Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 140: Secrets to unfold and proof to obtain

Chapter 140: Secrets to unfold and proof to obtain

Edna was rendered speechless. She was rooted in her spot, unable to form the words out of her mouth. Ragel gently squeezed his grandmother’s arm, urging her to answer. He wanted to know the reason. There were plenty of questions forming in his head as he waited for his guardian’s explanation.

When he was younger, his father, Ashler Ford, became a well-known individual in that town. A dominant omega who was born in that remote place; went to the big city to find success, yet went back home pregnant and unrecognizable.

His bright composure and sweet smiles kept in the memories of his townsfolk, became as dull as a gray film, and his young and carefree appearance turned like a withered plant, decaying and effete.

On top of that, he returned with a bulging belly, without a man on his side, or not even a ring on his finger. He became a hot topic in the town, and people gossiped about his failure to find success but obtained a headache instead.

They said he was arrogant for being a dominant omega, dreaming of standing at the top. But look what happened to him! Nothing different from the omegas who only spread their legs on alphas. They even claimed his child would have it hard finding his father, for they knew there were too many to choose from.

All those insults were hurled at Ashler, even after he gave birth to a healthy boy, he named Ragel, the gossip and negative remarks didn’t cease.

However, Ashler, who came back depressed and quiet, slowly gained his vigor and health, after having Ragel in his life. He then started volunteering at the orphanage, and as time passed by, the rumors faded and soon just became part of something one would look back at during small talks, and Ashler was once again known for his kindness and diligence.

But several years later, he died from an accident, leaving Ragel all alone in this world, without any knowledge of who his other parent was.

As Ragel stared at his Nana Edna, his eyes failed to his emotions. Why didn’t she step forward and protect them when people pointed fingers and blatantly whispered in their faces?

Edna’s complexion turned pale. She smiled, obviously forced and insincere, as she responded, "What...what are you saying? Haha, the director must be mistaken! H-He probably just blurted out some nonsense due to his old age! Pay him no mind, dear. Come on, get Sir Knox, Knoa, and Shawn, the dinner will be served now!"

Edna snatched her arm back inadvertently. She turned her back to Ragel and dared to walk back to the kitchen, but Ragel’s next words stopped her again.

"Nana...Sir Knox applied for adoption. I gave him hope that the director might approve his application despite not passing the evaluation, just like you did. But he was denied."

Ragel whirled and stood before the old lady, dropping his serious gaze on her trembling eyes, "That’s when the director admitted that."

Pain flashed in the young alpha’s obsidian eyes. "Why are you trying to hide it? Is it something I shouldn’t know? Don’t you want me to know you’re actually my family, not by paper, but by blood? Why?"

A hint of accusation laced in his pained voice, "I don’t get it. You’ve been living here, but my father never once visited you, and likewise, you never approached him when he was struggling alone. All along, you’re a family, so why didn’t you...ah...N-Nana, sorry..."

Edna refused to answer. She just watched his adopted son cover his eyes with his palm, trying to hide the unwanted and negative emotions he felt toward his guardian. Her heart ached from seeing the twenty-one-year-old boy miserable.

Ragel’s voice broke, "Can’t you tell me? I wanted to know. All this time, I’ve never asked you about that person, because I thought you didn’t know my father, that you have no idea about him at all, so I didn’t ask. But now...I couldn’t help but hope that perhaps, you know something, Nana. About who my other father was. I’m old enough to know the truth. Please, tell me."

Edna’s eyes watered. It was true that she didn’t reach his hands to help Ashler when he needed help the most. She was just a distant relative who happened to be living in the same town. They weren’t that close, and what mattered to her at that time was the fear of being lumped to a disgraced, failure of an omega.

She closed her eyes and turned her back. And now his son was haunting her of the guilt she buried along with his death.

Edna was oblivious to Ashler’s life in the big city. She only learned about it after he died. Ashler left a will to her, as the only relative he had, he asked her to take in Ragel, leaving the small house and lot property he had in that town, and a hefty amount of money in the bank under his name.

She then discovered those hidden albums and returned letters that Ashler tried to send somewhere. Searching the address on the internet, Edna learned who the man was in the pictures. She was tempted to send Ragel to that person if only the will didn’t emphasize that she mustn’t give up the custody of Ragel to anyone until Ragel reached adulthood.

The young alpha was an adult now, yet Edna’s initial plan vanished, because she learned to love the kid as her own child, and now no amount of money could buy her to give up her guardianship.

Edna pursed her lips and dissuaded the kid, "...let’s stop this conversation. T-The food will be cold. Hurry now! Call the guests!"

She walked away and left her grandson. Ragel shouted frustratedly, "Nana!" but the old woman ignored him and disappeared into the corner.

From the dining area where the food was currently being served, Franz heard the shout from the lawn and asked in wonder, "What’s going on?"

Shawn, who entered the room, and also heard the noise, shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I’m not sure."

Alex came and chipped in, "How about Knox and Knoa? Did you get them?"

"They’re both sleeping soundly. They looked tired so I didn’t wake them up. Should I?" Shawn responded. He yawned and rubbed his eyes before settling down on one of the chairs. He was asleep all day because he was talking with someone on the phone all night, and he only woke up when Knox and Knoa returned.

Franz sat opposite him and answered, "No, no. Let them sleep."

"How about Ragel and his grandmother?" Alex cautiously inquired.

The three of them exchanged glances. Shawn mumbled as he pulled the plate of honey garlic shrimp closer to him, "I don’t think they’re in the mood to eat. They sounded like they were fighting. Did you guys know what they were fighting about?"

"No. Why would we know that? We didn’t eavesdrop. Although it seemed serious," Franz replied.

The three of them just ate dinner in silence after that.

At the same time.

Lyssana, a woman in her forties, the head maid in Rage’s mansion, was inside the latter’s room, putting in the clothes properly in the room’s walk-in closet. She closed her eyes and breathed in the strong pheromones lingering inside the room.

She was a beta who, after learning of the possibility of a beta converting into an omega, had been trying to immerse herself in the scents of his master, to achieve that possibility. However, even after decades of doing it, there was no result.

When the door opened, Lyssana quickly finished her job and walked out of the closet room, appearing before Rage who stood by the door, taking off his tie. He noticed the head maid’s presence and his face frowned.

"What are you doing here again? I told you not to enter my room, didn’t I?" Rage spat angrily. The head maid who had been serving him for more than two decades now was becoming brazen. If only she wasn’t so loyal and useful to him, Rage would have her disappeared already.

He threw the tie on the couch and walked toward the bathroom, irritation displayed on his old yet still handsome face.

Lyssana hurriedly explained, "I was putting your clothes away when you came, sir. Have you had dinner now?"

"Yes," Rage answered. Before he entered the bathroom, he stopped and turned to look at his head maid. Then, he ordered clearly, "Once Knox Arden and his son come back, make sure to obtain a source of DNA evidence from that kid, as soon as possible."

Lyssana, "That...may be difficult, sir. I mean, the Horace have put bodyguards on them, even to the kid—

"Exactly the reason why I asked you. If one of those suspicious-looking burly men is to approach the kid in his school, they’ll only get caught, and the security will get tighter. It’s much easier if it’s an old woman like you. You only need to pluck some of his hair, with the roots in them, of course," Rage said, cutting her off.

He then proceeded to enter the bathroom, smirking like a victor, "I can’t wait to see the results. Of course, I have no doubt he is my grandson. But I can’t just claim it blindly. I need an indestructible proof to show the public that adorable kid really is my grandson."

Lyssana could see the plans forming in his master’s head from his devilish smile. It seemed like he found something valuable, something he could use to trap the Horaces in the palm of his hand.