"She’s missing, Lan Yancy, mobilize everyone, and let Scorpion’s team search as well. I only want Eleanor Hollis; I want her back." Hugo Quinn’s voice was a bit hoarse, as if he wouldn’t rest until Eleanor was found. Lan Yancy was taken aback; Scorpion refers to the President’s forces in the shadows, which are forbidden for members of the Quinton Family. These forces had always lain dormant, unknown to anyone, yet now the President was deploying them just to find Miss Hollis. If those higher up noticed, the Quinton Family would be in jeopardy. The President was willing to risk everything for Miss Hollis. He hesitated for a moment. This force had been idle for so long, never activated. The President’s search for Miss Shaw was already drawing a lot of attention, and if those higher up discovered an involvement of a dark force, there’d surely be investigations. "President, Scorpion’s team..." Before he could refuse, he heard Hugo Quinn let out a faint laugh. "If anything happens to her, I don’t want to live either." A simple sentence that instantly made Hugo Quinn’s stance clear. Lan Yancy dared not delay any longer and immediately went to inform Scorpion. Scorpion wasn’t a specific person but an organization, a powerful one at that. This was Hugo Quinn’s hidden force, so powerful it was unimaginable. He’d never resorted to using it, because no matter what happened, he could handle it easily, but this time, he was genuinely panicked. Old Master Dawson, upon learning that Hugo Quinn refused to meet him, returned to the Dawson Family in a somber and furious mood. At the Dawson Family, a man had been waiting. The man was very handsome, but it was a kind of handsome that wasn’t pleasant to behold, an ambition-filled beauty. This was the illegitimate son Old Master Dawson had retrieved. Old Master Dawson had always lived an unchaste life, desperate for a son, yet it seemed the Dawson Family was cursed. Fortunately, when he was around fifty, a girl got pregnant. Although his son had wandered outside for so many years, he didn’t mind at all and even had a paternity test done; this was indeed his son. With his own son, the thing inside his granddaughter’s belly became less important, as did Eleanor Hollis herself. The Dawson Family never valued family bonds. "We must acquire the Grandeur Group. Hugo Quinn probably won’t return to the company anytime soon, making it the best time for us to act. Son, you are now the only heir of the Dawson Family. Dylan Dawson and Eleanor Hollis are both dead, leaving only Ashley Dawson. Ashley will be married off as part of a commercial alliance in the future; I’ve laid the path for you. Now it’s up to you." The man’s lips curled; if they secured Grandeur, who in Serenford would dare oppose him? "Dad, I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you." The man couldn’t hide his excitement, eager to dethrone Hugo Quinn immediately. Old Master Dawson nodded; he’d always been wary of Dylan Dawson, never fully trusting him, let alone his unpredictable nature, always fearing when he’d do something damaging to the Dawson Family. Thankfully, the other party was dead. Ashley Dawson stood outside, expressionless, hearing she’d be married off as part of a business alliance. That was her fate. She was doing much better than Eleanor Hollis, who might already have been eaten by wolves in the valley, whereas she was alive and could live in luxury. "Ashley, you’re here." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥 Old Master spotted her immediately, with a kindly smile. If not for overhearing that conversation, Ashley Dawson might have believed this grandfather truly cared for her. She called out, slowly walking in from the door. "You’ve worked hard. You handled the Dylan affair well. I’ve already had money transferred to your account—buy whatever you like; don’t skimp on yourself." Ashley nodded. A transfer from the Old Master was surely not a small amount. She was doing much better than Eleanor Hollis. She always compared herself to Eleanor Hollis; as long as she was better off than Eleanor, she was happy. The man beside her had been discreetly observing Ashley Dawson, and upon noticing her face, there was a flicker in his eyes. She had all the flaws of women: greedy, stingy, jealous, and selfish. Yet, she was exactly his favorite type of woman. For he always looked down on women, especially those who thought highly of themselves, but someone like Ashley Dawson, who openly displayed her ambition, delighted him. Old Master gave a few last instructions before leaving, leaving Ashley Dawson and the man alone. Since the two had just met, it was somewhat awkward to be alone together. Ashley nodded, wanting to leave, but the man followed her closely. Her brow furrowed, and she turned to face him. Though about the same age, they were worlds apart in seniority. She had reached her bedroom door, turning with a wary look at him. The man’s face showed a hint of depth as he encircled her waist with one hand, pulling her gently inside, shutting the door firmly. "It seems Miss Dawson has entirely forgotten me, how heartbreaking." Though his words spoke of heartbreak, there wasn’t a trace of emotion on his face; he even brazenly bent down, smelling Ashley Dawson’s hair. Ashley felt a chill. By seniority, she should call him uncle, but his behavior clearly crossed a line. "I didn’t remember knowing you before Grandfather found you." The man’s eyes flashed with danger, and he grabbed her neck. "Don’t remember? That evening it was Miss Dawson who was so eager. Have you forgotten the masquerade ball night when Miss Dawson was quite enthusiastic?" At the mention of the masquerade ball, Ashley’s body went rigid. It had been years ago; she had indeed been with a man then, but she never knew who he was. "So what if it was you? I’ve slept with many men; do you think I remember them all?" She turned her face away, with aversion on her brow. The man understood completely and pulled her to him, throwing her onto the bed. "I knew Miss Dawson was that type. That’s why I’ve never worried about being with you. You always take care of everything, right?" Old Master had just left, and this man already showed his true colors.