Boom!!!
The moment Jiang Muge uttered the words "Shan He Tu," a terrifying aura erupted from Evan Blake, suffocating Jiang Muge, Xiao Yue, and Evie.
The Shan He Tu was an ancient painting!
Evan Blake’s extreme reaction was because the Shan He Tu was the greatest treasure of the Evan Household. Years ago, Evan’s father had told him that the Shan He Tu was the most crucial possession of their family and must not be lost under any circumstances!
In the next moment, Evan Blake regained his composure, suppressing his aura, and looked at Jiang Muge. "Do you know where the Shan He Tu is?"
"I do!" Jiang Muge nodded, saying, "If Mr. Blake is willing to serve as my bodyguard, I can return the Shan He Tu to you."
Swish!
Evan Blake’s expression turned cold as he stared at Jiang Muge. "Are you threatening me?"
“Mr. Blake…”
Just as Jiang Muge started to speak, Evan Blake swiftly reached out and gripped her throat like lightning. Xiao Yue’s face changed instantly, about to make a move, but Evie subdued her in an instant.
"I despise being threatened the most!"
Evan Blake's voice was icy as his eyes flashed with a chilling light. He slowly released Jiang Muge's throat.
*Cough, cough, cough!!!*
Jiang Muge’s face turned pale as she coughed violently.
"Miss, are you alright?" Xiao Yue asked with concern. Jiang Muge shook her head and looked at Evan Blake. "Mr. Blake, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I had no intention of threatening you. There will be an auction tonight in Jianghai, and the Shan He Tu will be up for sale!"
"Auction?"
A cold glint appeared in Evan Blake’s eyes as he stared at Jiang Muge. "This better not happen again. You may leave."
"Mr. Blake, I apologize!"
Jiang Muge bowed slightly to Evan Blake and then left with Xiao Yue.
"Heir, shall I retrieve the Shan He Tu right now?" Evie asked Evan Blake, who shook his head and said coldly, "No need. I’ll go personally tonight!"
Outside the villa, Xiao Yue looked at the red marks on Jiang Muge’s neck, fuming. "Miss, that man is really heartless! How could he lay a hand on you?"
"It's alright. I underestimated the importance of the Shan He Tu to him!" Jiang Muge shook her head. Xiao Yue then asked, "Miss, why didn’t you tell him that tonight’s auction is being hosted by our Jiang Corporation? What if he causes a scene?"
"That would be even better. Have you forgotten who’s in charge of tonight’s auction?"
Hearing Xiao Yue’s words, Jiang Muge’s eyes sparkled. Xiao Yue was momentarily stunned, then her eyes lit up as she exclaimed, "Xu Tianwang!"
Meanwhile, at the Thomas Household.
"Father, I’m truly innocent. I’m your own son—how could I ever do something as heinous as poisoning you? Please, Father, see through this! This must be a setup by someone else. Yes, it has to be Timothy—he wants to seize the head position of the Thomas Household, so he framed me!"
In the hall, Samuel Thomas knelt on the ground, pleading with Elder Thomas, pointing angrily at Timothy Thomas.
"Brother, what are you saying? Why would I frame you?" Timothy quickly defended himself.
"That’s right. My Timothy would never do such a thing. Don’t accuse him falsely!" Dorothy Collins chimed in.
"Enough!"
Elder Thomas shouted angrily at Samuel. "You ungrateful son! All the evidence is here, and you still dare to deny it? You’ve shown how ruthless you can be, all for the sake of becoming the head of the household! Take him away and hand him over to the police immediately!"
"Father, no! I swear I didn’t poison you!" Samuel continued to beg.
"Grandpa, could this be a misunderstanding? How could Uncle possibly poison you?" Sophie Thomas couldn’t help but speak up, only to be scolded by her mother. "Sophie, the evidence is right here. How could it be a mistake? Don’t speak out of turn!"
"What’s going on here?"
Suddenly, Evan Blake appeared, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Ah, Evan, you’re here!"
"Alas, what a disgrace—my own son has been found guilty of trying to poison me. It’s a tragedy for our family!" Elder Thomas sighed as he explained to Evan Blake.
Evan's gaze shifted to Samuel. "Was it him?"
"Yes, he ordered one of his most trusted subordinates to do it, and the poison was found in his room!"
"This scoundrel has truly gone mad, all for the position of head of the household!" Elder Thomas fumed.
"It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it! My subordinate framed me, and I have no idea how that poison ended up in my room!" Samuel continued to protest, while Timothy spoke up. "Brother, there’s no point in denying it anymore!"
"Maybe the poison really wasn’t his doing!" Evan suddenly remarked, causing Timothy’s expression to change. He quickly responded, "How could that be? The evidence is undeniable!"
"People can lie, and evidence can be fabricated as well."
"Without definitive proof, it’s better to be cautious to avoid letting the real culprit get away with their scheme," Evan said calmly.
"Evan, have you discovered something?" Elder Thomas asked, intrigued.
"Yes, I’ve found some clues that might lead us to the real culprit who poisoned you, but it’s too early to reveal them. I ask for your patience for a few days," Evan replied.
"Very well, as you say, we’ll keep this ungrateful son locked up for now!" Elder Thomas nodded, and Samuel was taken away and imprisoned.
"Evan, what evidence have you found?" Timothy asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
"Do you really want to know?" Evan looked at Timothy, who awkwardly replied, "I’m just eager to uncover the truth as quickly as possible!"
"Don’t worry, the truth will come to light soon," Evan reassured.
Then, Evan turned to Elder Thomas. "Grandpa, I’d like to take Sophie out for a stroll. Is that alright?"
"Of course!" Elder Thomas nodded and added, "By the way, Evan, I heard about what happened with the Bai Family. Are you…"
"Grandpa, don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it myself," Evan replied before leaving with Sophie.
"Father, why did you let Sophie go with him? That guy offended the Bai Family and could die at any moment. Sophie could be in danger with him! And he’s no longer the Evan Blake of the past. Are you really thinking of letting them be together?" Dorothy Collins protested.
"I trust him. Just by his medical skills alone, he’s not the same person he was seven years ago. And think about it—why did he walk away unscathed from the Bai Family yesterday? Have you considered the reason?" Elder Thomas’s eyes glinted with deep wisdom.
Afterward, Evan Blake took Sophie out of the Thomas Household, and the two strolled around Jianghai like a couple.
Soon, they reached a restaurant and found a place to dine.
"Brother Evan, I haven’t been this happy in a long time!" Sophie said excitedly as she looked at him.
"From now on, I’ll make sure you’re this happy every day!" Evan gently brushed Sophie’s slightly messy hair, his tone full of affection.
"What a beautiful girl! I didn’t expect to find such a beauty while having a meal!"
A few minutes later, a group of people entered the restaurant. The leader, a young man dressed lavishly, immediately noticed Sophie, his eyes gleaming.
The young man hurried over, smiling at Sophie. "Hey, beautiful, can I add you on WeChat?"
Sophie frowned at the young man. "Young Master Ming, what are you doing?"
"Beautiful, you know me?" The young man was surprised. He was Ming Cheng, the eldest son of one of the five prominent families in Jianghai.
"I’m Sophie Thomas. Do you think I know you or not?" Sophie replied.
"You’re Sophie Thomas? Weren’t you ugly…"
Ming Cheng was stunned upon realizing that the beauty before him was the once-ugly Sophie. Recovering quickly, he sneered, "I never expected your looks to recover and even become this stunning. Seems like you’re worth playing with!"
Ming Cheng shamelessly reached out to touch Sophie’s face, but at that moment, a fork flew through the air and stabbed into his hand.
“Ah!!!”
Ming Cheng screamed in pain, blood streaming from his hand, and the one who had thrown the fork was none other than Evan Blake.
"You…"
Ming Cheng glared furiously at Evan, about to speak, when Evan slapped him across the face, sending the young master of the Ming family sprawling to the ground.
"Bastard! Get him! Beat him to death!"
Ming Cheng, lying on the ground, roared in anger.
His followers immediately moved to attack Evan, causing Sophie’s face to turn pale with fear.
"You’ve frightened Sophie!" Evan Blake stood up and glared at the approaching thugs...
