Sebastian was always smiling. But when he said that, his face hardened with a killing intent."I don't agree with you." Victoria looked solemn. "Why do you blame women whenever a problem arises, like certain historical figures in the past?"Jackalyn is a nasty person, indeed. But the problem lies in the Hughes clan, no? In other words, it stems from the greed and selfishness in most, if not all, humans."How did Jackalyn find out about the Hughes Clan? And how did she cross the barrier? Considering her capabilities, she wouldn't have been able to accomplish that feat."Someone from the clan brought her here for some reason. At the end of the day, you guys are having an internal dispute, and the culprit may be a man."Besides, Jackalyn couldn't have manipulated the clan even if she was the chief's wife, given the social status of women here. So, it wasn't her who led the Hughes clan astray."Sebastian slowed to a stop as he listened to her. Staring at her, he was evidently astound
Victoria looked at Silas. "Who told you I want to be the chieftess? I wasn't referring to myself. I'm just an imposter. I'm talking about Ms. Frost. She's a woman, right?"Anyhow, we can't let Jackalyn get what she wants. Otherwise, Ms. Frost will have a tough time here. As for what happened last night …"She pointed at him warningly, "Don't tell Ms. Frost about it."He chuckled. "Do I get a reward for not telling?"She retracted her finger and waved her fist at him.Silas said, "You must tell me when you visit the Chadler family. And …"He looked left and right before leaning closer. He whispered, "Take me with you when you leave this place.""Isn't this your hometown? Don't you like it here?"Running his fingers through his hair, he tilted his chin upward. He struck a pose that he thought looked cool."I'm used to the indulgent lifestyle outside and don't like it here. It's still the Hughes clan, but things have changed."In the outside world, he could avoid conflicts and s
Victoria snapped out of her sleepiness. Her hazy mind cleared up instantly. "He's what?"She sat upright in bed. She continued in a nasal tone, "What do you mean?"Wendy got up from the chair and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked excited. "It's almost the same as what you're going through."He'll choose someone he likes among the women from the Hughes clan and marry her. The only difference is you can only pick one husband, but he can choose many women."You've watched in movies how monarchs choose their concubines, right? That's the gist of it. Victoria, look at what he's doing to you. Maybe you can just—""When did you get the news?""Just this afternoon. It's first-hand news, straight from the oven. Those from mediocre families may not have even received word of it."Victoria sensed her excitement and glared at her. "How is this good news? Are you enjoying this?"Wendy realized she was too excited and covered her mouth with her hands. Then, she let go and said, "No, I m
Wendy knew at once Victoria was going to wreak havoc when she saw the arrogant act she was putting on.Things were getting interesting. Splendid!Solomon's temper flared when he saw her behaving that way. "You know best what you did last night!"Are you heading out? I thought you were sick! How dare you leave me hanging for the whole day?"He was seething with rage, so much so that even his breathing grew rapid.He came in the morning and had been waiting until now. If he hadn't barged in, he wouldn't even have seen her in person.To think they had the audacity to lie and treat him without respect! They weren't taking him seriously.Feeling like a fool, he thought they had challenged his inviolable authority."Do you think you'll be able to escape from me?" He snarled.Victoria took in his pompous behavior. She stepped forward into the main building with her arms crossed and looked at him condescendingly."I was sick, but I'm fine now after sleeping through the day. Do you ha
Solomon's body arched upward. Before he could vomit blood, Wendy covered his mouth with her hands, and he had to swallow his blood.The strong stench of blood made his stomach churn. It was so uncomfortable that his eyes widened. He looked like a dead fish."Victoria, I held him down!" Wendy shouted in delight, waiting for Victoria to praise her.Victoria slowly walked up to him. She was panting, and her face was pale.After she regained consciousness, she had been attentive to her body's recovery. She thought she was almost fully healed. But after the duel with Solomon, she knew she was wrong.Her body was weak now. No matter how hard she trained, she couldn't return to her former self.Her shoulders were aching, and her hair was a mess. Damn it!She wanted to slap him but saw that his face was covered in blood. Instead, she stepped on his neck."I thought you were strong. Where's that pompous ass I saw earlier?"Trying to go all high-and-mighty on me? You should've done your
Lena nodded at Victoria. "That's right. That's what I taught you."She turned to Solomon, and her gentle expression became a stern one. "Why did you hit Vicky?"Solomon remembered Jackalyn telling him not to let others know about what had happened last night and cause a stir."I hit her? She's fine and dandy! Look what she did to me."It's your scheme, isn't it? You're trying to kill me so that you're the only legitimate descendants left. No one can compete with you then, right?""You should watch what you say, Mr. Hughes," Sebastian said calmly but with a hint of warning.Victoria hugged Lena's arm. Pointing at Solomon, she accused, "He keeps saying that I hit his mother last night and wants me to beg her for mercy."I've barely been here for a few days and know no one. Why would I go to Jackalyn and beat her up in the middle of the night?"You're just putting the blame on me. You must feel that we're a threat to you after we arrived and are now trying to smear our reputation!
Victoria yawned and tried to end this topic. "Understood. Don't worry. I cherish my life more than anyone else.""Do you like the things I gifted you?""I was unwell and slept through the day. I haven't checked them out. I'll let you know after I do.""Unwell?"She nodded. "Yes. I caught a cold from the breeze last night. I've never had that since I was ten. But after falling into the ocean, I started falling sick easily."I slept the whole day today because I was feeling sick. Solomon didn't believe me and insisted I was lying."Solomon didn't know she almost died, but Sebastian knew.Unlike Jackalyn, he had a conscience. When dealing with people like him, it would be best to trigger his guilty conscience and use it to her advantage."Please rest well, Ms. Victoria. I'll ensure those who shouldn't appear here never do."Then, he left. She knew he most probably was going to pay Solomon a visit. Another fight might ensue between them, and their conflict would only worsen.Solo
Wendy led Victoria and Silas around the entrance and came to a side door.Seeing how excited she was as she pointed at a hole, Victoria almost punched her out of anger. "That's the secret passage you mentioned? A doggie door?"Wendy was gleeful. "I thought it'd be gone after so many years. What a pleasant surprise! It's like they've kept it here just for us!"Victoria thought she was being ridiculous and almost cursed out loud."No freaking way! I'm not going through a doggie door!" Silas said out loud what she was thinking.Wendy tried to gloss over it. "It's not a doggie door. It's a secret passage!"I used to access the manor through it when Jackalyn first arrived here. Her looks were heavenly when she was young. Now, she's just cruel and wicked."A great man knows when to yield. Victoria, you want to meet Benjamin, don't you?"She looked from one to another. "I'll go in anyway. It's really nothing. Come, I'll show you the way!"With that, she lay flat on the ground and wri