Chapter 952: The Storm in Niarak

Flynn drove Scott Chilton back to Indigo Grove Estate. Behind them, Carter Landford followed in a small truck carrying over a dozen barrels of fine wine.

"Are you out of your mind? So much wine! They already delivered six barrels earlier, and now another dozen? Flynn, are you planning to open a wine shop?" Molly exclaimed as she watched the barrels being moved into the estate's wine cellar.

Rose frowned in confusion, not understanding Flynn's intentions. As she approached the Porsche, Scott Chilton stumbled out, clearly drunk.

"Grandma, take it slow," Flynn said as he helped Olive out of the car.

"Child, your grandma is still strong. I don't need your help. Hmm? And who are these two young ladies?" Olive's sharp gaze landed on Molly and Rose.

Before Flynn could answer, Scott Chilton glanced at the two women and casually commented, "Do you even need to ask? Obviously, he's keeping beauties hidden here!"

"Kid, you're really living the dream now. Flaunting your success everywhere is one thing, but collecting two beautiful women? That's a new level!"

His eyes settled on Molly, and he remarked, "This girl must be a Lesser Sovereign. Flat forehead, wide hips-definitely built to bear sons."

Then he turned to Rose with a satisfied nod. "Full figure, shapely and round-also prime for bearing sons."

"These two are extraordinary beauties, with delicate faces. Just right to offset your ugliness, boy."

At his blunt words, Molly and Rose nearly choked in shock, rolling their eyes in disbelief.

Birds of a feather, indeed. Flynn was already exasperating enough, and now there was another crude old man, spouting nonsense.

Flynn chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his nose. "Mr. Chilton, Aunt Mabel and the others all say I look like my mother. How could I be ugly?"

"I'm jealous of your charm, so I'm knocking you down a peg. Got a problem with that?" Scott retorted, giving Flynn a side-eye.

Olive scoffed in disdain. "Charming? Who could compare to you in your younger days? Wherever you went, you had a trail of girls chasing after you."

She turned to Rose and Molly with an apologetic smile. "Children, don't take the old man's words to heart. He's always been blunt."

Rose smiled politely. "Ms. Dobbs and Mr. Chilton, right? Flynn mentioned you before heading out. We've prepared food and drinks to welcome you. Please, come in!"

She stepped forward to support Olive.

"What a polite and refined young woman!" Olive praised, nodding in approval. She turned to Flynn and said, "This girl is stunning and clearly kind-hearted. Don't you dare let her down."

"Start having a few sons already. Once Adrianna is found, she can enjoy her retirement!"

Flynn glanced at Rose and Molly, then smiled. "Don't worry, Grandma, I'll do my best!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Molly snapped, glaring at him.

Rose rolled her eyes at Flynn as well before gently guiding Olive toward the villa. She smiled and explained, "Ms. Dobbs, you've misunderstood. Molly is Flynn's apprentice, and I'm his business partner. His girlfriend is in Niarak."

Scott Chilton, however, remained indifferent, giving Flynn a knowing look and muttering, "Doesn't matter. This boy's no saint. It's only a matter of time."

Molly didn't catch the implication, her attention drawn instead to the old man's bone-handled sword. "Are you a Blademaster too, sir?" she asked curiously.

"Hmm." Scott hiccupped from the wine, swaying slightly as he nodded.

Holding her breath against the alcohol fumes, Molly helped him toward the living room. "Mr. Chilton, who's stronger? You or my master?"

"Stronger?" Scott sidestepped the question with a smirk. "That boy's style is all brute force-violent, like a storm. My swordplay is pure artistry."

He didn't directly answer, instead launching into a comparison of their techniques.

"Violent?" Molly repeated, puzzled by his choice of words.

But Scott was already distracted, his gaze landing on the table laden with food and drinks. "Look at that! Perfect for more wine!"

Olive frowned, her face darkening. "You've had enough. No more!"

"Grandma, don't worry so much. We're home. If he gets drunk, he can just sleep it off. Besides, with Mr. Chilton's tolerance, I doubt he'll get drunk," Flynn said with a smile.

Olive hesitated, concern flickering in her eyes. "You don't understand, child. He…"

She trailed off, catching Scott's warning glance. With a sigh, she relented. "Fine, drink. But just this once!"

Flynn, oblivious to the brief tension, poured Scott another glass.

The five of them sat down to eat. Molly helped pour the wine, and Flynn kept Scott company as they drank.

After a glass, Scott seemed to sense something was on Flynn's mind. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's bothering you?"

"I was thinking about earlier. The Woods family said Layla's father liked me, but it doesn't add up. He's the one who persuaded the Clark family to send me to Demon Island prison. How could they claim he liked me?"

Scott snorted dismissively. "Like you or not, does it change your plan to break off the engagement with that Layla girl?"

Flynn fell silent.

Scott was right. No matter what the Woods family said, Tessa Watson's birthday would mark the end. Layla wanted him to break the engagement in front of the elite families, and he intended to grant her wish.

The meal continued until Olive, now upstairs with Rose, suddenly appeared beside Scott, showing him her manicured nails.

"What do you think? Pretty?"

Scott barely glanced at them before scoffing. "At your age, why bother? You look like an old witch."

Olive pouted, turning away in frustration.

Molly couldn't hold back. "So what if she's older? My grandmother is the same age as Ms. Dobbs and gets her nails done every week!"

"Beauty isn't limited by age!" she declared.

Rose chimed in, defending Olive. "Mr. Chilton, you're allowed to drink, but Ms. Dobbs can't enjoy her nails? If you ask me, drunk men look more like old witches!"

Scott's brow furrowed as he looked at Flynn, baffled. "I don't envy you anymore. I actually feel sorry for you. Sure, they can have sons, but their tempers are fiery! Not fun at all!"

Flynn chuckled and joined in supporting Olive. "Ms. Dobbs has elegant features. She must've been a beauty in her youth. Tomorrow, let's go shopping. No arguments, or my mother will scold me for not taking care of you."

Reluctantly, Scott and Olive agreed.

After dinner, Rose arranged guest rooms for the two elders.

The next day, Flynn took them shopping, picking out autumn and winter clothes. Just as he finished paying, his phone rang.

"Flynn… help! We're at the lake behind Indigo Grove Estate!" Rose's voice was frantic and weak, laced with pain and fear.

"Nature's Path Remedies is after us. Molly… she's barely holding on! Please… hurry!"

The call ended abruptly.

Flynn's expression darkened, a murderous aura radiating from him, freezing the air in the mall. Even Scott frowned at the sudden shift.

Nature's Path Remedies. Greengate's people.

Why were they hunting Rose and Molly?

Flynn's jaw clenched as a second call came through.

"Mr. Clark, it's Brandon. Harriet is dead, and Scarlet is gravely injured. The two Greater Sovereigns and ten Lesser Sovereigns you sent to Niarak… all gone. Ronald and the others are barely alive. Katie Wilcox's grandmother… disintegrated into blood mist…"