Chapter 151: Turning Point [2]

It was at that moment when they began a long discussion.

Seated at his desk, Rafael looked away.

Rachel and Amy were seated on two wooden chairs, just in front of their grandfather.

The first question he had asked was how in the world did Rachel know about the Twilight Syndicate.

Truth be told, Rachel had never wanted to even mention the syndicate.

She would've wanted it for her grandfather to tell her the truth of the matter, without her having to mention the syndicate.

However, it was impossible as he tried to push her away.

Yes, she could've asked her father.

But seeing the look in his eye, she didn't want to burden him with any more trouble.

Her father just had to do what he was doing, while Rachel would do her own task behind the scenes.

To free her father from the syndicate.

She wasn't sure how she would accomplish it. Just that, she could somehow get involved with Zed.

'Brandon doesn't have to know.'

She planned on taking matters into her own hands.

There was no need to involve an outsider.

Besides Zed, of course.

She had never been this decisive in the past. She was often lazy, and was never a dedicated worker.

However, seeing all of Brandon's accomplishments in the four months they had spent in the academy had lit a fire inside her.

Brandon was initially looked down upon by their peers, calling him a fake for a blunder he made at the start.

However, those rumors quickly died down, all because of his efforts.

Now, he was one of the most respected students in the academy.

She too wanted to be like that.

She never had these kinds of goals before.

But she wanted to stand by his side as an equal.

Someone who was as responsible as him.

"Grandfather, tell us everything."

Please.

"Me and my Sister have all the right to know."

Amy sat in silence. However, she was probably aware of what Rachel was trying to peer out of their grandfather.

...The real reason why their family fell apart.

Their grandfather seemed hesitant.

But when he gazed into the eyes of both of his granddaughters...

"You two have grown so much..."

It was at that moment, when their grandfather had finally spilled the truth.

"Where do I begin...?"

.

.

Apparently, there was no company absorption in the first place.

However, the argument between their grandfather and father was in fact, real.

Whichever side was in the wrong, the two sisters could definitely agree that it was their father.

After all, he had hidden the fact that he was involved in organized crime, just for a chance to start-up his business.

Knowing this fact, their grandfather was furious. The Ashfields became unknowingly involved in the Asami's business, whether they liked it or not.

"They used your father's business as a cover, for their... transactions."

Rachel could tell which parts were omitted. But it was for the best.

Amy was still quite in the dark about the entire ordeal. She would most probably not take it well, if she finds out their father's shipments were being used to smuggle goods.

Amy was quiet, seemingly pondering, and listening attentively.

Rachel was quite proud that Amy was mature enough not to interrupt.

'I should learn more from her...'

"Then why didn't any of you stop me from going with my father...?"

"That was the argument."

"...."

And why couldn't she remember...?

"...."

Her head began to ache as she tried to dive deep into her memories.

She tried to recall everything.

The forest.

The cold night.

The boy, seated right beside her under the tree.

She couldn't remember his face, nor his hair color.

Just his eyes.

The same went for the man.

"Rachel?"

"...."

Before she realized it, her grandfather had already finished speaking.

She was so lost in her thoughts, that she had detached herself from reality.

However, she knew what exactly to say.

"I'm sorry for the trouble that I caused."

"It's okay. You're not at fault. You were a child, it's the adults' fault for not thinking about how you feel."

"...I'm so sorry."

She felt melancholic. However, she didn't feel like crying.

She was furious.

Furious at her herself for being so selfish back then.

She gritted her teeth.

She understood that her grandfather had never found her at fault. And probably, her father did too.

However, she couldn't accept that.

There were a lot of factors that led to her parent's divorce.

She knew that. Even Amy should be aware of that fact.

But the actions that she took on that day had left her frustrated.

She was immature.

She shouldn't have troubled her family, when they were already facing a lot of problems.

She continued reflecting.

But that was when...

Rumble... Rumble...!

"....!"

"Huh?"

"What's going on?!"

The ground began to shook intensely. Pieced of debris fell from the ceiling.

Her grandfather abruptly stood up and a barrier made out of water materialized around them.

"Get down!"

The two girls' crouched down as they followed their grandfather's instructions.

They could hear the panic echo throughout the entire estate. The maids began screaming, and the sound of falling furniture resounded.

"...!"

Crash!

The ceiling fell, but instantly bounced off the water barrier.

In most cases, for a mage that wasn't as highly advanced as their grandfather in the [Water] affinity, wouldn't be able to shape their water as solidly as him.

The ground continued to shake.

But as Rachel turned her head to look at the window, her eyes shot wide open.

"What?"

"What's wrong, Rachel?"

"The sky."

As their grandfather worriedly asked Rachel, Amy pointed at the window.

——!

What greeted her sight was...