Chapter 36 : Preparation

"So that's why…"

Mrs. Victoria looked down while biting her lips. She had this complicated expression on her face as if she didn't know how to feel upon hearing my explanation. I observed her reaction and was relieved when I saw her pretty calm in taking this.

"Yes. It's too late to keep a low profile, now my secrets are out. But I can at least minimize the effect by enduring."

"But it won't solve the root of the problem. It will only cause you unnecessary suffering!"

Well, she is not wrong with that. However, despite staying obedient, what else could I do? Without money, parents, or relatives to support me, it's like basically going into the war naked. Furthermore, I got such a bad reputation. It's a miracle how I made it this far.

"Don't worry. I said it before, right? I'm used to it already. It's okay as long as I endure it just a little bit more."

"No, you can't. I know you possess a strong heart and mind, but physically, your body won't hold out. They physically abuse you, and you also have to spend your energy on your study and a part-time job. A person could only bear so much before they collapsed."

"I have been doing it since my first year, and there's no problem. My body has a high tolerance of pain."

Mrs. Victoria massaged his temple as she frowned. "I don't know if you are trying to reassure me or making me more worried."

She then added, "What are you gonna do about the committee meeting? Without… *cough.. guardians, do you have any relatives that can accompany you?"

I casually shook my head. Mrs. Victoria gave me a knowing look as she patted my shoulder. "Then, I will be attending as your guardian."

My mouth was hanging open in shock. I knew she was kind, but usually, you wouldn't offer to do this for a person you barely know right? It's too troublesome after all.

"You don't have to do that. Mrs, Victoria, you are not obliged to do anything for me."

"I do this because I want to. You can't stop me." Mrs. Victoria smiled at me. "If support is the thing you need, then I'll give it to you. It's better to have an adult by your side rather than no one, right?"

"Even so…"

Mrs. Victoria waved her hand, prompting me to stop talking. "Stop debating. If you have energy for that you should've used that earlier. It's strange, but I can't seem to leave you alone. For my own peace of mind, please let me do this."

She looked at me with that sincere look again. I felt like I couldn't win against this person, ever. Her black eyes were so clear and deep, rendering me speechless. Her red lips were curved up in a beautiful smile. Beauty is a weapon, indeed.

"There won't be anything good coming from being involved with me. I'm warning you. Please be careful."

"Even if something happened to me later on, it wouldn't be your fault."

I was stunned by her considerate words. I was proud of my ability to conceal how I felt deep inside, but recently so many people seemed to be able to see through me. Are they some kind of psychic?

I used to be ignored and chastised everywhere. I never hoped to have revenge or to lead a life better than others. For me, living a normal life was already more than enough. However, that kind of normalcy was still foreign to me. I didn't dare to come too close, lest it would crumble down under my touch.

That's why, while I was moved and happy for her care, I also felt uncomfortable and afraid at the same time.

"Thank you." In the end, that was the only thing I could utter from my mouth.

***

That night, I was deep in thought as I plastered myself on my study desk. In front of me, many black cards were scattered on top of the desk. What is the use of these black cards? I will tell you later.

I reminded myself repeatedly that I needed to do this. I still have my future to think about. Anything that happens after this might be or might not be the result of my action, but regardless, it's something I had to do.

I couldn't waver just because of a temporary emotion. As Mrs. Victoria said, this world might not be as cold as I thought it was. Even if people threw a dagger at me, there were still some people who were willing to treat me sincerely, as a fellow human being. Like Grandpa and Mrs. Victoria.

There were also Nina, Charlie, and Alex. Even if they were still in the dark regarding my past, their kindness and care for me weren't a lie. They might change after they knew the truth about me, and probably even distanced themselves from me, but does it make them inherently a bad person? Just because one antagonized others due to personal feelings, does it make up to all the kindness they gave before?

I messed up my hair as these trains of thoughts drained me mentally. If it's the previous me, I won't hesitate to brush them off as a simple act of pity, which I didn't need. I focused solely on my goal and didn't give anything else a second thought. Ever since I spent time with Grandpa, I could feel something gradually change inside me. I slowly changed into someone I didn't recognize, and honestly, it scared me.

I was doing fine within the little world I made, but that world started to crack as I met new people. My perception about the world, my little world itself, began to distort in uncertainty. This state of instability threw me off, and I didn't know how to cope with it.

What am I even doing this for? My future? When I am not even sure if this is worth it? What if there is actually another option for me? One that I wouldn't dare to hope for previously?

I groaned inwardly. Feeling stressed out by everything that has happened these days. I slapped both of my cheeks as I cheered on myself. "Don't think too hard. It's too late to back out, anyway. Let's just stick to the plan for now."

After forcing myself to focus on the task at hand, I took my phone and sent a file to Kelly. This was the evidence against Mr. Gilbert I promised her earlier. I found her behavior rather strange for someone who wanted nothing to do with this in the beginning, but as she said, it's better to be cautious.

After that, I stood up and took out my black jacket and cap from the closet. I glanced at the time on my phone. It was 08.16 PM. Perfect time to move. I wore a black mask and put on the jacket's hood. With that, my disguise was complete.

With a smirk, I walked out of the house. The street was so dark outside, but it didn't hinder me from walking to the nearest bus station. After arriving, I dug out a scrap of paper from my pants pocket and efficiently chose the correct bus to ride on.

Fortunately, it didn't take a long time for me to arrive at my destination. I glanced at my surroundings, and the streets were bustling with life. It was very much different from the area I was living in. There were lights everywhere with many people walking in the crowd.

I looked up at the sign of the PC cafe in front of me, etching it into my mind before I proceeded inside. The person behind the counter immediately greeted me and led me to an empty cubicle in the corner.

Without wasting any time, I sat in front of the computer, turned it on, and made a new email account. It didn't take long to make one. Using my new email, I sent Mr. Hudson an email, complete with evidence against Mr. Gilbert attached.

I grinned wickedly after the email was successfully sent. Are you asking if there is any need to do this much just to send an email? Well, quoting Mrs. Victoria's statement, I was doing this for my own peace of mind. That's all it was. What I was doing was basically stalking and heavy violation of someone's privacy, and if for some reason Mr. Gilbert or Mr. Hudson wanted to investigate who was the culprit, he wouldn't get to me that easily. I even went to a PC cafe located pretty far from my house to send it.

The only way to win against this unfavorable situation, was to make a thorough preparation beforehand. With my limited resource, this was the best I could do.

I deliberately didn't send it until tonight to bring out the surprise element to its fullest. Knowing Mr. Hudson's suspicious nature, I would use this chance to force him to trust me. He must know how to utilize these pieces of information to the fullest. It felt like I was cheating him on this, but who cares? I was running out of time, and it's not like Mr. Hudson would gain nothing by cooperating. He will gain benefit and so am I, it's a win-win situation.

As expected, few minutes after I sent an email, there was one incoming email from Mr. Hudson. The content of his email was pretty short :

[I don't know who you are, and I won't ask since I won't believe you anyway. I take it we have a common enemy, so let me thank you in advance for your token of sincerity. I will wait for your 'surprise' first, then I'll give you my response].

I smirked at his reply. It was so easy communicating with a smart person.