Chapter 16: Chapter 16

ERIN KNIGHT’s POV

“Brother Erin! Tell me what’s going on!” said Lux. I messed up my hair in irritation because they were trying to take advantage of what was going on.

It disappointed many of us with Grandpa after our last meeting. I’m not certain why this is happening, as if there's something wrong.

“I don’t know either,” I replied, sighing. “We were all surprised by what Grandpa said.” I shook my head and crossing my arms.

I had just come to a halt when Lux stopped abruptly in front of me, so I looked up at her. “Why are you staring at me like that?” I asked. She only raised her eyebrow at me.

“Is that what I’m talking about? No, it’s not! I don’t care what grandpa says because it’s all nonsense!” she yelled. I winced and scratched my head because I assumed she was referring to that. “Tell the truth!”

I turned away from them because I couldn’t say it because only Scarlett could. I would rather not be the one to lead her because everything is already so complicated.

He gives the throne to Sophia, and Dominic’s declaration that he will not proceed with the marriage. F-ck!

Why are they making everything so difficult? What was Grandpa thinking when he gave Sophia everything? TSK. It feels like something is wrong. I also noticed that grandpa didn’t agree with what he was saying.

I was also trying to talk to Scarlett, but she was paying no attention to any of us. She just smiles at us and goes back into her room, or maybe she’s hurt by what’s going on. I know her if she wants to speak.

She doesn’t know how to be angry; even when she is, she just smiles and moves on. She doesn’t even show us how much she’s hurt, choosing to show up brave and strong in front of us, but we’ve never been able to read her thoughts, or even just her actions, since we were kids.

I remember what Grandpa told us back then… “Scarlett is smart; she knows what can and cannot be done; we should fear her rather than the enemy,” he says.

All I know is that Grandpa changed after we realized Scarlett was missing. We also noticed that she had left without saying goodbye. We all looked for her, but as they said, it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t want to be found, so we all had a difficult time finding her.

Carter almost punished us for screwing up to track down Scarlett. TSK.

When I heard a crash, I blinked and looked at our cousins.

“I hate her!” said Ara. Arthur and Aiden’s younger sister. “Why Sophia? Does she know what we're up to? She can’t even work!”

She is right. Sophia lost interest in what we were doing when we were younger because she was lazy and didn’t want to sweat. Do you have any training sessions that don’t make you sweat? Occasionally, I think Sophia is fucking dumb.

When Scarlett went missing, she announced with tears that Venice had gone with the man and would never return.

Grandpa said nothing, but we knew something would change in him, and we weren't wrong because he changed, but I know he also disappointed by what Scarlett did.

We kept looking for Scarlett to explain to us, but none of us knew where she hid. We used all of our Knight connections to find her, but Scarlett is smart enough to trick us into thinking she would rather not show us or even go home.

Only Rios was he calm for all of us because he knew Ven would do nothing that would harm or panic the entire family. He was also among those who did not believe in Sophia.

“What the hell is going through Grandpa’s mind? He’s annoying, huh? Didn't anyone object to what the chairman was saying besides us?”

We all shrugged our shoulders because I don't know, but they all agreed with grandpa’s decision except for my cousins and Tito Carlito because it was grandma’s request for grandpa that Scarlett would replace him when he retired.

Sophia became more of a spoiled brat after Grandpa announced she would take his place. She will still need to order others to do the work that she will do.

We couldn’t do anything because if we did something to Sophia, she might tell grandpa, and we all didn’t like her because she was such a brat.

It must follow everything she demands.

Even our grandfather’s wife, Lady Josephine Knight, disliked her because Scarlett was his favorite among us. We can’t do anything because Scarlett was the last person she saw before she died.

Because someone broke into the palace when we were kids, and we left Grandma and Scarlett at home because we were all at Grandpa's event, but Scarlett was the only who survived because grandma protected her; however, grandma died.

There is still no process with what happened 23 years ago. Scarlett is unaware of it because she remembers nothing after the incident, and grandpa forbade us from bringing up it.

We are still looking for who entered the palace back then, so the guard here at the Knight palace is even tighter, and whoever strays from the area will most likely suffer.

“BROTHER ERIN!” Ara yelled at my ears, and I glared at her for being so loud. “You're stunned like a mannequin! Say it!”

I just sighed because they kept asking me questions as if they weren’t a night when they acted.

“Yes, say it! Arianne is on her way home!” said Lux.

Arianne Knight is Rios’ twin, but our father opted to send her away, and she is also Scarlett’s close cousin, who is always Sophia’s enemy.

“Guess who?” asked Ara. I raised my brows at her, but all she did was smirk. “She's with Melody! Your fiancé!”

Huh? When did Arianne and Melody become close? Damn it, she’s Sophia's best friend. Why did she still become my fiancé? We only met. Besides, I'm interested in someone else. TCH.

“She is not my fiancé!” I yelled. I don't even want to see that ugly girl.

“Erin, just shut up.”

When our older cousin Carter spoke, it took aback to us. We had forgotten he was with us today, and he was also the most quiet, and when the meeting was over, he seemed to have lost in thought, but we knew he was worried about Scarlett.

I shook my head because he was always scolding me, even though our female cousins were the loudest, TSK. I’ll think… When I noticed Carter looking at me, I just smiled and gave him the peace sign. Damn! He reminds us of our grandfather.

We were even more taken aback when Rios laughed, so we turned to face him, who was sitting in his chair.

“Why are you silent?” asked Rios, laughing. Ara gave him the middle finger. “What will happen if you find out? Aren’t you one of those who believe in Sophia?” he asked. I smirked as Lux looked away. Good job, bro.

Ara stood to approach Rios, who grinned at them. “Of course not! I know what she’s accusing isn’t true! I hate Sophia, okay?” she said as she rolled her eyes and kicked Rios.

“Ah…” We returned our attention to Lux, who was bowing. “At first, I believed it because we all know they’re close siblings, right? It confused me why there it seems to be a rift in their relationship,” she said.

They agreed with Lux's statement.

I just shook my head at them. Scarlett had a reason for doing that, and you may even be mad with Sophia when you learn the truth.

Rios smirked at them and raised an eyebrow. “What if… What Sophia says is true?” he asked. I just shook my head as they frowned.

“What do you mean, Rios?”

My brother shook his head. “Why don’t you ask her?” Rios suggested, grinning and closing his eyes as if taking a nap.

“Rios.” Ara and Lux yelled at him, but he remained silent. I just sighed and shook my head because they had nothing to do with my brother. They’ll just tease.

Both of them looked at me, so I shook my head because they might ask me. Whatever they do, I will say nothing because Scarlett should tell them.

“Your brother is different, brother Erin,” said Lux, pouting, and I just shrugged.

We were stunned when someone knocked on the door, so we exchanged glances, but it disappointed them when it was not Scarlett who entered the hideout. They’re concerned about Scarlett.

What is Claire doing here? Our gazes met, but she rolled her eyes. Then she sat down in front of Carter and placed a folder on the table.

“Is she what Rios is referring to? After all, she is Ven’s best friend, right?” Ara asked Lux as they stared at Claire.

Uh-oh… It sounds that the two of you are planning something for Claire.

“How is she?” asked Brother Carter of Claire. He, it seems, to refer to Ven.

“She’s fine, but she’s still quiet and only thinks about work and her kids; she doesn’t even talk to me,” Claire explained. I clenched my fist and sighed before taking a seat.

“What is this?” Carter inquired of the folder Claire had placed on the table.

Claire grinned, as if she were seducing our older cousin, but it won’t work for Carter.

“Just as you requested, some information about Solen Madrid,” said Claire. “She is a businesswoman, but I don’t know her, but I researched her background, but I didn't find any information about her personality.” Claire frowned as she leaned back in her chair.

“I asked dad if he knew anyone, in Madrid, who was an investor. He said he didn’t know anyone except the person who negotiated the Perkins weapons,” she said as she opened the folder and explained the files to Carter.

We exchanged glances because we couldn’t understand what they were saying.

Who is Solen Madrid? I had only heard that name during my time in the industry.

Rios was already awake, but he was emotionless because he was just listening to what brother Carter and Claire were saying.

“You are right, Carter, that there is something strange about her actions because I also saw some of her business partners in her information, The Young being one of them. I also saw that she is new to the business industry,”

“I don’t like that old woman, and I saw she negotiated with the Stones and Lady Josephine's business.”

It took aback to us when we heard grandma's name because we knew Tito Vernon was now in charge of grandma's business and other properties.

All of our grandmother's businesses it named after Scarlett because she is the one who handles business, but there was a problem.

“That’s all the information I have on her because her information is rare, and my system is about to be hacked, but lucky for me, I’m fine,” she smirked.

Carter sighed and accepted the folder Claire had given him. “OK. Thanks for the info, Claire,” he said as he exited the hideout.

Where is he going? Carter’s mind is also different; you cannot predict his every action and move. Claire just grinned at us before getting up to leave, but our two female cousins stopped her.

I knew it! They’ve been quiet for a while because they're planning something. Damn it.

“Where are you going, Claire?” asked Ara. Claire frowned, confused why our two cousins had blocked her.

“I'm leaving! I have something to do!” said Claire, pushing them away, but they blocked her once again.

Claire looked annoyed, so I turned away and laughed. You can’t handle Lux and Ara; their skulls are stronger than their stubbornness.

Lux signaled to Sander, who nodded before pulling Claire to a seat.

“W-wait! Hey! Let me go, jerk!” Claire yelled as she struggled against the rope. “Ugh! Let me go! What do you need?”

“Hmm… We just wanted to ask you something because brother Erin won’t talk.” said Ara. Claire was stunned and only frowned because she still looked confused.

Our cousins stood up and stretched, since they would rather not become involved in what Ara and Lux were doing.

“Oops! I’m out! My girls are looking for me!” said Aaron. He saluted us.

“Yeah, me too! Good luck Claire!” Eron winked at Claire, who had just given Eron the middle finger.

“Me too. I still have a lot to do. Goodbye cousins!”

“I want to sleep,” said Rios as he stood up, as if he wanted to escape.

They would like to escape because they are living like princes. They have many employees who will complete their work. TSK. Furthermore, they didn’t even consider their employees’ efforts. I just shook my head because they haven’t changed.

Except for Carter, I’m the sanest of the bunch.

They were about to leave when Lux stopped in front of them. “Where are you going?” asked Lux, while smiling. They shook their heads and pointed to the door, but Lux glared at them. “Go back! Go back to your old spot!”

I just looked away, although I was already laughing at them. Lux is like a mother disciplining her children. They scratched their heads once more and returned to their old place.

Lux smiled and wrapped her arm around her brother’s shoulders.

“What do you need?” Claire, who seemed to give up because she knew our cousins wouldn't stop.

Ara smirked. “Nothing, Claire; we just want to ask you a question, and we want you to answer it,” she said as she sat down in front of Claire.

“TSK. What is that? Can you ask me now?.” She rolled her eyes, as if she’s annoyed.

“What’s wrong with them? To Scarlett, Sophia, and Dominic?” Ara asked. We took aback and just stared at Claire.

Ara is also serious, as if she is not our childish cousin. Claire sighed and averted her gaze.

Claire said, “I won't say anything, even if you lock me up all night… I still won't say anything.”

Ara just nodded because she cannot force Claire, but I know they still want to know something.

“OK, but why do they seem to hate each other so much? We caught them fighting the other night,” said Ara, leaning back in her seat, and that was the night they caught Young.

“Please don’t force—” Claire stopped for a moment as we heard a knock.

We exchanged glances because no one else knew about this place except…

“She’s here,” Rios announced as he opened the door, and Scarlett entered with a frown.

We all turned to Rios, who was smirking and staring at Scarlett, who had just stepped inside but could tell our place impressed her.

“Why did you send me here, Rios?” She's turning in our direction, surprised to see us all. “What brings you all here?” she asked.

We felt confused because it looked that Rios forced her to visit this place. Except for us and Scarlett, no one else knew.

She sighed, she turned to face us. “Why did you send me here, Rios—” she came to a halt when she saw Claire, her eyes widening? “Claire…” she said, and Claire grinned.

“Venice,” Rios said, wrapping his arms around Scarlett, “I sent you here for their questions; they want to know something about you.”

Scarlett came to a halt and looked at our cousins, so I looked at Lux and Ara, who nodded, and it looks that I will not approve of their plan.

“Yes, and you seem to be the only one who can answer everything,” Ara smirked as she drew Scarlett to sit on the chair that Arthur had blocked in the middle to keep her sister from moving.

“What are you going to do to her?” Arthur asked of his sister.

“It’s easy, brother!” Ara exclaimed after Arthur's intervention. “We’re just asking what's going on, so we're aware of their fight, duh!” she rolled her eyes at her brother.

Scarlett came to a halt, and I noticed her fists clenched. She already knew why she was here, so I shook my head and approached Scarlett, thinking she still didn’t want to reveal the truth.

“Ara—” I took back me when my brother spoke.

Rios, you’re an idiot.

“Why don't you tell them the truth, Scarlett?” Rios smirked. I gave him a frown.

Does my brother know anything? That’s how he was. I can tell he knows something.

“What do you want to know about me?” asked Scarlett, while looking at me, but I just shook my head. “I don’t understand you all,” she said, shaking her head.

“What’s going on with you, Sophia and Dominic?” asked Lux. Her eyes widened, but she shook her head at us.

“Nothing. We’re fighting as siblings, so get out of our situation, and I would rather not add to the problem,” said Scarlett as she's getting up to leave, but our cousins didn’t stop asking her.

“We will not stop until we know the truth!”

Scarlett shook her head. “Will anything change if I tell the truth?” she wondered. They remained silent. “See, nothing will change because I know you believe in her as well.”

Ara and Lux both widened their eyes and shook their heads at her. “No! No! No! I don’t believe her! I know you won’t do that.” Ara grabbed Scarlett's hand, who turned away.

“Go, Scarlett, tell them the truth,” said Claire. She has already gotten rid of the leash.

“You know I can’t,” she shook her head because she would rather not speak.

Claire sighed and walked over to Scarlett. “This is the time for them to know, Scarlett,” she said. Scarlett sighed and looked at our cousins.

“I was hesitant telling you the truth since I knew you were confused,” she sighed and smiled. “Fine, I’ll tell you why I went missing for five years, and I hope no one finds our entire family; I don’t want the situation to get worse.” said Scarlett as I turned away from her and smiled.

She is the bravest woman I know.