Chapter 49: Chapter 49

'Ed, I'm fine. Seriously. So can you stop worrying about me?'

Edward ignored his question, still keeping a close eye on his entire body which succeeded in making him feel awkward to death.

'This is my fault. I shouldn't have let you fight that person alone,' Edward now pulled his body away from Raymond, took out his hologram tablet, then stared at the screen of his hologram tablet while muttering to himself.

'Could I ask you something?'

'Shoot.'

'About Mike ... can you tell me exactly what happened to him?'

'Mike, eh?' Edward looked away from the screen of his tablet. 'His parents sold him. Not because of debt. Purely because they hated Mike's face. I don't understand the reason either, but that's what I heard from the others while I still joined Simon. Purchased by Levin.'

'Why did he say you took his collection?'

'Because on the first day I met Mike, I already like it. Think of him as my own little brother. Cute, like a dog. Everywhere, he always followed me. Yes, only when he is with me he can act like his age. But when I wasn't around, he would become Levin's sex toy. That's why I took Mike out of the place, and it ended with the death of my parents.'

'Oh. Sorry to makes you remember bad memories.'

'No problem. I'm just asking you, once you know all this, please don't stay away from Mike.'

'Do I look like that kind of person?'

'No, really,' Edward stroked Raymond's head, relieved, then looked back at the screen of his tablet. 'Raymond, can you still move? Or do you want me to carry you?'

Again Edward treated him like a child ...

His hands were clenched into fists, punching him in the shoulder until the hologram tablet he was holding barely slipped from his hand. 'You think I'm an eight-year-old kid who still needs to be taken care of, huh!?'

'I'm just worried ...,' Edward stroked his shoulder that had been hit earlier. 'Am I wrong?'

'What do you think? I've said it many times: I'm fine. Ah never mind. Lazy to debate with you. There won't be an end,' Raymond ruffled his back hair, giving up. 'Where are we now? What about the group I asked to evacuate the children?'

'It looked like going well. I haven't asked Hazel yet. But I guess we don't have anything to do here. Want to come back?'

'And missing a chance to kill Simon Clive? How could I miss the fun part?'

'Indeed, really. But better leave him to Verdict and Thyme,' Edward turned off the screen of his hologram tablet, stuffing the pen-sized object into his jacket pocket. 'Let them do their part—wait a moment.'

The man moved away from him, touching his earphones. His face turned pale as he nodded slowly, then turned back to face him. 'Hazel just said there was a surprise attack in the ballroom, where Thyme and Verdict are. We better go there now.'

'Surprise attack? From who?'

'I don't know, I'm not sure. Any idea where the room where the ballroom is?'

Raymond closed his eyes, looking for the floor plan of the mansion that he had stored in his memory. If they were looking for a large space, it should be on the third floor, near the terrace that leads directly to the outside. He opened his eyes, then tugged at Edward, leading him to where he was thinking. The hallway they were passing looked deserted. His guard was not as tight as the previous aisles, but he was on guard to prepare his revolver which he reloaded.

Vaguely, he heard the sound of a song playing along with the voices of people chatting. There was no sound of commotion. Strange.

He turned around, about to call Edward when the man told him to keep quiet. His jaw tightened, looking tense. The man's index finger pressed against his earphone. Repeatedly half-whispering calling Hazel's name, but there was no answer, making the man even more anxious, removing the earphones he was wearing while swearing in a language he did not understand. Rather cautiously, Raymond walked over to the room. The sound of the music stopped as soon as he arrived at the door of the room, making him gasp in surprise. Uncertain, he touched the door knob. Just before the door opened, Edward ran after him, pushing him away from the room. As soon as his back hit the floor with Edward above him, there was a sound of gunfire that smashed through the door to the room in an instant. Two minutes later, the shooting stopped.

'Are you okay?' Edward pulled himself away from Raymond, asking in a hushed voice. He—who was still in shock, just shook his head. The man's eyes turned back while moving from his place, helping him to get up.

'Why did you know about the shot earlier?'

'Simon always does it, so I know very well his pattern. Stay behind me,' Edward readied his gun, walked over entered that room.

As Edward said, the sound he had heard earlier was only camouflage. As soon as the door opened, he saw that everyone attending the party in the room was tied to their chairs, their mouths stuffed with cloth. His eyes wandered around, still walking behind Edward, looking for Thyme and Verdict. Then his gaze fell on the two people who were at the table in the corner of the room, with several people surrounding them pointing their rifles at the two of them. Next to Thyme, who seemed strangely calm, he found a man who was smiling with satisfaction at their presence.

He must be Simon Clive.

'Hello, Edward Groningen,' the man clapped his hands together. There was no expression on the cold man's face. ''So you have considered coming back with me?'

'What're you talking about?' Edward turned to face the man, still telling him to hide behind his back. 'Didn't my uncle already tell you—'

Raymond peeked over Edward's back, curious about Edward's sudden change of attitude. His eyes widened when he saw the figure of Rufus Clark standing next to Simon. The friendly smile that usually adorned the old man's face was no longer visible, replaced by a cold face that managed to give him the chills.

'What does all this mean, Uncle?'

'As you can see.'

'So from the start, Uncle didn't intend to help me?'

'Indeed. Why do you think I would order everything you asked for? Because I thought you would change your mind after meeting Simon and taking his side. After all, you are talented and Simon is my partner. So why do I have to let you go?'

'Then how about Hazel?'

'Hazel? Ah, that girl, huh? How could I involve her? We are only after you and the man behind you,' Rufus walked over to Edward, then glanced at Raymond. 'It's too wasteful for people like you to work under a kid's order. Umberbridge and Walter are not fit with your special talents. Especially for you, Raymond Cooper.'

'Why is everyone busy deciding who I work for, anyway?' Raymond could no longer bear to let the man speak, now facing Rufus, ignoring Edward, who asked him to stay behind him as he pressed the end of his revolver to the old man's chest. 'Who are you? The only one who has the right to determine who I work for is me. Not you.'

Rufus did not react, remaining calm, while the people standing near the old man immediately raised their weapons and aimed them at Raymond. The man raised his right hand, gesturing for the men to lower the gun. 'Shut up. Do not move. Lower your weapons.'

'But, Boss—'

'Bring them all here.'

'All right, Boss.'

When Rufus' underling left them, the old man pushed Raymond's revolver away from his chest. 'We'll see, whether you can stick to your stance or not.'

There was the sound of another door in the room opening, along with several familiar faces, being dragged away by the men. Their appearance looked so chaotic, so battered that he barely recognized all the people.

'They were caught when they were infiltrating the basement,' Simon, who had been letting Rufus speak, finally spoke up, now standing beside Rufus telling the men to push them all in front of Raymond and Edward who was now speechless. again. 'I don't know what your plans are, but I have confirmed that your plans have been thwarted. Now, what is your answer, Raymond Cooper? Want to join me and let these people go, or not?'

'My answer is still the same: No.'

'Then, it can't be helped.'

The man waved his hand, followed by a shot which killed one of Verdict Walter's men instantly.

'You—'

'I'll give you another chance. Answer it correctly,' Simon glanced at her, then turned his gaze to Edward. 'This also applies to you, Edward Groningen. You only have a little time.'

***