Secret Scion

Jerome Webb nodded. "I know-I didn't tell you because I was worried you would disagree with my decision, which was why I never told you. Should I apologize?"

"It's fine," Phoebe Webb replied.

"All you have to know is that everything I do is for your own good, and the family's." Jerome told her, and he hesitated for a few heartbeats before asking tentatively, "By the way, I heard rumors that the Crawfords have a martial arts elite with them... Would you happen to know who it is?" As a matter of fact, the powerful presence Jerome sensed yesterday was still fresh in his mind/It was a presence he had not felt since the days he topped the leaderboards in martial arts. Hardly able to stay calm after that, it was why he had come looking for Phoebe first thing in the morning.

"You know about that, too? I noticed their presence a few days ago as well, but have no idea who they actually are."

"Oh... Haha! It's fine if you don't. Alexandrius has never seen a shortage of prodigies, and it won't be surprising if there are some unparalleled elites who have managed to keep off the public spotlight..." Jerome said, but he was trying his best to look calm.

***

It was noon, and Griffin Quinn had been feeling bored loitering at home. However, just as he stepped out of his family mansion and was ready to head out, an unfamiliar number reached him, and he answered it.

"Griffin speaking."

"Hello, Mr. Quinn. I'm Savannah Anderson-may I ask if you're free at the moment? Miss Schmidt is interested in meeting you." The woman on the other end quickly got to the point. However, Griffin was already fuming when he heard her name, and he snorted, "I'm not free!" Nonetheless, just as he was about to hang up, Savannah quickly called out from the other end, "What if I told you that this is about Dove Yaeger?"

Griffin clenched his fist right then and growled, "Don't you threaten me, Anderson!"

Savannah laughed. "You misunderstand, Mr. Quinn-all Miss Schmidt wants is to speak with you about Dove, and she has no intention to threaten you at all. Moreover, who would ever dare to threaten you, given your authority?"

Griffin hesitated for a few seconds before growling, "So? When and where will we meet?" "The Lakeside Tavern, in half an hour. We'll be waiting."

With those words, Savannah put away her phone and smiled at Rose Schmidt through the rearview mirror. "We got him, Miss Schmidt-the Lakeside Tavern in half an hour. Should I try to leak the news and lure Asher Crawford over there as well?"

Dressed formally, Rose frowned for a moment and said, "It's fine. We might actually foil our own plan if we get ahead of ourselves, and Ash would most likely be suspicious. Let's head to the Lakeside Tavern for now-anything else can wait."

Even Griffin Quinn himself had not visited the Lakeside Tavern for days after he had a brief shouting match with Gentlemen members. The latter had since made it a gathering place for themselves. One could always spot a member or two around these days, sitting around or nursing a pint.

Once Rose entered the place, every member scrambled to their feet, greeting her and Savannah reverently. Even if one amongst them belonged to a second-rate family which held considerable influence, he had to keep his head down out of respect toward Savannah.

Savannah was certainly reveling in their admiration. It took her over two years to rise as a scion of a third-rate family, to become what she was today. Only she was aware of the pain she had suffered to grow.

However, she did not regret it.

The Gentlemen members present had made every necessary arrangement when they learned of Rose's impending arrival, saving the best private room with a perfect view of the crystalline lake outside. A yacht would occasionally sail through it, stirring huge waves in its wake.

Soon enough, one of the members announced, "Miss Schmidt-Mr. Quinn has arrived." Griffin strode inside the room even before Rose could speak, glancing between her and Savannah before sitting down briskly, shaking his leg as he said, "That was a grand reception, Miss Schmidt. But bringing so many people along when you're just here for a drink... Are you afraid that I would flirt with you?"

"Watch your words, Mr. Quinn," Savannah growled.

Griffin promptly slammed his palm on the table loudly in response and glared at her like an enraged beast as he bellowed, "Who asked you?!"

Savannah was bristling. For better or worse, she was the Gentlemen's second in command, but Griffin was not showing her any respect.

At the same time, the Gentlemen members who were outside ran in after hearing the commotion. "Is there a problem, Miss Schmidt?"

"No. Leave us-I'll speak with him alone." Rose remained serene as she ever was, and was not provoked by Griffin's outburst at all.

"Yes, ma'am," Savannah said as she turned to leave.

Still, Griffin scoffed at her from behind. "You've raised a fine lapdog, haven't you? Haha!"

Savannah felt like she could blow up at the mockery. Even as she clenched her teeth, her fingernails were burying painfully into her own palm. She swore that she would eventually demonstrate her superiority to Griffin.

On the other hand, Rose moved to sit opposite Griffin and giggled. "To be fair, you're no different from Savannah Anderson to everyone else."

"What the fuck did you say? Are you calling me a lapdog, too?! Care to repeat that?!" Griffin was incensed right then.

"There's no need to threaten me." Rose simply smiled. "I'm just telling you how things really are I won't deny that you and Asher are as close as brothers, but everyone else is keen to believe that you're just a sycophant who is prostrating himself just to suck up to Asher Crawford. Moreover, you tend to get upset more than the man himself when he's in trouble... Has it ever crossed your mind that the great Harlow Quinn is your grandfather, not his?"

"You're wrong! We're not just friends. We're brothers!" Griffin snarled sternly.

"Really? I think you'd find that sentiment one-sided." Rose giggled with clear derision, before adding, "And if he really considers himself a brother to you, why would he steal your woman?" Griffin was left clenching his fist then, and he was on the verge of losing control. Fortunately, he was still in his seat even though he was glaring at Rose like a mad dog.

If she were to be honest to herself, Rose was afraid of pushing him over the edge-there were just too many victims who had suffered the wrath of Griffin Quinn. Even Jeremiah Macquoid, who belonged to a far more important family than his, got a terrible beating and his car wrecked for his troubles... It naturally went without saying what would happen to Rose if she did make him snap.

However, she did her best to stay calm even though her heart was racing as she said, "Griffin Quinn, I'm only telling you all this because I can feel how unfairly you have been treated. I have no intention of belittling you. In the end, there's no fate but what we make. But who knows? Maybe you enjoy slaving yourself instead."

Griffin was left heaving like a cow right then, his eyes turning scarlet from rage in the silence. Rose simply continued, "I heard that you fell for this woman, who turned out to be interested in Asher instead. I can assure you, Griffin, Asher would not be toying with your feelings or flirting with her if he really thought of you as his brother."

Griffin narrowed his eyes. "You're trying to drive a wedge between me and the boss, aren't you?! You must really be looking down on me! Did you think a few words are going to split us up?! I'll let you know that we go way back!"

Rose merely flashed a pained smile and replied, "Driving a wedge? Sure, I might be guilty, but it doesn't make anything I said today any less true. The view is always clearer on the outside, and your instincts to think of Asher as your brother from another mother impedes your clarity. As for me, an outsider, I have a better picture of what's going on-why don't you think about what I said? You'll eventually decide if I'm telling the truth."

Griffin sprang to his feet and headed for the door right then, but suddenly paused at the doorway and turned toward Rose, declaring sonorously, "No one will come between me and the boss!"

It was a roar akin to a lion's, and with those words, he left.

Savannah entered after he disappeared from sight, frowning as she said, "It seems that their relationship is stronger than we expected, Miss Schmidt. I guess driving a wedge between them is unlikely."

Rose laughed. "Oh, I don't think so. The look on Griffin's face has already betrayed his inner turmoil-it's obvious that he was shaken, and we just need a fire to light his fuse.

"A fire?" Savannah asked.

Rose grinned. "Dove Yaeger."

Savannah realized what she was saying right then, and she smiled. "Understood, Miss Schmidt- you really are a class above the rest... Shall I make the arrangements?"

"Of course." Rose nodded.

Hunter Larson and over twenty of his boys arrived at Alexandrius in the afternoon.

Asher had asked Castor to reserve several tables for them, and they would come up with a subsequent plan of action from there.

Naturally, Hunter, Peter White, and the rest of the boys were all surprised by Asher's hospitality. They did not hold back on the juice. Unable to refuse the invitation to drink as well, Asher eventually got a little tipsy. He then excused himself to head to the toilet for a breather.

He had just lit himself a cigarette when Hunter arrived, chuckling, "I guess you're drunk too, Mr. Crawford?"

Asher chuckled sourly, "A little, but don't mind me you should go back and have fun with Pete and the others. I'm heading downstairs for a little breather."

With those words, he headed downstairs.