The gunshots had exposed Victoria's location.Victoria knew the men had zoned in on her spot as they walked toward her.She ran out of her hiding spot and tackled the nearest man. Then, she turned to shoot at the man beside her.Blood immediately splattered around her.Victoria did not hesitate as she jumped up.They began to fight. The longer the fight, the more vigilant Victoria became.These men were skilled.If she continued to fight them head-on, she could not guarantee that she would be able to win.She had to stay logical.Victoria looked at the guns that remained seated by their waist. They did not want to attract any attention.More accurately, they did not want to attract Benjamin's attention.After she had begun their attack, they must have used other means to inform Sienna about her location.She had to let Benjamin know where she was.However, she was fighting with multiple highly skilled men. Victoria did not dare to lose focus.After a few minutes of contin
Sienna became even more anxious. She was afraid Benjamin would have managed to rescue Victoria. She quickly pulled Jackalyn along as she ran out.Thus, Wendy managed to get off the hook.Before they reached the exit, they ran into Sharon, who was trying to see how Victoria was doing.Sharon's face immediately turned pale when she saw Jackalyn. However, her emotions quickly turned into rage as she charged at Jackalyn.Halfway there, Sharon suddenly thought of Victoria. She quickly stopped and ran in the other direction. However, Sharon was soon caught by Jackalyn's men.Sienna looked at Sharon and turned to look at Jackalyn. "Aunt Jackalyn, do you know her?"Jackalyn's voice was faint and full of disdain. It was as if she did not view human life as something important."She's just an ant. But she did leave quite an impression on me."Sienna looked at Sharon with hatred. "I'll kill you right in front of Ethan."Wendy watched as Sharon was apprehended and frowned.How could ther
Sienna laughed coldly as her expression turned crazed."Victoria, do you think Benjamin and Ethan would still love you if they saw what happened to you? Would they still care for you?"You're right. I have gone crazy. I've gone crazy because of you and Ethan!"Do you want to kill me? I'll make you live a life worse than death."Sienna began to cackle.Victoria pointed at Sienna. "What right do you have to blame Ethan? Your aunt had caused the death of Ethan's dad. She also cut off Aunt Sharon's tongue."Your aunt trapped Aunt Sharon here to manufacture drugs for Ashton. Her life is like hell on earth. All of Ethan's misfortunes are all because of your aunt."It's normal for him to refuse to marry you. It'll be a miracle if he chooses to be with you!"Also, you were the one who made so many plans to kill me. If you didn't, all these secrets would have never seen the light."Ethan would have returned to Yrindale, and you would have been Mrs. Cross. Your relationship with Ethan d
Jackalyn's men had a clear target. When Victoria and Wendy went their separate ways, everyone chased after Victoria.Soon, she was surrounded by Jackalyn's men. Everyone aimed their guns at her."We'll open fire if you continue to run!""Don't … don't open fire!"Victoria raised her hands in surrender. "I won't fight anymore either. There's no need to fight. I don't have the energy!"She sat on the ground. "You all can carry me or find something to lift me. I don't want to walk!"Victoria lifted her hand to wipe away her sweat. She relaxed, took a deep breath, and exhaled.If she continued to fight, even if she did not die by their hands, she would die from exhaustion.Looking at how the situation had unfolded, she knew she could not escape. If that were the case, the best move would be to save her energy and wait for an opportunity.She needed time to breathe.After everything that had gone down in the cave, no one dared to underestimate Victoria.All the men present were s
After Wendy noticed that no one was chasing after her, she found a place to unlock her handcuffs.When Benjamin and his men arrived at the Southwest exit, Jackalyn and Sienna had just left.Blood and corpses littered the ground. It was evident that a battle had occurred here.The smell of blood filled the air.Ethan looked at the corpses and saw Sharon, who was littered with bullets."Mom!" he shouted as he ran toward Sharon.He wanted to reach out and hug her, but he didn't know how. He panicked, not knowing what to do.He was filled with regret.His mother would not have died if it weren't for him.In the end, he managed to hug Sharon as he cried in agony. The veins on his head and hands were bulged."I won't let any of them go. I want revenge. I will avenge you and Dad!"Ethan was furious and depressed. Tears began to flow.Silas stamped his feet in anger. "We were too late. Where did they bring Victoria? Benjamin, bring your men to search the forest. I'll search the und
Upon seeing that Victoria was about to be carried onto the plane, Sean could not help but rush forward."Mr. Veron."Victoria heard a familiar voice and lifted her head. She saw Sean blocking a group of people with a determined look on his face."Let her go!" yelled Sean.Sebastian remained unmoved. His demeanor was still serious."Benjamin Harper's elite squad isn't here yet. The few of you are no match for me."Sean revealed the bomb on his waist.Sebastian chuckled. "If you detonate the bomb, not only would you die, but so would Mrs. Harper!"Sean pulled his clothes back down angrily.He looked at Sebastian. "She is Mr. Harper's lawfully wedded wife. He values her greatly, and you've seen it too. If you take her away, then you'll be blatantly picking a fight with Regalia."If that's the case, we'll tell the governments of every country about you guys. We'll tell the media too so that everyone will know of your existence. The Hughes will then vanish from the history books
"Lena Hughes?" Jackalyn asked uncertainly."That's right, it's me. I'm not dead. Isn't that unexpected? Now let Victoria go!" Victoria again."Who's she to you?" asked Jackalyn."That's none of your business. Let her go and don't appear outside."Also, I'm not going back either. Otherwise, everything you've taken from me, I'll take it back in the same way!""Lena, do you still think you are part of the Hughes? How long has it been since you've left?"The Hughes have changed long ago. Even if you return, there's nothing you can change!"Lena laughed and said, "The blood of the Hughes runs through my veins, so of course I'm part of the family!"As for you, who do you think you are? If you've really taken control of the situation, then you wouldn't have constantly tried getting me assassinated all these years. "If the things you did get exposed, not only will you lose everything you currently have, but you'll also be hunted by the Hughes."Jackalyn, think clearly. Would you b
Due to Sienna's death, Jackalyn was greatly affected and became irrational. She was heedless of the words of those around her.She looked at Sebastian whose opposition was the greatest out of everyone on board."Weren't you always advocating 'a life for a life?' She killed my daughter. She even killed so many people who were under the Hughes, yet she does not deserve to die?"She should die a horrific death. If you disagree with me, then I won't help you stabilize the overall situation of the Hughes either!"She thought of Sienna's final cry of "Mom" before she died and could not control her feelings at all.Benjamin. Lena. She couldn't care less.Sebastian glanced at Victoria who was leaning by the cabin door.Someone said, "Mr. Harper is openly taunting the Hughes. His presence is a threat to the Hughes. His elite squad hasn't arrived yet, so let's take this opportunity to get rid of him once and for all!"Victoria looked at the people who were whispering to each other and ha
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