Mr. Stegen: A Man with a Hidden Identity

Attractive Offer

“You know the girl?” gunther asked, with the tail of his eyes fixed on Petra who continued to rebel. He tried to escape from the two Gunther's men who were still holding his arm.

Gunther walked closer to Petra. He stared at the beautiful girl for a while, before turning his attention back to Ludwig who was standing glued with a straight look to Oliver Harald's daughter earlier. “I found this girl in the barn,” Gunther said as he returned before Ludwig. “My farm is not a place that is easy for outsiders to enter, without someone who gives free access.” Gunther's remarks against Ludwig were satirical and seemed to lead directly to the point.

“Then?” Ludwig responded without showing any expression.

Gunther did not answer. He looked at his two men. “Bring the girl back to the barn. Take care of the right, lest he escape. Make sure also that Lilia does not see it,” the owner of the farm said. He shook his hand, as a gesture for the two men holding Petra to immediately come out of the study.

Without saying a word of rebuttal, the two men immediately nodded. They half dragged the beautiful blonde girl. Petra turned her head and stared intently at Ludwig, as she passed near the man. However, Lilia's husband did not retaliate at all.

“Say something, Heinz.” Gunther spoke again, after they were just the two of them in the room. “Who is the girl?” Lilia's father did not have much ado. He immediately asked the point.

Ludwig did not answer immediately. The handsome man's gaze looked a little strange towards the father-in-law. As usual, Ludwig was cold and seemed to ignore what risks he would face.

“I promise I won't say this to Lilia,” Gunther said again, as if I was sure that Ludwig was the one who hid the girl in the barn.

“What do you want?” asked Ludwig a moment later.

Gunther laughed softly. He turned around, then walked towards the desk. The middle-aged man sat full of authority in his great chair. “I want you to help me do something,” the man said.

Ludwig did not respond. He just raised his eyebrows.

“It has been a long time since I wanted to expand this farm area. However, the land around here is very difficult for me to get. Actually, that's one of the reasons I married Lilia to Franklin Clemens. What a pity, you came unexpectedly,” explained Gunther with a sharp spotlight on Ludwig.

“You made your daughter a tool to expand the territory?” Ludwig smiled a cynical smile. “I also don't understand, why did you make Lilia's current state?”

“Means?” guther didn't understand.

“You seem to be hiding him from the outside world.”

Gunther laughed as he nodded slowly. “Lilia is the daughter I raised alone. Whatever I want to do with him. Anyway, I called you here not to discuss him.” Gunther leaned his body very comfortably.

“The owner of the land around my farm is named Wolfgang Clemens. He is a very influential person in this area. All bow down and respect him. Besides, he was also respected for one thing."

"I heard Wolfgang had the full support of one of Austria's most notorious criminal organizations. They are a society of paid people. Dare to do anything depends on the request of the person who told,” explained Gunther.

“Then, what does this have to do with me?” Ludwig stared cynically at the middle-aged man before him.

“Just because I married your daughter doesn't mean you can rule and rule me,” Ludwig refused with emphasis. “I was not born to live serving anyone,” stressed Ludwig coldly.

Gunther frowned at the firm rejection of the son-in-law. A moment later, the middle-aged man smiled in satisfaction. “Truely apparently,” said Lilia's father. Gunther got up from his seat and walked to Ludwig. “I've been interrogating the blonde girl. He says it all, Ludwig Stegen.”

Suddenly, Ludwig froze. The man cursed what Petra did. However, Ludwig did not respond to Gunther's remarks.

“I'm willing to give you a place to shelter, so you can return to Germany. I also kept your identity and actions a secret, which had hidden the girl inside the barn from Lilia. I guarantee no one will ever find out that you're the most wanted fugitive in Germany.” Gunther started making offers to Ludwig.

Ludwig shook his head faintly. It was obvious that he was not interested in everything Gunther said. “You want me to be bound to you in return? No, Mr. Lienhart,” reject the handsome man. “I will return to Germany, without having to make myself as someone's pet dog,”. “I think everything is clear. There's nothing more to discuss, because your daughter is waiting for me.” Ludwig turned. He walked towards the door.

However, just as Ludwig was about to get out, Gunther first held the man down with words that stunned Ludwig. “I can also help revoke your fugitive status, without going through the middle of the blonde girl earlier.”

Ludwig immediately looked over with a tense look. “What kind of joke is this? How far did you interrogate the girl?”

“I don't need to interrogate the girl with many questions, just to find out your background. I can do everything myself. If you knew, I wouldn't even sleep all night to get this interesting fact.” Gunther smiled with satisfaction.

The attitude shown by Gunther was inversely proportional to Ludwig who looked increasingly alert. “What do you really want?” the thirty-two year old man.

“As I have said earlier. You have to help me. Instead, I will also help you restore your good name so that you can return to Germany easily,” replied Gunther lightly. "This is a very interesting offer."

Ludwig responded with a sneering smile. “Help me? How-to? You're just a regular ranch owner living in a remote area. Near the Alps."

“Let me tell you something, Young man. Never underestimate the opponent. Something that seems small, weak, and helpless, could have finished you off very easily." Gunther chuckled softly, then grabbed a cigar from the wooden box that adorned the workbench. “You want?” He offered Ludwig a cigar.

“Who are you really?” Ludwig squinted with a sharp look at Gunther.

However, the middle-aged man still looked calm. “Think that I am a man who used to be the same fate as you,” replied Gunther lightly.

Ludwig took a step forward. He had intended to respond to his father-in-law's words. However, Lilia's voice had already interjected. “Why were you guys so long? My cooking is almost cold,” said the young woman.

“Lilia.” Ludwig turned and approached his wife. “One coincidence. There's something I want to ask you,” she said as she clasped Lilia's waist and steered her out of the study. Ludwig glanced at Gunther who was sucking on a cigar. He showed no reaction.

“You can only ask after we finish breakfast,” said Lilia. Ludwig refocused his attention on the beautiful woman.

“I want to ask now." Ludwig stopped Lilia's steps, blocking both arms of the woman who became his wife. “I want you to say everything, which I do not know about your father,” Ludwig sizzled with scary eyes.