Chapter 242 - The Islet Mystery 58

Everybody, who lived on other islands close to the hotel, could recognize the hotel's logo on their boats. Seeing different tourists every day, they no longer raise up their heads to look who was invading their territories. Joey was aware of that, and it's the reason why he sailed on a speedboat with the most attractive logo on its sides. He also wore the hotel-issued cap while the tour guide who was with him also wore a sweatshirt with the hotel's logo.

Not far from him was the fishing boat hired by Mr. Dioko. They moved in separate paths but moving towards the same direction. While he sent Ryan to the island to build rapport with the people, especially with the families of those whom Mr.Te assigned as guards to their parents, he and Mr. Dioko's men were closing on the place where he kept them.

Meanwhile, on the island, the district captain gathered the men who worked for Mr. Te for a meeting with Ryan. Rather than going against them on a bloody fight, Joey suggested striking the battle in a  different way. Knowing about Mr. Te's cruel dealings with them, his unfair and ruthless labor practices, and his indifference toward the people he employed, Joey foresaw the easy loophole to penetrate against Mr. Te's defenses. Shedding of blood was not necessary; the people's grudges against Mr. Te was the best weapon to topple him down.

Standing before the men, Ryan started to talk. Though some people were still apprehensive about his intentions, he had already captured the hearts of the majority. Some of the men still thought that he was just as cruel as his father and that the kindness he showed was just a mask against his underlying intentions.

"My apologies for not doing something sooner against my father's cruelty. I know you have suffered long enough, that's why I already want to put an end to this. I rather want to see every one of you happy and satisfied. I don't want to regard you as my workers but a family that works with me."

"How can we be sure that you will be true to what you say?" Murmurs and a little commotion from the crowd followed this question. The majority of them were happy that someone dared to voice this question out. Others were nervous that Ryan might get pissed off for their boldness.

"I am also a victim like you," Ryan answered, his penetrating gaze silenced their apprehension and replaced it with gasps of curiosity.

"He robbed my parent's properties, their only means of living. He took me away from them for many years, then introduced them later as my nannies. A few years ago, he informed me that an earthquake collapsed the cove, and along with it were my parents who were inside the house at that time. The worst is, he also took my son away."

He robbed his parent's properties? Does it mean that Mr. Te is not his real parent? These were the questions that popped in their minds as they continued fixing their silent stares at Ryan.

To note each of their reactions, Ryan slowly moved his eyes through all of them. The sadness in his own eyes and the pain in his tone started to draw their sympathy towards him.

"Nevertheless," Ryan continued, "I still hold the hope that they are still alive. While I send gifts to children at an orphanage, I always pray that may one of them is my son. While I eat good food in a restaurant or sleep at a comfortable bed, I always wonder if my son gets his meal or if he has a warm place to lie down."

Another commotion from the crowd erupted as they start talking in low voices to each other. Ryan heard them well, but he chose to pretend he did not. He waited until their interaction subsides before he continued.

"I have the feeling that my father keeps them in one of these islands. If anyone of you hears about them, please let me know. You would never know how my worries for them  kill me slowly each day."

Those affectionate words from Ryan's mouth, coupled with his pained expression, melted their hearts. They could now clearly see the difference between him and Mr. Te, especially after the revelation that he was not his son. Whatever was the full story behind, they could feel that Ryan's heart was molded after his birth parent's upbringing.

Ryan shifted his topic after that and began distributing the new contract he set for them. After everyone affixed their signatures, he then closed the meeting and dismissed them. Sitting behind his desk and leaning on the backrest of his swivel chair, he closed his eyes. He started wondering how long would Joey's plans take effect. He felt he could no longer wait since he knew Shiela would be pestering around.

Just as Ryan opened his eyes, and decided to go back to the hotel, a knock on the door grabbed his senses. The moment the door opened, the noise of a crowd in commotion got in. Ryan creased his brows in surprise when he realized that the men did not go home and had gathered themselves outside. The district captain then stepped in and smiled, hesitating on how he would piece up the words he wanted to say. It was clear that he was both a bit apprehensive and excited.

"Cap, is there a problem?" Ryan asked, shifting his gaze between the captain and the men behind him. 

"No, sir, but we have all agreed to help you. From the very beginning, your father never showed us some kindness, but you are different," said the captain, pausing now and then to look at him and back to his men.

"Thank you so much," Ryan gave a slight bow and a sincere smile to acknowledge their offer, "I'd be happy to work with you in the soon future."

"No, sir. Go with us now," said the captain, his grin reaching out to his ears. The men also seconded with a chorus of, "Yes, sir!"

Soon, all the men hopped into each of their boats and began rowing as a fleet toward a rock island. From a distance, it looked like a deserted place since the shoreline was filled with scattered mangroves and other sea-water resistant trees.