Kevin, like Rose, was stubborn and had clear distinctions between love and hate. Tinley’s death was a knot he could never untangle. Kevin couldn’t get over it, couldn’t move on. He blamed himself for not protecting Tinley. The guilt consumed him, and combined with the harsh conditions of Demon Island Prison, even a deity couldn’t save him. His mother was murdered, his father falsely accused and died in prison. Such blows would be unbearable for anyone.
…
The two arrived at the Niarak night market. It was almost 3 AM, and Rose’s favorite barbecue place was about to close. She had to pack some food and invite Flynn to eat at her place. Flynn initially wanted to refuse but then thought of checking the security system of the new villa, so he agreed.
“Nathan is really good at this; the security system here is top-notch with high sensitivity,” Flynn said after inspecting the villa. “Within a 500-meter radius of the villa, any movement will be detected, and I’ll get notified immediately.”
Flynn nodded approvingly after his inspection and then warned Rose, “We outsmarted them today, but Braiden might act recklessly. You must be careful from now on.”
“Misthaven Villa is only five minutes away from my place. If your alarm goes off, hide in the bomb shelter on the second basement level. I’ll come to rescue you.”
Rose nodded and asked, “If a Grandmaster breaks in, how long can the armored door on the second basement level hold?”
“Three minutes,” Flynn replied.
Rose was stunned for a moment and frowned. “By the time you get here, I might already be taken!”
Flynn glanced at her and said calmly, “They’ll have to search room by room once they’re inside the villa. By the time they reach the second basement level, I’ll be here.”
“But to be safe, I think it’s best if you move in with me,” Flynn suggested. “Or I could move in here.”
Move into Thodell Mansion? Or have him move in here? Rose was taken aback and immediately shook her head. “No way!”
Flynn didn’t expect such a strong reaction from Rose and retorted irritably, “What? Do you think I’m not serious? Relax, I’m not interested in icebergs! Sleeping next to you would freeze me to death!”
Hearing this, Rose’s face darkened as she coldly glared at Flynn and explained, “I like living alone. I can’t sleep with someone else in the room. Besides, I don’t think Braiden would be that foolish.”
A flash of worry crossed Flynn’s eyes as he sighed, “Desperate people do desperate things; Braiden might just do something crazy.” He opened the takeout bag and frowned as he asked, “Why are there so many oysters?”
Rose raised an eyebrow and retorted, “Don’t you love them?”
Earlier at Tianyue Manor, Flynn had eaten over thirty oysters. She had specially asked the shop to pick out a dozen large ones for him. Why didn’t he like them now?
Flynn was speechless. “You can’t eat oysters twice a day.”
“Why? Do you have high uric acid?” Rose asked.
“No,” Flynn shook his head. “Oysters are good for virility; you can’t eat too many.”
“What? Then don’t eat them!” Rose’s eyes widened in surprise as she quickly took the takeout bag away from him.
She started taking out the barbecue items one by one and threw the remaining oysters aside.
Flynn couldn’t help but touch his nose awkwardly.
“Looks like your nightlife has been busy since your divorce,” Rose remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
She regretted bringing Flynn back even more now. She hadn’t expected him to be so blunt about virility.
Flynn’s face darkened as he retorted angrily, “What are you thinking? Virility isn’t just about that! Practicing Martial Arts requires a lot of energy; foods that replenish kidney energy are essential!”
“Otherwise, where would I get the strength?” Flynn continued. “But eating oysters twice a day is too much; it can actually weaken your kidneys.”
Feeling awkward, Rose quickly changed the subject: “Are there any leads on your mother’s enemies?”
For over a month now, she had been busy with company affairs. Now that they had dealt a heavy blow to the Swanson Group, her frustration had lessened considerably, allowing her some leisure time to chat.
She wanted to learn more about Flynn’s past. This man was too mysterious.
His mother was even more mysterious-her Martial Arts skills were extraordinary; she could escape unscathed from hundreds of Grandmasters.
Flynn took a sip of red wine and began speaking calmly: “Since my release from prison, I’ve been investigating my mother’s enemies. Recently, I’ve found some clues…”
As half a bottle of liquor went down their throats, Flynn finally recounted what happened at the funeral home.
“Your mother didn’t die ten years ago?”
“But King of Poison said your mother suffered severe injuries-thirteen deep knife wounds that reached her bones! How could she have survived…” Rose was shocked beyond words; such severe injuries should have been fatal!
But seeing Flynn’s eyes turn cold with growing hostility on his face made her swallow back her words.
Adrianna was Flynn’s Achilles’ heel; mentioning his mother’s injuries would only fuel his hatred for his enemies.
“Sorry, it’s just such shocking news…” Rose said apologetically.
Flynn couldn’t bear hearing about his mother’s suffering and shook his head lightly: “During our escape period, my mother got injured several times.”
“Each time it was serious but miraculously healed in the end; I believe this time will be no different.”
“Of course,” he added cautiously, “these are just my assumptions; I haven’t found enough evidence yet to prove my mother didn’t die ten years ago.”
“But I trust my instincts.”
“When I find that man with the black dragon tattoo on his head, everything will become clear!”
A glint of coldness flashed in Flynn’s eyes as if an ancient blade capable of cutting through anything had appeared.
Rose raised her glass to toast Flynn sympathetically: “Facing attacks from both the Clark family and that organization must have been tough for you back then.”
Flynn drank half a glass of red wine before smiling at Rose: “So you see? My experiences aren’t much better than yours; yet I don’t live every moment consumed by hatred-I balance things out.”
Rose remained silent.
She knew Flynn was trying to relate his experiences to hers as an opportunity for advice.
But everyone’s experiences were different-personalities varied-and so did their understanding of revenge.
Flynn’s mother might still be alive.
Her own mother was forever gone!
Her father falsely imprisoned…
During their last call together, Rose could tell from Kevin’s voice that he wasn’t doing well-suffering greatly…
Their family could have been happy together if not for Braiden who destroyed everything-turning The Sharp Family into ruins…
Such deep-seated hatred couldn’t simply be let go-it wasn’t something Flynn’s words could change…
The living room fell silent for quite some time…
“Is my dad feeling any better?” Rose asked worriedly.
Flynn paused while pouring wine but didn’t lift his head: “He’s much better now.”
“Really?” Rose’s expression brightened slightly with relief.
“Yes,” Flynn continued without looking up while eating heartily: “There’s an excellent doctor at Demon Island Prison who has cured Kevin completely.”
What else could he say?
Tell her truthfully?
Your dad doesn’t have long left-prepare yourself?
Rose would definitely break down!
She’d go after Braiden recklessly or do something drastic affecting their plans…
If she did something foolish while he wasn’t around-what then?
Braiden would love nothing more than finding an opportunity to eliminate Rose!
“When everything settles down,” Rose asked tentatively: “Can you take me to Demon Island Prison so I can see my father-and thank that doctor?”
Flynn nodded silently-a worried look crossing his face…
You must hold on!
If anything happens before we’re done-Rose will surely hate me forever…