Chapter 666 - Confirming the truth

Guan Gao Huan smirked inside. Anyway, this family's foolishness and guilt to their third brother was a good material for him.

'This is good.'

If this idiotic man did not believe the news, then what about the rest of the people? Of course, they would not believe it too. Even if the evidence was laid out widely to them, they would be blinded by his authority as the sole chairman of the Guan Empire.

Guan Gao Huan slowly finished the warm tea while Guan Gu Ri's eyes darkened.

In response to the previous question, Guan Gao Huan slowly answered. "I was busy. A mysterious faction is targeting me. I have no time to answer your calls as I got too preoccupied with trying to prove myself. The people who is after me are creating fake accusations and stuff all the time. They even dared to spread the fake news today as well. It seems like they are not going to stop until they cause severe damage to the Guan Empire itself."

"...." Guan Gu Ri looked at the relaxed person in front of him. His fingers were cold. His heart beat faster. 

His eyes were finally taking in everything he was seeing. And all of it was roasting him slowly.

He tried to steady his voice. "...Is that so? I am glad it did not break you down. I really got worried when you left like that yesterday. There are still several of the board members who are unsatisfied with the results. You have to be more careful. Especially at these times when you are targeted by the enemies."

Guan Gao Huan nodded. "Don't worry about it. In due time, people will forget this. This fake news is baseless and ridiculous. Only foolish people who are easily manipulated will believe in something as ridiculous as this."

Guan Gu Ri smile's faltered. He turned around to hide his crumbling face.

...Foolish and ridiculous?

For some reason, those words ticked him off.

Because he might as well be that person. For so many years, he might have been played as someone foolish.

Guan Gu Ri tried to clear his head.

However, Guan Gu Ri's mind could not relax without confirming the truth. 

He must know. 

He maintained his smile. "You are right, third brother. The Guan Empire is handling the situation right now. Though we have received a bit of damage, we can easily recover the losses once this matter died down." 

Guan Gao Huan nodded in satisfaction. His nerves were loosened slightly.

Guan Gu Ri approached the center table. He lifted the teapot and poured Guan Gao Huan some tea. He controlled the trembling of his fingers with all his strength. He acted calm despite the loud pounding of his tensed heart. 

"I didn't have your favorite tea in stock, but since you used to always steal a drink of black tea from our cups before, I guess this will do for now. Do you like it?"

Guan Gao Huan did not notice anything because Guan Gu Ri used to always remember the past and bring them up. He drank from the cup again. 

"It tastes nice. I really like it."

There was a silent crashing sound echoing in Guan Gu Ri's mind, as if something was shattered to pieces.

His mouth moved. 

"When we were young, you liked this black tea a lot, because this is mother's favorite. Mother once said that what calms her the most in her maiden's days was this black tea. Drink some and loosen up. I hope this calms you. No matter what, our Guan Empire will always be behind third brother."

"Thanks, brother Gu Ri. This is really calming, no wonder Mom liked it a lot. It really helps calm down the stress since yesterday. By the way, have you discovered who was behind the news?"

Guan Gu Ri's hand shook. 

The teapot he was holding fell down and broke. The warm tea splashed on the table and floor.

...All wrong.

Nothing he mentioned happened in the past. 

Their mother was initially not fond of black tea, and after an incident, she even hated it. Because the toddler little Gao Huan once, just once, accidentally drank from their grandfather's cup. 

He then got an allergy right after, although it was a temporary childhood allergy and would disappear across time.

It was too big of an incident in the Guan family and was always mentioned by their mother when she was still alive that surely the young Gao Huan would remember.

Even though no one talked about it after she passed away, Guan Gao Huan should still know of it.

"Brother! Are you alright?" 

Guan Gao Huan was annoyed that an accident like this happened in the middle of an important conversation. He was in a bad mood to begin with. Having small problems sprouting like this was making him edgy.

However, he immediately composed himself and acted worried.

Unfortunately, those quick changes were now clear and apparent in Guan Gu Ri's opened eyes. 

It was like the veil that he had put on and kept him from seeing everything clearly was finally taken off. 

He could no longer deny it.

The truth was starting to sink in.

"I...I'll wash myself first. Hold on." 

Guan Gu Ri turned around and then went to the private bathroom.

Bang.

He shut the door.

He covered his mouth. 

His eyes were wide.

"It was true...."

He was not his third brother...

His third brother... was truly gone...

Guan Gu Ri's legs gave out. A silent sob came out from his lips. He covered his mouth again to prevent any sound from coming out. He could not alert the person outside.

Guan Gu Ri now felt what Guan Xixin must have felt. His heart was stabbed countless times and was crushed mercilessly.

What happened in the past all returned to him now.

When he cheered for the man in the succession battle...

When he kept denying his second brother's claims...

When their grandfather died without knowing the truth and his legacy handed over to a fraud...

Pain, hatred, and self-blame flashed in Guan Gu Ri's eyes.

He had been played a fool all this time!

He had been siding with a stranger from the beginning and hurt his third and second brother! 

His grandfather even died without knowing the truth!

Guan Gu Ri stayed that way on the floor for a long while.

When his mind wandered to the other person in the office, Guan Gu Ri composed himself. 

He dried his eyes and stood up. 

That's right, it was not the time to grieve.

He had learned the truth. But it was not the end.

Guan Gu Ri clenched his hands. His eyes cooled.

He had to return to that room and learn more about that man's plans.

Guan Gu Ri washed his face and changed clothes.

When he returned, he was not the same man like before.

*****