The Young Master in the Shadows

Chapter 135: Family’s Decision

After finishing with Rita, Victor intended to look at what that pervert Tom did.

Before his coma, he gave Tom a mission to raid Charlotteʼs auction. Too bad he didn’t get the chance to see her angry face.

“Young master, we reached our destination.” Lily’s melodic voice alerted Victor, so he opened his eyes and looked out of the window with a slight frown, he must have spent a lot of time with Rita. but being in the soul realm makes someone lose track of time.

The car was parked next to the gate which led to a grandiose Villa, standing at a mountain top. This place was not as big as his mansion, but definitely more luxurious and had a true history to it that no superficial architectural decorations could fake.

“May I inquire about your Identity?” A guard at the Villa’s gilded iron gate asked.

“This is young master Victor, we are here to meet master Theodore.” Lily coldly replied.

“Please come right in. The master is waiting for you,” The guard said respectfully as he lowered the gate, allowing the car to enter.

Lily drove to the Villa’s door, then, after parking, she stepped down and opened the door to Victor respectfully.

Victor stepped down and then put his hand around her waist like a perverted young master before dragging her toward the door where George was waiting,

“It’s good to see that you are well, young master. I was really glad when Miss Lily informed me of your recovery.” George said with a smile as he lead Victor inside,

“It’s nice to meet you too, uncle George. I seemed to have overexerted myself a little with all the girls. I must learn to constrain myself a little bit in the future.” He said, making George nearly stumble after missing a step. If you don’t want to tell the truth, at least offer a reasonable excuse….

Why did this young master’s character take a 180-degree shift after the ceremony? Didnʼt he have a weak and introverted personality before? Was it all a front? Well… An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Entering a lavish living room, they could see Theodore sitting on a leather couch, scolding a punk girl who was dressed in a leather jacket and had earrings all over her face.

“I don’t care what style this is. I expect you to dress like a lady.” He said coldly,

“I don’t want to marry, I am free to dress the way I want…” She said,

“Ok then, I should return you to live with your mother, maybe you would grow up to be a hooker like her.” He said angrily.

“You are supposed to be my father… Why do you want to get me to marry a guy that I have never met.” She said angrily with tears dripping from her eyes causing the heavy mascara on her eyes to leave black smears on her cheeks.

“The family has been taking care of you, your entire life. It is time to make some sacrifices. And this is the family’s order. Think about it, and give me your answer in the morning.” He said, gesturing for her to leave.

She seemed to want to say more but didn’t dare. She turned around to leave and just happened to bump into Victor.

She froze… This is the most handsome guy she ever met, was he the fiance her father told her about. She wouldn’t mind if it was him…..

“Hi, I am Juju.” She said to Victor with twinkling eyes, making Lily frown.

“I am Victor, your younger brother,” He said making the smile on her face freeze. He didn’t know her, but from her conversation with his father and by using his appraisal, he realized that she was his half-sister… one of his numerous illegitimate half-siblings who didn’t have bloodline or talent. The family must be really desperate to resort to marrying their illegitimate children to cast a big network with the other families.

“Ahhh….. Nice to meet you.” She said embarrassingly, seemingly vexed by him being her brother. Did she just fall for her brother?

“Don’t worry, Esteemed father would never choose a bad fiance for you. While he won’t be as handsome as me, he won’t be bad.” He reassured her as he entered the room. He knew his father well, and what he just said was the truth.

Although Theodore appeared cold, he really cared for his offspring. And would never wrong them.

Juju gave Victor a last look and then left the room while thinking about his words. What a narcissistic brother. He IS handsome though…..

…

“The family’s situation must be really bad to order you to marry your daughters,” Victor told his father just as he sat down on an opposing couch. Lily stood respectfully behind him.

“Yeah. It’s a mess. If she was as gifted as Aria I would have sent her to supervise some business instead…” Theodore said absentmindedly before looking at Victor then frowning,

“Is this how you were taught to greet your elders?” He scolded lightly.

“No, but you didn’t seem in the mood for formalities,” Victor said casually, making Theodore glared at him before sighing. His son was getting more arrogant each time he met him.

“Well, The situation is bad.” Theodore said, “George informed me that you were in a coma, what happened?” He asked while trying hard to hide the concern in his voice.

“It was an artifact that I bought,... It was cursed…” Victor lied as he gestured to Lily to massage his shoulders.

“Are you ok now?” Theodore asked,

“Mostly, …” Victor replied as he enjoyed Lily’s delicate fingers.

“Can you participate in the raid next week?” Theodore asked, not intending to ask about the artifact. He always respected his sons’ privacy.

“Wasn’t the raid a month later?” Victor asked,

“The date was brought forward due to the situation in the family. You must be ready when the time comes.” Theodore replied.

“Understood… But I might have to attend school. The academy’s classes start in two days.” Victor said,

“You are an elite heir, you can skip. Like you werenʼt planning to do that anyway.” Theodore smirked,

“Yah… What exactly is going on in the family? Lily told me that something was amiss.” Victor asked as if he didn’t know,

“I can’t tell you about it, It’s the patriarch’s order.” Theodore said, “But… I can tell you that something went wrong. And the entire family’s existence is in danger.” Theodore explained.

“That serious?” Victor asked,

“Yes,” Theodore replied with a sigh,

“Is this why you asked me to come here?” Victor asked,

“Well…. The family has been taking care of you, your entire life. It is time to make some sacrifices.” Theodore replied, making Victor raise an eyebrow, wasn’t this line exactly the one he used on Juju?

“Do you want to marry me off too?” Victor asked, feeling Lily’s hands freeze and then squeeze a little harder.

“Yes,” Theodore said, “The patriarch had ordered that you must propose to Linda in the coming days,” Theodore added, making Victor frown a little. This time frame is too short for his plan.

“Can it be delayed until after the raid?” Victor asked,

“No… The patriarch was really upset about your behavior when you met her at the party, so they told me that you would be punished severely if anything went wrong. This alliance is very important for the family.” He said, ”But you can delay the wedding a little, as long as you set a near date.” Theodore added after some thinking.

“Fine…. I will do that,” Victor answered while thinking about how he should make his next move.

“Then you have to be ready to receive your new concubine. You will go get her before the raid. She resides in NewLure City.” Theodore said,

“Understood... WHAT NEW CONCUBINE?” Victor asked with a surprise, he had never heard of this.

“Ahh… Didn’t they tell you?” Theodore asked, then looked at George.

“Master, I chose to keep this a secret until the young master wakes up,” George said,

“Oh..” Theodore frowned then looked at his son “Be ready... Your grandmother got you a new concubine.” He said with a knowing smile that Victor didn’t understand what it meant,

“Who is she?” Victor asked as he felt Lily’s fingers dig into his shoulders. ouch…

“Well, do you remember the pendant you gave your grandmother?” Theodore asked.

“Yeah…” Victor said as he grabbed Lily’s delicate hands from behind. She was about to pierce through his bones with her angry fingers.

“Well, that guy from the sword sect, what was his name again…… Never mind. He had an engagement agreement before, but that girl slept with some other guy and that created a lot of problems and made his father, the patriarch, lose face.” Theodore said, “Your grandmother, after trading the pendant with some benefits from them, and because that guy would not be able to marry anymore, she proposed that the fiancee should be a part of the trade. This would benefit all the parties. The sword sect patriarch would wash his shame, and we would gain a powerful family as a new Ally.” Theodore said, making Victor frown, he never expected that his little trade set into motion this much drama.

“And what does it have to do with me? Couldnʼt one of my brothers or cousins marry that cheater girl” Victor asked,

“No…. This is a little troublesome, but that girl is Georgeʼs niece. So her family wanted her to be near him…. So you were the only suitable candidate.” Theodore answered.

“Georgeʼs niece?” Victor asked as he looked at George. He remembered something about George being a castaway from his family. His father helped him and saved his life when they were young.

“Yes… George used to be part of the Von Astrom family. But due to their internal struggles and his identity as an illegitimate son, he was cast out. I met him after that and he became my butler.” Theodore said while looking at George with grateful eyes. He still remembers how his life was saved by him many times.

“After George became all-powerful they wanted to get him back, but he declined and decided to stay with me…. So…. They want their daughter to get to know him, maybe convince him to return or learn some useful things.” Theodore said as George nodded with a sigh.

“What…. Von Astrom? What is the girlʼs name?” Victor asked quickly.

“....Ah…. Nova... Nova Von Astrom.” Theodore replied after some thinking.