#THE_LAST_MINUTE_GROOM_S3
©Sir_Zach
EPISODE 40
*The next morning…*
Like every morning, the family of three were having breakfast quietly in the dining room when Brian broke the silence with an imitation of his mother’s tone of speaking while doing other things.
“You’ve been quiet since yesterday and haven’t caused any drama. Is it that your joy of ki||ing my friend is still roaming in you?”
As if she didn’t hear the sarcasm in his words, she replied in the same passive manner. “Her body was not found, which left me wondering if you or your father have a hand in her disappearance.” The woman looked from her son to his father.
Brian rolled his eyes, “Too bad. If Pink was taken by me, I wouldn’t have almost ki||ed you at your office last week.”
Hwang Min looked surprised, “You did what?!”
“Nothing. I went to show Mom how good my marksmanship has gotten, right Mom?” he smiled faintly.
“Right. How can you ki|| me? Even the greater power can’t.” She glanced at her husband and chuckled lightly before she continued eating.
“Don’t pull such a prank on your mother next time.” The man cautioned with a dissatisfied tone.
That fleeting gaze of victory that Nancy gave Hwang Min and the little protective tone his father cautioned him with, did not escape Brian’s detection this time.
If it were before Jeslyn said those words, Brian wouldn’t have thought too much about those innocent words and gestures, but now…
The young man lowered his head and continued chewing his food slowly and quietly.
“I heard you’re making arrangements for a press conference. Why is that?” Madam Nancy asked.
“You’re holding a press conference?” Hwang Min frowned slightly.
Brian looked up at them and nodded, “Thanks to you, Ma, I left the entertainment industry. However, my fans are still in the dark, so I want to hold a press conference and formally bid them farewell. Is anything wrong with that?”
“Have you made up your mind to leave?” his father asked.
“Your company can do that on your behalf, so cut it out.” his mother dismissed his words.
“How would you know that a company needs an artist’s Manager and the artist themselves to stand on the stage to make such an announcement if it should be done in the company?”
True. For someone like Brian, his fans would refuse to believe what the company says on his behalf unless he or his Manager comes out to break the news. But Brian’s Manager is being confined in the dungeon, so how can such a plan work?
“Oh? I might not be into the entertainment industry but I’m good with PR. No need for you to appear at the press conference, I’ll have someone disguised as you to tell the world what you want to say.”
Brian chuckled. Before, he would have yelled but today, his father’s reputation is at stake and he has to fight to prove his sister wrong.
“Why? I’ve appeared on TV more times than you remember my name in 26 years. Even at this moment, my movies, MV and runway walk are still being viewed by millions all over the world. So, why are you prohibiting me from doing something for my fans?”
“Nancy, what exactly do you want? Do you want to hold him hostage?!” The father reprimanded before he said to Brian, “Do what you want. If you need help with anything, let me know.”
“I can handle it.” Brian said and ignored them.
“Hwang Min, know that I’ll hold you responsible if anything goes wrong… Or my son gets hurt.”
Hwang Min glared at her, “Do you want to jinx him?”
Seeing the two were about to start fighting, Brian left the table and went out.
Nancy ignored the accusation and changed the topic, “You saved her, didn’t you?”
He paused and turned his head. “Our deal is off… No More babies!” He stood up to leave but she followed.
“Mr. Hwang, it’s not in your place to call the shots.” She blocked his path and held his tie, then caressed it with her fingers for a while and then said, “do you think by ki||ing your men, I won’t know what you are up to?”
Mr. Hwang curled his lips and leaned into her face, “even if you monitor me religiously, you won’t know when I’ll strike. Watch out, Nancy Rong!” he pulled the tie out of her hand and walked out, leaving her staring at his back in deep thought. A moment later, she called someone and asked them to find out who her husband had been meeting up with since last week.
…
In another corner of the city, Brian was holding a press conference with tens of media houses all present. The event was Live so, hundreds of millions of people were watching from all over the world.
The fans were excited to see their idol on the screen one more time but the news Brian brought to them hit them on the wrong spot– their hearts.
“…I’m sorry that I have to break the news of my early retirement to you this way. At first, I didn’t take my career seriously. I only wanted to have fun but when I felt your love, I decided you guys needed to be taken more seriously.
“When I was still in the limelight, I opened an account where I saved something every month for you all, so as a farewell gift, I’ll hand the money to the admins. I implore the admins of my fans club to do something with the money that would be beneficial to your lives.”
All around the world, people were feeling emotionally down. Some couldn’t control their emotional state and passed out. Some were wailing and telling him they don’t need the money but only want to remain his fans forever.
Whereas, on the stage, Brian resumed his speech after a long pause. “I know that a lot of you are wondering why I made that decision. It’s because my parents need me to focus on the family business. As I’m the only child of Mr. Hwang Min and Mrs. Nancy Rong Hwang, it’s my responsibility to take over the companies and relieve my parents of their stress.”
Madam Nancy, who was also watching, broke her pen from rage. She stabbed the pen on her office desk and gritted her teeth.
“Hwang Min, is this your plan?… interesting.” a cold smile settled on her lips before she picked up her phone and made a call.
“Hwang Min has made his move. Tell our people to lay low and not to go to the farm starting tomorrow. Ship enough provisions to the people down the mountain and tell them to keep an eye on the coca farm… the location must not be leaked!” her eyes narrowed as she looked at the smiling Brian on her laptop.
Mrs. Nancy believed that Hwang Min had a hand in what Brian was doing. That man had always been interested in her power but was laying low until now. So she thought.
Meanwhile, Hwang Min who was also watching, had a slight frown on his face. Why is his son doing this? For 25 years they’ve been telling him the danger of exposing his identity, so why would he do that without consulting him?
The man didn’t believe that Pink would advise Brian to do this because she has more to lose than anyone else.
No matter how hard he tried to think of who instigated Brian, he couldn’t find anyone.
“Where has Brian been these days?” he asked.
“Aside from your villa where Madam Alex is, he has been to Delight Hotels a couple of times.” Venom replied.
‘Jeslyn…’ the man shook his head. ‘Jeslyn is a feather and isn’t intelligent enough to scheme. Besides, she has been hoeing up in the hotel room ever since she came to the city. She’s too scared to leave or even see her mother.’ he thought.
The thought that Jeslyn could be up to something immediately evaporated from his mind.
“Brian, what are you up to?” he murmured.
…
With Brian’s identity revealed, the world was left in disbelief. From acquaintances to fans, they couldn’t believe they’d been interacting with the Young Master of THE SIN… which also means he is the nephew to the First Lady of the Country!
First Lady Luisa was in deep thought as she stared at Brian on the TV. She didn’t believe that her sister would allow her son to reveal his identity.
Right from the start, the excuse Nancy gave for concealing Brian’s identity was lame, but who was she to tell her? The fact that she did not die like the rest of those Nancy despised in the Rong family is already more than enough.
And when Luisa offered to marry the President, Nancy knew Luisa was doing it to gain freedom from her, but Nancy didn’t hurt her, instead, she let Luisa marry the old man. When Luisa thought she was finally free, Nancy unleashed her wrath on Lisa’s unborn children… Thrice. No words said, no words asked. Until tomorrow, Luisa wouldn’t know why her older stepsister is hellbent on making her childless.
Luisa had long decided that if Brian wants to go against his mother, she’d support him to make sure they bring that malicious woman down from power. Now that she is starting to feel that Brian is up to something big, she would help him for the sake of her unborn child.
Luisa subconsciously hugged her stomach. She’s already four months pregnant and her stomach is starting to protrude. If something is not done to Nancy immediately, her child will be ki||ed again.
The second branch of the Lu family…
Piper was seen staring dumbly at the TV screen without knowing what to say or do. So Brian is the son of her brother’s nemesis?
From the very beginning, she knew that Brian couldn’t be a pauper like Madam Caroline thought, but never in her wildest dreams would she have thought that he was the Young Master of THE SIN!
Now what will happen to their relationship? Will her brothers accept him?
“When is my mom coming back?”
The sharp words startled Piper and she turned to see Valen entering the house. He just returned from school.
“You’re back.” Piper smiled.
“Hm,” he replied without returning the smile.
“Sister-in-law and brother should be back next week.”
“Ok.” He said and went to his room.
Ever since it was known that she isn’t related to the Lu brothers, Valen has warmed up a little to Piper. He no longer show animosity towards her anymore and Piper could see that as a good sign to a better future.
…
*At Hwang Cooperation…*
Inside Mr. Hwang Min’s office…
“Paah!” Brian’s face turned from the slap he just received.
“Hold another press conference and tell them it was a prank!” Nancy was trying to maintain her facade of patience. When she arrived, she met the father and son discussing, so it solidified her belief that it was Hwang Min’s doing.
Brian chuckled, “Why?… Why should I? Is there something else you’re not telling me?”
“Brian, listen to your mother, the matter of your identity is complicated. Our enemies–”
“Who are those enemies?” Brian cut his father off for the first time. “Your only enemies…rather, rivals, are the three great families in the capital. Who else that I don’t know about?” his aura changed.
“Alpha Chaos is out of the capital and no one knows where he went, not even our system could detect his whereabouts. Do you still think that such a man is not an opponent to be feared?”.
“Hahahaha…Dad, are you sure that is the reason you are keeping my identity hidden?”
“What are you talking about?” Hwang Min frowned.
Brian only smiled. He turned and was about to leave, then said to Nancy, “I won’t take back my words, not now, not ever!”
“Brian! Come back here!” Hwang Min roared, yet the boy left his office without looking back.
Nancy smiled as she observed her husband’s ‘pretense.’ “Your play is so interesting. You put him up to it, yet pretend like you’re innocent. Hwang Min, this game you’re playing, I won’t let you win.”
“You are indeed a worthy opponent, however putting our son’s life at risk to bring you down is not my thing. You’ve pushed him to the edge and now, he’s fighting back. I told you when he finally man up, you’ll suffer,” he snorted and continued with his laptop.
Nancy gave him one last look before she stormed out of his office. They want to play a dirty game with her, she’s equal to the task. As for Brian, she’d show him what it means to go against her, so she thought.
…..
*A week later…*
Standing in front of Jeslyn in her hotel room was Brian with blood all over him. The Young Man was upset that he had been standing in front of Jeslyn for a long time, yet she didn’t raise her head from her laptop.
“Jeslyn!” he yelled.
Finally, she lifted her eyes and gave him a once-over look before she pointed at the bedroom door, “you reek of blood; go wash up,” she lowered her eyes again to continue what she was doing.
She is chatting with her lovely son, so Brian’s issue is not so important right now.
Brian didn’t argue and just left to take his bath. After he was gone, Jeslyn remembered something and shifted her gaze to her assistant who was minding her business, drawing whatnot and then called; “Ani.”
“Yes, Ms,” she looked up at Jeslyn.
“Order a pair of jeans and a shirt for my Senior.”
Ani scratched the back of her head and smiled, “I don’t know his size.”
“Use my size… we have the same body structure,” Rex chimed in from the long sofa he was lying on.
“Ok.” she grabbed her phone to start making the order.
A while later, Brian came out of the bedroom looking clean and handsome with his hair combed backwards. After he took his seat beside Rex, Jeslyn finally put her laptop away to pay attention to him.
“It’s been a week, are you still angry?” he asked.
“You were attacked again?” She ignored his question.
Brian nodded and sighed.
“What do you think about your unending attacks?”
“I think it’s clear now… my parents were right all along, I shouldn’t have exposed myself.”
Jeslyn nodded, “Stupid… how did you survive in the entertainment industry for so long with this brain of yours? I thought you were smarter than me… forget it. I was once stupid too.” She rolled her eyes.
“You are twins and share the same idiosyncrasy. Hahaha…” Rex laughed which caused him to receive a glare from Jeslyn.
Brian looked at her and inquired, “What do you have to say about the attacks, you tell me.”
“What difference does it make whether I tell you or not? Would you believe me?” she rolled her eyes.
“It’s not like I have another choice, do I?” Brian shrugged.
“Ani, you might want to excuse us for a moment.” Jeslyn smiled at her assistant.
“Sure, I’ll be at the lobby if you need me.” Ani took her drawing materials and left the sitting room.
Outside the door was Code 5, so Jeslyn was not afraid that anyone would be eavesdropping.
When they came to SIN CITY, they left Code 5 behind. But the guy immediately came searching for them when he knew of their disappearance.
“Those attacks are either from Nancy, your dad, or both of them. The attacks are not meant to ki|| you, but to scare you into bowing to pressure and doing what they tell you. They know that the deed has been done– you’ve revealed your identity already, so there’s nothing they can do about it. Another way they can control you now is to make you stop rebelling or question their decisions. In return, they’ll withdraw the thr_@t to your life.” she paused to observe him for a moment to see how he was reacting to it.
Rex nodded, “True, I agree. Peradventure your assaulters were your family’s enemies and they wanted you dead, they would have long gunned you down with a sniper. And if they wanted to kidnap you, they would have succeeded too, because you don’t go out with a large crowd of guards following you around… I’d recommend you start going out with guards because your life might truly be in danger one day.”
Brian took a deep breath, “Now, what should I do?”
“Simple, beat them in their game,” Jeslyn replied without thinking.
“How?” they both asked.
“Your parents sent people after you. Why don’t we make it ‘real’?” she smiled as she shifted her gaze between the two.
Rex and Brian still couldn’t understand what she was driving at, so they looked confusingly at her, prompting her to explain.
“Let’s say a maid poisoned your meal, but you were lucky enough to get away. What do you think your parents would do?”
“They’d ki|| or send the maid to the underground dungeon,” Brian replied.
“Then?” she urged him to continue.
“They’d change the servants.”
“Bingo!” she snapped her finger in excitement.
“Hey! Sister-in-law, don’t tell me it’s what I’m thinking!” Rex exclaimed.
Jeslyn nodded and said. “To ki|| that witch, I need to get into the house.”