After listening, Isabel Norton and Owen Carter fell into silence, and Isabel Norton's eyes were already completely red.

"Is it... really that similar?" Owen Carter asked.

"They look almost identical, and even their inner temperament and gaze are exactly the same. When I was naughty and disobedient and she wanted to scold me, I would joke around, and though she tried hard to keep a straight face, she couldn't help but laugh. While others would cover their lower belly when laughing, she would press hard on her lower back."

"When she was about to get angry, her ears would itch. When I tickled her, she wasn't afraid of being tickled on her feet, belly, or underarms, but the back of her knees was extremely, extremely ticklish..."

Hearing these incredibly private details, Isabel Norton's delicate body trembled, and she immediately looked toward Owen Carter.

"I've never revealed even half a secret about Miss, and besides, I didn't know these things," Owen Carter said. "Could it be... Miss, are you the same?"

Isabel Norton nodded in disbelief.

"Miss, this is fate, it truly is fate..." Owen Carter said. "He was destined to come to your side."

Isabel Norton's gaze toward Logan Bennett grew softer and more affectionate, then she stepped forward and gently hugged Logan Bennett, softly saying, word by word, "From today on, you are my little brother. Your sister will protect you for a lifetime, and take care of you for a lifetime!"

……

One of the four notorious playboys of the royal city, Norton, has returned!

This news, spread by his own mouth, swept through the entire royal city in less than a day. Some were overjoyed, some sighed in sorrow, and of course, most were dismissive.

This prodigal playboy had been missing for several months, not even attending his father's funeral. Everyone thought he had died in the Demon Mountain Range, but unexpectedly, he returned alive.

People had thought the Norton family line was about to die out, that another century-old noble house would vanish into dust, but unexpectedly, they managed to recover.

In a pavilion within Lishui Garden near the royal palace, a woman of exquisite beauty and unmatched grace, dressed in a snow-white long dress, was reclining lazily on the pavilion's railing. In one hand she held a book, while the other hand reached into the clear pond, letting pretty little fish nibble at her fingers.

She was the number one talented woman of the Furious Wave Kingdom, the Lady Preston who haunted the dreams of countless young heroes.

A eunuch hurried to the outside of the pavilion, speaking softly, "Princess, that toad Norton has returned."

Lady Preston's nearly perfect brows furrowed slightly, her jade hand in the water tensed, then she replied calmly, "I know."

The eunuch asked, "Do you need us servants to do anything?"

Lady Preston said, "Do nothing."

"Yes," the eunuch replied, paused for a moment, then withdrew silently.

Lady Preston continued reading, her jade hand in the water relaxing, and a little fish slipped away, its belly already turned white.

"Brother Li, don't worry. Once I have the fish in my hand, I won't let it escape. I will definitely take Tianshui City for you," Lady Preston murmured softly, so that only she could hear.

Chapter 9: Countless Girlfriends, Overwhelming Pressure

"Elder sister, why is the Count's residence so desolate, and why are there so few people?" Logan Bennett finally voiced his doubts.

Isabel Norton said, "Father was gravely ill for many years, and countless resources were spent trying to cure him. On top of that, the royal city is extravagant, and socializing among nobles is extremely costly. Norton was also disappointing, squandering much of the family fortune. Over the years, our wealth has only gone out, not come in, so the Count's residence is already in dire financial straits."

Logan Bennett said, "But isn't there still the Tianshui City territory? It stretches four or five hundred li, and the annual taxes must be astronomical."

In fact, Logan Bennett's words were a bit too forward for their relationship. But now, he already saw Isabel Norton as his sister Lancome, and didn't feel like an outsider at all.

Isabel Norton said bitterly, "Ever since Father left the territory to come to the royal city for treatment, the revenues from Tianshui City haven't been handed over to the Count's residence for five years."

Logan Bennett said, "Are they planning to rebel?"

Isabel Norton said, "Now the master is weak and the servants are strong. We have to beg them for everything, and for some matters, we can only turn a blind eye."

Logan Bennett said, "If the lord leaves the territory for a long time and leaves it to the retainers to govern, that's very dangerous."

Isabel Norton said, "It's already very dangerous. The retainers in the territory are getting restless. When Norton went missing and didn't return, they practically celebrated."

Logan Bennett said, "Doesn't that mean the Norton family's foundation is in jeopardy? The royal family is eyeing you from outside, and the retainers are rebelling from within."

Isabel Norton nodded, "That's why we must let you inherit the title as soon as possible, and then immediately return to Tianshui City to take up the post of city lord. If we delay, things will only get worse."

Logan Bennett said, "Do I have to inherit the title to become the lord of Tianshui City?"

Isabel Norton said, "Of course, that's a necessary step. Only after being officially granted the title by the royal family can you rightfully become the lord of Tianshui City."

Logan Bennett said, "So when can I be granted the title by the royal family and inherit it?"

Isabel Norton said, "Once you graduate successfully from the Royal City Academy, you can inherit the title. Every noble heir must complete six years of study at the Royal City Academy and pass the final graduation exam before they can inherit the title."

"Is it difficult?" Logan Bennett asked.