Victor was missing for five hours now and the news has already reached the ears of every person with a status.
Patrick went into a frenzy the moment he heard this news and nearly killed those two loyal butlers. If not for his father stopping him, he might've done it already.
Skyler was also horrified hearing this news and immediately searched for her brother with everyone else.
Valentino, on the other hand, was happy about Victor's disappearance but didn't dare to show it because even he didn't dare to irritate Patrick when he was enraged.
Since Javier was missing with Victor, no one paid any attention to Jason.
But the news come soon that he had also escaped.
This was an immense blow to the noble families and they will become the laughing stoke of the entire Zander county when this news spread.
Especially when they know the Earl's son got abducted by a third qi gate realm brat. They all knew it was not the case and that brat's cultivation was much higher, but who would believe them?
Everyone would consider it as an excuse to hide their embarrassment.
The sullenest about this loss was none other than Aden because he spends quite some from his pocket to get information on Javier and Jason.
Aden was enjoying 'teaching' his two disciples when Black Hound came back with this unexpected news.
Black hound was also furious because he was observing Jason, and he got away under his nose. If others find out the Vice Beast Master has failed to stop a brat, he might lose his position and punish by the organization for involving himself in the affairs of nobles!
---
Inside Earl Estate.
"Where is my son!" Patrick roar as he quickly entered the grand hall.
He spotted Victor, who was…fine except for his dirty robes!
Victor spotted Patrick and promptly said, "Father, your son has returned with gifts." He quickly took out two storage rings from his own.
One was Javier's, and the other was Jason's.
Patrick agitates and his worried face instantly stiffened seeing Victor fine and those two storage rings.
"Where were you? And how did you gain those storage rings?" Patrick inquired sternly.
He didn't dare to believe his son can kill those two cunning scoundrels after being abducted by one under two high-stage foundation building experts' noses.
'Something is not right here!' Patrick grimace because after what happened, he knew those two had very high-level concealment skills and Victor was missing for hours and there is a very high possibility this Victor was a fake!
"That boy gave it to me who abducted me and say…" Victor's face twisted with rage as if he didn't want to say the next phase.
"What did he say?" Patrick's eyes narrowed. This expression was exactly his son whenever he got angry.
Victor pursed his lips. "He says never offend someone who you can't find out because of your trivial ability and say he was just bored and playing with… dogs in this barren place.
"He gave me these two rings with beast tickets and some Qi stones as a... charity. He said he gave them to that Beastly Old Man and tell him if he dares, just try using them."
"Presumptuous!" Patrick's face was as dark as charcoal hearing those overbearing words. He has heard that brat arrogance knows no bounds, but this was just too infuriating.
"Victor!" Skyler enters at this moment; her eyes were teary when she saw Victor and without even care about Patrick, she throws herself into his embrace and hugged him.
"Are you hurt?" She asked in a sniffing voice.
"N-no I'm fine." Victor quickly escaped Skyler's bear hug.
Skyler was shocked because Victor never does this before. But she didn't have time to ponder over it since Patrick speak in a stiff voice.
"If he let you go after giving you those rings, then where were you for almost six hours?"
Skyler looked at her brother and father with bewilderment because she didn't know what they were talking about.
At this moment, everyone from the Zander family entered the grand hall. They all heard the news about Victor appearing at the front gate unharmed.
But seeing Patrick questioning him, no one speaks and only observed.
"H-he drag me quite far from the city and I-I never go outside the city. That's why I l-lose my way back." Victor's face redden when he told the 'truth' in embarrassment.
Everyone in the hall know Victor was telling the truth, so this explanation was valid.
But Patrick still didn't feel right as he asked, "How many times did I beat you and when was the first time and last time?"
Everyone looked at Victor, now they all understand why Patrick was questioning him. Victor was unharmed and even had storage rings of those two rogues.
This makes anyone with some brain wary and doubts the other person.
Skyler was also very intelligent and instantly knew what was happening. She suddenly recalls Victor escaping from her hug and narrowed her eyes while observing Victor more carefully and wait for his answer.
Patrick has asked this question because only Victor knows the answer and beating is not something that anyone could forget, especially Patrick's beating. And even if someone is posing as his son, they would never think of this question.
Victor confusingly answers, "Why are you asking this at a time like this?"
"Just answer your father!" Old Man Chase said in an unfriendly tone.
Victor quickly lower his head because he was terrified of his grandfather.
"F-four times… you beat me four times. First when I was ten years old because I stole sprit stones and last time was today, because I sully the family name in the auction." Victor timidly answered.
Everyone looked at Patrick.
Patrick sighed in relief, "He's Victor."
"Give it back!" At this moment Skyler chimed in while extended her snowy hand towards Victor.
Another test!
If anyone in this hall knows Victor better than Patrick, it has to be Skyler!
Patrick also didn't stop Skyler and just watch. He knew Skyler has taken care of Victor ever since he was young and care for him the most.
Victor deeply looked at those beautiful, gem-like sky-blue eyes of Skyler and smile with affection, and flip his hand.
In everyone's curious eyes, a beautiful hairpin appeared in Victor's hand, but it was only half.
"Our mother's hairpin that you gave me when I was ten." Victor throws that pin to Skyler.
Skyler catch the half hairpin and after seeing it the doubts vanished from her eyes, "Victor, you brat, don't make me worried again or I'll break your legs for real."
Victor smile wryly.
Patrick didn't speak and a peculiar glint flash past his eyes seeing that broken hairpin.
"Give me those two rings." Now the doubts were evident, Patrick's focus turned to those storage rings.
Now he has to believe what Victor has told him and he was planning to tell Aden the exact words of that arrogant brat.
After all, Aden was the one who checked the background of those two and give a green signal.
What happened was those two scoundrels have played everyone just because they were bored and even gave them tickets and qi stones in the name of charity!
"They are open." Victor's smile vanished as he handed those rings to Patrick.
"You can rest now. Only three hours remain until you'll leave for capital." Patrick excuses everyone as he headed to the Beast Calling Colosseum to meet with Aden.
Victor leave for his room while Skyler followed him as well as everyone else.
Valentino's face was full of disappointment as he leaves since Victor was back, he can now forget about sending his son to the capital in the fastest category beast.
---
Victor finally entered his lavishing room after escaping from Skyler's lecture.
"That girl can kill someone with her mouth!" Victor lamented or Ace!
'So, this is what it feels like having an elder sister, huh.' Ace couldn't help but wonder. He had no actual siblings and only had Alina closest to one.
'I wonder how is she now.' Ace couldn't help but nostalgically remembered that cut face of Alina and the time he spends with her. 'One day I'll find you and give you a huge surprised!'
Ace quickly snapped out of his memories and planned his next move.
He had fooled the Zander family, but his purpose was not ended here.
Now he needed a large amount of Thief Points. Because he wanted to buy [Hundred-Face Deception Mask] which price was 50,000TP!
Ace needed this mask the most because his destination was the number one institute of middle-level lands. And he found out after absorbing Victor's memories that the principal of the institute is rumored to be a Qi River Core Cultivator!
Ace's two-face mask can't work against this kind of existence and that's why he felt even more urgency to buy this new mask.
'I'll have to prepare soon and think more like a cunning thief who is also a master of deception.' Ace closed his eyes as he imagined many kinds of scenarios.
This was his new method of thinking that he finds very helpful and his mind become sharper and his decision-making also improved tremendously!