Check if anyone is carrying my
contraband. Don't worry.
Ava reassured him from the side. Who is he protecting himself from? Aiden wondered to
himself. I guess being rich isn't always as easy as it comes.
The security guards scanned Aiden with an instrument that emitted infrared. Aiden had
brought a box of premium apricot carrot cake with him as a gift, but aside from that,
he'd come here carrying nothing. Naturally, both passed the inspection and were
permitted to move forward.
They then walked down a small path paved with smooth stones. After taking a few steps
and a corner, a vision unfolded before them. Aiden's breath caught in his throat for a
moment.
What he saw was an enormous Mediterranean-style villa replete with red bricks, marble
tiles, and Golden Summit silver walls. At a rough glance, the entire villa was more than
1,300 square feet. It turned out that the legend in the Bayside District was true.
After entering through the main door, they passed through several corridors and arched
doors and finally arrived in the K's living room. From there, a tiny figure suddenly rushed
out and leaped toward Aiden. Aiden smiled.
He did not block or dodge, but allowed her to slam into him with full force. Big brother!
You're finally here! I missed you so much! The girl in his arms was naturally Dora, the
pearl of the K family. She nestled in Aiden's arms, looking quite comfortable.
John K, who slowly came out after her, leaned on his cane as he watched the scene with
a smile. Aiden, I thought you wouldn't come, and the few hairs I have left would be lost
to this little devil. I'm sorry, sir, Aiden said apologetically.
Something happened in my shop recently. Otherwise, I would have come to visit you.
John K smiled understandingly.
I've heard some things about you lately. Others say they don't trust you, but our family
certainly does. Don't worry, Anthony will help you with that, and if he doesn't, I will beat
him with my cane! Dora, who was still in Aiden's arms, pouted.
Brother Aiden, father and grandfather are bad guys. They didn't let Dora go down the
mountain to look for you. They said there are bad guys outside who want to catch Dora.
Is that true? Aiden was momentarily stunned. Beside him, John K sighed. It's news from
the police, he explained.
They think those two kidnappers may have been connected to a much larger operation.
They told us not to let Dora go outside before they solved the case. Otherwise, I would
have brought Dora to find you long ago.
Aiden remembered that Officer Ben from the police department had hinted at a major power behind the two human traffickers. He nodded thoughtfully. No wonder Anthony K
wanted him to come here.
Alright, let's continue this discussion inside, Ava said suddenly. Yes, yes. John K patted
his head and shouted behind him.
Miss Lee, go and prepare some tea. A middle-aged woman in an old-fashioned dress
shouted in response and headed toward the kitchen. The living room looked as though it
had been decorated in the Victorian era, although in the best possible way.
Almost all the furniture was made of dark, dense oak, and the chandelier above their
heads sparkled as it caught the light. After motioning for Aiden to sit down on the
elegant couch in the center of the room, Ava, still standing herself, explained, Mr. K left
for a short business trip yesterday. He is on his way back now.
I might need to trouble you to wait here for a moment. Aiden nodded, indicating that it
didn't matter. Then you guys can talk, I still have some business to attend to.
Ava apologized and left the room.
Not long after, Miss Lee
returned to the living room with tea. Aiden opened the box carrying the premium apricot
carrot cake and, cutting a generous slice and placing it carefully on a paper plate he had
brought with him, passed it to John K. John dug in with enthusiasm.
You know, I am now somewhat reliant on this cake. I keep feeling that if I don't eat it for
a day, my waist will feel a lot sore. Dora broke a chunk off John's cake and nibbled on it.
Just as everyone was eating heartily and chatting as they waited for Anthony K's return,
Miss Lee entered the room with an announcement. There are two guests at the door, she
said apprehensively. Guests? John K frowned.
Didn't you tell them that Anthony already has a guest today? They said they were here
for you. For me? For a moment, John was stunned. Then, a deep and aged yet energetic
voice could be heard through the doorway.
John, are you dead? If you're not dead, hurry up and let me in! It's freezing out here! The
voice came from outside the door, but the booming sound of it rang in Aiden's ears. It
was obvious how loud it was. John's face darkened.
He signaled Miss Lee and asked her to let him in. He's an old friend of mine from way
back when. I haven't seen him for years.
I heard you've been studying mathematics all these years, Arthur. John said it with a
sneer, but Aiden saw a smile in his eyes. It was clear that the two men had a good, if
unique, relationship.
I hear you talking about me! He laughed loudly, then entered the living room. He was an old man, around the same age as John. Although his head was covered with white hair,
his eyes were bright and lively.
A green military coat was draped over his body. Aiden noted his overbearing, fierce
presence. At his side stood a boy who looked to be five or six years old.
The boy had beautiful eyes, although they flashed with an arrogance unusual in one so
young. The boy was not afraid at all. His gaze swept over the hall, but stopped at Dora.
I didn't expect you to have guests, his grandfather said sarcastically, looking at Aiden.
John shook his head and introduced the old man to the teenager. Aiden, this ill-tempered
elderly gentleman is Arthur Wiles, but you may call him Mr. Wiles.
Out of all the old men in the Bayside District, this one right here is the grouchiest and
meanest, so don't take anything he says personally. He was about to introduce Aiden to
Mr. Wiles when Mr. Wiles waved his hand dismissively. No need, he said plainly, a third-
rate child like him.
Introduce me to him today and I'll have already forgotten about him by tomorrow. Mr.
Wiles spoke as though they were discussing a trivial matter. Aiden raised his eyebrows
and continued watching the old man coldly.
He had never met someone as arrogant as Mr. Wiles in his life. I never knew your
judgment could be so poor, John smiled mischievously. Aiden is not an ordinary young
man.
Mr. Wiles looked Aiden up and down, but he did not see anything special about him. His
looks were ordinary, he was wearing cheap, faded street clothes. How was he any
different from millions of other students? He felt a flash of disdain.
John K befriended all kinds of people, apparently. Mr. Wiles shook his head. Enough! I
came here today not for idle chatter but to show you a treasure.
Treasure? John K was surprised.
Come! Mr. Wiles waved at the
boy behind him who stepped forward confidently.
He was not at all afraid. He bowed respectfully to John. David Wiles greets Grandpa K.
John found him interesting and couldn't help but laugh.
And this is? Mr. Wiles stroked his beard and laughed. Isn't it obvious? Davy is my
grandson. You know there was a time I wanted our sons to compete, but I didn't expect
Anthony to become so powerful.
In just a few years, he has advanced by leaps and bounds. Our son can't possibly
compete, so today we will compete with our grandchildren. Mr. Wiles and John K had
served in the military together when they were young.
Technically speaking, they were sworn brothers. However, as they grew older, they had
less and less to do, and they became bored with life. It was then that they began to
compete with one another.
At the start, when comparing their military achievements, they found that they were
almost evenly matched. Later, they began to battle one another in chess, but in the end,
they didn't really know how to play chess. Eventually, they began comparing their wives'
cooking skills.
When their wives gave birth to children, it seemed inevitable that they would compete
through them too. Unfortunately, Anthony K's talent was outstanding. He was only in his
early thirties and already stood at the top of the Bayside District business world.