Chapter 16

There were six centuries-old families in Croquen, divided between the north and the south. The Fowlers, the Morses, and the Walkers controlled Richworth in the north, of which the Fowlers were the most powerful. Meanwhile, the Maxwells, the Jeffersons, and the Snyders dominated Ashdale in the south. Nonetheless, after the Maxwells emigrated overseas 20 years ago for unforeseen reasons, the Snyders gradually declined due to internal strife in the earlier years. Therefore, at this moment, the most prestigious and influential family in Ashdale was the Jeffersons. Old Mrs. Snyder and Mable’s grandma were best friends. The former even saved the latter when she was young. Grandma Maura cherished the relationship and supported the Snyders all these years. She even intended to make the two families in-laws. Hence, as soon as Mable came of age, she was called back to get engaged to Dane. The engagement party five years ago was extremely high-profile and lavish under the Snyders’ urge. Their stocks grew by five points the next day. After that, the Snyders developed and became successful in the business world. The Jefferson Residence. Mable parked her car across the road from the back entrance and went in alone over the wall. What surprised her was that all the bodyguards at the Jefferson Residence had been replaced, and security was much stricter than before. She went to the small detached building where her grandpa lived and looked around but found no trace of him. ‘Grandpa had a stroke, but instead of recuperating at home, was he sent to a nursing home by Uncle Frank?’ Since Mable could not find her grandpa, she was not going to stay any longer. However, as she went downstairs, she accidentally alerted a bodyguard. Soon, the Jefferson Residence’s alarm went off. More and more bodyguards ran over. Mable hurriedly ran up to the third floor and bumped into a beautiful lady dressed in thin clothes. She rushed forward, knocking the lady out before running into the guest room, preparing to jump off the balcony. Who knew that a fierce wind would come at her as soon as she entered. ‘Someone is in the room!’ Mable closed the door behind her. When she turned around, she saw Blair appear in front of her. ‘Why is he here?’ Blair did not expect the person who came in to be Mable. He fiercely withdrew his palm and avoided hurting her by mistake. “Mable?” ‘Why is she in the Jefferson Residence? How did she alert so many guards?’ Hurried footsteps were heard coming from outside. Mable could not explain in time, so she dodged and hid in the bathroom. As soon as the bathroom door closed, there was a knock on the guest room door. Mable held the door handle and listened closely to the movements outside. Someone had come in to ask Blair if he had seen anyone suspicious, and he said no. Mable was relieved. ‘At least he has some conscience and didn’t give me up.’ “Come out!” Once the bodyguards left, Blair's cold voice came from outside the bathroom. Mable walked out and heard Blair ask her, “Why are you here?” She raised her eyebrow and smiled vaguely. “I should be asking you that. Blair, why are you in my house?” “Your house?” Blair was stunned. ‘Is Mable one of the Jeffersons?!’ “Is this your house, then?” Mable saw an untouched glass of juice on the table, so she picked it up and took a sip. Blair’s gaze was unfathomable. “The Jeffersons don’t seem to have anyone named Mable.” ‘If she were one of the Jeffersons, the bodyguards would have recognized her.’ Mable put down the empty cup. “You’ll find out next time.” There was no point in talking further, as she did not want the Jeffersons to know she was still alive. Mable wanted to go to the window to check the situation outside. However, her legs went weak after two steps. “Mable!” Blair thought she was injured and rushed forward to hold her. Mable raised her head. Her delicate face was abnormally red. “Hng… It’s so hot…” ‘Hot?’ Blair froze and suddenly remembered the glass of juice Mable had just drunk. Leah Fletcher, Marissa’s cousin, had sent that up. ‘D*mn it! ‘How dare that woman try to drug me?!’ “It’s so hot and uncomfortable…” Mable absent-mindedly pulled her collar. Her last bit of sanity was burned away by the fire, and she kept rubbing her soft body against Blair. Blair’s body was cold and comfortable, but it was not enough to relieve her pain. Blair tensed his jaw as he grabbed Mable’s fidgeting hands. “Mable, hold back…” Next, her fiery lips and tongue pressed against his Adam’s apple. The blood in Blair’s body instantly boiled, such that it was suffocating. The veins on his forehead bulged, and his heart beat faster… ‘This feeling is too familiar! ‘It’s the same as that night five years ago…’ Blair stared at Mable with a burning gaze. ‘Could it be her?’