Chapter 649 - Taking off the mask (II)

It was as if a chameleon changed its colors. The face of the young man before him also morphed into an entirely different expression.

Guan Gao Huan's cold eyes and smile brought a chill to the old man's heart.

What... was going on?

Why was his third grandson acting so differently from moments ago?

Guan Gao Huan stood up, creaked his neck, and spat on the floor. 

There was blood on it. 

He frowned. "That f.u.c.ker punched me too hard with qi that my gums are bleeding. Tsk."

Guan Gao Huan glanced at the closed doors then turned to look at the frozen old man.

He gave a low laugh.

"Why do you look so surprised? Because I am not so gentle and amiable now? Well, it's all a mask. Let me tell you something interesting, old man. When Guan Gao Huan was abroad and lying on the bed with his eyes closed, can you tell how he felt at that time? Poor him. The people surrounding him that time was not his family members but people who were longingly waiting for his death, so that they can steal his precious identity."

"What...?" 

Old Guan's pupils dilated. 

His heart thumped loudly and his breathing came in short gasps. 

What was his grandson saying...?

"Who was trapped in the past? Your second grandson? No, it was you who abandoned your grandson and accepted a fake. Does seeing me, after leaving the real Gao Huan to death alone, make you feel relieved? How funny."

Old Guan gasped for breath as his wizened hand reached out and held Guan Gao Huan's arm. "What... are you... saying? You're lying... Right? You are... just... angry..." 

The old man's heartbeat was becoming unstable. Every beat was painful and laborious. 

It was making him out of breath.

Guan Gao Huan took off the old man's hold from his arm. 

"Have you become deaf? You heard me. The grandson you abandoned had already died long ago on the hospital bed, alone. The poor little boy died while tears trickled down on his small face. I bet even when he was in a coma, he could still hear what was going around him. He probably waited for any of your voices to come, hoping to listen to your voices. But until the end, I am the only one who was by his side, a person waiting to take over his identity. Can you imagine how heartbroken your little grandson was?"

It was as if a rushing train swept over Old Guan, trampling at his heart. His breathing became even more laboured and harsh to the ears. His weak wheezing gasps filled the small area of the room.

Unfortunately, no one outside could hear it. The machine by the side of the bed was also peaceful, signifying that it had been tampered with. Yet no one detected all this.

This young man in front of him, was not his grandson...?

His grandson... really died alone..?

No... It is not true.

Old Guan could not believe it. However, although he had gotten weak and old, he could feel the malicious truth that this man had bared. 

But even though his instinct was telling him that this man was not lying, he could not accept it!

Old Guan had checked many times if his third grandson, who was always doubted by his second grandson, was truly his kin. He did not believe his second grandson because he believed only in the results. 

And he had seen all the results done under both official and secret tests.

This man was truly his grandson, his kin! Undeniably so!

So why...? 

What was happening?

"You don't believe it?" 

Guan Gao Huan could see the doubt and confusion in the eyes of the old man. He smiled, took off his contact lenses, and showed his lightly colored pupils that glimmered like gold. 

"Look at my face. Look at this face who stole your grandson's place."

A pair of golden eyes that was filled with ridicule, coldness, and a hint of killing intent.

An image flashed in Old Guan's mind.

The familiar pair of golden eyes.

"You...!" The old man weakly called out.

Guan Gao Huan smiled. 

"You are..."

"Shhh... Please die quietly so that I can get the Guan Empire. Don't worry, your second grandson will follow soon after you."

All thoughts flew away at this terrifying threat and Old Guan's eyes went wide. 

"Head butler--cough! Cough!" 

The shocking truth that he had come to know was taking its toll on the old body.

Guan Gao Huan stood silently and watched the old man reach out to him while gasping for breath.

This was the last stages of the poison. 

The poison would target the heart and respiratory system. Soon, all of his organs would stop functioning.

His golden eyes reflected the old man writhing in pain.

"H-help..."

Guan Gao Huan smiled. "Why would I help you? You should just accept your fate and die."

Old Guan's eyes were opened wide, his pupils dilated, as he tried to catch on his breath. But the pain in his heart and every inch of his body was too much. 

Tears came out of his eyes. His vision was turning white and dark on the edges. Soon, numb coldness rose from his limbs and spread throughout his body.

Before darkness completely consumed him, he heard the man's voice in echoes, as if coming from the deepest pits of hell.

"Now, do you understand how Gao Huan cried like this when you left him alone? I saw it many times. That lonely child cried many times in his coma. If he could speak, he might call out all of your names. It's amusing to see the similarities with your death."

The wrinkled hand that was laboriously reaching out to Gunan finally lost its strength and dropped down.

As if on cue, the machine began to let out harsh alarms belatedly, alarming the people outside.

Gunan wiped the old man's tears. 

This situation was familiar. It brought him the past memories. A familiar feeling crept into his heart.

"Yes, father. I am happy..." Guan Gao Huan muttered, his golden eyes were cold.