Chapter 176

"So, he's the only one who can handle this." William knew he had to lay it all out for Victoria, or she'd never be at ease.

"Your dad's in the hands of The Iron Crocodiles right now. They're like a pack of hungry wolves, greedy and totally untrustworthy. The minute we paid the first ransom, they saw us as a goldmine. They demanded a second payment, then a third. When they can't squeeze any more out of us, that's when things get really dangerous."

Victoria's face went pale, her lips trembling as she listened to William.

He went on, "We're in a foreign country, so we gotta be extra careful. To deal with The Iron Crocodiles, we need to use local forces. Louie's been wanting to take them down for a while. I made him a deal: I provide the money, he provides the manpower. He had no reason to say no."

Victoria's heart raced as she asked, her voice shaking, "So, are we gonna act soon?"

"Pretty much." William didn't go into detail. After all, a gang war would be a brutal, bloody affair.

Victoria didn't ask further, but she had a rough idea of what was coming.

"Are you going?" Victoria looked up, her eyes filled with worry and fear.

William suddenly bent down, meeting her gaze, and looked deeply into her eyes. "Do you want me to go?"

Victoria pressed her lips together and turned away. "It's your decision, don't ask me."

But William gently turned her face back to him, his eyes locking onto hers. "I've heard that The Iron Crocodiles are all tough guys, armed with heavy weapons, and they're all desperados. Even if I hire mercenaries, casualties are inevitable."

"Don't go!" Victoria, as if greatly shocked, grabbed William's arm tightly, her fingers turning white, her eyes full of panic. "Why does it have to be like this? Maybe there's another way, it doesn't have to be a fight to the death."

William gazed at her and suddenly asked, "Worried about me? Afraid something will happen to me?"

Victoria closed her mouth again, but her face couldn't hide her concern.

William lowered his eyes slightly, a warm feeling rising in his heart. He whispered, "It's worth it."

"What?" Victoria looked at him, puzzled.

William gently pried her fingers off his arm, one by one, his expression seemingly casual, but his tone was firm. "I've never broken a promise to you, and this time is no different."

Victoria felt a heavy weight in her heart, like a stone pressing down.

She had so much to say, but looking at William, she couldn't utter a word.

William, however, seemed oblivious and naturally changed the subject.

He leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing her ear, and chuckled softly. "Louie told me you said you weren't planning to find another man."

Victoria was stunned.

She could hear the hint of hope in his words, but she avoided his gaze, responding with a forced, almost cold rationality. "I was talking about Samuel."

The name "Samuel" was like a cold barrier, instantly extinguishing the small spark in William's eyes.

William quietly stared at her, the warmth in his gaze cooling visibly.

She could feel him pulling away.

"Is that so?" He responded flatly, his tone devoid of emotion.

Victoria lowered her eyes and softly replied, her voice barely audible.

Quinton drove them back, and the two maintained a silent understanding, the car engine's hum the only sound in the confined space.

Back at the resort, William told her to go up first, saying he had some things to handle.

Victoria hesitated before getting out of the car, then turned back to caution him. "Be careful, if..."

"I know." William cut her off, signaling Quinton to drive away.

Victoria stood at the resort entrance, staring at the car's retreating figure for a long time before turning to go inside.

As she stepped into the lobby, Giselle hurried over, calling softly, "Victoria, you have a call."

Puzzled, Victoria walked to the front desk and picked up the phone.

"Victoria!" Samuel's anxious voice came through. "Why is your phone off?"

"Battery died," Victoria explained. "I was out shopping and didn't notice."

Samuel sighed in relief, and they chatted for a bit.

Finally, he spoke with a complicated tone. "I promised to come help you, but something came up here, and I can't leave. I'm sorry, Victoria."

"Is everything okay?" Victoria asked, concerned.

Samuel hesitated before continuing. "It's nothing major, I'll sort it out soon."

His studio had been accused of tax evasion and money laundering through high-priced artwork. Though the accusations were false, he was barred from leaving the country until the matter was resolved.

He knew it was William's doing.

All this just to keep him away from Victoria.

Hearing this, Victoria felt relieved. "As long as you're okay. I'm fine here, don't worry."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a soft laugh.

Samuel said, "If people knew how understanding my girlfriend is, they'd be so envious. But I wish you'd act like other girls sometimes, throw a tantrum or get mad at me."

Victoria laughed. "Alright, I'll be a difficult girlfriend from now on."

"Great!" Samuel laughed heartily. "I look forward to it."

Victoria chuckled. "Just don't get annoyed with me then."

"Never. You'll always be my princess." Samuel sighed softly. "Victoria, I miss you."

Victoria paused, then said, "I miss you too."

After hanging up, she turned to see Daisy.

Daisy, holding a newly bought pack of cigarettes, was leaning against the wall, watching her.

For some reason, Victoria felt a pang of guilt.

"Let's go eat something," Daisy said, taking Victoria's hand. Though Victoria wasn't hungry, she didn't refuse and followed her.

Daisy had been smoking almost non-stop for the past day and night, even during meals.

Victoria, having just eaten, only ordered a juice and watched Daisy eat.

Neither mentioned the plan to rescue Alvin, but it was all they could think about.

Finally, Daisy put down her utensils, took a deep drag of her cigarette, and said, "If anything happens to him, I'll move into your place with his ashes."