Chapter 173 - Attack Rather Than Defence

When Yelena opened her eyes after a long yet tormenting sleep, the sun had already risen. She flinched when she suddenly saw her grandfather sitting next to her. The General was sleeping but he still holds her hand.

She noticed that it was around 6 in the morning but her grandfather was in his uniform. Was he sitting this way the whole night?! When she realized that she was also in her uniform, she briefly recalled what happened and the pain resurfaced.

She tried to get up cautiously. However, the General was too sensitive and he was awake at a single movement from her. "Grandpa." She quickly muttered when she saw him opened his eyes.

"You're awake?" The grandfather asked, shielding his eyes from the sudden lightness. "What time is it?" He muttered, glancing at his wristwatch. He was here the whole night?!

Yelena finally get up and sat on the bed. "When did you come?"

"A few minutes after you reach here." The General said.

He was here that long? Yelena wondered how much she would scare him. Given his age, she always tried not to make him feel worried but she always failed.

"Yelena." Her grandfather calmly muttered her name. "What's wrong? Did something happen yesterday?"

Yelena remained quiet for a while, then she shook her head. "I fought with Ella. That's all." She whispered.

General Logan Arista understood that there was more to this matter but... his granddaughter was always stubborn. No matter how much he told her to let him share her burden, she never listened. "Was the investigation hard? I'm sorry I can't do anything for you. I'm the General but... I can't go against the rules."

"I never want you to do that, Grandfather. It will make you lose your hard-earned reputation. I won't allow that. If I was indeed guilty, I would rather take the punishment than letting you get involved." Yelena holds her grandfather hand. "I will never do anything that will make you lose face before the soldiers."

General Logan forced a little smile. "I'm proud of you." He narrowed his eyes at her uniform and frowned. "Get changed and take a shower first. Then we can have breakfast together."

Yelena promptly nodded and gets off the bed.

*

After having breakfast together, the General went home and Yelena dressed up herself for work as Alan will be here to pick her up soon.

Then... she noticed that her phone already died due to a low battery. She quickly charged it and continued to prepare herself for work. After a few minutes, Alan was there and they left for the company.

Yelena's phone went off the moment she gets inside the car. She glanced at the caller ID and instantly wondered how worried he would be. The last time he can't reach her for the whole night, she was abducted and that will surely haunt him! Then she quickly answered the call.

"You finally picked up! I can't reach you the whole night and I was so worried. Is something wrong?"

His voice echoed in her ears before she could even say anything.

"I'm fine. The investigation result is also in my favour. I only have a slight fever last night. Now, I'm on my way to work." She promptly replied. She preferred to tell him in person about what she was currently going through.

Felix who was in his office slightly frowned at her words. "You should take care of yourself. I was worried to death!"

Yelena slightly smiled though the one on the other line wasn't that pleased. "I will do that. What are your plans for the day?" She asked, trying to change the topic.

"I will work and go to the Police Headquarters in the afternoon." He made a deliberate paused and said, "They take over Alonzo's case now."

Yelena's smile slipped when she heard him. She knew how hard it would be for him and she hated that there's nothing she could do for now. "Okay. You should also look after yourself just like you always reminded me."

"Alright." Felix promptly said and then asked, "Did the reporters still bother you?"

"I heard that they also gathered near the company building even today but don't worry. I plan to release a statement soon. They will eventually give up."

Felix sighed but just like her, he can't do anything to help. "Okay. Have a good day." Then he ended the call.

When Yelena reached her company building, she was able to get through the reporters with much difficulty. Rather than going straight to her office, she entered one of the executive's room as she had an important thing to do.

"What brings you here, Chairwoman?" Thomas Faery rose from his seat and walked to her. Then he slightly bowed.

"I have something to talk with you." Yelena simply said as she settled on one of the couches. "Why don't you have a seat?" She eyed the couch opposite to her, gesturing him to sit down.

Thomas Faery sat down without saying anything but he wasn't feeling that great. He felt that this was unlikely of her. Then his assistant walked inside with a tray that holds two cups of tea. She served the tea to them.

Yelena promptly lifted the teacup and took a sip of it, a little smile was on her face. "These days... " She started as she puts down the cup and turned to Thomas Faery. "I keep on headlining the newspapers each day as if I'm some celebrity." She lightly chuckled.

"I also heard about the news." Thomas Faery said to her. "I never thought that you will be related to the Crown Prince of Edeladon." He added.

Somehow, her strange behaviour today intimidated him. In the past, he thought that she was just a spoiled heiress who will be good for nothing but when he realized that she was a Captain of a Special Forces, he understood that she shouldn't be underestimated. However, he still believed that he would be able to make her leave.

When news about her and the Crown Prince of Edeladon broke out the day before yesterday, he realized that he was wrong. With her fiance who will back her up, he won't have it easy even if he managed to kick her out! Offending someone like Prince Felix would bring him no good!

"I see. It surprised you too." Yelena said as she slowly nodded.

Thomas Faery wondered what was on her mind. What was her intention?! "I don't think you will come to me just to talk about that news." He awkwardly said.

"You take it too seriously, Mr. Faery. I only wish to have a chat with you." Yelena smiled. She was there to confirm one thing and she thought that she should get to the point now.

"Yesterday, someone leaked about my personal information. I'm sure that you will see it in the articles." She said, observing the man's reaction.

"Yes. It's a pity." Thomas Faery replied, behaving respectfully towards her.

"I have quite a hassle day due to that but... I find it quite strange. Who would have leaked such information? After all, only a few civilians know about my career." 

Thomas Faery nodded without thinking much but... he flinched when he realized her intention. Civilian she says?! "Are you suspecting me, Chairwoman?!"

Yelena simply smiled and ignored his question. "Do you know this, Mr. Faery? In the army, I was taught to play attack rather than defence. If our superiors and the government think that someone, some organization or a country could pose a threat to our nation, we would be ordered to take action before we are targeted. Only by doing that, we can minimize the risk and protect the country and the citizens. In short, we sacrifice some to save many."

"Chairwoman, I don't - "

"But yesterday, I suffered because I didn't do as I was taught. I let my enemy attack me first and I was forced to play defence. However... " She said, clenching her fist. "It won't happen again." She firmly added and glanced at Thomas Faery. "As far as I could remember, you are the only one who knew about me and confronted me with my identity."

"That's true. I indeed investigate you but... trust me. I have nothing to do with that. I won't dare." Thomas Faery argued, his eyes were pleading her to believe him and she didn't fail to notice that.

"You won't dare?" She mused. "That's nonsense coming from you who dare to investigate me."

Thomas Faery finds himself in a dilemma! How would he make her believe that he had nothing to do with that?! He even regretted confronting her that day! If he knew about her relationship with the Crown Prince of Edeladon beforehand, he wouldn't have done that!

He recalled what she just said to him. Was it her way of declaring that she would be attacking him? He didn't want that to happen!

"What will I do to make you believe me? I'm truly innocent in this matter." He finally said after thinking about it for a while.

Now, Yelena had the answer she was looking for. The one who exposed her wasn't Thomas Faery. Does that mean... Lt. Gen. Haric Geraci?

Her face turned darkened at the thought of it. She won't sit still and let herself be blindly attacked anymore.....