Chapter 169

Victoria yanked the door open, ready to storm out.

William grabbed her arm, his chest heaving with anger, fists clenched tight.

"Victoria!" he yelled, his voice full of fury.

Victoria didn't flinch. She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with defiance.

The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Daisy, sensing the escalating situation, quickly stepped in, grabbing William's arm. "William, don't fight with Victoria. She's just upset."

Then Daisy turned to Victoria, her voice soothing. "Victoria, don't get William wrong. He's already got Harry working on getting the money back home, but we need a backup plan, right? What if they take the money and still don't let your dad go? We have to be ready."

"Victoria, can you be reasonable?" William's forehead veins bulged, his anger barely contained. "What are you planning to do? Get yourself killed?"

He turned sharply to Daisy. "Keep an eye on her."

"Okay," Daisy replied softly, stepping forward to hold Victoria's hand. "Listen, Victoria, now's not the time to fight with William. For my sake, he'll do everything he can to save your father."

William paused at the door, giving Victoria a long, intense look before rushing out.

Daisy led Victoria to the couch, sighing as she lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

"If it weren't for saving me, he wouldn't have been captured."

Victoria pressed her lips together, her eyes shimmering with suppressed emotion.

She wanted to tell Daisy it wasn't her fault, but the words wouldn't come out.

Alvin was captured because of Daisy. As his daughter, how could she not feel any resentment?

But it was Alvin's choice, and she couldn't take her anger out on Daisy.

She lowered her head, staying silent.

Daisy gently ruffled her hair, sighing. "I know you hate William, but I don't want you to make a mistake. This time, stay here and wait for his news. He promised to save your dad, and he won't go back on his word."

Victoria was silent for a long time before she finally responded with a low "okay."

She looked down, pausing for a moment before speaking softly. "I know he's not that kind of person, but I..."

"You're just too worried," Daisy said, patting Victoria's hand gently. "Victoria, listen to me. Only William can help you save your father now."

Victoria fell silent again, nodding after a long pause.

In the afternoon, Victoria decided to head to the resort entrance to buy some essentials. Giselle happened to pass by and called out to her.

"Victoria, I told my brother about what happened yesterday. He said he'll handle it, so don't worry."

"I'm not planning to pursue it. I just hope things can be peaceful here at the resort," Victoria said with a faint smile.

"Absolutely, I promise there won't be any more trouble!" Giselle assured her, patting her chest.

Victoria nodded slightly and turned to leave.

When she returned to the resort with her bags, a scream suddenly came from the storage room in the corner.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly looked in the direction of the sound.

Through the crack in the door, she saw Jett and Hayden lying on the ground, covered in blood and groaning in pain.

A burly man stood with his back to her, holding a baseball bat, teaching the two a lesson.

The man crouched down, grabbing Jett by the collar, his voice cold as ice. "Didn't I tell you not to mess with any guests at this resort?"

Jett trembled, his voice shaking as he tried to explain. "Mr. Hopper, I didn't do anything to her, just scared her a bit."

The man yanked him closer, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "You've got some nerve."

Jett shivered even more, quickly pleading. "Mr. Hopper, please spare me. I was wrong. I won't do it again."

"Next time, I'll cripple you," the man said, letting go. Jett collapsed to the ground like a pile of mush.

Victoria clutched her bags tightly, her palms sweaty, staring at the man. She thought, 'Is he Giselle's brother? The owner of this resort? Why does his voice sound so familiar?'

As the man stood up, she instinctively shrank back, trying to hide.

She thought she was well-hidden, but the man seemed to sense something. He turned slowly and walked straight toward her.

Victoria was about to run, but when she saw the scar on his brow and the earring in his left ear, she was stunned.

It was Louie, the man who had chatted with her on the plane!

Today, he wore a simple outfit typical of Xandria's casual style.

A crisp white cotton T-shirt with sparse gold embroidery at the collar, loose shorts at the waist, and flip-flops on his feet.

He looked more relaxed and carefree.

But the sharp aura around him hadn't diminished at all.

Louie approached with steady steps, looking down at Victoria, a hint of surprise in his eyes, followed by a meaningful smile. "Well, well, it's you. We must be destined to meet."

His voice was low and raspy, with a touch of mockery.

Victoria swallowed, trying to stay calm.

She looked up, forcing a stiff smile. "Mr. Hopper, what a coincidence."

Louie narrowed his eyes, suddenly leaning down to meet her gaze. "I remember your name is Victoria, right?"

"Yes, Victoria Carter." Victoria replied, her smile strained.

One of Louie's men leaned in, whispering in his ear. "Jett and Hayden were harassing her."

Louie raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning playful as he looked at Victoria.

She was indeed beautiful, no wonder Jett and Hayden dared to break his rules to harass her.

Even he had tried to chat her up on the plane.

Victoria felt a chill down her spine, instinctively stepping back.

Louie chuckled softly, asking, "Ms. Carter, you were frightened at my resort. As the owner, I owe you an explanation, so..."

He paused deliberately before continuing. "How would you like to settle this? A broken hand? A broken leg? Or something more severe? I can make it happen."

Hearing this, Jett and Hayden turned pale.

They hadn't expected that the woman they harassed was someone Louie was interested in.

They struggled to get up, kneeling at Louie's feet, begging for mercy.

"Mr. Hopper, please spare us. We were wrong. We won't do it again."

"I was wrong. Please let me go."

"Get lost!" Louie kicked them away in disgust.

He looked at Victoria, smiling. "Ms. Carter, how would you like to punish them? Just say the word."

Victoria was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head. "No need."

"Really? Ms. Carter, you are kind," Louie said slowly. "In that case, I'll have to handle it differently."

He signaled to his subordinate, Paxton, who understood immediately. Paxton walked over and swung the baseball bat hard at the two men's groins.