The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 173: Returning to the Country

However, investigating certain matters on the island was inconvenient, so Victoria decided to wait until they returned to Sunhaven to look into things more thoroughly. 

Checking the time, she noted that the storm would end in two days, and they could finally go home.

The day before the storm subsided, a tsunami hit, causing the neighboring island to collapse. 

Samuel had received the news early and instructed everyone to stay inside the villa with the doors and windows securely shut. 

The massive waves swept over the beach, but fortunately, their buildings were far enough away to remain unharmed. 

Samuel's resort was intact, and even the villa where Jasmine and Tony were staying was undamaged. 

However, once the tsunami passed, they saw through binoculars that the building Jasmine and Tony had stayed in was now a pile of rubble, with the center of Jessica's island having caved in.

This event sparked significant discussion locally and made the headlines, with many other countries also broadcasting the news. 

Even Ella in Aerion saw it. She thought, 'The Emerald Atoll Archipelago, isn't that where Jasmine and Victoria went for vacation?' 

'I hope it was Victoria's island that collapsed. If she died there, no one would compete with me anymore. But if it was Jasmine's island, that's fine too. She always looked down on me, serves her right.'

After the storm subsided, Jessica immediately arranged for a cruise ship to pick up Jasmine and Tony. 

Jasmine, feeling embarrassed by the injury on her forehead, didn't even say goodbye to Samuel. 

That morning, Samuel's attitude was very cold when he had someone send her and Tony off. 

'Victoria must have spoken ill of me in front of Samuel!' This thought made Jasmine resent Victoria even more.

Soon after, Victoria and the others also left the island and returned to Sunhaven. 

As soon as they arrived, Diana shot Samuel a glare, but since Ethan and the others were present, she held back from scolding him directly. 

Once they were in the car, Diana couldn't hold back any longer and scolded Samuel, "Samuel, taking Victoria to the island without checking the weather first!" 

"You got caught in a storm and were stuck there for seven days! Do you know how worried your father and I were?"

Samuel clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, "Mom, I know I messed up. I promise it won't happen again!" 

The truth was, the weather at sea changed so quickly that the forecast hadn't predicted the storm before they left. 

But facing Diana's scolding, it was best to admit fault first; arguing wouldn't help.

Diana smacked him on the head and threatened, "Next time?"

Samuel smiled wryly and shook his head, "No, no, I misspoke. There won't be a next time."

Victoria also smiled and spoke up for Samuel, "Mom, look, I'm perfectly fine. Don't blame Samuel. His island was very safe, and the cruise was a lot of fun!" 

"By the way, Mom, didn't you say you bought me some gifts? What did you get?"

Diana's attention was quickly diverted by Victoria's question, and she excitedly began to introduce the gifts she had bought. 

While shopping in Zantria, she thought everything looked good on Victoria, and she looked beautiful in jewelry, so she bought a lot and had them shipped back to the Hamilton Mansion. 

Today, she brought the two most expensive pieces from the auction: a platinum bracelet set with gemstones and a pink diamond necklace. 

The exquisite box opened, and the built-in light shone on the jewelry, making it sparkle.

The bracelet's brilliance was dazzling, with rich purple and green hues beautifully distributed on the intricate and luxurious bracelet. 

Victoria covered her mouth with her hands and stared at the bracelet, saying, "Wow, it's even more stunning than in the video!" 

Diana was thrilled that Victoria liked the jewelry she had bought and urged her to try it on. 

Victoria's slender frame fit the bracelet perfectly. The gemstone bracelet slid to the middle of her forearm, looking light and graceful on her fair wrist.

Next was the ten-carat pink diamond necklace, with its perfectly cut diamond sparkling brilliantly, casting a colorful glow on Victoria's chest. 

After admiring it for a while, Victoria took off the necklace and said, "Mom, this necklace is too eye-catching to wear every day." 

Diana nodded and put the necklace away.

Watching Victoria receive her gifts, Samuel couldn't help but ask enviously, "Mom and Dad, you bought so many gifts for Victoria. What about me? Didn't you get me anything?"

Diana stared at him for a moment, then suddenly turned to look for something. 

Samuel thought she had prepared a surprise for him, and his frown turned into a smile as he asked, "What did you get me?" 

But Diana pulled out a folder from her bag and slapped it into his outstretched hand, "Take a good look."

Samuel opened the folder in confusion and saw resumes with photos of young women, along with their ages, hobbies, and places of residence. 

His smile immediately disappeared. This wasn't a gift; it was a task.

Diana said triumphantly, "I figured you wouldn't find a girlfriend on this trip. So I asked friends in Aquilonia and Zantria to introduce these girls to you." 

She added, "They all come from respectable families and have master's or doctoral degrees from prestigious schools. They're all excellent and a good match for you. Hurry up and pursue one for me!"

Samuel held the folder without speaking, his expression darkening. 

After a while, he tossed the folder to the back seat and leaned back, saying, "Mom, I'm an independent person, not a pet to be bred just because the match is suitable. This is disrespectful to me and to these girls."

Diana was taken aback but quickly retorted, "How can you say that? I'm just asking you to meet them and see if there's a match. I'm not forcing you to marry someone you don't like." 

Her eyes grew moist, and she took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. Victoria quickly comforted Diana. 

Samuel also felt a bit regretful for speaking harshly, but his parents' constant pressure about marriage frustrated him.

David, who had been silent, put down his work tablet and patted Samuel on the shoulder, "Samuel, apologize to your mother. She's concerned about your marriage. She contacted many friends and used a lot of favors for you." 

Samuel lowered his head and apologized to Diana, but he still didn't agree to go on blind dates. 

He had been on many, but they were meaningless; he never felt any connection with the girls he was introduced to.

Victoria was about to mention that they had met Calista during the trip and that Samuel had gotten along well with her when David pulled Diana into his arms and comforted her. 

"Diana, don't worry too much. I just got word that the Stewart family's daughter is coming back soon. When she returns, our families can get together for dinner."

Samuel's composed face suddenly twitched. She was coming back?