The Manipulated Villainess

Shara observed Leon's face for a while. This was not good. She can feel it but she didn't know what to do. However, she noticed that he was still waiting for her response and so was Aston and Nicole.

"Your father caught me overhearing his plan. He told me to leave and to never come back again. If I do that, he said he will turn a blind eye and let me live," she said and met Leon's fiery gaze. "We were just 17 at that time, Leon. I can't just let your mother die and I can't leave you alone either."

Shara paused and recalled the decision that she made. "I told the Prime Minister that I will do anything if he lets your mother live. I was already trained for more than three years at that time, so I offered my skills and service to him. I pledged that I will do whatever he ordered me to do. If I don't do that, I won't be able to save your mother and instead, I might be buried with her."

"Why didn't you tell me anything?" Leon grunted. "I know that we were still young at that time but... I can ask for help from my uncle. Do you think he will sit still if he knows the truth?"

His maternal uncle was the current Master of the Blackhood who was still in the hospital with not much time left. He was the adopted son of his mother's parents, the Lee's.

"It's not that I don't think of that. Your father's men watched me all the time. I was told to carry a hearing device with me all the time and even my phone calls were being listened. How can I make a risk and put your mother in danger?" Shara uttered and helplessly sighed.

"Leon, for me, your mother's safety comes first at that time and even now, I still feel that way." She added.

Leon fell silent and narrowed his eyes at the floor. He thought of the depression and trauma he developed due to his mother's death. He was even rushed to the hospital once and his life was barely saved! All those tormenting years... and now... it made his hatred grew even more! He will never be able to forgive his father.

"Your father agreed to my proposal but he still needs your mother's wealth. So, he said that faking her death was the only option." Shara continued. "Your mother was given a pill that would make her pulse disappear for a while. That's why everyone thought that she was dead. Her body was already brought to that villa before the funeral took place.

"I was allowed to visit her at times but... you know the procedure. There were guards with us everywhere. Though most of her illness that were caused by the poison she consumed for years were cured, her legs cannot fully recover. I can't bring her out of that place in that condition. Besides, I was alone."

The house fell silent when they finished hearing the whole story. Even Aston and Nicole were taken aback by the greed and sins of Peter Jung which had no limit. It made them wondered how hard it would be for Leon. Hearing how much of a monster his father was and all the things his father did to his mother... no human being would be able to cope with it well!

When the silence goes on for more than a minute, Shara was the one who broke it once again.

"Don't torment yourself by your father's crime anymore," she muttered, still staring at Leon who was sitting beside her. "He is not your biological father."

What?! All the other three darted their eyes to Shara who was making another unexpected revelation! What was she talking about?!

"What are you saying?" Leon asked, confused. He had never heard of that before!

When Shara saw the pain beneath Leon's fiery red eyes, she didn't want to delay it anymore. Leon was feeling tormented by his father's action and she should stop this. He deserved better.

"I overheard your parents arguing," Shara said. After thinking twice, she said, "Your mother was pregnant before getting married but your biological father passed away in a car accident. Then she ended up marrying the Prime Minister. She hoped that he will be a good father for you and that's the only reason why she married him but... she was wrong. She regrets her decision all her life, Leon."

Leon Jung's reaction was a mixture of disbelief and shock. He was not Peter Jung's biological son? Why did he know nothing about this while Shara knew it all?! For a split second, he even finds it laughable!

"You know it all along?" He asked. He used to think that he was on the same page with Shara but... it turned out that he knows nothing about her. How could she live this way for 10 years?! He even wondered if she was still the same woman he used to know!

"Your mother asked me to keep it from you. She doesn't want you to be hurt by the revelation but... I can't do that anymore, not while being his son is only causing you pain." Shara earnestly said.

"Leon, do you still remember what you said while I was locked up in that secret room? You said that you wish for him not to be your father but that's the truth and not just a wish." She added.

The exact words he said echoed in Leon Jung's ears. Shara was telling the truth? There wasn't Peter Jung's blood in his veins? The Young Master of the Blackhood was tight-lipped! His mind completely went blank!

He wished for Shara to tell the truth but at the same time, the unexpected revelation created a tingling pain in his heart. Though Peter Jung was such a monster, he was the one who raised him. Though he hated him for everything that he did, he was his father for 27 years now!

The bond between a parent and child didn't just depend on blood but the time spent together. Leon's feelings right now proved that.

"He will know what happened by now and he will look for me first. I have to leave." Leon suddenly said and rose from his seat.

"Leon." Shara stood up and glanced at him with concern. She hated to see the pain in his eyes!

"Later, Shara," Leon muttered. "Let's talk later. Please take good care of my mother."

Right now, what he needed the most was some time for himself. It was too much and sudden for him to explain everything. Then he made his way to the door and left the house.

Shara stared at the disappearing form of Leon. She didn't want him to leave like that but she refrained from stopping him. He needs time and she understood that. After he was out of her sight, she turned to Aston and Nicole. "I will go and stay with Leon's mother," she muttered and instantly walked to the guest room.

Now that they were the only ones in the living room, Aston and Nicole finally looked at each other.

"You don't look so well," Aston said. "You don't sleep well last night?"

Nicole just looked at him for a few seconds until she nodded. "I was worried. Besides, Peter Jung's issue bothered me a lot these days."

Aston smiled and planted a kiss on the back of her hand. "It will be over soon. We will solve both of our parent's case and end this war."

"You're wrong," Nicole said which made Aston raised a brow. Then she added, "It's not just our parents anymore. Now, Leon's mother case is also included in a list of his crimes."

Aston's smile returned when he heard her. "That's true."

"I really hope that it ends soon. I hate it when you and the others are in danger. I'm worried but there's nothing I can do to help." Nicole said. Her expression a mixture of concern and annoyance.

"Nothing?" Aston mused. Then he lifted his fingers and gently tapped on the side of her head. "You come up with a good plan and if you succeed in fooling those two men, everything will become easier. That's a great job."

Nicole finally smiled at his words. "You are always good with words," she remarked.

Aston flashed a proud smile. "That's a given. I'm a public figure."

Nicole shook her head at his overconfident nature. "Exactly. That's why I have become more popular ever since our relationship was revealed. I have to decline several interview offers each day."

Aston chuckled. "That means you should thank me for that. Your popularity rises and you don't have to work for it at all."

He's helpless! Nicole let out a sigh. "Let's not get started. I'm glad enough that you have supportive fans as you said. Thanks to that, I'm still alive."

Aston shook his head but it was soon followed by a peal of laughter. "I think I should quit my career once everything is solved. I'm tired of being busy all the time. I want to have more time for you."

"Don't you enjoy your work?" Nicole asked.

"It's 50-50. Sometimes, I did and sometimes, I don't. Besides, I already earned enough even if I decided to not choose a new career."

"That's up to you. I will support you whatever your decision is," Nicole said to him with a loving smile.....