The Manipulated Villainess

"This is the information you asked." Jerome Min said as he handed a file to Nicole. The two were on the Chairwoman\'s apartment, sitting on the couch opposite to each other.

Nicole opened the file and looked at the photos and some old articles.

"Because it\'s been too long, I cannot gather much. These are the only information I could find regarding the protest of the construction workers." Jerome explained.

Nicole lifted one photo and gazed at it for a while. "This must be Jonathan Kim." She muttered.

"You\'re right. He is the one who died during the protest. The older brother of Garcia Han." Jerome Min replied.

For a few seconds, Nicole quietly gazed at the photo. From what she heard, Jonathan Kim was a reliable and good brother. Even after their parents died, he refused to go to an orphanage. He quit school and only focused on raising his younger sister. He was that great of a brother and it gave Nicole a bitter feeling.

"I believe what Harris Ahn told me. My father would never send those men to chase away the protestors. Even his employees used to admire him due to his kind nature. He was a broad-minded man." She muttered, her gaze never left the photo.

"Chairwoman, do you think someone from your father\'s side is helping Garcia Han? Thinking about all that happened, I think someone is helping her from the inside." Jerome assumed.

"That\'s possible but I have no idea who it might be. The one who is the closest to my step-mother from the company is Director Colin Park but I doubt it would be him."

Narrowing her eyes at the photo, she murmured, "What I wish to know the most is this. Who sent those men and claimed it as my father\'s doing? If it\'s not because of those men, Jonathan Kim won\'t be dead."

"But preparing for war with Garcia Han is more important. What happened already happens. It can\'t be changed, so why are you so fixated on the past?" Jerome asked. He finds it hard to understand why the Chairwoman wasted her time on this.

"I know that it can\'t be changed but... Garcia Han thinks that the one behind her brother\'s death is my father. I want to prove my father\'s innocence no matter what. Because... if this is true and if I was in her position, I can\'t say that I won\'t do the same." Nicole\'s voice trailed off. She hated to admit what she just said!

She trusts in her father but Garcia Han misunderstood the whole thing! But she knew one thing. When Jonathan Kim died, Garcia Han lost her world. She puts herself in her shoes and she understood how bitter the twenty-year-old Mira Kim would have felt at that time! That\'s why she was desperate to prove her wrong!

Jerome glanced at the Chairwoman and understood what she thought. Then he finally nodded. "I understand what you said. I will look deeper and tried to find some clue."

"You must be tired. Rest and spend some time with Keira first. This matter can wait." Nicole calmly said.

"I\'m fine, Chairwoman. Keira is also improving, so you don\'t have to worry about her. I will try to finish my investigation as soon as possible."

"Just do as I said. You are always so stubborn." The Chairwoman frowned a little. Whatever she asked of him, he would always do it right away but whenever she told him to take some rest, he was always being stubborn!

"Then I will do that." Jerome rose from his seat and bowed. "It\'s late, Chairwoman. You should also take a rest." He turned around and leave through the secret passage.

After reading the old articles from the files Jerome gave her, Nicole heavily sighed. It\'s been 20 years. How was she supposed to find out the truth? It would be like searching for a needle in a haystack!

But still, she can\'t stop. She must find out the truth no matter what! She will make sure that Garcia Han regret her actions!

Meanwhile, Aston was also busy meeting someone. He spent his daytime working but he was always more than busier at night.

"Why do you want to see me?" He asked the man who was sitting opposite to him. 

"I heard from the leader of Blackhood that you are joining hands with them to take down Lester Yun." Edwin Zo said, cautiously glancing at Aston, observing his expression. When his former boss was very calm, he took it as a good sign and continued by saying, "I wish to participate too. Please let me join you." He begged the actor, lowering his head.

"Edwin, you barely managed to escape from Lester\'s grip. Right now, you\'re a free man. Why don\'t you use your new freedom to build a new life? You know that this is a risky path." Aston calmly said. His demeanor was very contradictory in comparison to the last time they met.

"I think about it many times. What you said just now also crossed my mind but for someone like us, there is not much option in life." Edwin uttered. "So, no matter what road I would walk, I wish to avenge my friend before that. If I survived, I will start giving a thought for my future."

Aston quietly observed Edwin. He still remembered the Edwin Zo he used to know. He was brave, carefree yet somewhat stubborn. Whatever he did, he would give it his all. Though he seemed to be different now, Aston still saw these traits in him. Then one thing crossed his mind.

"Then let me ask you. Why did you still show respect to me? It\'s been 5 years since I left the gang." His question made Edwin lifted his head. He seemed to be puzzled.

"You know that many members still respect you. While you are one of us, you protect the gang and even protect us from Lester. After you left, they don\'t show it because of Lester\'s threats but in their hearts and even mine, you\'re still our true leader." Didn\'t Aston know all these? Why did he ask him such a question? Edwin wondered what was Aston\'s purpose.

He quietly glanced at his former boss until he noticed him slightly smiling. It made him raised a brow. Did he just smile? He rarely saw Aston smile. To be more precise, he saw it many times but those were fake and he knew it. But this time, it\'s different and he could sense it right away.

"Why are you smiling?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"I think I found what I\'m looking for." Aston mused, confusing Edwin more. "Help me in taking down Lester but... I also want to ask you a favour."

Edwin blinked! A favour he said? Since when did the Pacesetter need to ask for a favour? He could just say whatever he wants him to do! There\'s no problem!

"You can just give me an order like always. As long as it falls under my capability, I will do it." Edwin said, slightly lowering his head again.

"I don\'t want that. This is very important for me, so I want your willingness. If not, I won\'t force you. That\'s why I said it\'s a favour." Aston calmly explained.

"Please say it." Edwin respectfully responded.

"There is someone whom I cherished more than anything else. But because of Lester and other enemies, she is not safe and she needs protection. I want her to be protected at all times." Aston paused and looked at Edwin. "You\'re very skilled in combat and weapons. I think you will be able to pull off this job."

"You want me to take the job and protect her?" Edwin wasn\'t expecting this, so there was a hint of amazement on his face. He knew that Aston\'s life revolved around his missing sister. If the woman was this important to him, does that mean he finally found his sister?!

"Did you find your sister?!" He suddenly exclaimed.

"It\'s not my sister. I\'m yet to find her." Aston promptly responded.

His response only confused Edwin more. Who was his former boss talking about?!

"But in case of your first question, you are right. If you\'re willing, I want you for this job." Aston stated. "If you take this job, it\'s dangerous but it will be a good start over for you. You don\'t have to worry about making a living as the pay will be more than enough to support you or your family."

"But before you make a decision, keep this in mind. If you are to accept my offer, I want complete devotion. I don\'t want someone who would waver over threats or bribes. I want someone loyal and capable, someone who can protect her with his life."

He slightly smiled before he asked, " What do you say? Will you accept my offer? You can also decline if you are not willing. As I said before, I won\'t force you into this matter."