Chapter 417 Nearly Extinct
"What did she say next?" Reed thought, his head bowed.
With his usually sharp memory, he pondered, and her words came flooding back. "I'm so envious. After high school, I was forced to marry."
Puzzled, he had asked, "Why? Were your grades poor?"
"No," she had replied, "I was top of my class back home, but I couldn't compare to you."
"Then why did you marry? Haven't you heard the saying, 'All pursuits are inferior to the pursuit of knowledge'?"
After a pause, tears welled up in her clear eyes. "My parents are both ill. You'll understand when you're older."
"Did she come to borrow money?" Reed suddenly put the pieces together and lunged forward, seizing Aria's shoulders.
He vaguely remembered passing by Aria's study and overhearing something about fifty thousand. Reed lived a life of privilege and never worried about money, so mentioning the amount didn't stir him much. But now, in retrospect, everything seemed amiss.
Aria averted his gaze and stayed silent.
"You embezzled millions from her sister and brother-in-law, didn't you? Weren't you supposed to cover her tuition and her medical fees? Why did you do this? Why?!"
Reed was beside himself with rage.
At a glance from Fiona, Xavier moved quickly, restraining Reed, while a bodyguard pulled Aria away.
Aria stood there like an empty puppet, his expression hollow and eyes fixed on the ground.
"The logic is simple," Fiona explained to Aria. "If she had gotten the money and her parents were cured, that would have been great. But if she had continued her education and gained wisdom, she would have soon discovered that the death of her sister and brother-in-law could have gotten her a compensation far beyond fifty thousand. Only by keeping someone in the dark can the greedy rest easy."
"You're inhuman!" Reed cried out in a voice strained with emotion.
"Reed, I’ve raised you so well; I’ve been kind to you. You can't let this erase all the love between us!" Aria sobbed deeply, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Chelsea, I would give my life for you," said Reed, refusing to look at Aria anymore. "Just let me see my family one last time."
Fiona observed him with an unreadable expression.
Reed appeared stunned, disbelief evident in his features. "You're not implying they are all gone..."
"Your aunt is still here; she and her husband work at a factory. They have three children," Fiona responded.
"And the others?" Reed asked through tears. "What about my grandparents and my uncle?"
"Eight years ago, there was a massive earthquake where they were working. They didn't make it," Fiona replied.
That day had been Reed's uncle's birthday. The whole family had gathered, and the earthquake struck when they were fast asleep in the middle of the night. Their homes at the worksite were just temporary shacks situated right at the earthquake's epicenter.
In an instant, a tragedy had swept away the lives of an entire family.
Yet, by a stroke of luck, the younger aunt, who couldn't get time off to celebrate her brother's birthday, and her family were spared from the disaster.
"Damn... This family... It's just too much, isn't it?" Aspen spoke, glanced at Aria, then corrected himself, "No, wait!"
Pointing at Aria, he accused him, "If that greedy old man hadn't pocketed that money back then, this family wouldn't have needed to work on the construction site at all. They wouldn't have been nearly wiped out if they hadn't gone there! In the end, it's all your fault!"
"Look, Mrs. Solomon, I may despise that bastard, but could you let him see his aunt? It's just... sad," Aspen said to Fiona, not even looking at Reed, his voice heavy with anger.
Before Fiona could respond, Reed gestured dismissively, saying, "Forget it."
"What do you mean, ‘forget it?’ Your aunt's still alive; aren't you going to see her?" Aspen's voice was filled with disbelief. "They didn't abandon you on purpose; they were deceived!"
"I've become what I am now; seeing me would just bring her more grief," Reed said, tears welling up suddenly as he broke down sobbing, "If I'd known I still had a family in this world, I wouldn't have done any of this."
"Look at the mess you've made!" Aspen pointed at Aria.
"Mrs. Solomon, may I ask a favor?" Reed managed to say after his emotional outburst, looking at Fiona.
"Let's hear it."
"Aria transferred all the money from the Swiss bank to me." Reed pulled out a security token. "I want you to give this to my aunt, pretending it's the wrongful death settlement meant for my parents. There’s no need to mention me."
He paused for a moment.
"Also, I have some money left in my account. You have a broader network than I do, so I hope you can find a reputable mental health facility for Ember. You know she's the most innocent in all this. I hope neither you nor your husband will hold a grudge against her."
With these words, Reed even got down on his knees before Fiona.
He bowed deeply, showing his respect.
"I'm begging you!"
"Reed..." Aria collapsed on the floor, watching Reed cry uncontrollably.
"Aria's actions have threatened the Solomons; consequently, we will be reopening the old sewage case. Any unpaid settlements will be pursued, and the Solomons will join the other victims in a lawsuit against Aria for damages."
Fiona placed her empty teacup down, stood up, and departed.
She was still in the town of Brixton.
The dead of night now cloaked the quiet, ancient town in silence.
She stepped outside and saw the monstrous skyscrapers looming in the distance.
Aria's lavish mansion, overlooking the neighborhood he had built years ago, was visible from her doorstep.
He couldn't decide what struck him more each time he visited that neighborhood—pride or guilt towards the victims.
"Mrs. Solomon!"
Fiona was about to get into the car when someone chased her.
It was Aspen.
"What do you want?" Xavier positioned himself protectively in front of Fiona, gesturing a warning to Aspen, "Back off!"
"No need," Fiona said indifferently.
Xavier hesitated but still stepped aside slightly.
He had always known that the people around Miss Rhoads were fierce.
But it wasn't until today, during his first encounter with Mike, that he understood what being truly fierce meant.
No one could have kept Mike in check if it hadn't been for Miss Rhoads's presence.
This realization sparked a sense of crisis in Xavier.
His career was already on thin ice after two mistakes.
"Man, look at me; I don't look like I could attack someone," Aspen mumbled. "Why so tense?"
"Do you need something?" Fiona inquired.
Keeping his distance, Aspen suddenly bowed deeply to Fiona. "Thank you! If it weren't for you, I might have died without ever knowing who I am and who my real parents are."
"I didn't do it for you," Fiona responded excellently.
"I know! But I still want to thank you!" Aspen said earnestly, his gaze firm on Fiona. "To repay your kindness, I hope you would allow me to work by your side!"
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