"Estelle!"Ben called out and wanted to move forward but refrained himself. Estelle was looking pale and she had some tiny bruises on her delicate skin.Her knuckles and arms were red like she had been kneeling on a dashboard.Ben didn't even want to ask what happened... He just wanted to take her away from here."Estelle, this young man who was originally meant to be your sister's fiance has come here wanting to take you away. How do you explain this?" Mrs Powell's eyes were filled with hatred that frightened the poor girl."No mum... I've got nothing to do with him. I don't —" she tried to explain but Mrs Powell cut her off and turned to Ben."Can you hear that? She has nothing to do with you. What right do you have then to take her away?"Ben ignored her and walked to Estelle. He wanted to reach out to her but she shrunk away for fear of what would befall her later."Estelle, I know you are not safe here... I know you have always wanted to get away from this place. I saw your paint
"You wanted to see me?"The silence on the rooftop was uncomfortable for Eric. They had been sitting at this high end restaurant in the rooftop spot Jed chose for them just staring at the city.Eric wanted to say something since he got there but he didn't dare say anything and waited for Jed. He didn't expect the latter wouldn't say a thing after they got there so he was forced to ask that question.Jed couldn't have possibly asked him out just to sit in silence."Mhmm," Jed breathed in deeply and pointed at the natural scenery. "Isn't it beautiful? I haven't gotten a chance to sit and admire nature like this for as long as I can remember.""But the city looks the same. Barely a little thing changed except the people in it."His words engulfed Eric with guilt and so he called out, "Jed, I—""Look at that," Jed suddenly exclaimed pointing at the flight of beautiful birds flying past. This species of birds are only seen in the country."Did you see these beautiful creatures while you wer
"Why don't we just try to go to Palmer's residence in the legal way?" Eric suggested. "We'll walk up to them and just tell them we know our friend is back and we would like to meet him.""Haha!" Jed snickered. "And risk incurring that old man's wrath. In case you don't know, all the guards in that house are all trained soldiers. Did you learn how to fight during your time abroad?"Eric shuddered, causing Jed to chuckle, "I can take them down but that will waste time and we might not end up seeing Ben."Besides, he doesn't have much time left. Vendetta's countdown was chiming in his ears."Then we'll do it your way. But we can't sneak out now. I've been to the house before. During the day, there are usually more guards."Eric tapped his fingers on the table, "Exactly four pm, the guards will be getting ready for their break and shifts. So there will be fewer guards around.""Okay," Jed collected another cup of latte. "Then we strike by four. I'll meet you at..."He gave a highway desc
Ben and Jed parked their cars in an obscure area just a few meters away from the Palmer's residence. Two men met with them and handed over some uniforms to them."Sir, we are only doing this because you have assured and shown us proof that you were our young master's old roomie. We won't hesitate to take action if you pose a threat to him.""You won't be safe either," Eric teased as they exchanged clothes. The guards kept quiet but knew it was necessarily not true. They wouldn't have given away their uniforms to these men if they didn't do a background checkup."You should follow our map later and don't deviate from the plan. It is better if you are only caught when you get to the young master's room than being caught without even achieving your goals."Jed nodded, "Don't worry. We won't put you two into any trouble." As soon as they had changed, they left. Because these guards weren't on duty the previous night, they naturally didn't know what had transpired in the Palmer's residen
As soon as they returned to their vehicles safely, Eric instructed his chauffeur to leave with his car as he would be hitching a ride with his friends.When they got into the second vehicle, he removed his shirt as he was feeling uncomfortable."Why is it so itchy? What material did they use?" He asked rhetorically as he itched his body.Jed wasn't having the same reaction but was staring at Ben through the rear view mirror.Although the latter looked like he was conscious of his surroundings, he was in a terrible state and could barely keep his eyes open."Ben, we'll get you to the hospital," He said worriedly as he drove the car out of the surroundings.'Ping!' Vendetta chimed just then.[User has successfully completed his task and has earned 4RP][Total RP: 43/100][Total AP: 34/100][Skills are now available for purchase][Tasks will be updated soon]"Why are you here?"Barely has Ben spoken when he started to puke. Eric was frightened."Quick, get the paper bags by..." Jed gave
'I can reject this task but I won't be able to use my AP?' He sounded exasperated to Vendetta.He has acquired these AP painstakingly for years and now the first opportunity to use them was here but he had to sacrifice something to do that.[Yes]Vendetta's chime disrupted his thoughts."Jed?" Eric called out when he turned around and saw that Jed had stopped walking."I'm coming."[Does the user accept this task or not?]Jed paused and thought of it. If he accepts this task, he would be able to get some clue about his long lost sister as the information he got from the real world isn't that very helpful.But accepting it means he has to go against his will to befriend the Powell's. How is he supposed to convince them he suddenly wants to be on good terms with them?As if on cue, Vendetta added,[If the user is unable to convince the targets and build a good relationship with them, this system will automatically count it as failure]'You are not helping,' Jed gritted. 'Fine... I acc
"Yes," Eric sighed faintly as he reached out and patted Eva's peculiar red hair.Then with a little smile, he added, "Anytime I meet this little one, she seems to have run away or gotten lost. Tell me, did you get lost again this time?"Jed watched with confusion as Eric crouched and lifted the girl in his arms.He knew due to Eva's autism, she's never gotten along without strangers. Now she's let Eric readily carry her and the two seem to appear too familiar with each other.Does this mean Eric already knows? Why was he acting oblivious then? Is Scarlett aware of this?Eva scribbled something on her board with a toothy smile. [No uncle, my mom's here too and she's having a word with the doctor]"So you wandered out of the ward yourself? Aren't you scared of making mama worried?"[I was going back to mama but I can't seem to find my way now]Eric laughed at the cute, little pout on her face. "I guessed right. You are indeed lost.""Have you met her mother too?" Jed suddenly poked Eric
The prison doors opened and a young man with a rough appearance and outgrown beards stepped out.He looked around and finally found the person he was searching for. With a smile that lit up his slightly tanned face, he walked to the person awaiting his arrival."Younger brother," He called out. "How long has it been and you are already all grown up. I'm glad you didn't let me down."Cullen accepted these compliments with a smile and informed him, "Elder brother, I have completed all formalities for your release and just like you requested, no news was released to the public."Jack nodded with satisfaction and patted him. Then they walked to a SUV."Where is Finn?"Cullen's gaze darkened. "He is still unable to step out, elder brother. But he is awaiting your arrival."Jack's smile vanished hearing this. "Were you able to see mom? I was unable to meet with her during my lockup. Those bastards... I'll dig their graves one after the other!"Vroom!The chauffeur ignited the vehicle as soo
The entire Powell family was left dumbfounded by the unexpected twist. Mr. Harry, the patriarch, spoke up, his voice strained with disbelief, "Selena Morgan? That's my sister." The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by Mrs. Powell's sharp intake of breath. "What!!!" Her eyes widened with shock and remorse. She had, unknowingly, harbored resentment toward her best friend's child for years. Mrs. Powell, her voice quivering, admitted, "Selena and I were best friends. I never knew... I never realized Estelle was her daughter yet I've unintentionally harbored this hatred towards her all this while." The room buzzed with mixed feelings. Joy and confusion lingering in the air. The family felt heavy with the surprising news, trying to understand the mix of feelings and the complicated connections that had just been revealed. Drake, still grappling with the newfound knowledge that Jed was his biological cousin, couldn't shake the conflicting emotions. As he observed the joyous
"Mmph!"Liana thought he was distracted and leaned in to steal a kiss but at the last minute to her disappointment, his large palm blocked her lips.Jed could feel her pout beneath his palm so he smiled and removed it before pulling her towards him tightly and kissing her till she was out of breath.Her face was as flushed as a beetroot red. He smiled and kissed her swollen lips again before looking down lovingly to tell her,"Don't play around. We'll be at Powell's residence soon and we have to be on our best behavior.""Okay," Liana nodded with an innocent look. "I'll try to remember that."Jed chuckled, shaking his head helplessly. As the car continued the journey, he couldn't help thinking of Vendetta's words.What was it trying to insinuate by stating the members of the Powell's are six instead of five? Could it be experiencing a glitch?"Sir, we are here."After some time, the car came to a stop in front of the magnificent Powell's family residence.Jed got out and led Liana in.
"Dad, I have some important work later which I cannot cancel or postpone so count me out," Drake's face was distraught with annoyance."I can tell you are lying. You are the boss and you can easily handle any work.""Dad," Drake got exasperated. He clutched the handle of his swiveling chair tightly. "What makes you think I'll really go to dinner with Jed? He and I are archenemies."Jack's ears perked up upon hearing that name. What could that little brother of his be up to now?Why would he invite the Powell's to dinner?"Drake," Harry's tone turned stern. "If you don't come home tonight, you know what I can do. Those shares of mine that are still in the company aren't for an act."Drake gritted and clutched the phone tightly. Although he is the CEO of their family business, his father still remains the chairman and the old man possesses a fair amount of shares that could make him wary."I'll be there."Jack's eyes flashed fiercely when he heard this. Drake looked clearly unwilling, w
Powell's HQR"Mr Drake, you have guests," A secretary walked in to inform the CEO who was sitting in front of a computer with a pair of glasses on his face.Drake didn't look up or respond. He only flicked his fingers indicating for the guests to be led in.The secretary nodded and stepped out. When the door reopened, he finally looked up. His eyes glazed with surprise at his august visitors. He stepped away from the computer and dropped his glasses."What a pleasant surprise," He turned to signal to the secretary to bring up refreshments.As he motioned to Jack to have a seat, he stretched out his hand for a handshake."To what do I owe this special visit? Welcome back."Jack smiled, accepted his handshake and looked around the office. "I can see why you are number one. The interior design is topnotch."Drake's face softened with a smile and he shrugged, "Young master Jetti really knows how to joke around a lot. If you want, I can direct the team of designers that di
"Mr Powell, don't get grandma so worked up. It's fine if you don't want to talk about whoever you—" Jed led grandma Powell to a bench."My sister. Don't mention her. Anyone that ran away from one's family for years without looking back doesn't deserve to be family.""Harry, don't be so mean," His words made the grandma upset as her eyes dimmed with tears.Jed silently noted whoever Mr Powell's sister was must have been important to the old madam. Why did she run away... Jed didn't think intruding too much would be acceptable but he knew now her running away from home must have hurt Mr Powell so much that he doesn't even want to talk about her."Grandma, I'll be sad if you are sad. I came all the way today just to visit you?"His words made grandma Powell guilty and a smile appeared on her wrinkled face. "Boy, you are such a sweet talker. I want to go for a walk. Come. I'll show you the beautiful flowers I have planted myself in this garden."With this, Jed led the old woman. Hand in
The prison doors opened and a young man with a rough appearance and outgrown beards stepped out.He looked around and finally found the person he was searching for. With a smile that lit up his slightly tanned face, he walked to the person awaiting his arrival."Younger brother," He called out. "How long has it been and you are already all grown up. I'm glad you didn't let me down."Cullen accepted these compliments with a smile and informed him, "Elder brother, I have completed all formalities for your release and just like you requested, no news was released to the public."Jack nodded with satisfaction and patted him. Then they walked to a SUV."Where is Finn?"Cullen's gaze darkened. "He is still unable to step out, elder brother. But he is awaiting your arrival."Jack's smile vanished hearing this. "Were you able to see mom? I was unable to meet with her during my lockup. Those bastards... I'll dig their graves one after the other!"Vroom!The chauffeur ignited the vehicle as soo
"Yes," Eric sighed faintly as he reached out and patted Eva's peculiar red hair.Then with a little smile, he added, "Anytime I meet this little one, she seems to have run away or gotten lost. Tell me, did you get lost again this time?"Jed watched with confusion as Eric crouched and lifted the girl in his arms.He knew due to Eva's autism, she's never gotten along without strangers. Now she's let Eric readily carry her and the two seem to appear too familiar with each other.Does this mean Eric already knows? Why was he acting oblivious then? Is Scarlett aware of this?Eva scribbled something on her board with a toothy smile. [No uncle, my mom's here too and she's having a word with the doctor]"So you wandered out of the ward yourself? Aren't you scared of making mama worried?"[I was going back to mama but I can't seem to find my way now]Eric laughed at the cute, little pout on her face. "I guessed right. You are indeed lost.""Have you met her mother too?" Jed suddenly poked Eric
'I can reject this task but I won't be able to use my AP?' He sounded exasperated to Vendetta.He has acquired these AP painstakingly for years and now the first opportunity to use them was here but he had to sacrifice something to do that.[Yes]Vendetta's chime disrupted his thoughts."Jed?" Eric called out when he turned around and saw that Jed had stopped walking."I'm coming."[Does the user accept this task or not?]Jed paused and thought of it. If he accepts this task, he would be able to get some clue about his long lost sister as the information he got from the real world isn't that very helpful.But accepting it means he has to go against his will to befriend the Powell's. How is he supposed to convince them he suddenly wants to be on good terms with them?As if on cue, Vendetta added,[If the user is unable to convince the targets and build a good relationship with them, this system will automatically count it as failure]'You are not helping,' Jed gritted. 'Fine... I acc
As soon as they returned to their vehicles safely, Eric instructed his chauffeur to leave with his car as he would be hitching a ride with his friends.When they got into the second vehicle, he removed his shirt as he was feeling uncomfortable."Why is it so itchy? What material did they use?" He asked rhetorically as he itched his body.Jed wasn't having the same reaction but was staring at Ben through the rear view mirror.Although the latter looked like he was conscious of his surroundings, he was in a terrible state and could barely keep his eyes open."Ben, we'll get you to the hospital," He said worriedly as he drove the car out of the surroundings.'Ping!' Vendetta chimed just then.[User has successfully completed his task and has earned 4RP][Total RP: 43/100][Total AP: 34/100][Skills are now available for purchase][Tasks will be updated soon]"Why are you here?"Barely has Ben spoken when he started to puke. Eric was frightened."Quick, get the paper bags by..." Jed gave