Chapter 29: Chapter 29

'Get him out of my room now, Brother Ray.'

Verdict gave Edward a sharp glare, who stood beside Raymond as soon as he complied with Verdict's request to bring Edward into Verdict's room. He wanted to tap the head of the man who was sitting on the bed with an IV tube attached to his left hand while his right hand was still bandaged.

'It's okay, Raymond. I'm going outside first. Tell me when you're done,' Edward tapped Raymond on the shoulder, looking calm in the face of Verdict's impertinence.

'Sorry, Edward. He always acts like this.'

Edward shook his head, then left Verdict's room. Raymond looked back at Verdict who was still wearing his sulking face.

'No need to apologize to people like that, Brother Raymond.'

'Are you satisfied now? You asked to bring him in with me as you said you were curious about the person who brought me here. Now you even kicked him out. Do you have a grudge with him?'

'Nothing, really. Just annoyed to see his face.'

'Shall I kick you now? Or do you want me to make your injury even worse than they are now?'

'Brother, how could you be cold to me? Remember, Brother Ray. I'm a patient here.'

'Why am I so worried about you? I had to refuse Edward's invitation to go to ice skating with him just to be here.'

'I'm touched, Brother. You prefer me over that person.'

'I'm not happy hearing it. Stop being childish, Verdict. By the way, where's Thyme and Amanda? How come I didn't see them earlier?'

'They?’ Verdict looked at the door of his room. ‘I asked them to leave my room for a while because I have something to talk to Brother Ray.'

Seeing the change in Verdict's face, he approached the man. 'About what?'

'First of all, do you know him?'

'You mean, Edward?'

Verdict nodded. 'Sometimes I wonder at Brother Raymond. You're very easy to trust people.'

'What do you mean?'

'I just want you to be careful around him.'

'Why?'

'I don't like him. Just keep looking at his face. Moreover, I'm still annoyed because Brother Ray didn't know my brother had a feeling for you.'

'It has nothing to do. Speak seriously, Verdict. If you're still being childish, I'll take my leave now.'

'From what I know, he's a distant relative of Simon Clive.'

His eyes widened when he heard Verdict's words earlier. Strange. From the information he got, he could not find any information about what Verdict had just said. 'What were you saying?'

'Brother Ray didn't hear me wrong. That person—'

There was the sound of the door being opened wide, followed by the appearance of Edward, who looked angry while walking toward them. 'Indeed, I'm a distant relative of that person, but I don't want to be juxtaposed with someone who killed my parents.'

Edward's jaw tightened as he said this, frightening him a little. Then the man calmed down when he saw his presence. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation. Hearing that person's name makes it difficult for me to hold back my anger.'

'You know Simon Clive?' Raymond was a little cautious about asking Edward about this, to which he replied with a small nod.

'I told you, right? About me being indebted to my uncle?'

'Yes. I still remember. And?'

'My uncle picked me up after my parents were killed by Simon Clive.'

He could see Edward's hands, which were clenched so tightly that they almost cut their own hands. 'Do you mean that person is here now in this town?'

'Do I need to answer your question?' replied Verdict, curtly.

'No wonder that time you were attacked by them,' Edward took a deep breath.

'Someone attacking you?' Verdict was getting curious, looking at Raymond. 'How come I don't know? When did it happen?'

'It's all in the past now,' Raymond elbowed Edward in the arm, blaming the man for leaking the assault incident at that time. Even though he did not want Verdict to find out simply since he did not want the problem to get more complicated. 'Rather than that, I have something to ask you. Edward, can you go outside? We have to discuss private matters.'

'I can—'

'No. I want him to stay here,' interrupted Verdict. 'Brother Ray? Do you know where their headquarters location is?'

He nodded.

'Then, what did you want to ask me?'

'Ah, that ...' Raymond looked at Edward, a little doubtful. But now that Verdict had no problem with Edward's whereabouts, he did not think it was a problem to say so. 'As for motive, I think I understand. But I don't understand why he even targeted Amanda too. Do you know anything?'

'His motive, huh? I seem to understand. It's just, well… looks like Kak Ray forgot something?'

'What?'

'Thyme said to me before that Brother Ray attacked Simon Clive's members, right? I also heard after Brother Ray attacked them, their existence just disappeared without leaving a single trace.'

'Yes,' he replied. He did not tell Verdict about the part Martha taking care of the rest. Better for the man to not knew the truth. The less he knew, the better.

'Brother Ray is also becoming their target.'

'Is his reason for not liking to admit his defeat?' said Edward.

'Exactly,' Verdict cocked his head, looking at Edward. 'You know Clive's way of thinking very well like an open book. I'm so doubtful, should I believe in you or not?'

'That's also the reason Simon killed my parents.'

He did not know why, but he felt Edward and Verdict get along well with each other.

'Then why aren't you becoming their target?'

'I don't know. I don't know the reason, because my uncle was the one who negotiated with him.'

'Oh,' Verdict muttered to himself. His voice was low, half-whispered, so he did not know what Verdict had just muttered. 'Brother Ray can go home now.'

'How about Amanda?'

'I've asked Lucas to take care of her. Don't worry. Brother Ray should take some rest. Your eye bags are really visible,' Verdict glanced at Edward. 'Or maybe, you want to continue your date?'

'Date?' Raymond repeated, raising an eyebrow. 'With who?'

Verdict took a deep breath and massaged his temples. 'As per usual. Not sensitive. I feel pity towards you.'

He became even more confused when he heard what Verdict had said. For a moment, he glanced at Edward, who instead laughed as he pulled Raymond's hand away from Verdict.

'I don't understand what you're talking about, but I can assure you Raymond will be fine with me,' said Edward.

'No need. I can take care of myself, thanks,' Raymond shook off Edward's hand.

'Brother Ray, you should learn to receive help from other people. I'm a little tired, so can you guys leave my room right now?'

He nodded, leaving Verdict who was now lying down and closed his eyes. In an instant, the man fell into a deep sleep. Slowly, he closed the door to his room. Just as he was about to turn around, Edward hugged him from behind, almost stunning him.

'W-what's wrong?'

'Nothing. I just think you just went further from me, Raymond,' Edward propped his head on Raymond's shoulder.

Was this really his manager who used to ignore him at the start of their meeting? It was hard to get used to seeing the other side of Edward which he thought was very strange. He closed his eyes, hoping that Edward did not notice the sound of his heart now clattering. His sharp nose caught Edward's scent, making him flutter even more. He had better let Edward go away before his heart pounded even faster.

'Er, Edward?'

'Hm?'

'Maybe you better let go of your hands from me.'

Edward did not answer him. Instead, the man hugged him tighter until he could feel Edward's heart pounding too fast. He did not know what else to do, so he had no choice but to let Edward hold him until he had to endure embarrassment as several people who crossed this corridor smiled amusedly seeing them. After a few minutes, Edward released his embrace, then pulled him away from the hospital building.

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