She is a natural disaster.

Chapter 66 Stubborn Mike

The late-night talk ended unhappily, with none of the three men able to convince the others.

Bill, determined to go his own way, insisted on meeting with Lonkinswain, and the meeting place remained unchanged at the manor.

Mike and Eniz remained opposed, both feeling there was no need to meet with Lonkinswait, even if the meeting took place at the estate, as it was extremely dangerous.

Both uncle and nephew believed that the best way to resolve the current crisis of the Montague family was to communicate with their superiors or seek protection from them, rather than trying to reason with or negotiate with a gambler who had lost everything.

Of course, seeking protection from higher authorities is only the best solution at present. In the long run, strengthening one's own power and making Montagu an unshakeable force is the best approach.

Unfortunately, time waits for no one, and the storm has already arrived. The lone boat in the vast ocean can only fight against the wind and waves while searching for safe harbor.

After the unpleasant conversation ended late at night, Bill Montagu did not leave his messy study.

The young master Montague was making a huge fuss, smashing cups and books like a crying child.

Bill Montague did not send anyone to clean up; instead, he walked directly to the huge portrait and gently stroked the hem of Madame Montague's skirt in the painting.

From a small factory owner to a business tycoon, Bill has experienced many things, including suppression by capital, malicious competition, betrayal by friends, and even conspiracy and assassination.

Throughout his journey, Bill never considered giving up or begging for mercy from anyone. He overcame numerous obstacles and personally built Montagu into its current glory.

Perhaps it was precisely because of Bill Montagu's tenacity that the powerful hand that manipulated the world chose him as the pawn to start the game.

"Olivia, can you hear me?"

In the dark study, Bill stood alone in front of the huge portrait, muttering to himself.

"You must have heard it, our son Mike is very concerned about my safety, he doesn't want me to take any risks."

Madame Montagu in the large portrait could not give any response; she simply smiled gently, her brows bearing an inescapable air of illness.

"But I have to do it—no, I must do it, only in this way can we escape the crisis, escape the fate of being controlled by others, and prevent our son from repeating my mistakes."

The huge portrait was just a painting, and the woman in it was not the real Lady Montague. She could not offer Bill any comfort, not even a look of pity.

"Olivia, will you forgive me?"

Bill withdrew his hand from the portrait, walked to the window, and looked outside.

"I'm going to take this gamble no matter what. Olivia, I'm sorry I couldn't keep our promise."

After he finished speaking, there was no more sound in the dark study. Bill Montagu stood quietly by the window, looking at Swan Lake outside, where there were no swans.

On the other side, Mike, who had thrown a huge tantrum, hurried down the long corridor, panting as he caught up with Anastasia.

"Anatasia!"

Hearing Mike's call, Anastasia stopped and turned around.

"Do you know something?" Mike asked. "No, you definitely know something."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Anastasia said calmly. "Or rather, what do you think I should know?"

“I’m talking about Bill’s decision,” Mike said. “Uncle Iniz knows nothing, otherwise he wouldn’t have argued with Dad, and you, you were too quiet just now.”

Anastasia remained completely uninvolved in the argument that took place in the study, coldly observing the three grown men arguing back and forth.

"If you want to know anything, you should ask Bill."

Anastasia spoke as she resumed her steps toward her suite.

"I'm just a private investigator hired by Bill. My job is simply to protect you and keep you from dying a violent death."

"But what you've done has gone beyond the scope of the request!" Mike said as he walked away. "You've helped me a lot; I thought we were friends!"

Anastasia stopped abruptly and said coldly, "Mike, I have no friends, and I don't need any."

These words are hurtful, but they are a true reflection of Anastasia's life after she woke up in the desolate town. She had no friends, only business partners who came together for common interests.

"And what about all the help you gave me?" Mike asked, looking somewhat sad, but more anxious.

Bill Montague's stubbornness gave Mike a very bad feeling; he always felt that his father was about to do something very dangerous.

"Consider it an add-on service," Anastasia said as she walked. "Remember to give me a good review, Mr. Montagu."

In Anastasia's eyes, Mike is a good man who is somewhat of a womanizer. Their relationship is limited to protector and protected, and they will not go any further to become friends. Once the commission is over, they should go their separate ways.

Mike should continue being the Montague prince, either indulging in a life of debauchery or inheriting the family business; Anastasia, on the other hand, should join the Bureau of Investigation to continue investigating her own secrets.

Anastasia didn't want to be friends with Mike, nor did she want to be friends with anyone.

"No! I think we're friends now!" Mike clearly disagreed with Anastasia's statement. "Friends have an obligation to help each other, and I need your help."

As he spoke, Mike quickened his pace, not only catching up with Anastasia again, but also reaching out to grab her wrist.

If Mike Montagu were given another chance to choose, he would still choose to chase after Anastasia, but he would never try to grab Anastasia's wrist again.

Anastasia grabbed Mike's forearm with her other hand, turned and stepped forward, grabbing Mike's upper arm with her other hand. Then, Anastasia turned again, her body suddenly dropping, causing Mike's center of gravity to lean forward—

With a thud, Mike, who had been thrown over his back, lay on his side on the ground. He shook his head, and his hazy consciousness returned.

This back throw was Anastasia's subconscious self-protection. When she grabbed Mike's arm, Anastasia could have stopped the next move, but she chose to complete the back throw.

However, Anastasia was still careful to handle things gently, after all, young Master Montague was delicate and precious, and if he were to be broken, she would have to pay for it.

However, this incident seemed to have enlightened Mike, allowing him to instantly grasp the essence of staged accidents.

"The problem is getting serious."

Mike lay on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"You were supposed to protect me, but you threw me to the ground. How do you think this should be settled?"

Mike was convinced that even if Anastasia didn't help him up from the ground, she would at least say something sarcastic.

But Mike waited for a while, and not only did no one help him up, he didn't even hear any teasing words. He got nothing at all.

Anastasia is gone. She just left!

Having waited in vain, Mike had no choice but to get up and quicken his pace to catch up with Anastasia, who had already gone quite far.

Finally, just as Anastasia was about to enter her suite in the manor, Mike caught up with her and rushed forward to block Anastasia's path.

Mike braced his hands against the door frame and his feet against the doorposts, completely blocking the doorway. Anastasia's only options to open the door were to either knock Mike down or comply with his demands and answer his questions.

"It's no use trying to fool me here, because I really don't know anything."

Anastasia wasn't lying; she only knew that Bill Montague was about to do something terrible, but she really didn't know what Bill was going to do.

"Uncle Iniz doesn't know anything, and you say you don't know anything either, I don't believe you," Mike said.

"Is it possible that Mr. Montague has other people at his disposal?" Anastasia said. "I'm not named Montague, so he doesn't have to keep track of everything with me."

Normally, Anastasia's words would have implied that she was taking advantage of Mike, but tonight she meant something else entirely.

Anastasia Angel was merely a mercenary hired by the Montague, not one of their own.

"Even if the old man has other people under him, I believe he would still inform you in advance," Mike said stubbornly, "because you are a natural disaster."

By this time, Mike had gained some understanding of the Beyonders and he knew very well what natural disasters meant.

"Fine, I give up." Anastasia sighed. "Let's talk inside. Look at the state you're in now."

Mike looked Anastasia in the eyes to make sure she wasn't lying before he reluctantly stepped aside, allowing her to open the door and return to the suite.

"Come in, do I need to invite you?"

Anastasia opened the door and instead of leaving Mike outside, she invited him inside.

Once inside, the two sat far apart, mainly because Mike was wary of Anastasia playing tricks on him, such as giving him a good night's sleep.

"Now can you tell me what you know?" Mike asked, sniffing warily. There was no strange smell in the room, which reassured him.

"Would you like something to drink?" Anastasia asked, walking toward the cupboard. "It's all your own stuff anyway."

"No, thank you," Mike said. "I was worried you might have put sleeping pills in my drink."

Anastasia smiled and said, "Sleeping pills take time to work. Besides, can't you tell if there's something in the glass?"

"Speak up, stop wasting each other's time," Mike urged. "I have a strong feeling that the old man's meeting with Lonkinswait isn't as simple as it seems."

From the moment Bill Montague proposed meeting with Lonkinswait, Mike's heart pounded wildly; he was filled with anxiety.

"Your hunch was right." Anastasia leaned against the cabinet, gently swirling her wine glass. "But, Mike, I don't know any more than you do. I only just found out about the meeting with Lonkinswit."

Bill Montague is a very opinionated adult male. He doesn't need to consult Anastasia on everything, nor does he need anyone to make decisions for him.

"I don't believe it," Mike said stubbornly. "You're a natural disaster. Whatever the old man wants to do, you'll be his best help."

“That’s how it should be,” Anastasia said. “The problem is that Mr. Montague isn’t one to play by the rules; he didn’t tell me his plans.”

Anastasia repeatedly emphasized that she knew nothing, her tone sincere and her eyes genuine, and she did not seem to be lying.

Mike, his mind in turmoil, couldn't help but wonder if he was really wrong, and if Anastasia really didn't know anything.

"Add more money!"

Regardless of whether it's true or not, Mike wants to try one last time.

Mike, employing the "more money" tactic, then said, "I can order you another revolver!"

But the very next second after he finished speaking, Mike Montagu’s head lolled to the side, his body went limp and he fell into a deep sleep under the sofa.

Despite all his precautions, Mike couldn't prevent Anastasia from giving him a good night's sleep.

Anastasia glanced at the unconscious Mike, then at the sleeping pills in her hand, and said softly, "I still think physical methods are more reliable than sleeping pills."

After saying that, Anastasia took Mike's arm, hoisted the unconscious Mike onto her shoulder, and then quickly walked out of the suite.