Chapter 243: Silly Bride Chapter 243

Harold personally poured Winnie a glass of wine like a gentleman. “I’m glad that you feel better, Ms.

Vivian. Please have a taste of this wine from my collection. I apologize for my subordinate’s rudeness;

it’s my fault for not training him well. I hope you don’t take it to heart.”“Sure.” Winnie clinked her glass with Harold’s and said, “Since you’re so nice to me, I definitely won’t take it to heart. I’m not an ingrate, you know. By the way, your wine tastes great, Mr. Horton.”Harold smiled and said thoughtfully, “If you like it, I’ll ask someone to send two more bottles to your room later. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange new accommodation for you. I promise you’ll be satisfied with it.”“You’re so hospitable, Mr. Horton. Thank you in advance,” Winnie replied with a faint smile.“It’s my pleasure. You’re my guest, so it’s only right that I show you great hospitality. Here, try these freshly picked fruits.”Harold entertained Winnie enthusiastically as if she was really an important guest of his.As for Winnie, she decided to hold her horses until the enemy made a move. Hence, she played along with Harold and accepted everything he offered.By doing this, she also learned that Harold was much more patient than she thought.However, Winnie herself was not in a hurry either. No matter how patient he was, she was determined to outdo him.In a negotiation, the one who grew impatient first would be the one who slipped up and exposed their emotions first.Therefore, since Harold didn’t bring up the formulation, Winnie stayed quiet about it. She focused on feasting on the food and drinks nonchalantly.In the end, Harold caved in first.“Recently, I did hear a rumor circulating. It is said that someone new came to Lightspring with a formulation that has a higher purity than the Horton family’s formulation. Ms. Vivian, have you seen our goods? Is it really worse than this new formulation they’re talking about?”A soft smile remained plastered on Winnie’s face as she said, “I haven’t had the chance to expose myself to the market of Southeast Aploth, but I found out a lot during my stay here these days. I’ve heard that your goods have a high purity level, but from what I know, it’s only ninety percent.”Harold furrowed his eyebrows, slightly amused. “Only ninety percent? Ms. Vivian, your standards are quite high.”“Of course. After all…” Winnie paused and raised her glass at Harold before adding, “The formulation I have has a purity of ninety-four point seven percent. I believe I don’t have to explain what that means, right?”Hearing that, Harold narrowed his eyes. “Ms. Vivian, you’re joking, aren’t you? I have never heard of any formulation with such high purity, be it in Southeast Aploth, Southwest Aploth, or South Adrune.”Winnie chuckled lightly. “I may sound rude for saying this, but you seem to be living under a rock, Mr. Horton.”“I guess you aren’t joking about that purity percentage since you sound so confident, Ms. Vivian,” Harold responded. Despite Winnie’s insults, he did not get upset.Winnie smirked. “Do you think I’d have the time to come all the way to your place to joke with you?”“Then, may I ask for the reason? Why did you choose me? Since you’ve done some research in advance, you must know that I don’t have a monopoly here. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a free lunch.”After saying that, Harold stared at Winnie, trying to look for clues in her expression.Winnie remained calm and collected.

Her unchanging expression gave nothing away at all.“Of course, I chose you after careful consideration of various factors, such as…”“Such as what?” Harold questioned with narrowed eyes.Winnie grinned frivolously. “Such as the fact that your subordinate is good in bed, or…”Her face turned solemn as she continued, “The fact that this place is stacked with men and weapons. With such a treasure in my hands, I will definitely become a much sought-after prey to you bunch of drug lords. I don’t want that kind of life. I just want to live every day happily, counting my money and drinking wine in a man’s arms.

Then, when I’ve saved enough, I’ll travel around the world. That’s how simple my dream is.”Harold understood what Winnie meant right away.“No problem. As long as you can give me that formulation, I’ll risk even the entire Horton family’s fortune and our lives to ensure your safety,” he promised.Winnie nodded at his words. “That would be wonderful.”“I have one more question. May I ask where you are from? After all, I’ve never heard of you before meeting you today, Ms. Vivian,” Harold remarked as he looked at Winnie.Raising her brow, Winnie quipped, “Mr. Horton, are you going to look into my family background and history? Well, everybody has to start somewhere. I wouldn’t have come to this unfamiliar place if I could keep my business going in my hometown.”Harold went along with her and smiled. “That’s true. Everyone has secrets. If you can’t talk about it, then I won’t ask.”“You’re so understanding, Mr. Horton. I have a feeling that our collaboration will go very smoothly. To show my sincerity, I’ll tell you my nickname from before. However, please remember that it’s all in the past. Here, I am simply Vivian, an ordinary woman. Do you agree, Mr. Horton?”“Of course. What nickname did you go by in the circle before, Ms. Vivian? Who knows? I may have heard of it.”“I wasn’t popular. I’m sure you’ve never heard of it.”As Winnie spoke, she observed Harold’s expression carefully. “People used to call me Big Black Bear.”Harold bobbed his head in a serious manner. “Indeed, I have never heard of it.

I just didn’t expect a beauty like you to have a nickname like that.”“I had no choice.” Winnie took a sip of wine and explained, “I had tanned skin before. I got my fair skin now with the help of cosmetic technology. You know how women are obsessed with looking good. Plus, isn’t it true that I’m well-

endowed?” Harold nodded again in agreement. “You’re so straightforward, Ms. Vivian. Let me give you a toast to celebrate our successful collaboration in advance. Have a good rest tonight. Tomorrow, I’d like to check out the high-purity goods with you.”“Sure.”“Let’s have another toast. When the time comes, everyone in the Horton family will be at your disposal.”“Really?” Winnie glanced at Harold.

“Everyone will be at my disposal?”“Of course.”“Even Chris?”Harold chuckled. “Ms. Vivian, I thought you just had a fallout with him. Why is he still on your mind?”“He’s the one who wanted the fallout, not me.”

Winnie raised her eyes and went on, “I don’t have many strengths, but I have lots of weaknesses. The more a man rejects me, the more I want to conquer him. Do you get that feeling, Mr. Horton?”“Yes. It’s only fun when things are wild, isn’t it? I get it.”“Hahaha!” Winnie burst out in delighted laughter. “Great minds think alike. Mr. Horton, I hate that I didn’t meet you earlier. Here, let’s finish this bottle.”Winnie could hold her liquor, so she only felt a little tipsy even after drinking for so long. Nevertheless, she pretended to be drunk.She could see that Harold was also acting inebriated.Soon, the two “drunk”

people finished the wine. When Harold offered to walk Winnie back to her room, she placed her arm around his shoulders and started babbling, “If not for the fact that I don’t like having an ambiguous relationship with my boss, I would have kept you to myself. You’re young and good-looking, after all.

Sadly, you’re my boss. Remember to take Chris with you tomorrow, okay? You got it? I want him. I want him to act like a simp toward me. Do you understand?”“Yes, don’t worry. It’s just Chris. Even if you want ten men like him, I’ll bring them to you.”In his “drunken” state, Chris started to probe, “By the way, where did you place the formulation? You’ve been staying with Chris these past two days. Could it be in his room? Should I ask someone to go get it?”Winnie giggled and stared at Harold with dazed eyes.

“You big bosses are so mean, always trying to trick your subordinates. Do you think I can show you the formulation? How will I survive if you know where it is? Let me be honest with you, Harold.”Winnie pointed at her own head and continued, “It’s in my head. No one else can see it, except for me. My income and my life depend on it.”“Hahaha! I was just asking. I’m more talkative when I’m drunk, so don’t overthink it,” Harold voiced pretentiously.Seeing that he couldn’t get any useful information out of Winnie, he quickened his pace and brought her into a room.In fear that he might suddenly decide to stay with her, Winnie broke free from him right away and ran into the bathroom to vomit.She only stopped retching when she heard him walk away.However, she knew that there must be at least one person left behind to watch her.She pretended to vomit for some more time before stumbling out of the room.Indeed, a man was standing guard outside the door.Upon seeing Winnie come out, he stood in her way and questioned, “Ms. Vivian, where are you going at such a late hour?”Winnie kept up her act and leaned in to examine the man’s face. “Who are you? I want Chris. Don’t block my way. Get lost!”“Ms. Vivian, it’s very late already. Please don’t wander around. If you want to see Chris, we will arrange that tomorrow morning.”“Who are you to have a say in when I can see the person I want to see? Tell Harold to come here. I’ll speak to him myself!”“Ms. Vivian, please don’t do this.”“What did I do?” Winnie snatched the man’s phone from his pocket and demanded, “Call Harold. Call him right now! I want to see if anyone from the Horton family dares to stop me!”Left with no choice, the man dialed Harold’s number.On the other end of the line, Harold sounded as sober as ever. “Let her go but make sure to protect her. Don’t let Chris hurt her!”Soon, Winnie arrived at Christopher’s place with the man.Without further ado, she started rapping at the door. Christopher opened it in no time, but when he saw Winnie, he immediately slammed the door shut.“What are you doing? How dare you shut the door in my face!” Enraged, Winnie started kicking the door nonstop.However, it seemed like Christopher had no plans to pay her any mind.After kicking the door a dozen times or so, Winnie turned around in annoyance and ordered, “Make him open the door. Tell him Mr. Horton has given him to me, so he better be obedient! Otherwise, Mr. Horton won’t be able to see any goods tomorrow.”Faced with her threats, the man hurriedly obeyed her.Since Christopher wouldn’t come out, the man talked to him over the phone instead.It was only after a long persuasion that Christopher finally opened the door.Winnie took the chance and squeezed herself through the gap nimbly.“Ha!” She grabbed Christopher’s collar drunkenly. “Think you can escape from me? What do you take me for?”Then, she pushed him into the room.After entering, she purposefully made a commotion by bumping into the furniture and yelling some nonsense. It was to fool the man standing guard outside.After a while, the two started to communicate by typing on their phones.Winnie typed: He believed me as he has never heard of Big Black Bear, so that identity is flawless. He wants to see the goods tomorrow, so he’ll probably bring me to the laboratory. I specifically asked him to bring you along.Christopher wrote: They’ll definitely blindfold us on our way there. This area is quite complicated, and I know that they always take different routes to the factory. I don’t know which way they’ll go this time. Do you think you can remember the route?Winnie replied: I have a way. Give me some condoms.Christopher: Condoms?Winnie: Yes.

Condoms. Don’t tell me you don’t have any.Christopher: I didn’t have any at first, but I specially prepared some for your arrival.“Huh?” Winnie couldn’t help but question out loud.Christopher hurriedly typed on the phone: Don’t misunderstand me. I just want to make sure our act is flawless.Only then did Winnie nod.Soon, Christopher handed the condoms to Winnie.After hiding them, Winnie once again began to curse loudly.“You ingrate! I can easily have any man I want. It’s your honor to have me come looking for you! Do you think you’re so incredible? What a fool! Listen carefully. The more you f*cking resist, the more I will force you. Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and every day in the future, you will have to serve me until I get sick of you!”“You’re disgusting!” Christopher retorted. “I pity you, you pathetic worm!”“What did you say? Say that again!”Winnie threw some more insults at Christopher before looking apologetically at the wound on his head.“Does it still hurt? I’m sorry, I hit you a bit too hard,” she uttered softly.Christopher shook his head and replied in a low voice, “It’s fine. You did very well. According to the progression of our story now, you should slap me. Come on. Be careful not to hurt your own hand.”Winnie smiled faintly. “I can’t believe you’re still concerned about my well-being under such circumstances.”As she said that, she landed a slap on Christopher’s face before furiously swinging the door open.The man outside had been listening to what was happening in the room all this time.To him, it sounded like Vivian kept on forcing Christopher, who wouldn’t give in no matter what.He wasn’t sure who gave who a slap in the end either.However, the moment Winnie opened the door, he saw that it was Christopher who had been hit.Winnie’s face looked perfectly fine, while Christopher’s cheek was now adorned with a handprint. Moreover, the latter looked incensed with his clenched fists and the veins popping out on his forehead.The man hurriedly brought Winnie back and told Harold about everything that transpired.Harold knew that Christopher was a prideful man, so he did not doubt the story’s legitimacy.The next morning, Winnie asked for bread and honey for breakfast.She poured the honey into the condom she got from Christopher and pricked a few holes in it. Then, she tied its other end and hid it in her clothes.After breakfast, Winnie was brought to the courtyard, where Harold was already waiting for her.Soon, she would be able to visit the laboratory and meet Professor White.