Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 173: Discussion on how to bring a man down

Chapter 173: Discussion on how to bring a man down

Back in the study room, the three prominent alphas sat on each side, facing each other with different expressions on their faces.

Athan looked guilty and caught while Azrael looked determined and prepared. Between them, the older alpha, Nathaniel, sat properly, his back leaning on the backrest and his hands above his crossed legs, while he wore a scrutinizing look. While Steve remained standing behind the chairman.

After Geraldine, Knox, and Althea left, Nathaniel wasted no time and turned his full attention to Azrael Del Valle, a man he never met before but heard and read articles about his business ventures and success, known as the business genius yet ruthless and cold.

But those descriptions weren’t proven in front of him, as Nathaniel saw how different he was in person. He was childish; if someone threw him an insult, he’d throw a barrage of it back. He was chatty, always making sure he had the last line, very different from the cold and aloof description in the magazines. And above all, he might be ruthless, but he was gentle and soft to his son.

"Mr. Del Valle," Nathaniel began, his voice calmer than before, yet still strict and cold, "I take it you’ve already found out about what Athan did."

Azrael answered, "I do. An employee reported it to me."

"And you did nothing?" Nathaniel asked, narrowing his eyes skeptically, refusing to believe that the younger male alpha did nothing to counteract.

Azrael leaned forward; his eyes gleaming with the same intent. "Why would I? Athan’s basically doing me a favor. Although his plans aren’t as discreet and careful as mine, I commend the tenacity to continue looking for proof."

"What do you mean by that?" Athan finally spoke, confused at Azrael’s answer. Doing him a favor? Does that mean that the alpha was indeed trying to flip his father over? For Athan whose concept of filial duty was engraved in their minds at the very beginning, it was hard for him to believe that Azrael could easily betray his father.

"I want to take down my father’s illegal operations without endangering those I care about, so I’ve been moving in secret while creating distractions. My secretary has been the one handling the deliberate disruptions upon my orders, while my security team together with a reliable private investigation team I hired was on the move."

Nathaniel’s eyes flickered with interest and curiosity, he narrowed his eyes at Azrael and asked, "Are you sure your plans won’t put my son in danger? If you ever put him in peril, even if you kneel in fire, I won’t let you see him again."

"Chairman Horace, ever since I’ve realized I can no longer live without your son, I’ve been planning to thwart my father’s illicit businesses. Truth be told, it was to clean my name and reputation when I learned whose family Knox belonged to. I knew you’d never approve of me, so I began putting that plan into action and creating a better reputation. If the news about Knoa didn’t break, I would have continued helping charities and volunteering," Azrael explained casually. He decided to tell them the truth to gain their trust and sympathy.

"My father’s illegal operations are intertwined with people who have connections and influence, on top of that, he created his own empire, a sustainable organization underneath the façade of the DV Group, which I operate. I plan to slowly sever those ties carefully, to prevent a power vacuum that might lead to unpredictable consequences.

"Some of the pillars of his empire were already taken down with me, and their loyalty was now on me. I already targeted his financial support, in the guise of small business accounting solutions that embezzle millions of the Group’s revenues, his trusted security allies, the Montgomery.

"I’ve taken down two significant pillars, the rest are the connections outside my reach, the ones secretly supporting his business and profiting from them."

Nathaniel raised his eyebrow, "Are you confident that your actions didn’t draw your father’s attention? What if he’s simply waiting for the right time to strike back? And how involved are you, in all these illicit activities?"

The chairman’s words struck Azrael like lightning. He had forgotten his involvement.

’Well, it just goes to say that I’m more concerned about Knox and Knoa, more than myself,’ Azrael proudly remarked inwardly. A bitter smile hung on his lips as he looked up at the older alpha.

He then answered after a few minutes of silence and contemplation, "I have my share of involvement. I admit my hands aren’t clean."

Athan looked at him without surprise, but rather sympathy, "If you revealed all your father’s illegal operations, there’s a chance that something might trace your involvement and you might be indicted along with him."

"I’m still confident that my sentence won’t be as heavy as he is. I can bail if that happens," Azrael answered nonchalantly.

Athan palmed his face in disbelief at the calm answer. He eyed Azrael with suspicion, trying to perceive if the guy already anticipated that result.

Azrael pursed his lips. The crimes he committed were violence, torture, blackmailing, and other physical assaults, as far as the Horaces or the public can know. He buried two bodies already, both who tried to harm Knox.

And one of them, he killed with his own hands.

If the Horaces found out his hands were actually stained with human lives, Azrael was certain Knox and Knoa would never be allowed to see him again.

’It seems Athan didn’t know that Philip is already dead. It means the bastard was still breathing when they left,’ Azrael wondered. Athan noticed his gaze and raised his eyebrow at him, so Azrael flashed him a pitiful and weary smile, trying to look as innocent and harmless as possible.

"You’re willing to walk in jail?" Nathaniel asked again, stealing both the younger alphas’ attentions.

Azrael stared at the chairman, certain about the intention behind his questions, he vaguely answered, "I’m willing to repent of my sins, pay the price of it, but I won’t stay in jail. What’s the point of all this if I’m going to spend time inside, away from my family? And as I said, I didn’t commit a crime that will earn me years of imprisonment."

His voice was firm and honest, convincing Nathaniel. The latter considered for a moment, and then he finally concluded, "I will trust your words, Azrael Del Valle. I will help you with your plans. If you’re willing to risk a few months of your freedom on this, I guarantee you that you will have my support."

Nathaniel exhaled deeply, giving Azrael an intense glare, he added sharply, "Make sure that this operation won’t compromise the safety of my family. And if there’s even an ounce of lies in your words, Azrael, you will never see Knox and Knoa again."

Azrael lifted his chin, displaying his unerring determination and honesty, "I understand, chairman. I will ensure everything is handled with the utmost discretion. I won’t put your family in harm’s way."

A silent agreement passed between the two. As the clock continued ticking in their watches, and the dark sky outside finally stopped weeping, the three dominant alphas continued their discussion, outlining the specific steps involved in their plan to bring down the DV Group’s Chairman Rage Del Valle.