Saving the Villain

After Asher received the DNA result and uncovered the truth, he received a call from Mister Devilsin. That was the last time they had contact with Asher, promising to contact the man again instead. However, Asher got so caught up with his heightened and tangled emotions that contacting this man who flipped his life upside down wasn't at the top of his priorities.

If Mister Devilsin didn't contact Asher, the latter would've forgotten about it. Not accidentally, though. He would purposely forget this man's existence. Mister Devilsin was only here to make his life a living hell, and Asher didn't even know this man's reason.

And that drove Asher to press the green button — aside from his fear of what Mister Devilsin would do if Asher ignored him.

"Well, hello there, Young Master Quinn," was the first thing Asher heard when he placed the phone in front of his ear. Mister Devilsin's tone sounded elated, the complete opposite of Asher's mood. "I hope I didn't disturb your sleep since I think it's late in there."

"Why do you sound like you're not in the country anymore?"

"Heh… don't try to know my whereabouts. I'd send you a photo of my dick, but I'll never reveal my location. For safety purposes — haha!" Mister Devilsin humored shamelessly, but Asher didn't react as if he was already numbed at this guy's antics.

"Why did you call?" Asher inquired under his breath, lowering his eyes. "Did you call because you think I enjoyed my time tonight?"

"Didn't you?"

"Are you still spying on me?"

"No!" Mister Devilsin's denial was quick. "I was spying on your dad. It just so happened you're always with him, so I sort of get what you're doing."

Asher's jaw tightened, swallowing the tension down his throat. At this point, he was aware he would never win against the man that kept haunting him, even in his sleep.

"What do you want?" he repeated the question, this time, about a different situation. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Hmm?"

"You hate my father so much that you want to destroy him. Do you think if you let him know his first son isn't his son, something will change?" Asher's expression turned cold, keeping his composure much better this time. "He still has another son. The Quinn family can just shift their hopes on my brother. You're wasting your time, Mister Devilsin."

"Hah… I see you recovered quickly."

"The truth is shocking, but I cannot change it." Asher kept his momentum before his decisiveness waned. "You've known the truth all along yet, you waited this long just to approach me. If you truly want to reveal the truth, then you would've done it way back. However, you didn't. Which makes me wonder… what would you gain if you manipulate me?"

"If you think you can manipulate me so that I'd give you some backing in the future, that will never happen. In case this truth wasn't revealed until I secured my spot, remember what you've put me through," he continued, getting braver or more stupid. But he couldn't stop himself anymore. His mouth was unstoppable, venting everything in one go. Half of this courage was probably thanks to the wine he enjoyed tonight.

"Asher Quinn… no, I always hold grudges," he added, gripping his phone tightly. "I challenge you, Mister Devilsin. Reveal everything you know to him — to the Quinn family. I'd rather have them disowned me than be used by you to harm them."

After talking to Maynard and appreciating all his efforts through the years, Asher saw everything very clearly. His fear of getting this truth out dulled his mind and made him almost forget how Maynard was a father.

Maynard wasn't perfect. He was annoying and cheesy and even childish. However, Maynard never neglected his sons. He may not be a perfect father, but he gave his all to be the best father Asher and Luke could ever have.

There was no way in hell Asher would hurt that man who did nothing but love and protect him from the beginning.

"I might plan to keep my mouth shut, but that doesn't mean I'd sabotage everything just because I was terrified." His voice shook at the thought of the countless possibilities in the future. "If you find everything I said annoying, then go ahead. Reveal everything. Be my guest. I'm so done with you."

There was a moment of silence in the line before Asher heard the man's waves of laughter. Asher raised his brows, glancing at his phone before putting it back in his ear.

"Amazing! Bravo!" praised Mister Devilsin; Asher could even hear him clapping in amusement. "Now, you're more interesting! Although I had fun scaring you and watching you act like a scared little boy mentally screaming his head off, I am glad you got yourself together! Now, we can talk like adults. Man to man."

Asher furrowed his brows. "We have nothing to talk about. I told you. I will not let you use me to take your revenge on my —"

"Keep the secret to the grave." Asher was cut off mid-sentence when Mister Devilsin's tone suddenly sounded serious. "Don't misunderstand, Young Master Quinn. I'm not telling you to hurt anyone, but to be careful. Don't let anyone know about your secret and if that damn father of yours had his suspicion, contact me. I'll make sure he'll die thinking you are his son."

For a moment, Asher could only open and close his mouth. What he heard just now sounded… ridiculous. Not in a way that was bad for him, but rather, Mister Devilsin sounded like he was offering Asher an alliance to bury this secret in their graves.

"What are you saying?" were the only words that Asher could force out of his throat.

"Huh? Are you dumb? Or are you suffering from memory loss? Didn't you ask me what I want?" Mister Devilsin returned with a tinge of sarcasm. "I'm giving you the answer."