Morgan Shangguan was speechless at how thick-skinned he was becoming.
Irene Yi studied the two carefully, finally realizing why they looked familiar. The woman bore a striking resemblance to Roxy Shangguan—though their personalities were completely different, their features were at least half alike. And the man—wasn’t he just like the Ghostmaster himself? The Ghostmaster’s chill was like a sharpened blade, wounding anyone careless enough to get close, while this man was more like a sword kept in its sheath—appearing gentle, yet once unsheathed, his force was irresistible.
Irene Yi had some guesses about their identities, but refused to concede, snorting coldly. "Why Roxy Shangguan? I've guarded the Master for so many years, devoted myself to him, but besides being willful, what else does Roxy Shangguan have?" Irene Yi was growing more and more extreme, her bitterness over what she couldn't have driving her off course.
Morgan Shangguan wasn’t angered. She shifted, settling into a more comfortable position, and looked at Irene Yi calmly. "Did Quentin Hua ever ask you to guard him?"
Irene Yi was stung by her words, glaring in anger and about to retort when Morgan Shangguan continued, "Roxy chose Quentin Hua even before she was born. If you love Quentin Hua so much, could you do the same? You ask what Roxy can do? All I can say is, anything you know, she knows too—and most of what she knows, you don't."
With that, Morgan Shangguan glanced at Damien Gray and sighed, "Damien, it seems our precious daughter truly has no equal among women! Quentin Hua is really getting a bargain!"
Damien Gray replied calmly, "You surpass her."
"Master!" At that moment, Maxwell Jing burst in excitedly, not noticing someone lying on the floor in front of them. He accidentally stepped on Irene Yi’s hand and kicked her in the waist, tripping her hard.
Maxwell Jing barely managed to steady himself, frowning at the person on the ground and muttering, "Why is this woman still here? Roxy’s tormenting skills aren’t what they used to be!"
Ethan Gu strolled in unhurriedly, Nolan following behind.
Morgan Shangguan didn’t care much for Mona Shangguan, but she didn’t dislike Nolan.
Nolan’s eyes lit up with joy when he saw Morgan Shangguan. "Aunt Morgan!" he called out, but when he saw Damien Gray, he gave a defiant little snort. He looked proud, but still hid behind Ethan Gu, too scared to step forward.
Why did Nolan hold a grudge against Damien Gray? It was because, back when they went to look for Maxwell Jing and Ethan Gu, Nolan was just a little kid. Whenever he saw Morgan Shangguan, he’d cling to her, even smothering her face with slobbery kisses. Damien Gray, annoyed, asked Ethan Gu for a pouch of medicinal powder, tucked it into Nolan’s clothes, and tossed him into a wolf pack.
Thanks to the powder, the wolves didn’t dare approach, but being surrounded by so many wolves was terrifying for a small child. Staring into all those eerie green eyes, Nolan fainted from fright. Ever since then, he’s both feared and resented Damien Gray—and he never tried to cling to Morgan Shangguan again!
When Roxy Shangguan and Quentin Hua realized Irene Yi had disappeared without a sound, their first guess was that Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray must have arrived. Who else could pull off something so stealthy, leaving them completely unaware?
Roxy Shangguan rushed out at once. Quentin Hua watched her vanish in the blink of an eye, shook his head, and followed at a leisurely pace.
After finding out where Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray were staying, Roxy Shangguan headed straight for their small courtyard, already thinking about what gifts to ask for—her parents always had the best treasures!
"Roxy Shangguan..." Suddenly, a shadow flashed by and blocked her path.
The spot was just secluded enough, shielded by a rockery and unlikely to be noticed. Roxy Shangguan frowned at the handsome young man standing before her. "Who are you?" she asked.
The young man’s eyes held a hint of disappointment as he stared at her. "I’m Ian Lu. Don’t you remember me?"
Roxy Shangguan frowned, then decisively shook her head. "I don’t know you. You’re blocking my way—please move aside!"
Ian Lu grabbed her wrist in excitement, blurting out, "How could you not recognize me? We met when we were kids..."
"What are you two doing?" an angry voice demanded. Roxy Shangguan turned to see Quentin Hua’s dark, stormy expression.
Ian Lu narrowed his eyes at Quentin Hua. He had to admit Quentin Hua was an impressive man, but he was no longer empty-handed. Even if he couldn’t surpass Quentin Hua, at least... he was younger!
Quentin Hua pulled Roxy Shangguan into his arms and with a flick of his sleeve, knocked Ian Lu’s hand away. His eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent—how dare someone come to his turf and try to steal his woman!
Ian Lu clenched his trembling fist—his hand shook just like his restless heart. The gap between him and Quentin Hua felt wider than ever, but even so, he refused to give up!
Quentin Hua ignored him, turning to Roxy Shangguan. "Roxy, you promised you’d never let me feel wronged!"
Roxy Shangguan frowned, finally understanding the strange feeling she’d had earlier. Was Quentin Hua planning to use her promises as ammunition against his rivals forever? Still, she didn’t mind. Glancing at the approaching Lotus Sect disciples, she waved her hand. "Get rid of him!"
Hearing this, Ian Lu’s face turned cold. "Roxy Shangguan!"
"Pretty boy?"
Ian Lu turned his head and saw Damien Gray and Morgan Shangguan—weren’t they the ones he’d met at the inn? No wonder Morgan Shangguan looked familiar; she resembled Roxy Shangguan.
Quentin Hua didn’t care if Ian Lu was an acquaintance of Damien Gray. He glared coldly at the unmoving disciples. "What are you waiting for?" he snapped. If it weren’t for the upcoming wedding, he wouldn’t let this annoying pretty boy off so easily!
Ian Lu really was strikingly handsome—no wonder Damien Gray called him a pretty boy!
Damien Gray watched the bumbling disciples, then glanced at Maxwell Jing and Ethan Gu, who immediately understood. They each took hold of Ian Lu and carried him off, tossing him down the mountain. Even his last bold words were swallowed by the wind!