Secret Scion
Chapter 88 -

Layla nearly collapsed from anger. Did this man even see her as a cousin? He was feigning innocence after taking advantage of her. How disgusting! She hated him!

"What are you muttering about, Layla? Who's being shameless?"

A pleasant voice rang out and Asher turned to the source of the sound. A beautiful woman cladded magnificently and yet retained her graceful bearing. Asher was quick to greet her with a smile, "Aunt."

The woman was Layla's mother, Luke Crawford's sister, Sophia Crawford.

"You're just in time, Mom. Asher has been bullying me. He doesn't see me as his elder sister." Layla gave her mother an aggrieved look when she noticed Sophia approaching.

Sophia rolled her eyes and tutted, "Nonsense. Weren't you always the one bullying Ash growing up? You may be the elder sister but Ash is so much more responsible than you are."

"You don't believe me, Mom?" Layla asked.

Asher was quick to grin. "You saw right through us, Aunt. But I'm not bothered."

"You've become so much more sensible in the two years we haven't met, Ash. You have always been better than Layla in that regard." Sophia smiled before asking, "Oh yes, where's your mother? I've always wanted to spend time with her. Today is a good opportunity to do so." "My mother is inside. I'll escort you there."

"There's no need for that. I can head over myself. I'm no outsider that doesn't know my way around. Stop bullying Ash, Layla. You hear me?" With that, Sophia left with her two subordinates to the courtyard where Marguerite lived.

Asher felt a pair of hate-filled eyes boring right into him. He did not have to check to know that it was Layla. He had probably angered her enough and could tell it was time for him to pack up

and scram.

But what he did not expect was for her to suddenly stop him midway. The sight that greeted him when he looked up was Layla's frosty countenance. Asher smiled embarrassedly. "I'm heading to the kitchen to see how the preparations are going, dearest cousin. Will you also be going?" "Stop calling me cousin. I'm not your cousin!" Layla snapped.

"Uh... okay then. I'll just call you by your name then." Asher nodded without thinking too much into it.

"Go to hell, Asher!" Layla exploded. She clenched her fists and rained punches down on Asher's chest. There was some force behind the blows.

Asher had no intention of staying still and becoming a punching bag and wanted to grab her by her wrist but he did not expect her to be quite so fast. His hand slipped by accident and landed right on her chest...

Asher was likewise shocked by it. Would he not be skinned alive by this woman if he had actually grabbed her?

Asher wanted to withdraw but he was slow and the tip of his middle finger touched...

Layla froze in that moment before she slowly glanced down. Anger spread across her delicate features. Asher was quick to escape when he realized that the situation was not in his favor. "I didn't mean to. I really didn't mean to..."

Asher was not even running this quickly when Rodrick Johnson came after him. He completely disregarded his image and ran for the courtyard where Solomon Crawford was at. It was a good thing that Layla did not catch up.

He looked back and wiped the sweat from his face, shuddering in retrospect.

After taking a short break, Asher went into Solomon's room and called for his grandfather, but only silence greeted him. It was clear that his grandfather was not around. "Master."

Just as he was about to leave, a slightly hoarse voice called out to him from the inside. He turned around to see Aiden Duncan.

Aiden was a man in his early fifties and was an expert that Solomon had invited in years earlier, but with the Crawfords staying relatively safe, Aiden had never revealed himself as a

powerhouse. The Crawfords introduced him to be a distant relative when anyone asked. He was a trump card that was only used at a critical time.

Phoebe Webb did not suspect that Aiden was the one behind the needles that injured Rodrick.

Even Asher was not aware of Aiden's true capabilities. All he knew was that Aiden was powerful.

His was no more inferior than those on the Capital City's Elite Ranking.

Everything Asher knew about fighting was taught by him.

"Thank you so much for saving my life back in Rollinsford that day, Master Duncan." Asher did not dare to disregard Aiden.

Aiden was not a tall man and was thin, unattractive and plainly dressed.

"There's no need for that." Aiden answered as if he did not take it to heart. He continued after taking one look at Asher, "You're injured."

Asher nodded. "It's just a minor injury. No big deal."

"You've improved since two years ago. There might still be a gap between you and a man of the Elite Rankings like Rodrick, but your might is among the top three of your generation." Asher was also rarely praised by Aiden. He smiled and said modestly, "Perhaps not in the top three. I wouldn't dare to hope to get to your level, but I do need to have the ability to protect myself when I encounter someone like Rodrick."

He added after a short pause. "I have an unpleasant request, Master Duncan. I'm not sure if I should express it."

"You want me to help you improve your strength?" Aiden asked.

Asher nodded. "You were the one who taught me how to fight, Master Duncan. It's my fault that I'm not good enough. I wouldn't be the one receiving a beat down whenever I meet Rodrick if I were."

Aiden frowned. "It's not that I don't want to teach you, but what I practice isn't suited for you. I've taught you nearly everything you need to know. I'm willing but unable to do so."

Aiden knew much about the art of battles, but he had yet to reach the peak of any of his fighting styles. Asher did not know of Aiden's mastery. He did ask, but Aiden had always remained tight- lipped. That was why he never asked again. Aiden would tell him himself if he wanted to do so.

Asher could not impose on the man any further when he noticed the awkward look on his face. He chuckled, "I won't trouble you, Master Duncan. I haven't had a drink with you in two years. We must drink ourselves silly today."

Asher was always this way. He smiled when others assisted him but he would not force anyone to do anything if they were put into an awkward situation. That was exactly why Aiden liked Asher. With Asher speaking up to excuse himself, Aiden suddenly spoke, "It's better to master one skill than to engage with ten, Master. As long as you're able to hone what I've taught you to the absolute peak, you will never lose to anyone on the Elite Rankings. Do you remember the Metamorphosis technique that I taught you? Even among the various skills, it can be ranked in the top ten. I may have only learned what was on the surface, but I have methods that can aid you in the art of Metamorphosis. If you are truly interested in learning more, why don't you study more about the forms in the manual? It might be of use to you."

"That's perfect!" Asher was simply overjoyed.

Asher then followed Aiden to his place and got the Metamorphosis manual. It was something that had been circulated for at least a hundred years and looked worn out, but Asher regarded it

as a treasure and did not rush to read it. He instead hid it in his room.

At noon, when every Crawford was seated together enjoying tea and chatting, the butler hurried

in. "Master, Mr. Kenneth Webb and his wife are here with Ms. Phoebe."

Silence immediately fell over the room.

Luke and Marguerite Crawford could not help but share a look. Both of them had complicated expressions on their faces.

The Webbs had never graced the Crawford's home ever since the incident with Asher occurred. They also seemed to have shown their intention of putting an end to the marriage between Asher and Phoebe.

The Webbs' sudden visit caught the couple off guard.

Asher was also frowning. He, of course, knew why Phoebe was here. To think that she would become a headache after she returned to the Capital City.

"Welcome." Solomon started.

Layla, who was seated next to Asher, whispered, "The Webbs are here, Asher. I assume they're here because of the betrothal between you and Phoebe. Let's see just how you're going to explain this to Kenneth."

Asher felt so annoyed he could not be bothered.