Still the Same

* * *

A loud thud along with a piercing sound of a gunshot echoed not far from where Laotian was followed by a harsh dreadful shrill.

Everything happened in mere seconds, no one except Nigel who was on the way to assist Mo Laotian witnessed what had just happened. No one anticipated it, especially Jordan Bronson who quickly crawled towards his barely conscious husband, crying and still stunned. His hands were shaking as he pressed against the wound he unintentionally inflicted on his chest.

"N-Noooo~ . . . No. No. No, H-Honey. . . w-wake up," Jordan called in panic. Even though his leg was hurting due to his injury, he didn't mind the pain as he bent it sitting on the floor. Diego's eyes flickered as he tried to ease his crying wife, he tried to say something but he ended up coughing blood, further frightening the Omega.

"D-don't talk. I'll call for help quickly," Jordan quickly said, his voice trembled as he hurriedly fished out his mobile phone however as he was doing so Diego held his wife's hand and later towards his stomach. He looked at Jordan relieved as if it doesn't matter that he got shot as long as the Omega was fine.

"T-that's enough," Diego forced himself to say despite coughing blood. He was glad that he made it on time, he was supposed to surprise the Omega with his early arrival when he learned that Jordan had left the house through Joshua reporting to him that his brother-in-law was at his art gallery event. Honestly, it would have been okay since both Mo brothers already assured him that they wouldn't make a move as long as Jordan won't touch them again but Diego knew full well Jordan wasn't at the art gallery to enjoy art. He was there to do something that might cause his demise.

"That's enough," Diego said again and caressed Jordan's barely noticeable baby bump. He was relieved that even at the cost of his own life, both get to live.

"I said stop talking!" Jordan slightly yelled this time as he bawled. He understands what Diego meant. He wasn't that dense, he could tell that Diego was doing everything to stop him. It was just his speculation but when Mo Laotian told him earlier that Diego came to them himself to beg for their lives, it confirmed all suspicions. He felt betrayed, he was angry because the Alpha promised to support him and all his desires but just because suddenly he got pregnant, he wanted to back away.

"D-Do you really h-hate it that much f-for you to throw life f-for that bastard?!!" Jordan said between him bawls. He understood that him getting pregnant again after trying for years was a big deal considering his body's condition but that's more the reason why he's in a rush.

"Y-You said you're on my side. T-That no matter what you're on my side! Y-You liar! Lair!" Jordan continued to bawl, his body shaking. After his mother died, he never thought he would like to cry like this again because, in the first place, he was only using Diego. He was only with him for the money and connection, he never planned to fall for him.

Meanwhile, looking at the scene still pressing on David's wound, Laotian signaled Nigel and the others to put down their weapons as the Omega doesn't plan to fight anymore. He was surprised at what Diego Bronson did but he might have saved his life, he does not feel remorse seeing the man laying on the floor. However, he was not that bad of a person so he asked Nigel to make sure to send two ambulances to their location.

"What in the world happened here!?? People are ru-- Diego!" Suddenly Joshua said in the midst of running towards them but as soon as he recognized one of the two men laying on the floor, his eyes went wide in surprise. Not even an hour ago he was on the phone with his brother and now he's here on a pool of blood.

"What happened! Please call an ambulance," Joshua asked again as he bent his knees to get a closer look at his brother barely conscious, and Jordan on the floor. And instead of Laotian, Nigel replied that they already called and that they are on their way. Hearing that, Joshua nodded gratefully and looked at Jordan who was shaking in his sleep.

"I-I shot him..." Jordan mumbled, making Joshua frown. Although he knew that Jordan was part of an illegal syndicate, he did not believe Jordan would shoot the person he loved. Joshua has been with the two from the beginning, he followed how their relationship progressed and he knew that they love each other.

"H-He suddenly...I pulled t-the trigger... a-and in front o-of me... a-and now this..." Jordan tried to explain between his sobs but his thoughts were all over the place that Joshua was barely able to understand. It was clear that the Omega didn't purposely do it. He looked at Jordan's leg and saw how blood was also gushing out of it so he chose to stay silent, letting this go for now.

"Okay, calm down. You're bleeding too, ambulance will come any minute now so you two hold on until then," Joshua said while stripping off his suit and later pressing it on the Omega's wound. Jordan nodded still sobbing especially when Diego finally lost consciousness.

"I don't know what happened here but this is a serious matter," Joshua said, massaging his temples. Now that he had a closer look, aside from there's another man laying on the floor unconscious, the people around them were with guns and it doesn't look like they are police officers.

Hearing Joshua, Laotian nodded. This is a public area and there was an event, of course, if this comes out it'll be a huge scandal the Mo family and Mo Empire will be on, much worse than Mo Hanlu's recent.

"I hope no one died," Joshua added. However, that's just his wishful thinking as Nigel suddenly faced him.

"You might want to look at the event hall," Nigel said with a serious expression. With the earlier collision, it wouldn't be a surprise if there are two or more dead people lying on the floor.

"What!? Don't tell me..." Joshua exclaimed and quickly rushed to the nearest door leading to the event hall and as soon as he saw the condition inside, he instant released a loud gasped and later a helpless groan before he closed the door again looking at Nigel and his group of men, then to Laotian and not say anything because it couldn't be helped.

They all fell silent, only Jordan's sobbing echoed in the area and occasionally when they had to keep other people away from the area. Thankfully, it was not long before the ambulance came and took care of the injured. When finally the three were sent away accompanied by five of Laotian's men to make sure Jordan wouldn't escape, Laotian decided to take care of the whole mess seeing that there are already policemen coming which is soon the media will arrive.

That night, he drove to the Mo Empire building with his paintings and spent the rest of the time until the next morning talking to a couple of people that'll help him cover what just happened.

* * *

"We'll visit you soon," Diane said and kissed Daniel's cheeks as they stood at the foyer, after Lan and Luangmin. "You too, Dear. Thank you for inviting me to little Lan's birthday," Diane added, after separating from a hug with Daniel.

"It's only a simple birthday celebration before Hanlu leaves for Africa. You and Uncle are family and it's the least I could do for letting us stay at your place," Ian replied with a gentle smile on his lips.

"Oh Darling, it's nothing. This house is too much for Armand and me especially when Daniel left, we had been lonely here together so having a visitor was very refreshing. And just like you said, we're family," Diane replied hugging Ian. Hearing the family from Diane, Ian smiled sweetly. He really loves that ever since he married Hanlu, his family had been expanding. A family he never wished he could have in his life after all he had been through.

After the short farewell, Daniel and Ian, together with Lan and Luangmin finally left the Lopez residence, and just like Diane suggested earlier, they went on a short trip to Armand's building along the way.

"Oh my, it's really been a long time since I've been here. I remember I used to run around and play while Daddy worked on a new design with his workers," Daniel said and looked at the warehouse in awe. It was a lot bigger now and the building looks new compared to what he remembers.

"Minmin, this is where your Grandpa works. Mommy used to play here a lot," Daniel said to Luangmin who was also looking outside. The place was new so the little boy was a little excited that when the car door was opened by the driver, he excitedly stepped out next to his mother.

"Ian, let me show you and Lan around," Daniel said again, looking at Ian who was also stepping outside with Lan, and as they both looked around. Ian knew that although the Lopez family weren't as wealthy as the Mos, they are still indeed wealthy but when he saw the huge brand name in front of the warehouse, he didn't know that Armand Lopez was the owner of the recently rising company that caught every wealthy families' attention. This brand was really known for providing sturdy and uniquely customized furniture that no one would think was possible to make.

"Your family owns WoodWorks?" Ian asked. When the brand got famous 2 years ago, he wanted to buy a new sofa set that is suitable for his small place but in the end, he wasn't able to because he had gotten busy and it was also kinda difficult for him to get rid of the old sofa that he bought long ago using his hard-earned money.

"Right, you didn't know but it's not that big of a deal," Daniel chuckled. Ian has only been with the Mo family for months so there had been no chance or need to mention it.

"Right," Ian replied awkwardly, following the younger Omega towards the warehouse. To say that it was not a big deal was in fact a big deal but Ian chose to ignore, he already knew Daniel was not the type to brag and there indeed no chance for him to mention it.

Looking around, Ian noticed the workers that were outside started looking at them while some were whispering to each other and not a minute passed Armand Lopez marched towards them on a simple pants and white T-Shirt. If he didn't know already, Ian wouldn't have thought that the man owned the place because he dressed too humbly.

"Surprise!" Daniel said holding out the lunch box he brought for his father and his workers to snack on.

"Certainly I was. Why are you here? It's too hot and dusty, and there are chemicals that might harm you here," Armand said, surprised accepting the box and despite wanting to, he didn't hug Daniel because he was dirty from work.

"Daddy, aren't you happy your son is here? It's been such a long time since I came here. This place has become bigger and there's so many new people," Daniel said and looked around, noticing the employees curiously looking at their direction.

"I am happy but you should've told me you wanted to visit ahead of time. We could have cleaned the place so it'll be safe for you and the kids. There had been so many changes for the past 2 years and I'm excited to show you but you better birth the twins first before ever dreaming of going inside," Armand said softly before he smiled towards Ian and then Luangmin and Lan who looked very excited peeking at the inside of the warehouse.

"Ahww, and I was so excited coming here," Daniel said with a pout and peeked inside since the whole front was open wide for them to see, trying to see if there were people who looked familiar to him.

"Don't be stubborn now. We're using new technology that might harm you and the kids. Also are you really sure this is the only reason?"

"Ahhh, did Mom tell you already?"

"Yes. Thanks for coming here to see me," Armand said nodding and although he also didn't want his only son to leave, he had no choice.

"Because you might sulk if I didn't," Daniel teased, causing Armand to chuckle and mess with Daniel's hair.

"You might be right. But it's an emergency, Mr. Perrel is a good man and I understand why you're worried. Don't worry, Diane and I will visit you again soon, okay?"

"Okay, thanks Daddy," Daniel smiled sweetly and jumped on Armand for a hug. Armand quickly remembered how Daniel used to be and he chuckled again knowing nothing had changed. He's still his bright and lovely son that he had spoiled since the day he lifted him on his arms.