Chapter 18

CHARLES

Before I could bat my eyes, I saw Reed walking into the conference hall like he owns the place.

What the hell?

What does he take himself for, allowing me to sit on my seat before he strode in like the king of the clan?

“And where are you coming from?” I asked, and he looked up lazily. I could see that Adrian was glaring at him like he should fire the gun in his hand, but it was of no use.

Killing this cockroach with my bullet is a waste of bullets; he is still going to die with or without me talking at all.

“Chill, brother, since when have you last seen me?” He said, and I sighed.

So stupid! 

“Where were you?” his mother asked, and he walked towards her.

“I was exploring the good of the castle, and I wanted to see something new that my brother had done.” He replied to his mother.

He sat beside her, and she kissed his forehead.

“You got me worried!” She said she was acting all gloomy with him like he was a pet she was fawning over. I sighed watching the two of them acting like cats.

“Ohh, Mum, you don't have to be worried. I am in my town, in the same castle my father built with his sweat. There is nothing that can happen to me!” He said, and I chuckled.

They both turned to look at me immediately with anger.

“Did your mother forget to tell you who your real father is? All these years of fawning over you, and she can't even tell you the truth about your father!” I said, and they frowned.

I knew that they were trying to make me see that he still has a right in this castle, but instead, I went ahead to show the two of them that I am wiser.

They want to be shameless; I will spare them no face then! 

“Ohh, was that a secret?” I said, and the two of them didn't know what to say!

“I am sorry to make them realize that he is not the true son of my father, that you brought him into the castle like a burden or baggage!” I added.

“Stop, Charles! Stop!” His mother yelled, and I sighed.

What can I say at this moment? They wanted to make me feel uncomfortable, so I will just play their cards back for them.

“I know that we are stepbrothers, but your father accepted me as his son and even trained me as his heir because his son chose to be a warrior instead,” Reed said, and I chuckled.

I can barely remember Father training him. Father was petting him on his head! He was just making him weaker and weaker.

He didn't want me to have any challenges when I wanted to become the heir, and yes, he thought it wise.

If I had had to fight against Reed for the king position, I would have been doomed if he had asked a warrior.

He is a smart and dubious man already; I found it hard to fight against that, and adding strength would have been a very good way to destroy me completely.

I can't do that!

“Well, no real father will give his throne to his bastard son!” I said it bluntly, and he was pissed off. I could see the anger in his face, but he held it in at the last minute.

I don't know why, but I felt unsafe with his actions. I wanted him to yell so I could have a reason to send them out of here, but with this,

I can't!

I don't know if he held his anger in because of the reason he was here or if he has a thing that he can still use against me.

Either of the options was good, and I didn't want you to risk anything when it comes to Reed. He is just like his mother.

He is quick to think and set traps. He will stop at nothing until he brings me down with him!

“What are you here for, half-brother?” I said, and he smiled.

“It is so nice to see that my brother is so generous today, and he is willingly ready to listen to us and why we are here!” he said, and I rolled my eyes.

He is being calculative about the words I said again.

“Speak now, or I will have the guards escort you in a minute!” I said, and he frowned.

“You are so impatient, my brother!” He said and smiled devilishly this time around. It was fast, and it was almost like he didn't smile at me.

I don't know why, but my spirit feels that something is wrong; something isn't right somewhere! But I can't say exactly what that is.

“At first I wanted to ask for food and more resources where you put me and my mother. But now, I think I don't want that; I want something else,” he said, and his mother tapped him.

I guess this was against why they were here! They must have spoken about something, and he is saying another thing.

But why? 

Reed never acts without a reason! Why is he asking for something else and not shelter or food? 

“Mum, I got this!” He said, and the mother, who initially looked worried, immediately calmed down and faced me.

Reed also looked back at me, and I sighed.

“You asking doesn't mean that I will give. Choose wisely; you can ask for another thing once you ask for the first one, and it is impossible!” I threatened him, and he smiled.

“I am certain you will give it to me!” He said, and I felt worried, but I didn't reflect any emotion on my face, as I could tell we were trying to read each other like a book.

“During my tour in the castle, I was able to find a treasure that I want to possess. It is pretty to the eyes, and even my heart flipped when I saw it.” He said and looked at me.

“I want it! Brother!” he said, and I sighed.

“What is it?”