IN THE CAGE

26. THE DISPUTE OF TWO BROTHERS

...ACE pov's...

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A huge amount of money landed in the account of Fabian's adopted son. Margot traced the origin of the money and found that it came from the account of the person who was one of the victims of the cafe explosion where our parents died.

The results of the investigation made Margot very shocked. Not only did the investigation end in a dead end, but it also reminded us of the old tragedy that befell our parents. It was as if someone behind this incident was mocking our efforts to find him.

"I can't let this go, Ace. I can't stand this situation anymore! You need to find this guy as soon as possible!" Margot who was with us in the discussion-room still had a hard time tempering her anger. He was pacing around in front of the glass table with a hand that could not stop shuffling hair.

"This guy---, he's messing with us! He's insulting us!"

"Please calm down, Mar." I who was sitting next to uncle shared the same stress. Margot's frustrating behavior didn't help at all. Instead, he put us under pressure in an increasingly gloomy atmosphere.

"Quiet down? You think I can calm down after what happened? The father and mother murderers were wandering around out there and using my bodyguard as their spies. My bodyguard? You know how much I loved Fabian all this time? I'd even pay for his son's college if Fawn didn't find any awkwardness there."

"Fawn's? You gave him access to the internet?" My eyes widened instantly.

"Are you crazy, Margot? Did you forget he was a prisoner in this house?" I was very surprised by this fact.

How could Margot be so stupid! A clash between Rashid and Hunter's families could happen at any time if Rashid's family knew we were holding their bodyguards!

"I did it under my supervision. You don't have to worry about the unimportant!" Margot yelled at me back.

"Worrying about the unimportant, my snore! Would you be responsible if Rashid's family and Caspian's attacked us? We're being cornered right now, Margot? Put your brains on!"

"Did you underestimate the power of our family?"

"It's not a matter of underestimation but of rational thinking! A little mistake can put us in a disadvantageous position. We're. Was. Enemies. All the. People! Remember this!" I stood up and pointed my index finger at Margot. My anger is growing in this debate.

Why are they all so stupid, for God's sake! I could die just because the people around me didn't know how to use their brains!

"If you don't want any fighting, you shouldn't have taken Fawn hostage in the first place. You broke the rules first by making bodyguards from other families as toys while you knew it could spark a fight, but you did it anyway." Margot seems to want this situation to become a bloodbath. He who keeps fighting me makes this situation worse.

"I am the leader of this family, Margaret! I know what I did--"

"You don't! In fact, you're not worried about a possible family feud, you're worried about Fawn running away from here!"

In a darkening rage, I stepped forward towards Margot who stood up without any agitation at all. My jaw hardened in emotion, the nerves in my head were ready to explode right then and there.

"Say again!" tantang quiet.

"You don't care about our family as much as I do, Ace. You only care about your pleasure-joint-"

Plaque!

My hand finally represented my frustration. Margot received my slap with widened eyes full of shock. He stood staggered with his face flushed red. Uncle Jack stood behind me, shocked at the loud sound of the slap I gave Margot.

"I remind you" I reached Margot's face in my palm, forcing her face to face me. "I may be your brother, but that doesn't mean I'll tolerate your behavior!"

I brushed him off with a strong push until he fell on the couch. My eyes then moved to my uncle and to all the bodyguards present in the room. 

"I remind you guys, I'm the rightful head of this family! I am the leader here! If you cannot respect me, I will show you the quickest way out of this life! I am Arcelio Hunter! I'm not taking this family to the highest position for you to question my authority!"

"And for you, Margot..." I looked back at my brother who was now suppressing his anger deeply. "If you thought I cared so little about this family, you'd be dead a long time ago. I hope you value your life because if it wasn't me who prevented all the assholes out there from chasing your head, you wouldn't have survived until now!"

"Ace, I think this is enough." Uncle Jack tried to interrupt me. "Margot only took a hit over information concerning Fabian. We're all hit, Ace."

Uncle Jack looked at me with eyes pleading for understanding. He knew that if I was more angry than this I could destroy all their revenge and leave.

I survived because I loved Margot and understood her ambition to catch our parents' killer. But...., BUT!!! If my existence here is not respected at all, I will not think twice about dissolving everything.

Stupid time looking for my parents' killer! Foolish with Fabian's betrayal! I will not allow all my efforts to be wasted and underestimated just because I do not show the same madness as them!

"Ace," uncle softened his voice. "Please calm yourself for a second. Okay?"

Damn it...

"Can you play it?" I asked and joined the sofa. He looked up at me and shrugged his shoulders. I think that means no.

"I'm a moron in this sort of thing" Fawn replied. "I'd rather play cool things with friends."

"Oh, what kind?" I smiled when I heard Fawn's voice. His voice calmed the flames of my anger. I don't think I can get angry around this girl anymore. Everything about him made me feel a taboo sense of relief and comfort. Something new and rare.

"You know, some kind of bowling? I used to play in the mall with my friends on holidays. I feel like I could die from laughing too much."

"Huh, that? You like bowling so much that?"

I can't imagine Fawn's smile that she gave freely to others who watched her bowling. Does he intend to make people fight over him like idols?

"I don't like bowling, I like the time I spend with my friends." Fawn is nostalgic and I don't like that. Who was on his mind until he smiled sweetly?

"Hey..." I pulled Fawn's head off. "Forget about bowling, have you eaten yet?"

"Oh, I'm waiting for Haru."

"Haru?" Oh, that's right too. Because the main bodyguards including Felix were in the discussion room with Uncle Jack. Haru who is a new member will be assigned in this place.

"Did he make you lunch?" askaku.

"Md. Did you know Haru is really good at making toast? He could grease the butter and sprinkle salt on it and the toast would taste like heaven, seriously. He's got a magic hand."

"Oh, what do you mean he's better than you when it comes to cooking?" I brought up the fried rice Fawn had made for me. Fawn's lips instantly pursed. Her eyes glared at me with a vexation that even made her very cute. I cupped her cheeks in my hand and shook her with a stifled anxiety.

"What are you doing?" Fawn protested against me with a voice that was like swallowing a marble. His face was very smooth in my arms, very soft and very tender. I want to bite him.

"Say, what did you eat until your cheeks were this soft?" I laughed as I removed my fist from his face. "You're becoming more and more adorable, this isn't good for my heart."

"Why? Are you going to have a heart attack?"

"Did you swear I was dead?" I scrambled Fawn's black mane and moved forward just to anchor a kiss on her cheek. He was a little surprised and looked at me awkwardly, but did not say anything. His eyes looked at me like I was crazy.

Well, maybe I'm crazy.

"Aces?" Fawn called out to me with a frown that shriveled hesitantly. I put my back on the couch and looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Is Fabian really a traitor?"

I shrugged my shoulders. Instantly, when the topic was lifted again, all the bright colors that appeared in my head turned gray again.

"If the investigation is like Margot said, then it's true. Why?"

"No. I just can't believe that the bodyguard would be able to commit treason against his master. I mean, a bodyguard's main job is to be loyal to his superiors, right? If you're not loyal, then you have no right to label yourself a bodyguard at all."

I chuckle. "You have an ideal mind, but loyalty is something abstract, 500 million dollars is not. You can buy loyalty for 500 million, but loyalty alone doesn't guarantee you that much in return."

"I don't think I'm going to sell my loyalty to 500 million." Fawn responded to me with her naivety. I smiled brightly and looked at her face while feeling a sense of amazement in my chest, my heart racing madly.

"So, is your loyalty still attached to Rashid's family?"

"Yes." Yeah." Fawn answered me honestly, but I didn't hate her.

"One day, if Rashid's family asks you to kill me, will you?"

"The question is will I be able to get out of here alive and meet Rashid's family?"

I nodded and chuckled. "I'm not gonna let that happen."

"I thought so." Fawn rolled her eyes.

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