Secret Scion

Rose felt that she was simply telling the truth. However, Sebastian thought otherwise. She then stared into Sebastian's eyes and said, "Why do you always assume that I have special feelings for him? He crippled Sam. He ruined Garrett and Maggie's engagement. He's the Schmidts' enemy. You know all of this, right? Sebastian Macquoid, if you have no trust in me at all, then let's end everything between us right now. We can stop hurting each other before we get engaged." When Sebastian saw that Rose was genuinely angry, he then smiled apologetically and said, "I was wrong. I'll do better."

Only when Rose heard what Sebastian said did her icy facial expression warm up. She pulled her bangs back and said, "In my memory, you've always been someone very confident. That's the most attractive part about you. However, you've changed."

If there was no trust between them, how were they supposed to be together? Rose was terrified at the thought.

Sebastian raised his wine glass and said, "That's because I was betrayed once by the person I trusted the most. Of course, I shouldn't have been suspicious of you. It's my fault, and I apologize. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I don't want to hear your apologies anyway. All I want is for you to change," Rose said with a smile.

After Sebastian had finished his glass of wine, he somewhat hesitated and said, "I think I should still tell you about this. I keep on feeling that there's something suspicious about Solomon kicking Asher out of the household. That's why I want to test him during our engagement party. I don't want to take things to the extreme, but he has to be within my control." "How?" Rose asked.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. You forming the Gentlemen was a very good idea. That's why I want to rebuild the Gentlemen again. We cannot advance alone. So, a group like that will be of great use to us in the future. The main reason the Gentlemen failed was because the members were not unified enough. It was like a beautiful aquarium. It looked beautiful, but the inside was empty. It shattered with but a touch. This time, when we rebuild the Gentlemen, we'll need to change the aquarium into a ball. It would naturally be able to resist heavy attacks." Rose knew that too. To be honest, she was being too hasty, and the Gentlemen expanded too quickly. It also meant that it had no strong foundation. That was why it was easily destroyed by Asher.

"After what happened last time, they won't join the Gentlemen so easily," Rose said.

Sebastian then said, "Don't you worry about that. I already had Savannah ask them about it, and most of them have agreed."

"Savannah?" Rose frowned. Earlier, Rose had already suspected Savannah of finding another more powerful backer. Now that she heard what Sebastian had said, she was right. That woman had formed a connection with the Macquoids. Rose was somewhat angry since everyone knew that Savannah's backer was her, Rose Schmidt.

"That woman knows her place, and Jeremiah introduced her to me. I heard that she was the number two in the Gentlemen," Sebastian said. After a pause, he then continued, "We need people to work for us now, so we can move things aside. I'm prepared to let Griffin join too. Of course, you'll still be the leader. I did all of this for you."

For me, huh?

While Rose said nothing, she was skeptical of it. While Sebastian said that he wanted to discuss it with her, he had already taken action a long time ago, before she even got to know about any of it. He said that she was the leader of the Gentlemen? No, even she was just a pawn in his hand. However, they were going to get engaged soon. Rose did not want to start any drama between them because of this. Not to mention that after they get engaged, they would belong to the same household. The person making the decision mattered little to her.

Rose then asked, "But what does this have to do with testing Asher?"

After asking the question, a thought crossed her mind. She then continued, "Can it be that you want Asher to join the Gentlemen too?"

"Correct." A smile appeared on Sebastian's face as he once again assumed the personality of someone who was in control of everything. "From what I know, Asher would never become anyone's subordinate, including you and me. However, there's one exception, that's when he has no options left and needs support.

"If he has really been cut off from the Crawfords, then what he needs now is a powerful group to support him. Asher is a smart man. He won't pass up a chance to regain his footing just because of his own pride. If this is not an act, then Asher will definitely join the Gentlemen. In contrast, if he turns it down, then it means that what happened last time was definitely a farce, or at least it has a high possibility of being fake."

Rose found no flaw in Sebastian's analysis. She said, "Even if Asher does agree to join the Gentlemen, do you believe you can control him? Also, he won't be going to our engagement party."

"If I'm bold enough to use him, then I have the ability to subdue him. Trust me, he'll come to the party," Sebastian said as if he had everything in control.

When Rose went back to the Schmidts, Xavier was still awake, as if he was waiting for her. When he saw her come home, Xavier asked with a smile, "Did you get everything ready for the engagement party, Rose? Your engagement is the one thing that I care about the most. Now that you're going to get engaged with Sebastian, I can finally relax. The Macquoids are the number one household in Alexandrius. You're going to be the madam of the Macquoids, and I'm happy for you."

Rose then said calmly, "Grandpa, I think I'm not the one that you're happy about. It's getting late, you should rest. Good night." Rose then went back to her room before Xavier could say anything. Xavier was so angry that he gritted his teeth. If it were in the past, he would have blown up. However, Rose was now the Macquoids' future madam. If the Schmidts wanted to obtain support from Rose, he had to hold it in no matter how angry he was.

After Rose had finished taking a shower, she lay down on the bed after putting on her sleeping gown. Sebastian's plan of having Asher join the Gentlemen was still echoing in her mind.

Based on Rose's understanding of Asher, he would never join the Gentlemen. That was what Rose was worried about. If Asher were to disagree, then Sebastian would do everything he could to take him out.

When she thought of that, Rose sent a message to Asher and told him to do what Sebastian wanted.

After she had composed the message and wanted to send it out, Rose began to hesitate. What does he have to do with me anyway? Why am I so nervous?

Rose then threw her mobile aside and then switched off the light before going to bed.

Meanwhile, Sebastian could not sleep when he was home. He tested Rose today. While Rose did

not admit it, Sebastian felt that Rose did not want anything to happen to Asher.

When they were at the Solstice Hotel last time, it was clear that she was helping Asher as well. When he thought of that, Sebastian's expression turned cold. He would never allow his own wife to have any illicit relationship with another man.

"Rose Schmidt... I hope I'm wrong about this."

On the afternoon before Rose and Sebastian's engagement party, Layla suddenly sought Asher out and asked him if he was going to the Macquoid's or the Harrison's engagement party. While the Knights were not part of the first-rate households, Allen had been a doctor all his life and saved countless people. His social circle was extremely complex, to the point where even the Macquoids showed him some level of respect. That was why Sebastian had invited Layla a long time ago.

At the same time, Layla had also accepted the invitation from the Harrisons. She did not know which one to attend, so she then asked Asher to find out what he was thinking.

When Layla found Asher, he was still asleep in the hotel. When he opened the door and saw Layla's face, he simply went to lie down on his bed again. He lit up a cigarette and said, "Do you think it's appropriate for me to join something like this right now?"

Layla knew what Asher meant. Even she was feeling uncomfortable seeing how many people misjudged him. He was suffering a great deal of humiliation.

She wanted to apologize to him about what happened last time. However, doing that would be telling Asher they knew that he had been framed. Layla had sworn before Solomon that she would never tell anyone.

She was tortured by this mixed feeling of wanting to tell him but could not.

Layla then did her best in pretending to be cold and glanced at him before saying in an annoyed tone, "I was right. Without the Crawfords' protection, you can't even take care of your bare necessities. I knew that you'd give up after what happened last time. And now... This is what I wanted to see. Asher, do you know? I've been jealous of you since we were young. And now, my heart is finally at peace."

All the things that she said were meant to provoke him. Layla did not want to see him fall like that.

###Chapter 181 Difference

"It's not too late even if you only realize it now." A soft smile appeared on Asher's face as he smoked.

"If that's all you have, then Grandpa made the right choice in deciding to let Huxley become the Crawfords' heir. He's far tougher," Layla continued.

"Don't speak of him in front of me!" Asher's expression immediately darkened. Even Layla could feel the chills running down her spine. However, seeing that he did not want to hear Huxley's name, she purposely taunted him.

"I'm simply telling it like it is! Huxley is tougher than you."

Asher jumped down from the bed with his eyes crimson red. Even the cigarette in his hand was snapped as his expression turned feral. Layla instinctively took a step back.

"Get the hell out of here, and don't show your face in front of me again!" Asher screamed furiously as he pointed at the door.

Layla was scared out of her wits. She never realized that Asher could be so terrifying when he was angered. She could not stop herself from trembling as her face turned pale. Layla finally managed to control the fear in her after a while and said, "How can you terrorize me like that when you're the one that did the unthinkable to me?! Is that all you've got, Asher? Then, stay that way! I'll despise you forever!" With that, Layla turned and left. When she was out of the room, she felt all the strength within her leave her body as she could not help but slump against the wall in the corridor as she caught her breath.

Meanwhile, Asher only managed to calm down after a very long time. He took out a cigarette and began to give it a few puffs before his mobile phone began to vibrate. It was a text from an unknown number.

...

Asher woke up early the next day. He looked at the time; it was approximately six in the morning. The rising sun was casting a soft hue outside the window.

He once again held his mobile in hand and scrolled to the text again.

He wondered who was the one that sent him that text.

He could first determine that the person who sent the text was someone he knew. Secondly, this person had a good relationship with Sebastian. Otherwise, this person would never know what Sebastian wanted to do.

A person that knew him and had a good relationship with Sebastian... Who could it be? Asher's mind quickly processed that information, and a gorgeous face appeared in his mind. Rose Schmidt?

As his tiff with the Schmidts became worse and worse, Rose also treated him as her enemy. Not

to mention that Rose was going to become Sebastian's fiancee, there was no reason for her to help him in any way. Even if she would, she would never betray Sebastian.

That was why Asher quickly eliminated Rose from his mental list. However, if it was not her, then Asher could not think of anyone else that would send him that message.

Asher was not able to clear his suspicions for a long time, so he simply put it aside. He finished his cigarette and then got out of bed.

Since Sebastian wanted to test him, why not hand that chance to him on a silver platter? That was why Asher decided at the last minute to join Rose and Sebastian's engagement party. It was destined that the day was going to be a special day. Four households forged their alliance in marriage on the same day. The entire social circle of the upper class was in chaos, and it threw all the other households into disarray as they became uncertain as to which party to join. On one hand, it was the Macquoids and the Schmidts. On the other hand, it was the Harrisons and the Webbs. Both sides were households of great renown. Both sides could not be offended. At the Harrisons.

The engagement between Seth and Phoebe was something both of them mutually consented to. They woke up very early in the morning, and a call was made to Phoebe, asking them when was the exact time they would be coming.

Seth was also quite pleased, normal for someone who was involved in a jovial occasion. Everything had been prepared, so they only needed the Webbs to come along. "Congratulations, Seth. You finally have the beauty in your arms."

Joel managed to get home last night. It was Seth's engagement party after all. As his cousin, he had to be there to support him. With that, he took out an envelope and handed it to Seth. "Here's my engagement gift. Please accept it."

"What are you doing, Joel? We're cousins, there's no need for you to do this! Keep it," Seth said. Joel grinned and pushed the envelope into Seth's hand and said, "We're not kids anymore. It's only appropriate for me to give you something. Take it. It's just a token though, so don't expect too much."

Seth hesitated and finally accepted it saying, "When it's your turn, I'll give you something good." When it was about ten in the morning, some of the Harrisons' friends and family had already made their way there. However, there were not a lot of them, and those that came were not anyone important from their respective households. Only a few of those who were important in the eyes of their family elders had joined them.

Joel knew that Rose and Sebastian also had their engagement party on the same day. Those who were not here were most probably joining theirs. When both sides were compared side by side, the difference between them became very noticeable.

"Seth, I'm not sure if I should tell you this, but we're family, so I have to remind you of something. When Phoebe started dating you, she hadn't broken off her engagement with Asher just yet. In some sense, she did betray Asher. You have to be careful. Don't end up like him," Joel

said.

Seth nodded. "Don't worry. I trust Phoebe. She's not that kind of woman."

"Alright, then. Looks like a lot of the guests are here already. Go and greet them. I should get out

of your way." With that, Joel walked out.

The engagement party was going to start at twelve in the afternoon. However, when it was almost time, there were still not a lot of people present. Most of them were not important as

well.

When Seth saw that, he could no longer maintain the smile on his face. However, he could understand why. Today was the day Sebastian and Rose had their engagement as well. The two of them were the best among their generation. It was only normal for those that were in their social circle to join their party instead.

However, Phoebe was feeling upset. The reason she chose Seth was because of the power the Harrisons wielded in Alexandrius. It had nothing much to do with Seth himself.

She initially thought that on the day of her engagement, everyone from the upper class would come and congratulate her. However, reality was very different from what she had in mind. In that instant, Phoebe somewhat regretted agreeing to this marriage. However, it was too late for anything to be done. She could no longer turn her back on her promise. Meanwhile, plenty of guests have already arrived at the Macquoid's residence since eight in the morning. It was only ten when the huge courtyard was already filled with people. When compared to the Harrisons, they had fully demonstrated the influence of being the number one

family

in the city.

"Aunt Selena, I've already asked Jeremiah to arrange everything. No one is allowed to take any photographs or record any videos. While there's nothing wrong with you joining the party, others might use this to their advantage. You should be more prepared," Sebastian said to Selena in a room. Sebastian was wearing a white suit today. Coupled with his lean physique, he was one of the most charming young men that Selena had ever seen.

"Sebastian, while today is just your engagement, it still means that after today, you're a real adult. You now carry another burden on your shoulders. Rose is a good girl, so treat her well in the future. Don't make her cry, understand?" While Selena and Sebastian were around the same age, as she had spent plenty of time in politics, she was much more mature. Sebastian then joked with a smile, "When are you going to get married then?" When Selena heard that, she simply rolled her eyes and said, "Why are you asking me about that? I see that plenty of guests from the other households have arrived. As the VVIP today, you should go out and greet them. Go. Don't let others say that you're arrogant."

Sebastian nodded. Just when he was about to leave, Selena suddenly blurted out, "Sebastian, is Asher coming today?"

Sebastian was first stunned before turning around to look at Selena. "He should be. If you don't want to see him, then I'll stop him from entering."

Sebastian knew about Selena accidentally exposing herself to Asher. He also knew that she had been avoiding Asher all this while.

"There's no need for that. I'll just stay away from him. Go," Selena said with a smile. After hesitating for a few seconds, Sebastian nodded and left.

Only then did Selena let out a long sigh as the strong aura around her faded away. She looked

like an ordinary young woman for once. What happened all those years ago was like a nightmare

haunting Selena. Even after so many years, that moment would still haunt her. As time passed, she began to blush.