Barrett hailed from a small town with a deeply patriarchal culture, where men often looked down on women.

Consequently, Barrett had picked up a lot of habits from his upbringing.

For instance, men shouldn't wash women's clothes, women shouldn't touch a man's head, and men certainly shouldn't eat a woman's leftovers.

According to the local superstition, if a man did any of those things, the woman would steal his masculine energy.

Lucilla had long grown tired of Barrett's ridiculous hangups.

They had been living together for a while, and she was the one who washed even his smelly socks.

But one time, she had a fever and was too sick to do her laundry. She asked Barrett to wash her underwear, but he only washed his own, leaving her dirty clothes in a pile.

Every single one of their arguments stemmed from his chauvinistic attitude.

Lucilla hadn't been angry at first.

But now...

Seeing the great Master Ninth, who had no such hang-ups, she couldn't help but wonder where a guy like Barrett got off having so many ridiculous rules.

It was laughable!

Barrett, however, was unfazed. "Master Ninth isn't from my hometown," he argued. "Can't you just respect my local customs? If he were from my part of the country, I guarantee he wouldn't be eating Miss Gonzales's leftovers."

"And how would you know that? How do you know he wouldn't do it for her?"

Just then, the owner brought their food to the table. Barrett continued, "Master Ninth is a man of principles. He never breaks his principles for anyone."

Barrett had been working at Sylvester Group for some time now, so he often heard stories about Gordon from Johnny.

He knew Gordon was a man who also had a strong, traditional side.

Seeing that Barrett didn't seem to grasp the seriousness of the issue, Lucilla

became even more furious. She put down her fork. "I've lost my appetite. You can eat by yourself."

Some things were better left unexamined. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

As his girlfriend walked out, Barrett didn't seem concerned at all. He just kept eating.

In his mind, Lucilla wouldn't go far.

After all, they were living together.

She would have to come back to their apartment eventually.

Barrett leisurely finished his meal, then took a stroll by the lake before finally

heading back to their rented apartment.

He opened the door and froze.

Everything belonging to Lucilla was gone.

It was only then that the gravity of the situation hit him. He immediately dialed her number. The moment she answered, he demanded, "Lucilla, where are you?"

"Let's break up," she said calmly.

Barrett was dumbfounded. "Break up? Lucilla, are you serious? You're breaking up with me over something so small? I haven't done anything unforgivable. I don't gamble, I don't cheat, I don't mess around. What's your problem?"

Lucilla said nothing and hung up the phone.

After their meal, Gordon and Caitlin went to a nearby mall for a walk.

The fourth floor housed a large arcade.

Gordon bought a cup of tokens, and after they played a few games, they moved to the claw machine area.

Gordon was no longer the novice he used to be. He was a master now, his aim unerring. Any stuffed animal Caitlin pointed at, he skillfully captured. Before long, the small cart they had was piled high with prizes.

Their success drew envious glances from other couples in the arcade.

Silverhaven.

The Lowell Group.

Mayo Lowell sat back in his executive chair, puffing on a cigar.

Wilfred stood beside him, delivering a report.

After finishing with the work updates, Wilfred added, "By the way, Mayo, you asked

me to look into that Old Kensington. I have a full report on him."

Mayo flicked the ash from his cigar. "Tell me."

Wilfred began, "His full name is Fortune Kensington. He's a standard country-dweller. About a year ago, for some unknown reason, he came into a sudden windfall. He not only bought a villa but also acquired a small property management company, which is now his main source of income: Also, Fortune Kensington has an older son, but due to their poor financial situation back then, the son married into his wife's family after coming to Silverhaven for school. They've been estranged for years and have no contact."

FindNovel.net

A glint appeared in Mayo's eyes, and a scornful smile touched his lips. "So, you're telling me this Kensington fellow is just a lonely old man with no real backing?"

He had offered up to three million, and Fortune Kensington still refused to sell the land. He'd thought the old man must have some powerful connections.

But it turned out...he was nothing more than a rich hick.

For someone with no background to act so tough in front of his Lowell Group...

It was ridiculous.

"That's right," Wilfred confirmed.

Hearing this, Mayo narrowed his

eyes, a dark light flickering within them. "Go see that old fool again later. Take a few more guys with you this time and teach him a lesson If

he still refuses to cooperate, then he can't blame me for what happens

next."

FindNovel.net

Mayo had a history in the underworld; he knew how to operate in both the light and

the shadows.

He had been somewhat cautious of Fortune before.

Mayo had figured that for Fortune to have bought that specific plot of land, he must

have had some inside information.

An ordinary person would never have seen its true value.

Even he himself had initially overlooked it.

But now it seemed...

Fortune's purchase had been nothing but a lucky fluke.

Since the old man had no backing, things would be much simpler.

Wilfred seemed to remember something. "Oh, Mayo, one more thing. Although Old Kensington is estranged from his son, he has a 20-year-old granddaughter named Caitlin. They aren't blood-related, but she is still his descendant make too big of a scene, could that cause a problem?"

A granddaughter?

Twenty years old? And not even blood-related.

we

Mayo let out a cold laugh, his eyes filled with contempt. "Forget about them not

being blood-related. So what if they were? What kind of trouble do you expect a 20- year-old girl to stir up?"