Secret Scion

When they were having their meal, Layla suddenly remembered something and said, "I did hear from a few friends lately that Savannah is collecting the information of the socialites from the Capital City. She was doing it quite detailed too. I heard that it was Rose's idea."

As the power of a family was different, the social circle they were at would be different as well. For example, the Andersons could only be considered as a third-rate family. That was why most of their younger generations would focus on third-rate social circles. However, Savannah was a special case.

When Asher heard of it, he looked mildly confused before saying, "The Schmidts were

developing very quickly for the past few years, and they have quite the ambition. The reason that Rose collects this information is because she wants to recruit those who are of use to her and empower her position."

Asher smiled after he finished speaking. He had used the same strategy when he was back in Rollinsford, after all.

"If that's the case, you have to be careful," Layla said with a dry smile. "Rose had never suffered a loss from someone around her age. You're the first one to do it, so the person that she wants to focus on will be you."

"Oh? Are you caring about me or are you trying to make my life even worse?" Asher lit up a cigarette.

Layla smiled brightly and said, "Of course I'm going to try to make your life worse. I won't care about you, you know?"

Asher let out a dry laugh. Oh, Layla. Despite her sharp tongue, she was not someone as brutal as she made herself out to be. However, she kept on wanting to present herself as someone unapproachable.

"Everyone full? If everyone's full, I'm going to pay for the bill."

After she finished footing the bill, the sky had already darkened. Layla had eaten a lot, so she felt rather full. She was worried about getting fat, so she asked Asher to accompany her out on a walk.

"I heard that you went to the Webbs' last time? And you wanted to call off the engagement?"

A gentle wind blew and the sweet smell on Layla drifted off into the wind and into Asher's nose. It was fragrant and very comfortable.

"We aren't a fit for each other," Asher said in a gentle tone.

"You think you can get it off your shoulders by simply saying that? Don't you understand why Grandpa had arranged this marriage with the Webbs? If I'm being honest, that's because we need to forge an alliance to strengthen ourselves. I know you don't like to hear that, but that's what's going on." Layla gave Asher a glance before continuing, "A family's rise to prominence requires the hard work of three generations. While the Crawfords have existed for a long time, can anyone guarantee that the Crawfords will flourish for the next dozens of years? The Capital City had changed a lot in the past two years, especially the Schmidts. They're already showing enough power to be able to challenge and suppress the Crawfords. If you were to call off your engagement with Phoebe and weaken the Crawfords, don't come crying to me that you regret it when Rose manages to defeat you handily."

When Asher heard what she had to say, he became somewhat agitated. He said, "So, you're saying that the Crawfords need the Webbs' protection to be able to develop?"

Layla replied, "That's not what I meant. What I wanted to say is that the Crawfords and Webbs' union is a help-me-help-you kind of relationship. It would be a loss for both sides if they were to lack each other. Of course, it seems like Webbs will benefit more from this."

"When I was being pursued by the Schmidts' assassins, the Webbs never tried to help. Do you think that they're dependable?"

"You haven't married Phoebe yet, right? If you were the Webbs' son-in-law, it would be a different story," Layla argued with logic.

Asher gave his cigarette a few puffs continuously before throwing it on the ground and stepped on it. "Stop. That's enough. I know what to do when it comes to me and Phoebe." Asher turned around left before waiting for Layla to say anything.

"Fine. No good deed goes unpunished. I suppose I shouldn't be meddling in your affairs, right?" Layla could not help but mumble as she watched Asher leave.

Mikaela arrived at the Capital City a few days ago. She had no choice. With both Garrett and Rose leaving Rollinsford and Hallberg wanting to force her to get a divorce, Mikaela did not want to simply give up like that. That was why she came to the Capital City to look for Garrett.

For the past few days since she had arrived at the Schmidt residence, Mikaela would almost go there every day, but she would always be refused entry by the guards. Today, she finally saw Garrett drive out of his home. And so, Mikaela followed him to a restaurant and talked about their child in front of Garrett's friends.

Instead, Garrett was angered and ended up beating Mikaela up. That was the scene Asher had witnessed.

After leaving the restaurant, Mikaela went back to the hotel immediately and cried on the bed. She had no friends and family here since she had just arrived. After being beaten up by Garrett, Mikaela thought that death would be her only escape.

However, she dared not to return home. On the other hand, the Capital City would be quite difficult for her to make a footing. She was caught between a rock and a hard place.

After crying for a while, Mikaela finally managed to regain her composure. She removed her clothing, spotting a few bruises on her shoulders and waist. She walked into the bathroom and looked at her ravaged body. Mikaela's eyes suddenly turned cold as she muttered under her breath, "Garrett Schmidt! Even if I were to die, I'll drag you down to hell with me!" Ding dong!

At this time, the doorbell rang. Mikaela was immediately on the alert and asked, "Who is it?" "This is Asher Crawford." Asher's voice came from out there.

Mikaela was stunned. Asher Crawford? Why was he here?

After some hesitation, Mikaela opened the door. It was indeed Asher standing outside her door. She then asked in a cold voice, "How did you find out my location? What do you want?" When they were back at Rollinsford, Mikaela would snob at him every time she saw him. However, this place was the Capital City, the place where Asher was raised. If he wanted to get back at her, she would not have a chance to retaliate at all.

"How do I know you're here? What a good question! Ha!" With that, Asher walked into the room despite Mikaela's protests. He surveyed the room briefly before plopping down on the couch. "This is my territory. How hard can it be to find someone?"

Mikaela did not dare to close the door or approach Asher, so she could only stand right by the door. She was prepared to make a run for it if anything were to happen.

"Tell me! What do you want?"

"Two things. One, where is Radley?" Asher asked directly.

Last time when Asher went to the Leonards, Radley had already left home, so the former had never seen him since then. He had no news about him at all. While Radley was not someone particularly talented, he did not want to deal with someone that could shoot him in the dark. Even if Harry was bold enough to kidnap Noelle, Radley would only be capable of doing worse. That was why he wanted to know where he was.

Mikaela snorted coldly and said, "Why would I tell you? Get out of here, Asher! Otherwise, I'll call the security!"

Asher sneered coldly as he lit up a cigarette and said in a relaxed tone. "It looks like you still don't understand the situation you're in. I'm not trying to be boastful, but when you're in the Capital City, I have a hundred ways to make you talk. However, there's no need for that right now. You might as well savor the chance in front of you."

"Don't you think that you're a despicable man for forcing a girl like me?" Mikaela seethed angrily. "Normally, a girl around your age should be quite innocent and naïve. Unfortunately, you're not one of them. Mikaela, I suggest that you answer my question right now and stop testing my patience!" Asher glared right into Mikaela's eyes.