She Took 876

Victor explained that after the test was completed, Manny, Dale, and Dan each assigned five trusted men to guard the results, making tampering impossible. Tessa found this level of security harsh and was intrigued when Victor revealed that Dan himself suggested having so many guards, implying he might be Dale’s son. This led Tessa to wonder if the doctor who conducted the test could be Dan’s father, a theory Victor found amusing but worth considering given the strict oversight.

Tessa expressed doubt that Dale had any children, based on a gut feeling from the first time she saw him. Victor shifted the conversation to the Ashen Pact, now in chaos but with Dan confirmed as the sole heir. Tessa warned Victor to be careful around Dan, hinting at Dan’s dangerous nature and the pain caused by Marie’s influence over him. Their conversation then turned lighter as Victor teased Tessa about her constant snacking on sweet fruit, leading to a playful and intimate moment where he carried her to bed.

Meanwhile, in Falvaria, Marie and Derrick arrived by private jet, with Sebastian trailing behind nervously. Sebastian’s fear was evident as he kept his distance, prompting Derrick to bark at him to come closer. Sebastian refused, saying someone was coming to pick him up, clearly terrified of being near Marie and Derrick after witnessing Marie’s brutal beating of Dan and Andy. Derrick, frustrated with Sebastian’s cowardice, decided it wasn’t worth the trouble and told Marie they should just leave.

Chapter 876: That’s Brutal

The room was quiet as Victor recounted the details. “After the test was completed, Manny, Dale, and Dan each assigned five of their most trusted men to guard it,” he explained carefully.

With a total of fifteen men standing watch, the results were under such strict surveillance that no one could have tampered with them—not even a whisper of interference was possible.

Tessa sat back, absorbing the weight of that information. That’s harsh, she thought silently. The level of security made any meddling seem utterly impossible.

Victor went on, “Interestingly, the idea to have so many guards actually came from Dan himself, which suggests he must be Dale’s son.”

Tessa’s eyes lit up with a sudden realization. “Wait—could the doctor who conducted the test actually be his father?”

Victor froze for a moment, caught off guard by her suggestion.

She looked at him expectantly, a flicker of hope shining in her gaze.

Victor chuckled softly. “You’re the only person who would think of something like that.”

Still, if anyone had managed to manipulate the results, that explanation might be the only plausible one—if the doctor was indeed Dan’s father. Otherwise, who else could have interfered with such tight oversight?

“I just have this feeling that Dale doesn’t have any children,” Tessa muttered under her breath.

Victor raised an eyebrow, curious. “What makes you say that?”

“It’s just… a gut feeling,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Victor fell silent, sensing there was more beneath her words.

Tessa continued quietly, “I don’t know why, but the first time I saw Dale, something about him told me he was the kind of man who wouldn’t have kids.”

Victor studied her for a moment, intrigued by her intuition.

“So, what’s your plan for the Ashen Pact now?” he asked, shifting the conversation.

The Ashen Pact was already in chaos, and with the paternity test results now confirming that Dale had only one son—Dan—it was clear that Dan would be the one to inherit everything.

He was the sole heir.

When Tessa had spoken with Stella earlier, she’d gotten the impression that Dan was not someone to underestimate.

As for how Marie had managed to break him so thoroughly—there was no need to dwell on those painful details.

“Just… be careful around Dan,” Tessa said softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Victor raised a brow, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Worried about me?”

Before she could respond, Victor swept her into his arms, settling her comfortably on his lap.

Tessa took a bite of the honeydew melon she had been holding, the juicy sound making Victor’s body tense with anticipation.

He glanced down at her with a playful smirk. “You and your fruit. I swear, you’ve been nibbling all day.”

“This melon’s amazing,” she said, chewing with evident enjoyment.

She peeled off a strip of rind and tossed it into the trash before taking another generous bite of the sweet, exposed flesh.

Her enjoyment of the simple act of eating was so captivating that it could make even the most disciplined monk crave a midnight snack.

Victor watched her, a teasing smile playing at his lips. “You’ve eaten a lot of fruit today. Won’t your stomach hurt later? It’s almost bedtime.”

Tessa nodded. “Yeah, I guess it’s the soil here in Redwood. It makes the fruit taste so much sweeter.”

Back when she lived in Rivermount, she’d never been a fan of fruit.

Her mother used to have it air-freighted to her, but the texture always put her off.

Today, though, the taste genuinely delighted her.

“It’s late,” Victor warned, gently taking the half-eaten melon from her hands. “Keep eating like that, and you’ll be up all night with a stomachache.”

Tessa looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes.

Victor found himself powerless against that look.

Every time she gazed at him like that, he felt the urge to tease her—to make her laugh or maybe even cry a little.

This time, he couldn’t resist.

In one smooth motion, he stood and scooped her up into his arms. Before she could even react, her legs wrapped instinctively around his waist as he carried her toward the bedroom.

“What are you doing?” she stammered, caught off guard.

“Sleeping,” he replied, his voice low and heavy with intent.

A shiver ran through Tessa’s body, and she instinctively tried to wriggle free.

But Victor held her firmly.

He kicked the door open and carried her inside without hesitation.

—

Meanwhile, far away in Falvaria, Marie and Derrick stepped off their private jet, with Sebastian trailing behind, too frightened to come closer.

He looked so pitiful that Marie shot him several sharp glances over her shoulder.

Every time she turned, Sebastian instinctively took a step back.

“Get over here!” Derrick barked.

Watching Sebastian shrink away like that made Derrick want to disown him right then and there.

“I’m not going,” Sebastian muttered. “You two go ahead. Someone’s coming to pick me up.”

He didn’t even want to ride in the same car.

Honestly, no one could blame him.

The video of Marie beating Dan and Andy senseless was terrifying enough to make anyone’s bones feel weak just from watching it.

No wonder Drax and Ashley had already fled Falvaria without a trace; only Sebastian remained, and even he kept his distance.

Derrick took one look at his spineless brother and decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ Find[ɴ]ovel.net

“Forget it,” he said to Marie. “Let’s just go.”

The chapter closes on a note of quiet tension, with Tessa and Victor navigating the uneasy truths about the Ashen Pact and its fragile legacy. Tessa’s intuition about Dale’s lack of children adds a subtle layer of mystery, while Victor’s protective presence offers a comforting anchor amid uncertainty. Their shared moments, simple yet intimate, underscore the fragile humanity that persists even in the midst of complex power struggles and emotional turmoil.

Meanwhile, the distant scene in Falvaria deepens the sense of looming danger and fractured loyalties. Marie’s ruthless dominance and Sebastian’s fearful retreat paint a stark contrast to the warmth between Tessa and Victor, highlighting the harsh realities that shadow their world. Together, these threads weave a poignant tapestry of vulnerability, strength, and the unspoken bonds that hold everything together.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of loyalties and secrets surrounding the Ashen Pact. As Tessa and Victor navigate the fragile aftermath of the paternity revelations, their growing closeness will be tested by the shadows of doubt and the looming presence of Dan, whose true nature remains elusive yet undeniably powerful. The subtle tension between trust and suspicion is poised to intensify, leaving readers eager to uncover the real stakes behind the inheritance and the alliances that will be forged or broken.

Meanwhile, the chilling return of Marie and Derrick to Falvaria hints at darker confrontations on the horizon. Sebastian’s visible fear and reluctance suggest that the power dynamics within their circle are far from settled. The emotional undercurrents of intimidation and betrayal will likely surface, challenging characters to confront their deepest fears and motivations. As the story unfolds, expect a blend of psychological intrigue and raw emotion that will keep hearts pounding and questions swirling.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.