Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 80: Something to tell you

Chapter 80: Something to tell you

After Knox dropped Knoa off at Franz’s café that day they visited Shawn at the hospital, he went back to work and did what Steve suggested. He came to Athan and brought out the issue, also informing him that he was aware it was his brother who left the illegally obtained evidence.

Athan just laughed it off even after he was scolded by his younger half-brother. He was glad that Knox learned not to keep everything to himself and was feeling more comfortable relying on others already.

"Since my precious younger brother asked, I shall do it then," Athan dramatically remarked, obviously teasing Knox.

Knox rolled his eyes and answered, "How are you going to do it?"

"How else? Interrogate her, of course. Tell Vince to come and bring that woman to the meeting room. A better way to make someone sing their motives was to scare them with their own voice," Athan replied mysteriously.

Knox felt something strange. He stared at Athan with wide eyes probing him for more answers, but the latter just stuck his tongue out to him before walking away.

"Hey, at least, tell me, Athan!" Knox asked following Athan from behind. His voice rang outside the room where the design department’s staff working area was. It was already too late when Knox realized what he had done. Everyone in the room was looking at them already.

Athan just shrugged his shoulders and responded calmly, "It’s better if you don’t know."

Knox averted his eyes from the employees, "But...shouldn’t I be present there as well? They involved me, I want to know why..."

Athan stopped. He pondered for a while before agreeing, but he still wasn’t comfortable letting Knox see his wicked side. He looked down at Knox and pouted, "Then...call me older brother from now on."

Knox gaped at him. Athan arched his brows and added, "Well if you can’t then just stay here. I’ll handle this with Vince."

Athan walked away. Knox hesitated for a moment, then he quickened his steps and grabbed Athan by the arm, then he embarrassingly muttered quietly, "O...older brother..."

"Heh," Athan snickered. Knox pouted and glared at him; his cheeks painted with soft pink. The older brother chuckled merrily and hooked his arm on his younger brother’s neck. "Haha. I finally have someone calling me that! Okay, I’ll let you in. Let’s clear my younger brother’s name!"

With that, they went and interrogated the woman whose name was Shermaine Arnolds.

Shermaine entered the room timidly. She bowed to Athan and was taken aback after seeing Knox on the opposite side. She lowered her head to hide her frown.

Vince locked the door, which made Shermaine confused and nervous. Without explaining anything, Athan just took out his phone and pressed start on a record file. At first, Knox wondered how Athan and Vince would question the woman, but as soon as he heard the file, he understood.

["Yes, madam. They created a replacement already, so the launch will proceed as is. They were being careful of the designs so I haven’t seen it."

"They’re fast. You don’t have to steal the design, as we don’t have much time. Just make sure to ruin the event. I’ll leave that to you."

"Yes, madam. I’ll do it."

"Good. Once you’re back, I’ll personally take you as my main apprentice."

"Thank you, madam! I’ll do my best!"]

The color drained in Shermaine’s face. Her hands trembled so she abruptly hid them on her back. However, her shoulders refused to stay firm.

Athan turned the phone off and glared at Shermaine. "Don’t try to deny it wasn’t you. This call was recorded right on your phone. Also, I have a copy of the messages you exchanged with Fabri’s creative designer Olga Fabri."

Shermaine abruptly looked up and yelled, "T-That’s a crime!"

"Yeah. That’s a crime. How ironic that you’re telling me that when you committed one yourself. Would you like to race who’d be put in jail first?" Athan scoffed. "You completed a fashion designer education program, but because the school wasn’t as prestigious as a top fashion designers’ school, your efforts were ignored and even some of your original designs were copied. So, you resort to doing the same thing to earn an apprenticeship from one of the most famous designers in the country. Is that it?"

Athan clicked her tongue. "Dalia would be upset. She saw your sketches, didn’t she? She suggested moving you to the design department since she believed your talent would be wasted in HR."

Shermaine’s eyes widened with regret. She shakily mumbled, "I-I didn’t know...hic..."

Athan unsympathetically asked again, "I understood your reason, but I don’t get why you would put the blame on my secretary. I don’t think he ever maltreated you."

Shermaine flinched. She lowered her head even more. Is there any more reason to hide everything? She asked herself. Athan Horace was obviously threatening her even after revealing the illegally obtained evidence to her. Even knowing that; what else could she do? She was against a powerful person from an influential family.

The female beta bit her lower lip and responded quietly, "I’m...I’m just...envious of Mr. Arden. He easily got the position and was treated kindly by the boss, too. His life seemed easi—eek!"

Athan slammed the table which startled Knox, Vince, and Shermaine. Knox turned to his brother with a bewildered look. Athan looked extremely upset and angered, barking at Shermaine with hatred, "You think his life had been easier?! How—

"Athan," Knox lurched forward and grabbed Athan’s reddened palm. "It’s fine. You don’t have to explain that. I don’t think explaining to someone like her matters. She can think whatever she wants. I don’t care. That’s all I wanted to know, so I’m stepping out."

"It’s not fine, Knox. Everyone is belittling you and disregarding all your efforts. It annoys me."

Knox subtly smiled, his face devoid of dismay or anger from Shermaine’s words. He firmly blurted out, "If it’s you or anyone I care about who said that; then I won’t stay still. But I don’t find the need to explain to people insignificant to my life. I don’t want to be bothered by their selfish opinions and baseless accusations anymore. I’m through with that."

He walked out after that.

The next day, Shermaine Arnolds was fired. The legal team had filed a complaint against Fabri’s creative designer, and Shermaine admitted to the theft, providing the call logs and messages, as well as the recorded call Athan gave to her.

The issue was settled after Fabri paid a fine and compensated a large amount to HZCB.

The office was in an uproar after learning the truth. However, even after a few days passed and the company returned to normal, no one dared to come up to Knox and apologize. Rona tried to avoid him the best she could, while Sean would simply look away every time their gazes met.

Unexpectedly, on the last Friday of that last month of summer, just before a long weekend arrived due to a holiday, Dalia knocked on Knox’s office, bringing a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. She directly apologized, and Knox, believing that he doesn’t really care about them apologizing, somehow felt lightened and relieved.

He went home with a smile that day. He slept comfortably beside Knoa after planning an out-of-town vacation with his son.

However, the morning after, he received a call from Kayden asking if he could check for Azrael.

"What? Why? What happened?" Knox sprung up from his seat, startling Knoa eating opposite him. He patted the kid’s head to say sorry, before walking to the balcony.

Kayden answered from the other line, "His palm was ripped so he got stitches. I told him to come back after for the removal, but the bastard hasn’t answered his phone since yesterday. I called Luis, but he said he took his work home and hadn’t stepped out of his home. I asked Diva but got turned at the gates. Did he try to contact you these past few days?"

Knox shook his head as if Kayden could see him. "No."

"Hah...can you check on him? I mean, I heard from Diva you might be allowed entry...I’m sorry about this, Knox."

"No, it’s okay. I’ll try calling him first," Knox answered. "I’ll call you back, doc."

"I’ll be waiting then. Thank you, Knox."

After Kayden ended the call, Knox called Azrael next. The phone rang a few times. He started to worry since Azrael always answered his phone at the first ring if Knox called. Finally, on the fourth call, Azrael answered.

"Hm...how can you only call after a week? I’ve been waiting patiently..." a raspy voice echoed through the phone.

"Why do you sound like that? Are you sick?" Knoa heard consecutive coughs.

Azrael replied, his voice sounding pitiful, "Yeah. I’m having a hard time, Knox. I was beaten by my father, stalked by his men, slapped by Kayden, and kicked by Diva. On top of that, my hand is injured I can’t even cook food for myself. I’m starving...can’t you come right now? Everything is settled now, isn’t it?"

"How did you know?"

"Well, ehem...I just heard. So, will you come?"

Knox contemplated. He looked at Knoa finishing his food as he pondered. If he comes, then Knoa will be left alone again.

’It would have been nice if I could take him with me,’ Knox inadvertently thought. He stiffened after realizing it. The image of Azrael and Knoa in the hospital resurfaced in his head, and he felt an indescribable urge to go back and tell Azrael he was talking to his son.

Knox realized he was ready now. There were still uncertainties, but nothing would happen if he let those worries consume him.

"Okay, I’ll go. There’s also something I want to tell you," Knox replied, steeling his heart on what was to come.