Chapter 897: Chapter 591: Fake Antiques [End] Prosper if You Comply, Perish if You Defy

Johan Ford tossed a curt "Wait outside" to the two groups before entering the door with Nora Scott, Pedro Langley, and Butler Loxley.

As for Ivan Ford, who was unconscious under the eaves, he was dragged by the collar by the last to enter, Butler Loxley, and thrown onto the courtyard grass, as pitiable as a freshly slaughtered pig.

"..."

Not a single person dared to step forward to help their young master after witnessing such treatment.

It wasn’t until Butler Loxley entered that Butler Fong couldn’t stand it any longer, gesturing to have two people carry Ivan to the car to rest, sparing him further embarrassment.

*

In the living room, Johan Ford found himself squeezed onto a single armchair, watching with a gloomy face as Nora Scott and Pedro Langley sat close and intimately on the large sofa, making him uncomfortable.

"Did you bring me here to watch you flaunt your love?" Johan Ford’s voice was dripping with anger.

It wasn’t that he was being irrational.

But rather, Nora Scott’s way of doing things was unconventional, and it wasn’t completely out of the question for her to have such whimsical ideas.

——Flaunting affection was something Nora Scott could do.

——She might even shamelessly gather everyone who ever pursued her to witness it.

"Ah."

Nora Scott, warming herself with tea, casually answered.

"..."

Just as Johan Ford was about to leave in a huff, Nora Scott finally responded, "I want to make a deal with you."

"Not interested."

Johan Ford, full of anger, refused outright.

Pedro Langley didn’t even hesitate, swiftly chiming in, "Butler Loxley, see him out."

Johan Ford: "..."

Damn.

He realized this conversation appeared insincere from the start.

"It’s about the traitor in your family." Putting down her teacup, Nora Scott propped her chin with one hand, candidly saying, "It doesn’t have much impact on me."

Johan Ford frowned slightly.

In the Martial World, one must be adaptable.

After a moment, he settled back down, not letting his emotions control him.

Seeing this, Nora Scott smirked, "Your last shipment had issues because of that butler outside."

"Explain."

Johan Ford demanded sternly.

In fact, he had already suspected Butler Fong and Ivan Ford of having ulterior motives. When the last shipment went wrong, he had suspected Butler Fong, but he lacked concrete evidence.

Nora Scott, never short on intelligence, promptly disclosed the internal sabotage plans of Butler Fong and Ivan Ford to Johan Ford. She also revealed the numerous antique counterfeiting workshops of Alexander Vaughn, and finally set forth a condition for Johan Ford to decide on—whether or not to cooperate in taking down all those workshops in one swoop.

"You’ve already told me Butler Fong and Ivan Ford’s plans. Why should I still cooperate with you?" Johan Ford asked.

"You don’t have to cooperate," Nora Scott crossed her legs, raising an eyebrow with a smile, "I could blacklist the Ford Family with Biel Hall and the Northwest."

Johan Ford: "..."

That’s not negotiating cooperation; that’s forced compliance.

Same as before, a bandit-like approach. Follow her and you prosper, oppose her and you perish, no room for negotiation.

Previously, Nora Scott only behaved tyrannically in the Northwest. Johan Ford could still pose a threat to her on his own turf. But when Biel Hall contacted Johan Ford yesterday, they clearly stated that Nora Scott was the Hall Master of Biel Hall... meaning she could now act tyrannically on a national scale.

Thus, Johan Ford simply gave up trying to bargain with her, straightforwardly asking, "What do you want me to do?"

Nora Scott laid out her objectives in detail.

The transactions between Alexander Vaughn, the Ford Family, and the Durant Family all happened on the same day. Alexander Vaughn was very likely to be present, and she needed the Ford Family’s cooperation to capture Alexander Vaughn. Additionally, during this period, she required the authority to mobilize Ford Family personnel to ensure all the workshops could be taken down in one strike when the time came.

Essentially, it did not harm the Ford Family’s interests.

Moreover, Lord Ford would likely relish the opportunity to establish ties with Biel Hall, selling this favor.

No matter how unwilling Johan Ford might be, he had to separate business and personal matters. When considering the bigger picture, the choice was obvious.

"Alright."

It didn’t take long for Johan Ford to give an answer.

"Good." Nora Scott nodded, considering the matter closed regarding this negotiation, then turned to Pedro Langley, saying, "I’m hungry."

"Butler Loxley didn’t cook; someone from Virtue Retreat is bringing it." Pedro Langley explained, "It’ll be here soon."

In general, in such situations, Johan Ford would be invited to stay for a meal—even if just as a formality.

Johan Ford was already prepared to decline.

However, Pedro Langley gave a faint glance at Johan Ford and said, "Butler Loxley, see him out."

Johan Ford: "..."

"Wait."

Just as Johan Ford’s expression was about to crack, Nora Scott suddenly spoke up to stop them. Johan Ford thought she had had a change of heart, only to hear her say in the next moment, "There might be one more thing you need to handle."

Johan Ford: "..."

...

What Nora Scott meant was having Butler Fong and Ivan Ford apologize for intruding into a private residence without permission.

It had nothing to do with Johan Ford, and he agreed in one breath.

So, when the group left, Butler Fong was still pondering over what they had discussed, trying to glean any clues from their expressions and demeanor. Then things took a turn—Johan Ford gave a command, having his men pull Ivan out of the car, slap him twice, and wake him from his unconscious state.

Butler Fong: ???

"As members of the Ford Family, you disregarded the law and trespassed into a private residence. Out of respect for the Ford Family, the master has decided not to hold you accountable or report you to the authorities. Now, apologize properly, and this matter will be over." Johan Ford swept his gaze across everyone, pronouncing each word deliberately.

Butler Fong + the newly-awakened Ivan Ford: "..."

This is practically forcing an apology.

The people brought by Johan Ford are all elites, specially trained by the Ford Family, unlike the ones brought by Butler Fong who can’t compete. Given Johan Ford’s status in the Ford Family, Butler Fong and his people can only obediently comply.

This so-called apology is not just moving one’s lips; it practically amounts to an insult to one’s character.

Pedro Langley and Nora Scott sat drinking tea.

Butler Fong’s group stood in a line, approaching one by one to earnestly admit their mistakes and apologize, as if writing a self-criticism. A less than perfect attitude wasn’t acceptable; they’d be asked to do it over.

– This public humiliation is worse than beating them up.

It’s truly a disgrace.

"Let’s go."

Nora Scott finally waved her hand, lowered her eyes, seemingly not wanting to look at them, and every move she made was infuriating.

"..."

Everyone felt a lump in their throats, choking with anger as they left.

*

A crowd of people left noisily.

The riverside cabin returned to its usual tranquility.

Nora Scott had just recovered from an illness, was a bit weak, and after some activity, lost her energy again, curling up in a blanket on the sofa, sitting cross-legged, staring at the bamboo flute, waiting for food from Virtue Retreat.

Pedro Langley handed over a warmed hand warmer.

The air here is damp and cold, staying outside for a while is uncomfortable. The indoor floor heating wasn’t set very high; without a hand or foot warmer, Nora Scott would be chilled.

"Did I play exceptionally today?"

Accepting the hand warmer, Nora Scott held the bamboo flute in front of her, trying to show off to Pedro Langley.

She was referring to the piece she played on the windowsill.

"..."

Pedro Langley wasn’t sure if he should pretend to be deaf or mute.

Nora Scott sincerely affirmed herself, "I think I’ve improved."

Pedro Langley: "..." No, you haven’t.

"Why don’t you record a video for me? I’ll post it online." Feeling eager, Nora Scott took out her phone and handed it to Pedro Langley, "Prove my skill."

"..." Pedro Langley daringly suggested, "Actually, just a selfie will do."

Nora Scott lowered her brows, "You don’t appreciate me?"

"Heavenly Immortal," Pedro Langley’s hand gently brushed her hair, softly kneading it, and he spoke earnestly, "We already have enough gossip; there’s no need to add more humor to it."

"..."

Heaven and earth can testify that Pedro Langley was thinking of Nora Scott.

However, truth often sounds harsh, and such sincere advice would only earn Pedro Langley a beating.

In the end, he had to comply with his wife’s wishes.

Pedro Langley, with a feeling of indescribable emotion, watched Butler Loxley smilingly record a bamboo flute video for Nora Scott. Seeing Butler Loxley’s praise and Nora Scott’s beaming face, Pedro Langley suddenly questioned himself – was he not living deceitfully enough?

Or.

This world is more deceitful than he thought.

What shocked Pedro Langley even more –

Was the fan comments on Nora Scott’s video posted on Weibo.

[Wow! Heavenly Immortal actually posted a video?! Today’s Heavenly Immortal must be tired from descending, but she’s as beautiful as ever, capturing our hearts.]

[Even though I’m deaf now, I still have to praise – the lazy style of Heavenly Immortal is totally killing me!]

[Three minutes after posting, someone on Super Topic replaced the original audio source with Heavenly Immortal’s unparalleled beauty. I can watch it a hundred times!]

[Played better than before! Surely, after getting a master, it’s different! (Was Heavenly Immortal scolded by the master today?)]

[I just love seeing a beauty become braver and stronger. So positive; I feel like I can tackle a whole set of comprehensive science exams today!]

...

Without fan-led comment control, the comment section was filled with praises from all angles, without repetition.

"..."

Mr. Langley felt he was mingling in a fake entertainment industry.

The outside world was too forgiving to Nora Scott, excessively forgiving... They couldn’t understand the feelings of those who had been tormented by Nora Scott’s bamboo flute sound.

"I told you, I have improved."

Nora Scott, reading the comments while curled up on the sofa, seemed about to wag her tail.

Pedro Langley: "..."

"May I ask boldly," Pedro Langley took a deep breath and humbly inquired, "Who are you measuring yourself against?"

"I recently watched a video of an elementary school student playing," Nora Scott replied matter-of-factly.

"..."

Well, his wife truly has self-awareness.

*

After dinner.

Nora Scott stretched a bit, considering whether to continue today’s bamboo flute practice to stabilize her playing level.

Butler Loxley had just intended to agree.

However, Pedro Langley walked over with tea, calmly dousing cold water, "You need to submit the drawings tomorrow."

Nora Scott: "..."

Butler Loxley: "..." Ah, there’s a scent of impending domestic violence.