Meanwhile, Colette had also received a call. "You're telling me Jayce is going out alone at this hour?"After overcoming her shock, Colette smiled brightly. She was excited."Continue to keep an eye on him. Tell me where he goes. I'll be there soon."Ever since Colette found out about Jayce's identity, she hired someone to follow him every day.She had moved out of the Jameson manor and stayed in an apartment near the hotel with tight security. It was mainly because she wanted to create a fateful encounter with him as soon as possible.Colette changed her clothes and put on some makeup. She smiled confidently into the mirror before leaving."He's heading to Cloudy Restaurant? Alright. I'll be there soon."Colette was full of confidence.Jayce liked Celestrian women. Celeste believed she fit all his requirements of an ideal woman.She wanted to see if Luna could remain so haughty if Jayce were to fall in love with her.…After parking the bicycle, Victoria turned around and
After leaving the room, Colette wanted to explain herself to Luna. But she was quickly surrounded by reporters."Ms. Jameson, why are you here so late at night?""Did you hire someone to follow Mr. Murray?""What is your purpose for doing so?""Are you acting alone or are you under direct orders?"…Their questions were sharp.While looking at the reporters, Colette wanted nothing more than to slap them.She regretted what she did.Nothing would have happened if she had not hired someone to follow Jayce. If only she had not come to the restaurant. It was all Zachary's fault. Why did he tell her Jayce's identity?It had not been easy for Colette to salvage her reputation. She was finally the subject of admiration and praise again, but now, everything was ruined.No! She could not let that happen!Colette took a deep breath and composed. "No. I never hired anyone to spy on him. I just happened to come here for a drink and saw Mr. Murray. So, I went to talk to him."My uncl
The car started.Benjamin maintained the same position he had been in before Victoria and Jayce got in the car.He closed his eyes and used his fingers to rub his temples.He looked exhausted.Victoria looked at him with worry. "Benjamin? Are you sick? Do you have a headache?"Benjamin answered softly, "I'm a little tired."Yves rolled his eyes as he drove.Victoria felt guilty and sympathetic. "Do you want me to massage your head?"Yves was stunned.Did he hear correctly?He was suddenly filled with envy.Jayce could not stand it.He glared at Victoria and huffed, "Vic, can't you see that I'm angry? You hurt me. I'm the one who needs consolation. What does his headache have to do with you? Don't you know who you are? How dare he ask you to lower yourself and serve him? Your hands shouldn't be used to serve people."Jayce had been bubbling with anger.He hoped Victoria would console him, but he did not put much hope into that thought.Victoria simply used her talents to
By the time they reached Zion Estate, it was already 2:00 am.Victoria looked at her phone. Jayce had sent her three similar messages."Call me when you're home. I'll wait for you.""You must remember to call me. I'll wait for you.""I'm already in my hotel room. I'm waiting for your call."Victoria quickly took a bath and changed into a pair of comfortable pajamas. Then, she called Jayce.Jayce answered instantly."Vic!"While drying her hair, Victoria remarked, "Do you have a lot of time on your hands, Jayce?""Who's Benjamin? What's the relationship between you two? You're not 20 yet. According to Celestria's laws, you can't marry yet. Why are you treating him like that? What does he have against you? Are you in trouble?" Jayce went on and on.Victoria reacted as if she had heard a joke. "You seem rather familiar with Celestria's laws. Jayce, how long have you known me? Do you think someone could force me to do something I wasn't willing to do?" She admitted, "He's my bo
The next day, the news regarding Luna attacking Colette during the latter's late-night meeting with Jayce trended all over the internet.Curious onlookers eagerly checked out the gossip, only to realize what had really happened.Jayce admired Celestria's wine culture.Colette hired someone to follow him in order to create a fateful encounter.Something happened in between, and Jayce's shirt got wet.Colette sat on his chair to clean his shirt. However, she was caught red-handed by Luna who had rushed over. Luna even berated her.Every reporter who created an article on the subject included photos and voice recordings.Colette: "I … I'm not sure. I accidentally spilled some water on Jay—Mr. Murray. I was just drying his clothes for him. We weren't doing anything."Jayce: "I was interested in Celestria's wine culture and wanted to experience it myself. I specifically chose to come here at this hour. How did you know I was here? Don't tell me it's all a big coincidence."I don't
It was held in the largest sports arena in Danube City.The day before the talent competition, the invited media personnel came to set up and test their equipment.The competition would span three days.On the first day, there would be a talent show performed by the graduates of Brighton Women's College.Other than the judges Brighton previously invited, a few representatives from Fortuna University who were highly skilled in dance and vocal performance were also on the judging panel.The second day was when the competition truly began.Representatives from Fortuna, Brighton, as well as other universities, competed through their performances.The third day was split into a morning session and an evening session. In the morning, the graduation ceremony would be held. The school administrators and outstanding representatives would give their speeches then. There would be a reception at night.Apart from the reception on the third evening, all the events held in the sports arena w
Colette did not believe what Victoria said at all. She let out a disdainful chuckle as if she had just heard a joke. "Victoria, just who do you think you are? Don't you think you are being a little too boastful?" Ignoring her, Victoria took out her phone. She had received two missed calls from Benjamin.As required for the performance, Victoria had set her phone on silent. Since she had her phone in her pocket the whole time, she did not notice the calls.Victoria checked her WhatsApp and found that all the messages she received were from Benjamin."What are you and Louis talking about?""Keep your distance from him when you talk. Don't get so close.""Your faces are almost sticking together. Don't talk to him."Victoria smiled as she read the WhatsApp messages. Benjamin did not disappoint her at all. Despite having his childhood friend by his side, he kept his eyes on Victoria. She lifted her gaze in Benjamin's direction. It turned out that Benjamin had been looking at Victo
When Colette found Yvette, the latter was engaged in a conversation with Jayce and Luna. Her face immediately lit up. After a brief hesitation, she approached them."Yvette."Luna's face fell the moment she saw Colette. She did not bother to hide her disdain as she asked, "Ms. White, do you know her?"Yvette glanced at Colette and let out a hum. "She's a friend."Upon hearing that, Colette breathed a sigh of relief. Standing beside Yvette, she started to explain to Luna, "Ms. Gibson, you've misunderstood. I admit that I had someone follow Mr. Murray, and I apologize for that, but I promise I didn't have any weird intentions."Mr. Murray spilled the water by accident, and those reporters who came weren't my doing. I … have someone I like, and the person I like wants to get to know Mr. Murray. I was trying to help him out."Seeing how Luna remained unmoving, Colette continued, "I wasn't aware of your relationship with Mr. Murray, Ms. Gibson. I'm sorry. I wish you both a lifetime of
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