Villain’s Favorite 189

Chapter 189 A Battle of Words 

The way Philbert slowly changed his perception of Maya. From a useless burden to a granddaughter who might be a little useful. 

The difference? He was now willing to lower himself and say a few words to her. 

“So, you’re not stupid,” he said, almost like he’d just realized it. 

Maya blinked, eyes wide. “Wait, have I always been stupid in your eyes?” 

His tone stayed flat. “Even if you’re not, you still have no value to me.” 

No value-wasn’t that the same as being useless? 

“You’ll affect Raymond.” 

59 

Maya pretended she didn’t understand. “What do you mean? Like a guy in love can’t even hold a knife steady? The same goes for a hitman?” 

Philbert didn’t react to her joke at all. He just looked at her-calm and cold-like he was sizing up an object. “You need to prove your worth,” he said. “Otherwise, no one here will accept you.” 

He lifted his cup, stating a simple fact. “No blood relation. No value. That makes you a burden. Your existence will drag him down.” 

Maya finally understood where Toby got that whole “everything is about value” mindset. 

She almost said she’d be useful someday. 

That she just needed time to grow up. 

But the moment she opened her mouth, she remembered what her dad once told her. If she tried to prove herself, being useful would only put her lower. The other side would always find new ways to tear her down. 

So, she changed tactics. “That’s not right,” Maya said, sitting across from him, stepping completely outside his logic. Her mouth kept going non-stop. “You say I’ll affect him, but I could say you upset him. 

“We are doing just fine. And now? You kidnapped me. Make everyone miserable. Are you happy now? You cold, heartless man, you will be run over by…” 

Of course, that last line would’ve been way too much, so Maya didn’t say it out loud. 

When it came to this kind of back-and-forth, it was really just about who could talk faster and 

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16:33 Sat, May 9 M… 

10 A Battle of Word. 

make less sense. 

Even Philbert seemed choked up by her sudden stream of words. 

His expression darkened. 

Before he could get mad, Maya quickly grinned, messed up the chessboard, and changed the subject. “Hey, want to keep playing?” 

Philbert paused for a moment. “No.” 

Losing didn’t sit well with him. 

59 

Maya was living a good life. No one mistreated her. Everything was fine, except she had no one 

to talk to. 

A while 

away. 

ago, 

while exploring the mansion, she found a game console someone had hidden 

Now she had two. So these days, she happily turned into a full-on gaming addict, chatting nonstop with her online friends. 

Those friends sounded like young office workers. 

The guy complained all day-about his boss, about his job. 

The girl was a little better, but she still complained about work too. 

Maya felt a bit jealous. “You guys already have jobs at your age?” 

“Haha, yeah,” the guy said with a grin. “You’re still in elementary school, right? Must be nice having so much free time. Don’t you go to school?” 

Maya shrugged. “There was an incident at school, so it’s closed for now. Staying home is really boring.” 

“Huh?” The guy sounded a little surprised. “Where do you go to school?” 

Maya didn’t answer. 

The guy clicked his tongue lightly. “Not telling me? Fine, whatever. We’ll talk next time. I’ve got something to deal with at work.” 

“Bye-bye,” the girl said with a smile. 

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16:33 Sat, May 9 M… 

20 A Battle of Words 

As soon as the two logged off, they looked at each other, like they had just thought of something funny. 

Then they both burst out laughing. 

2 

“Haha, school incident?” That kid couldn’t be unlucky enough to go to Harmony International School, right?” 

“Horus is honestly ridiculous,” the blond boy said, laughing hard. “Died for no clear reason. I heard that crime family sent a ton of people in and wiped out the whole gang.” 

“But she’s not actually studying at Harmony International School, right?” The girl sat on the steps, frowning. “That can’t be that much of a coincidence.” 

“Alright, enough of that,” he said, waving it off. “Let’s go. The instructor is looking for us.” 

Toby had been in a bad mood these past few days. 

He had tried talking to the elders again and again, but nothing worked. 

Philbert had made his position clear. No one else’s opinion mattered. 

Toby had always been the obedient one in the family. 

He knew exactly how this would go. If he stood up to his grandfather now, he wouldn’t just fail to bring Maya back, he would only make things worse. 

He needed someone with real authority. Someone who could actually convince Philbert to let Maya go. 

He went through everyone in his head. 

His dad? No. He had already been cast out. If he went back, he might not even return. 

His uncle? No. It would be a miracle if he didn’t make things worse. 

His mom? Definitely not. She would just start a fight with them. 

George? No. Completely useless. 

Albert? Too young. Not an option either. 

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16:33 Sat, May 9 M 

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