Chapter 30 A History with Violet
+8 Pearls
“A month ago, Violet’s father, Tony Fyre, passed away unexpectedly. The leadership of the Fyres then fell to Leonard Fyre, Tony’s younger brother. With Tony gone, Violet no longer has anyone. to shield her, and the delays have come to an end.
“The Fyres have already finalized their agreement with the Barrons–this winter, Violet will be wed to them. The ceremony is now less than a month away.
“Rumour has it that Violet is currently being kept under strict watch by her family to prevent any chance of escape.”
When Grace finished speaking, Ryan’s expression remained composed, but beneath his calm exterior, a mix of emotions churned–both a cold, murderous intent and a sense of relief.
The murderous intent was aimed squarely at the Fyres and the Barrons
rrons of Shadowcrest Mountain.
The relief came from the fact that the wedding had yet to occur. With it scheduled for this winter, there was still time–enough time to intervene..
Ryan’s feelings for Violet were anything but simple.
On one side, the Fyres had orchestrated the downfall of the Howells, obliterating their legacy. overnight and giving the Kanes a chance to rise in power. This led to the collapse of his family, making the Fyres his sworn enemies.
On the other side, Violet was different. She was his woman, and years ago, when everything fell apart, it was Violet who stood up and reasoned with the Fyres. Her efforts ensured they refrained. from directly harming the Howells, limiting their actions to ruining the family’s business and livelihood. Without her intervention, he might have lost his life to the Fyres three years ago.
At the end of the day, the Fyres were the Fyres, and Violet was Violet.
Violet had done nothing wrong. In fact, it was three years ago that he had taken her innocence, making it his fault, not hers.
Over the past three years, Ryan had visited Actheria on multiple occasions, yet he never once. asked about Violet’s whereabouts. He avoided it because he wasn’t sure how to confront her.
It was only now, as Grace shared Violet’s story, that Ryan truly acknowledged his feelings- throughout these three years, he had never been able to let go of Violet. Her dimpled smile, brimming with allure yet radiating innocence, had lingered in his heart all this time.
“Ryan, do you have a history with Violet?” Grace suddenly inquired, her curiosity as innocent as a child’s, her eyes fixed intently on him.
11:42 AM
Chapter 30 A History with Violet
+8 Pearls
“Wait, so there really is something between you two? Are you planning to take her back?” Grace’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise, her curiosity intensifying when Ryan didn’t refute her assumption. “Ryan, you should think this through carefully. That heir from the Barrons is reportedly the only son of the patriarch in Shadowcrest Mountain, and he’s absolutely spoiled. That’s how he ended up with such a twisted personality.”
“Is that so?” Ryan replied casually, filling his glass again and finishing it in one swift motion.
Afterward, their conversation shifted to other topics. Grace attempted to pry into Ryan’s history with Violet, but he remained tight–lipped, unwilling to share any details.
The meal stretched on for over two hours before Grace finally stood up.
“Ryan, I should get going now. I still need to head to Firesoul Mountain,‘ she said, adjusting her posture. “Shall I arrange for someone to escort you to the Nolans‘ estate in Aetheria?”
“No need, I have a few matters to attend to first,” Ryan replied with a shake of his head. “Once I’ve wrapped things up, I’ll head to Aetheria. Don’t worry–since I’ve agreed to be the honored master of the Nolans‘ Martial Arts Academy, I won’t go back on my word.”
“Goodbye,” Grace said before leaving.
After she was gone, Ryan hailed a taxi and asked to be taken to the Howell Villa.
“Sir, what’s your business at the Howell Villa?” the driver asked curiously during the ride. “The Howells are long gone, and that place has been sitting empty for three years now.”
Just wanted to take a look,” Ryan answered briefly.
One hour later….
Howell Villa.
Ryan stood before the overgrown weeds and the rusty iron fence, his gaze drifting over the neglected grounds. A flood of memories rushed back–the days when his parents used to play with him here as a child.
The memories of playing hide and seek with his sister, Lily, also resurfaced.
Standing in front of the Howell Villa, Ryan stood still for a long while, lost in thought.
After some time, he slowly pushed open the gate and stepped inside.
As he walked through the wide pathway and across the lawn, he eventually reached the villa’s
main hall.
The doors to the hall were draped in cobwebs.
With a reak the door cumir onen
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11:42 AM
Chapter 30 A History with Violet
+8 Pearls
A musty, decaying scent filled the air, thick with dust. Ryan walked over to the mahogany sofa and sat down, his expression a mix of uncertainty and unfamiliarity.
“Everything’s in disarray…” Ryan murmured, eyeing the chaotic mess in the hall.
“A thief? No, this isn’t the work of a thief,” Ryan muttered under his breath. “If it were, these expensive chandeliers, mahogany furniture, and genuine leather carpets wouldn’t still be here.” He frowned, his mind racing. “So why is everything in such disarray? And not just once, but over and over again!”
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Once again, that thought from three years ago resurfaced, a question that had never been. answered: How did the Kanes manage to wipe out everything the Howells had in such a short span of time?
Even if the Kanes had plotted to steal the Howells‘ business and trade secrets, and even if the Fyres from Aetheria had played a part in bringing down the Howells overnight, it still didn’t add
- up.
Back then, the Kanes were still a low–status family. There was no way they could have completely taken over the Howells so quickly. It seemed impossible.
