Chapter 779 "Only eight thousand dollars, and you think the Ritter family would care? Even if it was eight hundred thousand, the Ritter family wouldn't bat an eye. And yet here you are, trying to humiliate me with this measly sum!" Mrs. Ritter finally realized that she had fallen right into Franklin's trap with every step she took.
She was so angry that her whole body trembled and she almost lost her composure. If there weren't so many people around, she would have cursed Franklin out loud without any hesitation.
But she held back. She took a deep breath and spoke slowly with a stiff expression on her face: "Mr. Maskelyne, the compensation of eight thousand dollars will be transferred immediately to your account. You can rest assured... Since our Ritter Group has lost, | will abide by the terms of our bet." She spoke slowly as if struggling for each word while trying not to pass out from anger at any moment under all those eyes watching her every move.
Even though in her heart she wanted nothing more than to tear Franklin apart along with MI6 itself! But still, Mrs. Ritter held back because the Ritter Family had its own pride and dignity; even if it meant losing face in public.
After all, wasn't it just compensation? An apology? Without waiting for Franklin's response, Mrs. Ritter turned towards Ashlyn and said firmly, "Let's go!" Ashlyn followed behind Mrs. Ritter in humiliation as they walked away from the basketball court while Club Ritter members trailed behind them looking dejected; no longer full of confidence before their match began.
Watching them leave, Sylvia approached Franklin and looked towards Cody saying, "Cody, let's head back too." Cody patted his shoulder, "When did you guys form a golden triangle? | didn't know about this." "That was years ago." Franklin chuckled lowly. "Jasper Brayden, and | especially love playing basketball together, often sparring against Soren but he insisted on becoming professional. We three don't have time to play regularly together, so | formed Club Sylvia to give Soren a platform. When we a get bored, we can always find someone worthy enough to spar against.” Cody nodded understandingly,"l see now." The group left the basketball court, heading towards Balfax Mansion for dinner after such an exhausting day.
Upon hearing her words, Vaughn dragged his injured arm and said, "Sure, sure!" He had been eating light and nutritious recovery meals since yesterday when he got injured. The food was so bland that it almost tasted like nothing.
Just as Isla was about to speak, she heard Franklin's voice on the phone saying, "Soren, bring our men to Balfax Mansion for dinner." Her face stiffened... she suddenly felt uneasy.
Was Soren going to be there too? She had an inexplicable urge to escape but if she didn't go it would seem strange.
They worked and lived together every day; it would be weird not to eat together.
So she could only grit her teeth and follow everyone else to Balfax Mansion.
As soon as Sylvia got into the car, she received a message in the Facebook group chat on her phone.
Chad: Didn't Zero say he wanted to treat us a meal? Why hasn't he done it yet? Alby: Yeah, when are we having this dinner party? Ward: Can't wait! Sylvia suddenly remembered that she had promised everyone that they would have a gathering but had been too busy lately and forgotten all about it.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSo she quickly replied: Sorry guys! I've been really busy lately and forgot all about it. I'm actually heading out of town for Vienna in a couple of days so maybe we can plan our gathering when | get back? Ward responded with curiosity: Why are you going to Vienna anyway? | heard it's the city of music.
Sylvia replied back saying that she was attending an event there.
Alby commented on how busy Sylvia always seemed while Sylvia explained that her mentor had promised someone else on her behalf so there was no way around attending this event.
Just then their car pulled up at Balfax Mansion's entrance where they met up with everyone else before heading inside.
The Ritter Villa.
Mrs. Ritter suppressed her anger throughout their journey home but finally exploded upon entering the house.
She went crazy throwing tea cups and utensils from the coffee table onto the ground causing loud shattering sounds throughout their mansion'’s living room area.
Ashlyn followed behind Mrs. Ritter, covering both ears in fear while all other Ritter family servants stood by at a distance without daring themselves closer or intervening with Mrs. Ritters’ actions.
No one dared approach or console Mrs. Ritter during such moments of rage.
"Franklin! The Wright family! You will pay!" "Vile woman Sylvia! How dare you!" The Ritter household staff stood by quietly watching as if being punished themselves.
Upon receiving the news of Club Ritter's defeat, Donovan immediately rushed back to the Ritter family estate. As soon as he walked in, he heard Mrs. Ritter's angry voice and hurried over. "What are you doing? It's just a defeat, is it necessary to be so angry?" "How could | not be angry?" Mrs. Ritter was so furious that her face turned pale and green. "He actually forced Ashlyn to apologize publicly! This is a humiliation for our entire Ritter family, trampled on and crushed underfoot.” She didn't need to look at Twitter to know that it must have been going crazy with videos of Ashlyn being forced to apologize everywhere.
Just thinking about it made her want to tear Franklin apart.
"But think about Jenna, isn't she still under your control? What kind of music can she produce?" Donovan tried his best to comfort Mrs. Ritter who was boiling with anger. "When our daughter wins first place in the Graley Piano Competition and Jenna has nothing, we can humiliate her on Twitter and let everyone know that strength speaks for itself." Mrs. Ritter finally felt a little relieved when she heard Donovan mention the Graley Piano Competition.
"You're right,” she said fiercely while still unable to swallow this anger inside her heart.
Her eyes locked onto Ashlyn as she spoke again, "Go practice piano in your room! Practice until I'm satisfied." Ashlyn felt like collapsing when she heard her mother start this devilish training method again but knew that only by winning could she make their family proud.
Especially now with Mrs. Ritters' rage at its peak, Ashlyn dared not provoke any further trouble and obediently went off practicing piano.
In Balfax Mansion's private room, a group of people sat around a large table; Vaughn may have injured his arm but couldn't resist scrolling through short videos or Twitter feeds on his phone screen.
Seeing Ashlyn's pitiful appearance all over social media made him feel ecstatic.
"Look at how pathetic she looks now after apologizing!" "Thank you, Franklin!" Brayden patted Franklin's shoulder gratefully knowing full well how much credit Franklin deserved for defeating the Ritters' family spirit this time around "You also put in effort, why thank me for doing anything?" Franklin raised an eyebrow.
"Everyone has worked hard." Mrs. Wright sighed and lifted her glass, "I propose a toast to all of you." Cody also nodded repeatedly, "Our Wright family is nothing without the help of you young people.” Sylvia's eyes flickered slightly, "There's no need for pleasantries, we're all on the same team." After drinking the cup, everyone sat down one after another.
Whether it was a coincidence or intentional on Soren's part, Isla happened to be seated right next to him.
However, because everyone was enthusiastically discussing the game, no one noticed her peculiarity.
The speed of serving at Balfax Mansion was quite fast. They didn't have to wait long before almost all the dishes they ordered were served.
Just then, a hot palm was pressed against he thigh.
Isla was not doing well at all.
Her heart beat faster, afraid of being seen by others.
Her lips trembled as she reached out to grab the man's hand, but his large palm was as strong as steel and she couldn't pry it open with her own strength.
Her small face was flushed with pink, her cherry lips tightly bitten, and a hint of awkward impatience flashed in her eyes.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe gave Soren an angry glare, but the man responded with a charming smile.
Just by looking at his face, how could anyone know that he was doing something wicked right now! He was clearly doing it on purpose! Isla was feeling a bit depressed.
She was so angry that she forgot to eat her meal and just sat there sulking.
As soon as Sylvia looked up, she saw Isla and couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you eating?" Isla quickly picked up her utensils and said, "Let's eat now." Soren found her adorable and charming as he looked at her.
But Isla secretly hoped that this meal would end soon.
But... she waited for nearly an hour before the meal was over.
During this period, the man's hands occasionally touched her thighs or her slender waist.
She was about to be furious.
But she didn't dare to flare up in front of so many acquaintances.
She could only endure it.
When it was finally over, she felt like the torture was over.
She quickly stood up and walked towards the outside.
Sylvia raised an eyebrow, "Isla looks a bit strange." Sylvia fell silent and began scrolling through Twitter. The online community was in shock - MI6 had managed to defeat Club Ritter, a professional powerhouse team.
Comments flooded in, almost tipping over the platform.
Especially popular were the short videos of Franklin lifting his shirt to wipe away sweat and revealing his abs - these clips garnered millions of views and shares.
Netizens went wild with criticism for the Ritter family, calling them "low" and expressing their disbelief at their loss.