Theo remained silent for a moment. Clearly, this matter troubled him as he was still hesitating to say it.
Since this was Theo's personal request, Bernard sighed and waved his hand. "If you still want to think about it, we can call it off for now. Just tell me when you're ready."
Theo looked at Bernard's face and shook his head helplessly. "No. It's not that…"
"Then what?"
"I have been thinking about this…" Theo looked down. "I think it's time for me to learn the information about my parents…"
"Huh?" Bernard widened his eyes in shock. He never thought those words would come from his mouth. "So, you've decided to forgive them? You're not going to use the Griffith Family's network to leave my company, right?"
"No." Theo denied it with a firm tone. "I have no intention to do that. Forgiving them is a separate matter… I don't even know what was going on, so how could you expect me to think about it?"
"But that thought is in your mind, no?"
"Not really." Theo let out a long sigh.
Agata had gathered the information about his past and accepted him. This was why she could wait for so long until he had the courage to step forward for himself.
So, he thought he might also need to face his past instead of running away from it. Forgiving them or not, it was never in his mind. All he wanted was to know about the past.
"So…" Bernard narrowed his eyes. Although he didn't want to involve himself with someone's past, this one was important because the information might influence Theo's action.
However, Theo assured him, "I only want closure. On the one hand, I can't deny that they were doing it to protect me in the past. On the other hand, I feel like their plan has changed to their personal revenge along the way.
"That's why knowing the past will allow me to understand the situation better. Now that the Griffith Family is on to me, it's better to know the whole situation than run away from it.
"This is for me… to walk forward not for others, but for myself." Theo made a gentle smile.
Bernard looked at him with a troubled face. Theo's hardship had made him a bit more mature. However, it also put Theo walking around in someone's palm.
That was why, despite his mature personality, Theo felt lackluster. In the past, he wanted to find his brother, and it became his greatest motivation.
But the moment he learned the bitter truth, Theo felt empty. All he wanted was to get stronger just because he wanted it.
This time was different. He could see Theo's desire reflected on his face.
Bernard scratched the back of his head, feeling troubled. If he agreed with his request, Theo could feel indebted to him. But… he might not be the right person to do it.
He leaned back on his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. "As much as I want to do it, I think you should ask Leonardo. I wanted to take advantage of that situation, but looking at your face made me lose my motivation."
Theo disagreed with him once again. "No. It's true that I'm going to ask Grandfather about this, but I also wish for you to make a move as well. This shouldn't be that hard for you…"
"Hmm? Why me?" Bernard tilted his head in confusion. "I can't understand this. If I investigate your past, they will suspect me of sheltering you. And I need at least more time to make it not suspicious."
"Why do you think I asked you right now instead of a few months ago, right after you owed me?"
"Huh? Are you picking a fight with me?"
"I don't have any intention to do it." Theo raised his two fingers. "Two months… It's been two months since people knew I had died."
"Yeah, what of it?" Bernard still didn't understand what he meant by mentioning the time of his death.
"Time for investigation." A smile suddenly appeared on Theo's face as he stated with confidence.
"Investigation…" Bernard fell into deep thoughts, connecting the dots between Theo's words. Suddenly, his eyes widened as though he had understood the meaning behind his words. "You want me to claim I have some clues about you… and it's leading me to the Griffith Family."
"Yes. With my mysterious death, it's easy for the investigation to last for months. So, you just need to claim that you have investigated it."
"And the result is the Griffith Family managed to capture you and hide you in their headquarters. They can't prove that you're not there anyway, so it should be easy for me to pressure them because there was a cooperation between you and me in the past."
"Yep."
"Haha. That's indeed a good plan. But this also means I'm standing out. Won't the people suspect you?"
"This is just a misdirection." Theo shook his head.
"Wait a minute…" Bernard facepalmed and understood the reason Theo suggested this. "Joker's appearance is suspicious because he made his appearance not long after your death. And instead of making others suspect you, you want me to direct their attention to the Griffith Family. Because of their glorious reputation as a hidden family, it's easy to hide someone like you! In other words, you're using their own reputation to hurt them!"
Bernard sucked a cold breath when he discovered the entire truth. He never thought Theo would be at this level. In the past, his identity alone managed to shake people's hearts. Now that he had started moving forward for himself, he began using his opponent's reputation to shake their own foundation.
Theo nodded, confirming his answer. However, he raised one more finger and said, "I know investigating them won't be hard for you, but I'm sure your Star Group will face some problems in the future. That's why you're free to reveal our conversation in your mansion…"
"Our conversation?" Bernard widened his eyes. His expression brightened. "About how I wanted to betroth Maya to you?"
"Yes. I know that I rejected you, but announcing that piece of conversation means as long as you don't betray me or plot against me, I'll always be your friend.." Theo smiled.