"Nobody said a thing.At this moment, Ethan's phone vibrated.Ethan unlocked his phone to have a look.His eyes widened in both surprise and anger.Benjamin rushed over and disconnected the phone's power bank.He also saw the photo and video that Sienna had sent over.He immediately looked up the
The call concluded, leaving Sienna seething with jealousy and a fire burning within her.Frustratedly, she snatched the phone from Walter and flung it toward Victoria's face.Victoria swiftly dodged the airborne device, but a realization struck her in that dance of evasion.Adjusting her posture, the phone missed her face but struck her body, prompting a pained grunt.Despite this, Sienna wanted more.She glared at Victoria, resentment in her expression."Why didn't I just tie you up and throw you into the lab to be blown to pieces?"Ashton, catching the meaning behind Sienna's words, walked up behind her. "You knew about their plan? You knew they would blow up my lab?"Sienna turned around and glared at Ashton. Although she didn't say anything, her expression seemed to convey, "So what if I did?"Ashton clenched his fists, suppressing his anger. Sienna stared at Victoria, her eyes burning with hatred, resembling a cold, venomous snake."Victoria, Ethan, and I can no long
Ashton didn't want anyone to know he became the leader because he was a substitute.His lips remained sealed. Such actions undoubtedly confirmed Sienna's suspicions."Why do you think my aunt would fulfill my wish and kill Victoria?" Victoria and Sharon were sitting together, and upon hearing this, they perked up their ears.Ashton chuckled awkwardly. He said meaningfully, "You will know once Ma'am arrives. She will definitely fulfill your wish because it's also her desire!"Victoria looked at Ashton's face, which resembled Benjamin's, and thoughts swiftly crossed her mind. At this moment, a video call from Benjamin came in.Sienna reluctantly accepted the call and handed the phone to Victoria. "Just one minute."Victoria took the phone without hesitation and glanced at Sienna unabashedly. "Benjamin, Sienna's aunt is coming. Have you ever dealt with her?"Through the screen, Victoria earnestly observed Benjamin. Her gaze seemed to ask if he knew someone named Jackalyn.In V
Victoria's hands and feet were once again chained.Sienna glanced at Victoria and pointed at Sharon, threatening, "During the video call, if you utter a single word out of line, I'll have someone chop off one of her fingers!""Sienna, do you know what her relationship with Ethan is?" Sharon questioned.\Sienna's eyes flickered, denying, "I don't know."Victoria smirked ambiguously. Full of sarcasm, she said, "You seem genuinely attached to Ethan, don't you?"Enraged, Sienna retorted, "Victoria, spare me your cryptic remarks. Once my aunt arrives, your time is up!""I'll be waiting," Victoria replied confidently.After instructing and warning Walter, Sienna left with Ashton.Victoria rolled her eyes before closing them as she watched them leave.Nearly half an hour later, just before Benjamin's call, she opened her eyes and said weakly, "I feel terrible."On high alert, Walter stared at Victoria, "Don't play tricks.""I'm in pain."Victoria's face turned pale, sweat dripped
Ashton's underlings did not hesitate. They placed their phones on the ground and ran out the other way.Victoria turned to look at Walter's men. "Strip down to your boxers and raise your hands. Go and squat at the side!"Walter was furious. "What kind of request is that? If you want their phones, then just take them. Why do you want them to strip?"Victoria placed her hands on the trigger. "Do as I say!"Walter flinched and shouted, "Didn't you hear what she said? Do as she says!"Everyone placed their phones and guns on the ground. Then, they began to strip down to their boxers. They squatted in a corner of the room with their hands on their heads.Victoria turned to Sharon and said, "Aunt Sharon, pick up all the phones and guns on the ground. Walter, where is your phone? Aunt Sharon, search him."Sharon did as Victoria had instructed and began patting Walter down. She soon found two phones.She also found a bag to collect all the guns and phones."I've already done as you as
A helicopter slowly descended on Nazia Hills.The door opened as a group of trained men jumped down.They were all fully equipped with silver body armor and a helmet. They looked like medieval soldiers, prepared for battle.They stood tall as only their eyes could be seen in the night. They all held a gun in their hands, looking ready.Ashton felt his knees grow weak as his anxiety rose when he looked at the group of people."Aunt Jackalyn!"Sienna shouted excitedly when she noticed Jackalyn descending from the helicopter. She smiled and rushed toward Jackalyn.Jackalyn was wearing a long dress, and her hair was tied up. Her slender neck made her look elegant and proper. She looked like she would not stand anybody acting out.She looked at Sienna and held her hand warmly. However, there was still a terrifying bloodlust in her eyes.She did not look like an average woman."Mrs. Jackalyn."Ashton took a deep breath and composed himself. He walked up to Jackalyn.Jackalyn look
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