Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 203: Possible long-term separation

Chapter 203: Possible long-term separation

In the dimly lit office of the Horace estate, tension hung in the air as Chairman Nathaniel Horace, his son Athan, and their unexpected guests Sandro, Luis, and Shawn gathered around the grand desk.

The black leather-bound ledger, now the centerpiece of their discussion, lay open, its pages revealing a web of connections that intertwined some of the most powerful figures in the country.

Nathaniel read the names and transactions silently; his green eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the pages, his expression darkening by the second. Steve stood behind him, glancing at the book as well, sharing a similar expression and disbelief.

The ledger could very well be a weapon that could take down his enemies, but could also put their lives into demise. Almost all the influential names in the country receive favors, requests, and money from Rage Del Valle, earning them a spot in the book.

But what made his expression wilder and more dangerous was the fact that he saw the name Azrael Del Valle included.

Nathaniel pursed his lips. "Did Azrael already read the content?"

Luis answered respectfully, "I think he did, sir."

"And he told you to deliver it to me, and let me handle the rest?" Chairman Nathaniel asked again. His tone was challenging, sounding a bit sarcastic and domineering.

Luis gulped. The presence of the chairman was like a rope tied around their neck, one wrong mistake and they might earn the ire of the old man. "He...didn’t specifically say for the chairman to handle it. He just wanted the ledger to be safe, since it will be the key in overthrowing his father."

"Overthrowing...is that what he said?" Nathaniel closed the book. "If he gave it to me without a specific command, then it means I will take it from here. And what I will do is use all my power to destroy this web of corruption and illegal activities supported by his father. I will deliver this book to the lawyers and prosecutors I most trust, and everyone whose names are listed here will be subjected to the trial court. Including him."

Luis and Sandro’s eyes widened in astonishment. Luis even sprung up on his seat and exclaimed, forgetting his fear of the chairman, "What?!"

Sandro and Luis, who had been instrumental in obtaining the ledger, watched the chairman with horror. They knew the significance of what they had brought to the table, and they also understood the risks that came with it; however, they did not expect to hear their boss’ name included inside.

"These names," Nathaniel began again, his voice low and measured, "represent some of the most influential people in the country. Politicians, businessmen, members of the judiciary—figures whose power extends far beyond what the public sees. This ledger is a double-edged sword. If I wield it, there’s a possibility that my family will be put in danger."

Athan cursed under his breath. He could see what his father was trying to say. Nathaniel continued, "I won’t turn a blind eye to this. And if it’s proven that everyone here was truly involved, I will leave their fate to the law of this country. Azrael probably knows that. He knows that if I choose to turn this, I will be using my name, thus, to protect my family, I have to send them back to my home country, where they won’t be able to touch them. That includes Knox and his children."

Shawn’s eyes shook. They all understood what the chairman meant now.

Luis, who sat back quietly, finally spoke up again, his voice weak. "Will Mr. Del Valle...be able to walk away free from this?"

Nathaniel’s gaze shifted to Luis, his expression grave. "As I said, it will depend on the crimes listed here, if they are proven," he replied. "If it is, then he will...be jailed for at least ten years."

The chairman’s words hit them all hard. Sandro clenched his fist and couldn’t contain his frustration any longer. "What the f*ck is he thinking?" he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

A heavy silence settled over the room as Nathaniel’s words sank in.

The gravity of the situation was clear to everyone present. The ledger in front of them was more than just a record of transactions and names—it was a ticking time bomb that threatened to dismantle everything they had built.

Athan cursed under his breath again, his mind racing. He knew his father was right. The stakes were incredibly high, and if his father chose to act, the consequences would be irreversible.

But the thought of sending Knox and his children away, of tearing apart his family for the sake of protection, gnawed at him. He clenched his jaw, fighting the wave of frustration that threatened to consume him.

What would Knox do if he heard this?

Nathaniel’s voice broke the tense silence, his tone unwavering. "This is not just about protecting our family. It’s about doing what’s right, even if it means making difficult decisions. I do hope that my son...will be able to take this."

Shawn lowered his head, his usual calm demeanor faltering. He had always been loyal to the Horace family, but this situation was different. The implications of Nathaniel’s words were staggering. If Knox was sent back to their home country, it would be to shield him from the fallout.

But it also meant severing ties with the life he had built here, a life that included his children and his future with his partner. The thought of it made Shawn’s stomach churn with unease. Not only that, he was certain he would be sent along with him. He glanced at his Uncle Steve who understood his concern, and nodded in response.

Shawn did not want to leave. He didn’t want to be apart from...Kayden. And it seems that his emotions were showing in his eyes because Athan was able to comprehend them.

Athan looked away and erased Shawn’s image in his head as he kept his face stoic despite the pain in his chest.

*****

The hospital lights flickered slightly as Kayden paced the hallway, his mind a whirl of worry and frustration, not toward Ragel whom he hadn’t even met before, but for Azrael and Knox.

Rian sat on one of the plastic chairs, his face pale and drawn with concern for the younger alpha. The sterile smell of disinfectant hung in the air, doing little to soothe their frayed nerves.

Ragel was inside the treatment room, unconscious but stable, the doctors working diligently to tend to his injuries. He needed a blood transfusion and it was fortunate that his type wasn’t rare.

Kayden took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before turning back to Rian. "How did you find him?" Kayden began, his voice low but firm. "Judging from the bruises on his ankles and wrists, he was shackled for over a week already. But his hands weren’t chained, or did you free him?"

Rian shook his head. "No. His hands were free when I came. Only his feet were shackled. And...he was on top of Knox, biting his own arm to prevent himself from...harming Knox. What happened to that kid? Why is he here?"

Kayden ran his hand over his face and finally sat next to his friend. "He might be...Azrael’s brother. I don’t know. I’m not certain. I don’t know anymore. If Lyssana was trying to use him to take everything from Azrael, why would she lock the kid in that remote house for days?"

"I can’t understand you, Kay. Tell me everything," Rian demanded. He felt like he was already involved in this matter too.

Kayden sighed and began explaining everything to Rian. Several minutes later, Rian dramatically covered his mouth and gaped at Kayden. "What in the world of soap opera is this? No wonder I found Ragel familiar. I’ve been looking in that face for years. He was like the younger, or teenage-looking version of Azi...wait, if he resembles Azi, and Azrael resembles his father...wouldn’t that make Ragel Rage’s son as well? Look, even their names are spelled the same! Excluding the L, how could anyone miss this obvious hint?!"

Kayden was about to answer as dramatically as Rian did when his phone rang. He answered his sister after excusing himself from Rian.

"We...already located Lyssana and Diego’s whereabouts. I’m not sure what to do next so...ask Azi."

Kayden’s jaw tightened at the mention of their names. "I’ll call you back."

He pulled out his phone, the cool metal feeling heavy in his hand as he dialed Azrael’s number. However, no one was answering. He then recalled that Knox was in heat and Azrael was mad, so the two were probably in a heated debate.

He called his sister again. "I can’t reach him. But if they were found, then it would be better to catch them and lock them up. Azrael will want to speak with that woman, I guarantee you that."

"Right," Kayla answered.

Kayden, "Thank you, sis."

"No problem."

The call ended. At the same time, the doctor tending to Ragel’s wound came out and approached them, explaining Ragel’s condition. Kayden then asked his fellow doctor, "Can we get a sample of his DNA? Three different samples if possible."

The doctor agreed and left, leaving the two dominant alphas wondering the same thing.