[ After a week]
A large dining area glittered with decoration. Around a hundred people gathered inside the massive hall waiting for the beginning of the main event.
These were some of the influential people in the country: politicians, business owners, and CEOs of massive corporations. They were responsible for some of the crucial sectors around the globe. Few foreign dignitaries were also present, but they were surrounded by swarms of people trying to converse with them.
Several such small groups were littered across the space, and everyone seemed to be having a quality time.
At the center, a sizeable stage-type venue was constructed, which was currently empty, but staff could be seen breezing past around to serve the guest and prepare for the ceremony.
Suddenly, a group of people entered through the large gate. The man leading the group could be seen nodding and greeting the people as he walked past the people present to him.
A young girl was trailing behind him; she had exquisite features, a round face, and beautifully decorated hair. She dawned a full white dress that covered most of her skin, but it was different to distinguish which was which as she had milky white skin. She walked elegantly, giving a warm smile and a slight bow when she recognized someone from the crowd.
" Young miss is looking beautiful as ever in that dress." one woman commented.
" Yeah, young master is so lucky." her companion agreed.
" Yeah, he sure is lucky. " someone else said.
" I guess we could be sure who would lead the family next, right?" the next person said.
" We have to make a good impression toward the young boss, I still can't believe I got invited."
" Heh, you must have joined the circle recently. As your senior, I will be glad to guide you."
" Yes! Thank you senior."
People admired the young lady or planned their move to impress the 'new' boss.
" See that, man, you really made it!" a young man said to the 'new' boss waiting at the front of the crowd.
Seeing the girl who would soon be his made him excited. Her beauty successfully captured his lustful heart as he began gloating about it to the friend beside him.
" What made it? She was mine from the moment I laid eyes on her few years ago. She has been avoiding my advances but she will not be able to do it after tonight."
" Man, you are really impatient. The chase is only enjoyable if the goal is big."
" Sometimes your Idiot brain can work, hah!" the young boss said to his friend as he tapped his back several times.
" Bitch! If it weren't for my father to keep insisting on making a connection with you. I would have punched you long ago." the man thought inside his mind but smiled in front of the person in question.
Meanwhile, the father and daughter pair, along with some of their family member, took center stage.
The father took the microphone to address the crowd.
The stage was slightly elevated so people in the back could see the whole thing; clearly, he walked in the middle and tapped a few times to see if the microphone was working correctly.
" Good evening everyone, I am glad that you could make some time to attend my daughter's engagement ceremony. I know you are busy people and you being here gives me hope that our family still have good friends."
" Still?" the same question appeared in the mind of the people in the room, they clapped awkwardly, but the man continued ignoring their reactions.
" She is my only daughter, and today I would like to formally give her hand out to a good family friend." they looked toward the young boss group; the father and son looked proud as they thought of themselves as the 'family friend.'
" I present my daughter's fiancee, Samuel Rothschild!" he roared.
The venue door flung open loudly, and a few people entered the venue. A handsome man with pretty women entered the scene along with a boy who looked out of this world.
No one present here would not recognize this power couple, Robert and Laura Rothschild, who was the embodiment of the iconic couple, but not many of them knew about their son.
The boy had flowing long silver hair that looked silky smooth, his eyes like the calm forest after rain and a face like an angel. He wore a dark blue coat with several jewels decorated around his neck and shoulder. The collar glimmered as it reflected rainbow color light due to different rubies and gemstones.
He took small but powerful steps that matched his parents. They looked out of place, like when royals visited their subjects.
But this is not the beginning of the story--
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[A few days ago]
Kester was relieved to find his daughter safe. Although he knew about Samuel's identity, he was not sure about him as a person. Over the past, He regretted and blamed himself for allowing Iblis to go on the trip. You should never underestimate your enemies.
It was finally time to meet his prey; he was excited as his goal was almost in his grasp.
He didn't prepare much and met Samuel directly inside the Academy. He wanted to have a face-to-face conversation before striking. He wanted to make the other party suffer the same pain as one he suffered when he lost his son.
A few hours later, he sat face-to-face with the boy.
" So you are Samuel? I could see why my daughter might be interested in you." He said calmly, observing the other party.
" You are mistaken, We don't have that kind of relationship. She is a good friend though." Samuel replied with a smile.
" Hmm, why do I feel like you know me?" asked Kester.
" Well, I know of someone who knows about you. Its nothing serious."
" Ah, I forgot I was talking with a Rothschild. They were always arrogant bunch, parading over the world as being some kind of saviour but in reality harbouring vile intentions behind their smiling faces."
" Are you Hanson family different? You don't look like someone who could pick apart good from bad."
" You have a sharp tongue boy. Hope you don't loose it along with your head."
" You have a beautiful daughter, I hope you don't loose her to someone like me."
" Brat!" Kester stood up angrily, trying to retaliate, but a hand stopped him midway.
Oscar stopped him, and he looked at him coldly; Kester also noticed him and stared at him. It took him a couple of seconds, but he noticed the resemblance.
" Y-you, It can't be! Impossible!" he muttered, Oscar looked just like his son Albert older, but the similarities were uncanny.
" Hello father."
" No, you, you are suppose to be dead! you who are you?" he heard Oscar say the words but was doubtful about his identity. Dead don't walk around.
" Me? I am Oscar from Rothschild family formaly known as Daniel Hanson. Do you know remember me?"
" You want games are playing! I didn't think Rothschild would sink to this level." he was still in disbelief, but Oscar began to narrate some of those private moments. The more Kester heard him, the lesser his doubt became.
" I still vividly remember the first time you took me to the underground family vault. This, Locket that you gave me that day, don't you remember it?" Oscar showed a golden chain. A beautiful blue gemstone was placed at the center of it, firmly held in place using an intricate webbing design.
Kester slowly lifted his hand to observe the Locket carefully; his eyes shone as tears began to form around it.
For the first time after the accident, he began to feel emotional.
Even at the funeral of her son and wife, he never once showed an ounce of sadness in front of anyone but possibly seeing his son alive made him tear up.
" Y-you are really him? my son Daniel. I-i" he tried to form the words, but nothing came out of his mouth as something built up in his throat.
He began to cry while holding the Locket. Oscar seeing this side of his father, didn't know what to do; he looked toward Samuel, who encouraged him to at least hold Kester.
Feeling his son's hand on his back seems to open a floodgate inside Kester, his crying intensifies. Seeing the strange reunion, Samuel quietly left the room to give them some privacy.
They will have to talk, a long one at that. Kester knew about most of the circumstances of that incident, but Samuel was sure that he would have more questions than answers.
For now, the first phase of plan one is over, disclosing the existence of Oscar to his father and telling him about the real perpetrators. The real question now is whether Oscar's mother, Olivia, was alive.
Either way, with Kester's support, they could move to the next phase: gather evidence and search for every bad apple in the basket.
Samuel had to talk with his father and elders. They would need manpower for such a big undertaking.