King of the Wilderness

The main structure of the villa is a two-story white building with a typical Mediterranean style. Beige Spanish tiles, arched porches, and large floor-to-ceiling windows appear warm and elegant under the sunset’s afterglow.

In front of the building, instead of a traditional lawn, there is a carefully designed courtyard, covered with white gravel and tropical plants, with a few tall royal palm trees standing like sentinels.

The most striking is the side of the villa. There, a private driveway leads directly to the rippling inland waterway in the backyard.

A private dock, large enough to berth a 70-foot yacht, quietly extends into the water. The professional supply piles and shore power boxes on the dock all showcase the owner’s expertise.

Lin Yu’an, carrying a delicately packaged wine gift box, stepped forward and rang the doorbell.

After a while, the door opened. It wasn’t Mike who answered, but Riven.

She was also obviously well-dressed, but the stunning effect came not from the splendor of a traditional evening gown but from a kind of artistic and modern subtle sophistication.

She changed into a uniquely designed black deconstructivist knit dress. The edges of the dress feature unclosed original tassels, outlining a contour full of tension.

A slender white lingerie strap casually slipped off her shoulder, not only without being abrupt but adding a touch of laziness and ease to this avant-garde design.

Her light golden long hair had been cut into a neat shoulder-length bob at some point, with strands naturally wavy, seemingly casually draped beside her cheeks, perfectly outlining her clear jawline.

She wore very light makeup on her face, almost imperceptible, only enhancing her already three-dimensional features, making them appear even cooler and more captivating under the porch’s warm light.

Seeing Lin Yu’an outside the door, there was no surprise on Riven’s face; instead, a knowing, faint smile flickered in her blue eyes.

She turned slightly, as if appreciating a painting, looking at him with a calm gaze.

”Good evening, Captain,” her voice carried a hint of laughter, ”You successfully found your way here; I thought you might get lost.”

”The navigation was accurate, but there was some traffic on the way, sorry.” Lin Yu’an replied with a smile, handing over the wine, ”A small gift, I hope you’ll like it.”

His gaze couldn’t help but linger on Riven’s neat shoulder-length short hair. Riven reached out to take the wine bottle, her fingertips inevitably touching the back of his hand.

”Oh? I see you’ve noticed.” She casually flicked a strand of hair behind her ear, her movements crisp and neat, carrying a kind of carefree spirit not possible when she had long hair.

”Some things, if kept too long, become a burden when sailing. Occasionally adjusting the balance allows the ship to move faster and more steadily, don’t you think?”

Riven glanced at the wine label, her eyebrows raised in surprise, her blue eyes lighting up instantly, ”Screaming Eagle? My God, Lin, this is no small gift.”

Though she said this, she embraced the wine, ”Nevertheless, on behalf of my father, thank you for this ’valuable gift’; he will love it to death. Last time, he couldn’t even snag a bottle at the auction.”

”Come in, please.” She stepped aside to let Lin Yu’an enter the villa.

As soon as Lin Yu’an walked into the villa, he was immediately enveloped by an atmosphere full of stories.

The interior decoration of this villa was not the kind of opulent modern luxury he imagined but a unique style combining maritime adventure and British classicism.

In the center of the living room, instead of tacky contemporary art paintings, there was a large, elegantly framed old nautical chart, elegantly annotated in cursive script with the various islands of the Caribbean Sea.

Hanging from the ceiling wasn’t a crystal chandelier, but a retro chandelier crafted from a massive ship’s helm.

On the bookshelf along the wall, it was filled with various hardcover books on sailing, history, and adventure, with several exquisitely made antique ship models displayed on the top.

Among them, Lin Yu’an immediately recognized one as the flagship ”Victory,” commanded by Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar.

And above the fireplace, in the most prominent position, hung two items, silently proclaiming the family’s bloodline and glory.

On the left, a military medal ensconced in a velvet pad. A white cross with gold trim, a golden crown at the center, encircled by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory.

The ribbon of the medal was in red and blue, though somewhat faded, still showing the glory of those days.

Below, a small brass plaque read: ”To Colonel Alistair Montgomery, in recognition of his distinguished contributions in the Battle of the Atlantic, 1943.”

On the right, a small circular clan emblem, set in a framed picture.

The emblem’s main part was surrounded by an intricately carved strap and buckle, with an Old French motto—’Gardez Bien’ (Guard Well).

Inside the strap, a goddess in a blue classical robe held a ship’s anchor symbolizing navigation and hope in one hand, and a savage’s head symbolizing victory over enemies in the other.

At the very top of the frame, an independently carved small, exquisite coronet adorned with pearls indicated the family’s viscount status.

These details silently tell the tale of the Montgomery family’s illustrious and remarkable past.

”Wow,” Lin Yu’an admired the coronet emblem above the fireplace, representing viscount status, ”It seems Captain Montgomery’s story is far more exciting than I imagined.”

”You noticed too?” Riven followed behind him, her tone carrying a sense of pride and a touch of helplessness.

”My family always loves displaying these antiques in the most visible spots, fearing others won’t know we’re from that cold and wet island.”

Like a hostess, she began showing Lin Yu’an around.

”This nautical chart,” she pointed to the massive antique map at the center of the living room, ”was left from my great-great-grandfather’s generation. Legend says he once used it to find a Spanish shipwreck in the Caribbean Sea.”

”This Victory model,” she pointed to the finest ship model on the top of the bookshelf, ”was handmade by my father over an entire year, with every part identical to the real ship.”

Her introductions were filled with family warmth and humorous commentary, instantly bringing these cold decorations to life.

Lin Yu’an’s gaze fell on the photos placed on the small table next to the bookshelf. One was of a young Mike, the other of Riven in her childhood.

”Is this you?” He picked up the picture of the little girl.

”Oh God, put it down!” A flush rose on Riven’s face as she tried to grab it from him, but it was too late.

The photo showed a little girl with twin ponytails, missing two front teeth, making silly faces at the camera, in stark contrast to the confident, gracious beauty instructor before him.

”Very cute,” Lin Yu’an commented with a smile, placing the photo back in its original position.

”Ahem,” Riven cleared her throat, forcibly changing the topic to disguise her embarrassment, ”My dad and grandma will be down shortly. Make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink?”

Just then, a vigorous, laughter-filled elderly voice came from the stairs.

”Oh, my dear Riven, no need to ask! Quickly go to the wine cabinet and pour our brave guest from afar a glass of the finest Scotch whiskey!”

Accompanying the voice, an elderly lady, wearing an elegant silk long dress, her hair immaculately groomed, though fully silver yet with sharp and lively eyes, descended the stairs with Captain Mike’s assistance.

She was the lady of the house, Elizabeth Montgomery.