Tony Scott’s friend was practically ready to curse his own luck. Not only had he fallen out with Tony Scott, but he had also been beaten up by him three times!
Clara’s father had been missing for ten years, leaving her mother to raise her alone. Her mother made a living selling breakfast near Clara’s school. Clara, often referred to as the “ordinary beauty,” couldn’t quite match Georgia’s elegance, but her features were just as stunning. This was exactly why Tony Scott decided to make his move and pursue Clara.
“You don’t have to be so polite. We’re friends, right? Helping each other is normal between friends!”
“By the way, these people charge a lot. Did you bring enough money?” Tony Scott suddenly asked, catching Clara off guard.
“I brought $2, 000,” Clara replied nervously. “I’m not sure if that’s enough.”
Tony Scott shook his head. “Two thousand? That’s definitely not enough. Their starting prices are at least in the tens of thousands. I completely forgot to tell you!”
“What?” Clara froze, her face turning pale. She stopped in her tracks, visibly anxious. “What should I do, Mr. Scott? We’re already here, and I…”
Tony Scott chuckled. “Relax. I’m just messing with you. I’ve already taken care of it.”
As he spoke, Tony Scott pulled out a bank card, grinning from ear to ear. “See? I’ve got you covered. I prepared this for you in advance.”
Clara looked at Tony Scott with gratitude. “Mr. Scott, you’re so kind to me. Don’t worry, no matter how much money it is, I’ll pay you back. Thank you so much.”
Tony Scott waved dismissively. “Why are you being so formal with me? Your problem is my problem. There’s no need to pay me back. Honestly, I only have one wish-that you’d seriously consider being my girlfriend.”
This was Tony Scott’s ultimate goal. Otherwise, why would he go out of his way to be so attentive to her?
Tony Scott had even made a bet with a friend before coming to the Western Frontier. He bragged that he would win Clara over during the trip-and not just that, but he promised to record a video as proof.
Clara’s expression shifted slightly. She swallowed hard and nodded faintly. “I’ll think about it seriously. But I’ll still pay you back.”
Tony Scott sighed dramatically. “It’s just a small amount of money. I’m not short on cash.”
Clara shook her head bitterly. “You’re such a wealthy young man. You don’t lack girlfriends. Why are you being so nice to a poor student like me?”
Tony Scott sighed in mock frustration. “I may not lack girlfriends, but I do lack someone like you. You’d make a great wife.”
Listening to Tony Scott, Clara couldn’t help but feel he was being a bit too smooth-talking. When she first met him, he was always surrounded by several women. Clearly, he didn’t lack female attention.
Seeing Clara’s hesitation, Tony Scott suddenly grew sentimental. “Haven’t you heard? Behind every so-called ‘player’ is a history of heartbreak. Before I met you, I had a wonderful girlfriend. We were together for four years. But in the end, she left me to marry someone else. By the time I found out, she was already someone else’s wife. Those memories… they’re hard to revisit.”
“After that, I let myself go. I drowned in indulgence, living recklessly. That’s why, when you first met me, I looked so disheveled, with all those women around me. But they were nothing more than fleeting distractions.”
“I thought I’d never fall in love again-until I met you. You reignited that old spark in me. That’s why I decided to pursue you.”
Clara looked into Tony Scott’s eyes and saw a hint of sincerity. She bit her lip, unsure of how to respond, and chose instead to lower her head in silence.
The two continued walking until, suddenly, three figures appeared ahead of them.
Two women and a man were walking briskly, as if they were also heading toward Azure Cloud Resort.
“There are people ahead, Mr. Scott. Let’s catch up,” Clara suggested.
But Tony Scott didn’t move. His eyes were fixed on the man’s back.
Could it be? Was it really him?
Tony Scott’s heart sank. He had been avoiding this man for weeks, and now, of all places, they had crossed paths here.
That silhouette was far too familiar. It was Kayden. Tony Scott would never forget his figure.
“That man looks familiar. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before,” Clara remarked, her tone tinged with surprise.
“Mr. Scott, what’s wrong?” Clara finally noticed Tony Scott had stopped moving. His face was pale, and sweat was beading on his forehead.
“Mr. Scott, are you okay? Are you having heatstroke?” Clara asked, concerned.
Tony Scott sat down abruptly. He couldn’t believe he had run into Kayden here.
The sight of Kayden was more terrifying to him than seeing a ghost.
He had been hiding from Kayden, fearing that the man would use some cruel method to make him disappear from the world entirely.
After all, Georgia’s capture was entirely Tony Scott’s fault. Everything she and Kayden had suffered was connected to him.
“Mr. Scott! Mr. Scott!” Clara called out, snapping him back to reality.
Tony Scott blinked and forced a weak smile. “Oh, I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
He slumped back, trying to collect himself.
“Why don’t we come back tomorrow? There seem to be a lot of people here today. Those three ahead are probably here to buy information too. Let’s return tomorrow,” Tony Scott suggested.
Clara quickly shook her head. “Mr. Scott, we’re already here. Let’s just keep going. If you’re tired, you can rest here while I go ahead and check things out.”
Then, with a teasing tone, she added, “You’re not… unwell, are you? I heard that men with health issues, you know, get tired easily. Is that it?”
Tony Scott’s face turned crimson. He quickly retorted, “Who said I’m unwell? I’m perfectly fine!”
“I was just joking,” Clara chuckled.
Left with no choice, Tony Scott pressed on. However, he made sure to keep his distance from Kayden, ready to hide the moment he got too close.
—
“We’re here,” Sophie announced as she, Kayden, and Wood Faulkner stood at the entrance to Azure Cloud Resort.
Kayden looked up. From the outside, it didn’t seem like much-just a large villa nestled on the mountainside. It lacked any sign or indication of the so-called mystery Sophie had described.