Chapter 10

*Ten years ago*

That night, the Forger Family gathered for dinner as usual.

"Congratulations on the success of the project, Big Brother Zavier!" said Gabriela as she raised her glass of juice in a toast to congratulate her brother on his career success. "To be able to work with such a big company at such a young age, my brother is a genius indeed!" the girl praised with a proud laugh.

Hearing her daughter's words, Zavier and Gabriela's father chimed in, "That's because Zavier is Papa's son!" The man lifted his chin proudly. "Your brother is indeed smart, plus Dad's upbringing, that's why he's so great at such a young age!"

Zavier's mother nudged her husband. "Do you feel like you spend more time with your children? How come Dad is the one who claims to be meritorious, hmm?" teased the wife, making the husband gulp.

"But it was Dad who taught Zavier about the company, and Mom taught him something else," Zavier's father retorted, reluctantly. However, seeing his wife's sharp gaze, his nerves shrank. "I-yeah, yes, because of Mama."

Zavier laughed widely at his father and mother's conversation. The twenty three year old was so handsome, friendly, and smiling. No wonder so many women fell for him, especially considering his career for someone his age was very successful and promising.

However, Zavier's heart was only for one person, his fiancée, Ayano Cruch.

In the middle of dinner, Zavier felt his cell phone vibrate. He grabbed it from his pocket and looked at the screen.

[Ayano Cruch]

Seeing Ayano's name on the screen, Zavier stood up from his chair. "Sorry, I went out for a moment to take a call," he said with a helpless smile as he walked quickly out of the dining room.

In their seats, Gabriela snorted. "Who's trying to call at this hour?" She grumbled, "That girl doesn't know her manners either."

"Hush, Gabriela. Don't talk out of turn," her father admonished, knowing exactly who Gabriela was referring to. "Ayano is your brother's fiancée. Your grandfather and Gabriela's grandfather set them up. Besides, Ayano's a good girl, so she's perfect for Zavier."

Hearing her father's words, Gabriela only frowned. "A woman's intuition is strong, Dad. Mama and I weren't happy with Ayano from the start. She doesn't really love Zavier's brother!" The girl cut her meat in exasperation and said, "Anyway, don't tell me Gabriela didn't warn Papa about that girl!"

The father glanced at his wife, but she could only smile helplessly. After all, as Gabriela had said, she didn't really like Ayano either. However, out of respect for her late father-in-law's decision, she couldn't say anything.

While the family continued with dinner, Zavier was already outside the house and received a call from his fiancée. "Ayano?" he greeted with a soft smile on his lips. "What's up—"

[Zavier! Zavier, you have to help me!]

The panic that could be heard in Ayano's voice on the other end of the line made Zavier's gentle expression disappear in an instant and was replaced by worry. "What's going on?" He heard Ayano's sobs and the woman's trembling voice. "Don't panic, explain your situation."

[I... I was almost raped.]

Ayano's words made Zavier wide-eyed. "What?!" Anger washed over him.

[But, but I managed to protect myself. I hit that guy's head.]

For a moment, Zavier was relieved that his fiancée was okay. However, his face instantly paled when he heard Ayano's follow-up remark.

[Now... now she's no longer breathing!]

No longer breathing? The man who tried to rape Ayano... he... died? If that's true, whatever the reason, wouldn't that mean Ayano would be... involved with the police?

[Ayano] I don't know what to do, Zavier! I don't want to deal with the police!]

Zavier frowned as he racked his brain. "Ayano, you calm down first. Don't do anything rash," the man said as he ran to the side of the road to call a taxi. "Send me your location, I'll be there."

***

[Orchid Hotel, Room 018, Ascarion City Center.]

"What should we do?" asked Ayano who was now in Zavier's arms.

Now, before Zavier's eyes, he noticed the body of a man he recognized lying helplessly on the floor. Blood pooled on the floor where his head was.

Bentley Smith, that was the name of the man who was now no longer alive in the room. What was most troublesome was the fact that the young man was the heir of the Smith Family, the second richest family in Ascarion!

Ayano was told that Bentley had invited her for a business meeting. However, in the middle of the conversation, Ayano's head felt dizzy and her vision blurred. On the pretext of helping, Bentley drove Ayano to the hotel room because the girl was having trouble even walking. Little did Ayano know that it was Bentley who had treated her drink and attempted to rape her!

"Why did you even come with him!? Don't you know how to take care of yourself!" snapped an angry Zavier at the thought of something bad almost happening to his fiancée.

"I can't think, Zavier!" cried Ayano with tears streaming down her face. "I didn't think of anything myself when I threw that water bottle at her head!" The girl shook her head vigorously. "I didn't expect him to die right away!"

Zavier glanced at the wine bottle lying beside Bentley, the murder weapon.

"We have to report this incident to the police," Zavier said, making Ayano wide-eyed. "You're not at fault, so you can rest easy. With the evidence that he tried to poison and rape you, it's obvious that he will be found guilty."

"N-No! Don't do that, I don't want to go to jail!" Ayano took a step back in panic when she heard the word police. The girl gripped Zavier's shoulders. "Bentley Smith is the heir of the Smith Family, they won't let me go! What evidence? They will definitely destroy everything and the police will cooperate with them!"

Ayano's panic made it difficult for Zavier to think coldly. Finally, he snapped back, "Ayano, the hotel management will definitely realize there's something wrong here, sooner or later they'll find this body!" Zavier said as he held the woman's hand. "Someone has to explain what happened for the truth to come out!"

Hearing this, Ayano looked blankly at Zavier. Seeing the conviction on the man's face that the truth would be revealed, she said, "Then, you confess to this murder."