My older sister is a villainous rich girl

"Well, what can I do? Chris is my benefactor after all."

Aikos is undeniably beautiful. But—

Was your tone of voice really that disgusting before?

The nonchalant smile on her face finally turned into a familiar sneer: "Being kicked out of the house, your wings have certainly grown a lot stronger."

"It can't get much worse..."

Perhaps life is just a meaningless journey, and the end is when we go home. He told himself.

"Don't be discouraged. You can still save the world. I didn't take away your abilities. At most, you just can't use my face anymore. By the way, Chris doesn't know you've impersonated a woman. Be glad, at least I've preserved your basic dignity."

Wayne, as if he hadn't heard what she was saying, muttered, "I've lost everything—my identity, my friends, my family..."

"—Even though you've lost your mask, you're still yourself. When you first came into this world, didn't you have nothing at all?"

Wayne froze on the spot.

After a long while, he finally collapsed, as if all his strength had been drained. "You must be a devil from hell."

"Thank you for the compliment?"

Her smug and mischievous expression was indeed much more vivid than his transformed Aikos, but Wayne felt extremely awkward, especially since he was now completely in no mood or energy to think about what other motives she might have. "If you have anything else to tell me, say it now. I'm leaving." He patted his trouser leg and stood up.

"Where to?" she then asked.

"I don't know. You can probably find it if you want to, but it's best if you don't come looking for me. I want to be alone."

“Yes, betraying the trust of everyone around me, I need to find a place to hide and cry for a while. But, have you forgotten that there’s something you haven’t given me?” She spread out one hand and held it out to Wayne.

Wayne froze. "Didn't you already break free from the curse? You're so strong—"

“I need it,” she interrupted succinctly.

Wayne remained silent for a moment.

"Does this world mean anything to you?" he asked abruptly.

Aikos, or rather, Little White, chuckled upon hearing this, "If it were meaningless, why would I still be here now?"

"You said we can't easily change the original storyline, otherwise the world will collapse."

"That's because my power hasn't recovered yet, so of course I can only limit the world's deviation to within my control."

"So now you can control more plot deviations?"

"Yes."

What if you were to leave this world someday?

Xiao Bai gave him a meaningful look, as if he could already see some interesting future through him. "What do you think?"

"Whatever, I won't let you control me anymore! Do you think I'll fall for your tricks a second time? If you want to kill me, then let's have a fight." Wayne stared at her expressionlessly.

In truth, he had no confidence in winning, but faced with this incomprehensible being, that trump card might be the only straw he could cling to, pretending he still had the ability to resist. Even if the more he struggled, the faster he would die, he would fight to the death.

Moreover, he really had a strong urge to find someone to fight to the death, even if it was his own fault, even if he knew he couldn't blame anyone else.

It felt like only a blink of an eye, yet also like an eternity, before she spoke again in that nonchalant tone: "How could I bear to kill you? I've watched you grow up all these years. Actually, you're quite cute, except for being a scumbag."

Thank you for your feedback.

He closed his eyes, turned and left, and the hateful woman didn't say a word to stop him.

After walking a long way without anyone following, Wayne finally relaxed a little and wandered aimlessly in the direction the night wind was blowing.

Regardless, I should still go and meet with Ge Li, even if it's just to explain my whereabouts. What kind of rumors will emerge after tomorrow? How will the Wenche family explain my sudden disappearance to the outside world?

However, Chris's voice still seemed to echo in his ears, striking straight to his soul.

"—You think I would wish you and her happiness?"

He punched the tree trunk next to him, startling a few birds that were roosting on the branches.

Chapter 760 Deserved

Accidents always happen when you least expect them, but are you really unprepared for this day?

Ge Li looked at Chris, whose face was paler than paper, sitting to the side.

She seemed more vulnerable and more arrogant than ever before. Ge Li had expected her to make a scene and completely humiliate him at the academy, but so far she hadn't said a single word to him.

The Winchester family publicly stated that Wayne had been kidnapped by a dark mage. However, rumors soon emerged that Wayne was actually the dark mage's son and had not been kidnapped but rather defected.

The academy quickly banned all related discussions, making the name Wayne Wincher seem like an unmentionable taboo.

Gothic had fantasized countless times about tearing off Wayne's mask, exposing his secrets, and making him unable to cheat on her and Chris anymore. But when that day actually came, she found herself not as happy as she had imagined, nor did she feel relieved.

Instead, the surrounding air became even heavier, so heavy that the previous days seemed to have been spent living in a weightless illusion.

She took a long, futile breath, like a fish thirsting for water on the shore.

Then she stood up and walked over to Chris.

"Would it be convenient for us to speak privately for a few minutes?" she asked.

"inconvenient."

Chris's icy tone sounded unfamiliar. Despite having provoked her countless times, Ge Li knew very well that never before had the other party reacted with such seriousness.

"I...I'm sorry."

"Although it's completely unnecessary, if you really feel sorry, please stay away from me."

The subtle glances from others made Ge Li realize that this wasn't a good time to talk. She hesitated for a moment, then retreated. But as soon as the day's classes ended, she immediately caught up with Chris.

“I don’t want your forgiveness or your response, but I feel it’s necessary for me to make an explanation,” Gosling reiterated seriously and stubbornly.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t want to know any details or hear any explanations. You should be glad I haven’t lost my mind, otherwise—” Chris stared at Ge Li’s face.

Finally, she spoke, "I can make you regret being born into this world, but I don't want to become ugly because of a man. This is just for myself."

“But aren’t you no longer the person you used to be?” Ge Li asked, frowning.

"Ha, how novel and laughable it is for you to say that. Do you really know what I was like in the past?" Chris sneered. "You'd better keep a close eye on that person. You can do whatever you want behind my back, but please don't provoke me even once more. I won't say that to you a second time."

“We didn’t…” Ge Li felt both embarrassed and aggrieved. “Fine, think what you want. I’ve never wanted to admit that I was really jealous of you, and I even hoped that you two would fall out one day, but I found that that day didn’t make me happy.”

“If destroying other people’s happiness and causing them pain can make you feel good, then your life must be too easy,” Chris said, emphasizing each word. “You’d better never try to lighten your burden from me; you deserve it.”

After saying that, Chris's gaze didn't linger, and she brushed past Ge Li.

After a long while, only a sad sigh remained.

……

"Haha, my dear son, you didn't expect I could come out so easily, did you!"

Norman Laird sat at the head of the conference room with great pride, surveying the factory with the same pride and satisfaction as if he were inspecting his own territory.

He never expected such a pleasant surprise while he was imprisoned. He thought that after disappearing for so long, his men would have been absorbed by other rebel factions. But when he inquired, he was astonished to find that those ranked ahead of him in the rebel ranks were either dead or scattered, practically wiped out, while his own men had changed their appearance and preserved most of their strength. He had never had such a wonderful start. It seemed that Wayne wasn't so well-behaved even in the Winchester family.

The core members of the organization in the conference room didn't dare to breathe, glancing back and forth at Norman Laird and—Wayne Laird, who were sitting opposite each other.

“The factory needs to be shut down and relocated immediately, and we must evacuate from the capital.” Wayne didn’t even look at Norman, but instead scanned the others seated below, who all avoided his gaze. “I will make arrangements for those who are willing to come with me, and I will not stop those who want to go with Norman; they are responsible for their own lives.”

Actually, there was another group of people who didn't make it back in time, but it doesn't affect the overall situation. We'll just notify them to choose again.

"What do you mean? What do you mean!" Norman Laird slammed his fist on the table. "You want to split up the family? You have my blood in your veins, you'll be a member of the Laird family for life."

“The Laird family’s glory lies in protection, not oppression.” Wayne’s face was somewhat tired, but his tone was much calmer than usual, speaking slowly yet firmly. “I built this factory, and I have proven that I have the ability to provide you all with a comfortable and prosperous life. Even if I cannot ultimately restore the Duchy of Milstein, as long as I have food to eat, you will have a place under my command. Think about how many friends and family you lost in the past, and how much of what you wanted in return, all for the sake of creating this rebellion?”

Wayne had anticipated that these people would turn back to Norman. Originally, Wayne only wanted to leave, but after talking with Golly and seeing her bewildered and uneasy appearance, he changed his mind.

Even if he is a complete fraud, there are still people in this world who need to rely on him.

He no longer wanted to run away, no longer wanted to make excuses to deceive himself and bury his head in the sand. He should shoulder his responsibilities, whether they were what he wanted or didn't want, whether they were upright or shady.

He thought that losing Chris meant losing everything, but after he actually lost her, he realized that the sun would still rise the next day.

Perhaps Xiaobai is right; he is only himself after he takes off his mask.

"Let's begin the vote now."

As he finished speaking, two-thirds of the people stood up and stood on his side.

Norman stared menacingly at the person who had chosen Wayne.

“You’ll regret this. I will never take back anyone who has betrayed me,” Norman threatened.

Several people hesitated, their attitudes wavering.

“If you have doubts about your ideals, then they are not your ideals.” Wayne also stood up, ready to leave. “Those who follow me will face the test of fate. You may experience hardships, and you may still be confused, but the vow I made will never change. It will become a new guiding light.”

"We will fight for it all our lives—to create a better life with our own hands, and then reap the rewards we deserve."

Chapter 761 A New Big Customer

When Ross returned safely from a strange storm and came back to Port Dapros, he received a message from his intelligence contact who had been waiting for him at the port.

"Uh--"

How come I lost my home base just because I went on a business trip?

He frowned deeply and looked at the others in the room. "What do you all think? The young master has arranged another ship. Those who wish to continue following him, come with me now."

"Aren't you... going back to Lord Norman's side?" someone asked in confusion.

Ross had always been Norman Laird's most loyal and steadfast servant, and was deeply trusted by his master.

Ross remained silent for a moment when asked this question.

He remembered that Norman, long, long ago, was also a boy who was reluctant to shoulder family responsibilities, while the current Norman Laird...

“After all, young master Wayne is the future of the Laird family,” he said softly at the end.

Having made their decision, the group had no time to linger and immediately set sail again. More than half a month later, Ross arrived in the Kingdom of Stuart with a box of unknown origin. Although he was curious along the way, he did not examine it on his own. He knew that what was worth sending his group overseas to excavate must be something very important, and that they had even encountered a ghost ship—a bizarre event that seemed to exist only in dreams. Therefore, he dared not entrust the task to anyone else.

When Ross saw Wayne again, he thought he would need to offer more guidance and comfort to help Wayne recover from the blow. But when the time came, Ross found that Wayne didn't seem to care at all about what he had lost in Lornes.

"It's okay, what's past is past." The boy, who no longer seemed like a teenager, glossed over the past events he didn't want to mention in just a few words.

His gaze fell on the wooden crate beside him. Without bothering to hide it from the others, he walked over and opened the crate. Ross was startled by his action: "Wait, you..."

Then he saw that it contained a whole box of gold bars, and nothing else.

“We can use this money to make a comeback in Stuart.”

Ross felt a slight, inexplicable surprise, even though it was indeed a large sum of money.

...I thought it was some kind of crucial magical treasure.

But this put his mind at ease to some extent; having enough funds would indeed make things much easier.

He also told Wayne about his encounter with the ghost ship. Wayne simply patted him on the shoulder and apologized for the incompleteness of the plan: "It seems that there are indeed many dangers and secrets overseas that we are unaware of. Fortunately, no one has been killed because of this. I will give you an extra allowance and a week's leave. You will probably need some time to deal with daily life issues in the unfamiliar Kingdom of Stuart."

Ross still feels a lingering fear when he recalls that emergency. If the ghost ship hadn't suddenly disappeared and the terrifying storm hadn't dissipated, he really doesn't know how the people on board would have survived in that situation.

Captain Reynolds of The Whale Song also said that he had spent most of his life at sea and had never seen such strange winds and waves, let alone that ghost ship that seemed to be just an illusion.

However, the ship of the Whale Song did indeed bear the marks of a massive impact, and Reynolds could only attribute their escape from the demons' prey to divine protection.

Ross found this argument somewhat laughable.

After all, Reynolds didn't know that his group came from the most blasphemous family of dark mages. Even if the gods really paid attention to such a trivial matter on the sea, they wouldn't turn their attention to their enemies.

Ross felt a pang of worry at this thought. "Young Master, the Church will probably receive the news soon. Is it really safe to stay in Stuart? The Papacy's inquisition..."

Wayne withdrew his gaze from the box of gold.

“The world is changing,” he said softly. “Lornes’ magic wands are already in mass production and being deployed in the military, and a massive iteration of magical technology is about to begin. If the Kingdom of Stuart doesn’t want to be crushed by Lornes’ strength, they have no choice but to choose me.”

"Of course there are risks involved. They could use me and then discard me. But nothing in this world is without risk. I believe I can get what I want."

Ross hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

“Don’t be afraid, Ross. Once the power of change is awakened, no one can stop it. We just need to be a small part of the wheel, helping it keep moving forward.” Wayne waved him away.

After watching Ross leave, Wayne sat back down at the table and picked up the letter he had just put down again.

That was a reply from Elfman Diabat, the Principal Cardinal of the Papacy, written entirely in code. He was furious about Norman's reappearance and had led the entire inquisition.

Although the letter was written in a grand and respectable manner, Wayne knew that Diabart was only worried that the secret of his research on dark magic as the chief of the cardinal council would be exposed. Once he was sure that he had parted ways with Norman and had not revealed his secret to that madman, he could naturally act as quickly as possible.