"Why did they have a disagreement?" Matthew knew that they used to be very close, almost like brothers.
"Of course, it's because of that map." Edsel sighed: "Ethelbert's father died at your hand, which can be seen as a way of resolving the dispute."
Almost all the questions in Matthew's heart had been answered.
Except for one thing, he wanted to hear it from the man himself: "What's the relationship between you and Ethelbert..."
"It's not as bad as you think.
After all, he and I are father and son, in a manner of speaking.
I discovered my daughter was with you, and... other things, including your identity, so I had him participate in the ruse."
"For that worn-out map?" Matthew continued to press.
"You may not believe it, but I did it for the benefit of the nation." Edsel's voice was steady: "Flora had a child with you, it's a good start, so..."
"So, you exploited your own daughter, for your damn ideals?" Matthew stared at Edsel, his gaze icy: "You schemed well! You knew I would eventually uncover the secrets of the ancient tomb, so you gave the key to Flora, even while you had someone tail me, coldly watching both me and your daughter and granddaughter fall into danger.
Daniel was also just a pawn.
And Selena was able to get in there because of you, wasn't she?"
It seemed that Edsel had the key, but didn't know where the door was, so he wanted to exploit him and Flora to uncover the secret.
Contrary to his expectations, Edsel shook his head: "Selena's involvement was not part of my plan... I know it's hard for you to accept, but everything I did, I did for the nation, for our people.
I am truly grateful for everything you've done for my daughter and granddaughter."
"Who is the person you've arranged by my side?"
That was the last thing Matthew wanted to ask.
"He's never harmed you, exceedingly loyal, only except... his investigation of the relic in the ancient tomb." Edsel's reply was shrouded in ambiguity.
"Is it him?" Matthew broke his silence, stating a name.
Edsel was slightly taken aback hearing the name uttered, but all he did was sigh heavily: "He... was just doing his job..."
"I don't want to hear any excuses." Matthew cut him off, denying him a full sentence: "The cards are on the table. Shall we commence a deal?"
"You want to make a deal with me?" Edsel's immediate reaction was a frown: "What kind of deal?" He was puzzled as to why Matthew would suddenly propose a deal with him.
Matthew seemed indifferent to Edsel's reaction.
He unveiled his inherent entrepreneurial nature: "I have two conditions. The first is to guarantee my legitimate business identity. The second is that I have ambitions in the seafood industry, hence, I desire an island.
I will personally deliver the specific location."
"Falcon Island?" Edsel was no fool, immediately recognizing Matthew's objective: "Your first condition is simple, you are the CEO of S.E.I, that's unalterable.
The second condition... suddenly I remember you also bear another identity, Blood Falcon?" It's hard not to think much about it.
"I'm just an ordinary businessman." Matthew smirked, pointing to the door: "There's the exit, feel free to use it."
Edsel was incensed by Matthew's dismissive attitude, jabbing a finger in his direction and roaring: "How dare you! I'm your father-in-law! Who talks to their father-in-law like that?"
"You've made your point clear." Matthew shot back, though perhaps due to his injuries, his voice came out weaker and lacked the same intensity.
"Ha, don't think just because you're lying weak on a sickbed, nobody dares touch you! Wait until you're well, you'll feel my wrath!"
The door opened and in walked Flora.
The two men in the room fell silent instantly, staring wordlessly at Mrs. Smith and Charlie, and the little girl whose name was yet unknown, following her.
The accusatory looks all were directed at Edsel, causing him to stammer uncomfortably: "Why... why are all of you here?"
Before Flora could speak, Mrs. Smith was glaring: "Who treats their son-in-law like you do? He's still lying on a sickbed, yet you come in here to rant and rave! If you don't have anything decent to say, better not to say anything at all, and you're even threatening him!"
Taking cue from her mother, Flora also added: "Dad, you said there was important business to discuss, so I let you in.
If I knew you came to argue with him, I wouldn't have let you in." She softly asked the patient on the bed: "Are you feeling pain anywhere?"
"Just a slight headache." Matthew shook his head.
Mrs. Smith found another opportunity to scold Edsel: "You truly don't deserve to be a father-in-law! Shame on you!"
"He doesn't deserve to be my son-in-law either..." Edsel retorted, but his voice no longer carried its initial vigor: "He's too impudent! I just want him to be a bit more respectful... I want my daughter to have a dignified marriage, with all the traditional ceremonies, but he flatly refuses..."
Without hesitation, he fabricated accusations and tossed them at Matthew, his triumphant gaze implying: "The kid is still green."
Matthew immediately came up with a counter: "You've misunderstood me.
You've misconstrued my intentions.
I just think... our affection doesn't need to be certified by a grand ceremony, besides, the bride should have a say in how the wedding is held, right? Moreover... you want a billion dollars, I don't have that much to spare."
The astronomical sum made everyone frown, casting reproachful glances at Edsel.
Continuing, he said: "I have transferred all my S.E.I shares to Flora, I'm now just a salaried worker, a nominal CEO..."
"Rest up, son.
Let me handle this old man." Mrs. Smith tugged the disagreeable old man's arm, disregarding his objections, and strode out, also indifferent to his explanations.
Flora watched her parents' retreating figures, gave Matthew a smile: "Don't bother negotiating with Dad, he means no harm."
"With you and the kids by my side, why should I bother with him?" Matthew smiled back, brushing his hand through Flora's hair.
Lucky for him, through all the trials and tribulations, she and their children remained by his side.
Just then, Mimi poked her head in, pulling Charlie out of the room, her finger at her lips giving a hush sign.
Charlie grinned mischievously: "Dad, Mom, we're going out.
You two carry on."
"How's Paul doing?" After the commotion outside had died down, Matthew asked Flora.
"The surgery was very successful, Andrey said his condition is very stable." Flora was overjoyed: "When he's discharged, let's all go to that place you mentioned.
Oh, perhaps we should bring Andrey along too?"
Undeterred, Matthew nodded: "The island is incredibly picturesque. I am certain you'll take a shine to it. We could establish a hospital there. It will serve dual purposes - providing a place for Andrey to conveniently tend to Paul, and offering the locals a highly reputable healthcare institution." With a sudden conversational pivot, he inquired: "How do you perceive my comportment towards your father?"
Flora responded affirmatively: "It's exceptional."
As tranquility descended, Flora savored the rare moments of peace by Matthew's side, free from any worries. Before she knew it, she had drifted into a gentle slumber.
Her son's call disrupted her peaceful sleep: "Mother, mother wake up! Mimi and the scar-faced man are brawling!"
The scar-faced man? Flora recalled a long scar gracing Winky's face, perhaps he was the man her son was referring to. But why were he and Mimi brawling? Who had instigated the conflict? Could it be possible that Mimi's insistent demand to confront him was born out of a desire for retribution?
Behind the building sprawled a vast martial arts training ground.
Mimi and Winky were there, locked in a menacing standoff.
Mimi gritted her teeth: "Yearning for death, are we? Kill me first, then there'll be no one to stand in your way!" With a derisive smirk, she taunted: "You were quite formidable when you assaulted me before. Why have you lost your edge now?"
"Halt! Let's sort this out peacefully, please stop fighting!" Flora rushed over, pleading.
But Mimi shook her head: "Auntie, this is a personal matter between me and Winky. Don't interfere. I've said it before, if Winky yearns for death, he'll have to kill me first. If he dies... what's left for me to live for?"
Her words not only startled Flora but also left Winky stupefied.
He had never expected such thoughts from the young girl.
A razor-sharp dagger was thrust before him: "Become my man, or kill me. The choice is yours. If you kill me, at least you'll meet your death alongside the person you constantly yearn for..." She smiled faintly: "I risked my life to save you from the grave in the hope that you'd continue to live well. But I forgot, it's impossible to save someone who is desperate for death." She could risk her life to save him once, but she couldn't always be there to prevent him from seeking death.
Trembling, Winky accepted the dagger.
He deliberated for a long while, then, suddenly, thrust the blade into the girl before him.
Mimi did not evade.
She calmly watched the blade penetrate her chest, reassuring the horrified Flora who clung to her: "Promise me you won't tell uncle about this... I was willing... And don't let uncle harm Winky..."
After driving the dagger into Mimi's chest in a fit of frenzy, Winky did not flee.
He slumped onto the ground, his head bowed in deep contemplation.
The scene didn't go unnoticed by others.
In no time, a crowd had gathered, surrounding Winky with palpable hostility.
Flora, gazing at the unconscious Mimi, sighed to them: "Let Winky go." If not, she'd bear the brunt of Mimi's reproach.
"Mother... why are you letting this vile man go?" Charlie frowned.
Flora did not respond, merely patting her son's head.