With the start of the Grand Martial Master Level competition in Niphoria’s freestyle fighting tournament, Drake Trent’s plan fell apart. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The head of the Sherwood Clan proactively sent Victor Trent an invitation to join the Sherwoods and watch the freestyle fighting tournament in Niphoria.

Drake Trent stared at the clan emblem on the invitation—a design that resembled a bird, but wasn’t one. He said sinisterly, "Do they really think we wouldn’t dare make a move on them just because we’re in Niphoria?"

Victor Trent glanced at him, took a drag from his cigar, and slowly exhaled. "If the Guardian is here, we really can’t make a move."

"Are we just going to let it go?"

"Of course not." Victor Trent suddenly clapped his hands.

A serene woman walked in. Her features were gentle, and she had the unmistakable air of a woman from a prominent family.

"This is..."

"Her identity isn’t important. What matters is her face."

Drake Trent’s brow furrowed. "What about her face?"

"Tell him yourself."

"I bear a strong resemblance to Grace Sherwood, the daughter of the former head of the Sherwood Clan. I once served as her body double for the Interim Family Head."

A slight smile played on Drake Trent’s lips. "Not bad..."

Victor Trent beckoned the woman over, wrapped an arm around her waist, and reminded his son, "You must be careful on this visit to the Sherwood Clan. It’s highly likely they’ll try to test your strength."

***

「Friday morning.」

Someone rang the doorbell at the Trent villa.

It was a member of the Sherwood Clan, sent to pick up the Trents.

This person was an old acquaintance of Aurora Sinclair: Yves Sherwood.

The flamboyant arrogance on his face was gone, and his demeanor had become much more composed.

A trace of caution rose in Aurora Sinclair. ’I can’t sense my Power on him anymore.’

’In other words, someone had beaten the Power out of his body.’

’A person with that level of ability had to be at least in the Great Martial King Realm.’

The car drove directly to the competition venue. As soon as they got out, they heard the deafening cheers from inside.

Yves Sherwood gestured for them to proceed.

There were several security guards at the venue entrance, and Aurora Sinclair immediately recognized one of them as Beta Morgan.

Beta Morgan walked over quickly, bowed respectfully, and said something in the Niphorian language.

’Aurora Sinclair was a little surprised by the Morgan brothers’ talent for languages. First Masovia, now Niphoria... it seemed there wasn’t a language they couldn’t speak.’

Beta Morgan led them to a VIP box, then stood respectfully outside the door.

"Mr. Trent, congratulations!..." A short, mustachioed man hurried over and extended his right hand to Victor Trent.

Victor Trent exchanged a few false pleasantries with him.

Tate Sherwood’s gaze kept drifting toward Drake Trent. He smiled and asked, "Master Trent, I was wondering, is your esteemed son married?"

Victor Trent glanced at the young woman sitting beside Tate and replied with a smile, "Not yet."

"What do you think of my daughter, then?"

"Excellent..."

Neve Sherwood stood up shyly and said to Tate Sherwood and Victor Trent, "Father, Mr. Trent, I should go prepare for my match."

Victor Trent’s eyes lit up. He praised her with a smile, "A woman as capable as any man."

Neve Sherwood gave a shy curtsy. With her head slightly lowered and hands clasped before her, she bowed slightly as she exited.

Raina Young gently tugged on Victor Trent’s sleeve, her eyes filled with delight. It seemed she had taken a liking to the young lady.

Victor Trent just smiled and patted the back of her hand, signaling for her to be patient.

’Aurora Sinclair was suddenly struck by how dangerous Victor Trent was. He’d ordered his own son’s death, yet he could face the boy’s mother so calmly, even managing to wrap her around his little finger.’

Suddenly, her vision darkened as an unfamiliar face appeared before her.

"Miss, please come with me..."

Aurora Sinclair snapped back to her senses. Mama Young, beside her, shot her a glare and reminded her, "Go help Mrs. Trent make the fruit salad."

She immediately followed the man out of the room.

The man’s steps were steady, only suddenly becoming hurried when no one was around. He pushed open a fire escape door and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her inside.

"Mor—" MMH!

Warm, soft lips pressed against hers, the kiss so fierce it sent a tremor through her heart.

Alvin Morgan pinned her against the door, kissing her deeply. His tongue parted her lips and staked its claim.

Aurora Sinclair trembled, feeling that this kiss was a little too fierce. Her brain felt starved for oxygen.

"Breathe..." Alvin Morgan murmured, holding her close and giving her two more soft kisses.

Only then did Aurora Sinclair take a big gasp of air.

Alvin Morgan rested his forehead against hers. Gazing at her flushed lips, he asked in a hoarse voice, "Did you miss me?"

Aurora Sinclair gave a shy, "Mhm."

Alvin Morgan held her tightly, feeling the slight tremor in her body. He whispered in her ear, "I missed you. So much..."

They hugged for over ten minutes.

Aurora Sinclair said in a muffled voice, "Morgan, I still have to go make the fruit salad."

"Beta Morgan is already making it."

"I should get back, then..."

"No rush."

Aurora Sinclair bit her lip. Her back was starting to ache.

"Can you let me straighten up?"

"Want to sit on my lap?"

Aurora Sinclair’s face instantly turned red, and she pinched his back.

BZZT BZZT BZZT—

Alvin Morgan’s watch started vibrating.

His brow furrowed slightly as he answered it.

Beta Morgan’s voice came through: "Sir, the fruit salad is done. Where are you? I’ll bring it to you..."

Alvin Morgan pursed his lips and promptly hung up.

"Go back."

"No..."

"..."

’Aurora Sinclair suddenly felt like Morgan had turned into a clingy child begging for candy.’

"We should go back. They’ll get suspicious."

Alvin Morgan took a bandage from his pocket and wrapped it around her finger.

"Morgan?"

"Just a little longer."

"I use my right hand to hold the knife, so there’s no way I could have cut it."

"..."

Finally, at Aurora Sinclair’s insistence, Alvin Morgan let her go.

When Aurora Sinclair returned, Mama Young worriedly asked about her finger.

She didn’t seem to notice anything else was amiss.

The others in the box were also absorbed by the match on the stage.

***

A man and a woman now stood on the stage. The woman was Neve Sherwood; the man was a stranger.

The match was reaching its climax. Neve Sherwood had a momentary lapse in concentration and took a blow to the chest, sending her stumbling back seven or eight steps.

On the sofa, Tate Sherwood sat bolt upright, looking anxious.

The man pressed his attack, forcing Neve Sherwood to retreat on the defensive.

The two reached a stalemate. Since Neve Sherwood refused to attack, the referee awarded a point to her opponent.

Tate Sherwood’s expression grew increasingly grim. ’Is she feeling unwell?’ he wondered.

Suddenly, Neve Sherwood voluntarily conceded, ending her run in the tournament.

Tate Sherwood was so angry he clenched his fists tightly. Beside him, Victor Trent chuckled, "Your daughter is already very impressive."

But Tate Sherwood was not appeased. He said in a grim voice, "As a member of the Sherwood Family, death is preferable to surrender."

He turned to a subordinate and said, "When she returns, send her to the Hall of Discipline."

"Yes..."

Victor Trent, on the other hand, hadn’t expected him to be so strict. He smiled and said, "Girls have to get married eventually, after all. Martial Arts are better left to men."

"Mr. Trent," he retorted, "your wife, Yuri Yamada, is a Female Martial Arts Master and the pride of Niphoria."

Victor Trent stiffened, at a loss for words. Beside him, the color drained from Raina Young’s face once more.

Drake Trent smiled, his opinion of Tate Sherwood improving slightly. "Thank you for your high praise, Head of the Sherwood Family. I thank you on my mother’s behalf."

"Of course. My Claire has always admired Mrs. Trent. Perhaps you two could get to know each other better."

"I would be honored..."

Afterward, Tate Sherwood invited the Trent Family to stay at his residence, but Raina Young declined, citing that she was unwell.

Mama Young chose to go back with her, but left Aurora Sinclair behind.

She told Aurora Sinclair to keep a close watch on Victor Trent at all times and to pay attention to all the women around him.

After they had left, Drake Trent suddenly leaned in close to Aurora Sinclair, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Come to my room tonight."