Nadine looked at her mother and asked, “What else are you hiding from me? Am I really your daughter, for starters? Why won’t you tell me anything?”Hearing this, Carlene knew Nadine was already aware of everything. She was already prepared for Nadine to find out the truth ever since Adrian showed up.“Come and sit, Naddy. Let’s sleep together tonight.” Carlene smiled as she patted her bed.Nadine walked over but knelt by the bedside and said, “I’m no longer a child, Mother. I’m thirty now. How long are you planning on hiding the truth from me?She then asked, “That corpse in the glass coffin at Grandfather’s villa… It’s Father, isn’t it? Don’t you think it’s just ridiculous for a daughter to wet herself from the shock of seeing her father’s corpse? After all, you know that happens to me whenever I get overly anxious…”“I thought this would all be over, but War Legate Draco has found out about it in the end… You see, Naddy. I sincerely wished for history not to repeat itself. Many
Never did it once cross Nadine’s mind that the person who was responsible for her father’s death would turn out to be her very own uncle, a man she had respected.All of these revelations destroyed everything she thought she knew. Turns out, her identity was definitely not that of an ordinary person.Nadine covered her mouth, unable to put into words what she felt at that moment.‘Father’s been dead for so many years, yet he hasn’t been able to be buried properly, while Mother’s been hiding this all these years.’Nadine cried at that thought as she asked, “Mother, why didn’t you expose Uncle Chase even though you know he has done so many heinous crimes?”Carlene shook her head. “It’s no use. Nobody can do anything to him as long as he’s in charge. In fact, I was prepared to take this to my grave if War Legate Draco hadn’t shown up.”“Why didn’t you hand the Dragon Medallion over to him then?” Nadine asked.“It wasn’t time yet. I wasn’t sure what he was going to do next. If he is
At the same time, Juno was sitting on her bed downstairs, looking at her laptop screen. Her screen showed a video feed that was coming from the observatory.Juno was the one who set the cameras up in that place. She had seen Adrian heading upstairs and could not fall asleep, so she turned on the live feed in the hopes of finding out what her brother was up to.She was dumbfounded when she overheard Adrian’s conversation with Rue.‘I’m going to become the next legate of Wyvern Peak?!’***“No!”Rue was silent for a moment before rejecting Adrian’s statement.“I won’t let you take Juno down the path you’ve taken. Do you have any idea how much I feared for your life ever since I found out you’re the legate? I’ve been so afraid that my son would leave me someday. Do you even know how that feels?!”Faced with Rue’s question, Adrian replied, “I understand, but sometimes your thoughts can’t dictate what we should and shouldn’t do. We’re all grown-ups now, we should choose our own path
Adrian and Rue debated over Juno inside the observatory that night.At that moment, Juno ran to where they were, with Samantha following behind her.Just as Adrian and Rue were still locked in a heated argument, Juno suddenly said, “I’ll do it, Mother!”“What?!”Both Adrian and Rue turned toward Juno, but Rue’s expression seemed stiff.As Juno slowly walked up the observatory, Rue asked, “What nonsense are you on about, Juno? What will you do?”“Mother, I’ll go to ACMA. I’m willing to walk this path, so please let me do it.”“What?!” Rue was slightly dazed, clearly not expecting Juno to make such a decision plus with such a firm attitude.Hearing how determined she was, Rue said, “You should reconsider this, Juno. You’re about to choose a path you can never return from. It’s a literal pit of fire you’re trying to jump into! How could I possibly stand by and watch you do that?”“But I’m not afraid! I’m a grown woman now, Mother. I have my own path to choose, and I don’t intend
After a while, Adrian said, “Are you sure about this, Juno?”Juno nodded. “I want to go, Big Brother. I really do. No other decision in my life has ever been more important than this one. I wish to walk the path my father once walked and live for his sake. I also want to be your comrade.”“The ACMA is a tough place. Are you sure your legs can handle it?” Samantha asked.Juno shook her head. “My legs are fine now. I can move around like a normal person. Please let me do this, Big Brother.”Adrian paused for a long time before saying, “Go back to your room and pack your things. I’ll have Daniel drive you there early tomorrow morning.”“Okay!” Juno acknowledged this and rushed downstairs.“Is there really a need for you to do this in such a hurry?” Samantha asked, but Adrian remained silent.***Throughout that sleepless night, everyone was mulling over their own thoughts.The following day, a number of jeeps drove into One Jewel Road’s courtyard early in the morning. Daniel led
Everyone turned around to see Rue rushing out of the living room and dashing toward Juno.Juno silently looked at Rue.“I know I can’t stop you, nor will I try to anymore. If you must go, I want you to go with your head held high. You don’t have to feel guilty about anything, nor should you feel any pressure.“I won’t interfere since you’ve already made your decision, but all I ask is that you stay safe. Can you do that?” Rue asked.Juno nodded in acknowledgment. “I’ll make sure to be safe. I still have to take care of you when you grow old, you know? You took me under your wing, so you’re also my real mother forever. I will never leave you.”Rue embraced Juno tightly as she said, “Go chase your dreams! Remember to call home often!”“You take care of yourself too. I’ll be off now.“Mother, Big Brother, Sam, Jojo… Thank you for being there for me after my mother died. I love you all.”Juno bowed upon saying this, then turned around and got into Daniel’s car as she shed a tear.
Rue looked up and stared at the vast skySamantha held on to Rue’s arm and said, “Let’s head inside, Mother. With great power comes great responsibility. Adrian’s not just your son now, but Navia’s beacon of hope and the future it possesses.”Rue looked at Samantha. “I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer so much hardship after marrying into our family, Sam. You haven’t been able to enjoy your life, and now that you’ve finally gotten it, Adrian—”Samantha smiled and interrupted her by saying, “What are you saying, Mother? I live in a villa, eating meal after meal of exquisite food every day. Plus, I’ll have a child to accompany me soon. I couldn’t ask for anything more.“Most importantly, my husband’s a hero—someone his child can look up to in the future. When our child grows up, I’m going to tell them all their father’s stories!”Hearing this, Rue smiled and went back inside with Samantha.***That day, a commotion swept through the cities of Southrive. So much so that Novemton’s Inter
Stomp, stomp, stomp!The sound of footsteps could be heard as soldiers in Wyvern Peak’s battle suits swiftly covered all the exits. At the same time, the Gardners quickly left the courtyard and discussed among themselves.“What’s going on?”“Why would Wyvern Peak surround our house all of a sudden?”“What’s happening?”“I don’t know!”The younger members of the family were exchanging confused looks, when someone suddenly yelled, “Quick! We have to inform Uncle Chase and the others!”They quickly took out their phones and made several calls.After a moment, the older Gardners rushed back home upon receiving calls. Within minutes, everyone, including the head of the Gardner, the family’s daughters, sons-in-law, and other relatives arrived at the residence.“They’re here!” someone yelled out when a number of luxurious cars drove into the courtyard.Louis had been waiting anxiously. The cars stopped and the older Gardners stepped out.“Father!”“Uncle!”The youngsters yelled o