Chapter 24

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Andrew POV

The next day. I was waiting outside the hospital room, Claire and Mike are still resting in the room provided to them.

There were also the Hospital staff and the guards that Claire had asked for as well.

Like I told her, she made sure to do the clean-up process. Though her father questioned her on what was going on, she gave a half-truth of the incident and asked for her father's help.

Once I completed my, work I told Gerald to send the locations to Claire and she also started to act and made sure to keep everything under.

I came back late at night and we had stayed in the hospital as we decided.

Ray's father had woken up yesterday night and when he heard the news of what happened to his wife and daughter he crumbled.

It was Ray who was able to calm his father.

I gave the order to the Chief Doctor to shift them all in one room.

I have a meeting with Helen Cho today afternoon. She has her own company as well, The U-Gin Genetic Research Facility.

I don't have a lot of information about her as I only saw her in Age of Ultron if my memory serves right.

I planned to involve her as well in my organization.

I saw Ray come out of the room.

"Andrew, my father wants to talk to you."

I did not expect that.

"Okay." I placed my phone in my pocket and entered along with Ray. Claire and Mike were still sleeping so we did not bother disturbing them.

As we entered, I saw Mr. Steel waiting for me.

He pretty much healed as it was only a shoulder injury.

He will not be able to move his left hand for a few days before he can start his Physiotherapy.

"How are you doing Uncle?"

"Ah, I don't know son. I heard you were able to find out who did this to us and that you have taken justice for us. I will talk to Claire after she wakes up. Thank you, son." He was tired and sad.

"This is something I have to do you don't need to thank me for this. I consider Ray as a brother and see him as a family." I told him which brought a smile to his face.

"He is blessed to have you as a friend and brother. I heard you are meeting with someone today for my daughter. Who is it?" He asked me.

"Her name is Dr. Helen Cho. She is a Genetic Researcher who has been working on Tissue Regeneration. She has her own company U-Gin Genetic Research Facility. I am having a meeting with her to provide funds and request her to see Ria and give her input."

"How is her project progress?" He asked with hope.

"She has made tremendous progress in this. The Chief Doctor did say she will be able to finish her research in a few years and I am hoping to lessen the time by including my researchers as well. Hopefully, it will all go well."

He started to tear up and Ray went to his father's side.

"I don't know how to thank you, Andrew. What you are doing right now is something we will be indebted to you forever."

We ended our conversation as the doctor came for a checkup and requested that we let Mr. Steel rest.

He was not only physically exhausted, but mentally too.

"Breakfast?"

"No, Andrew. I am not feeling hungry." He sighed.

"You have not had anything since yesterday. You need to eat." I stubbornly then dragged him out to the nearby hotel.

We ordered some food and once Ray started eating his hunger surged as we ordered more.

"How are you doing?" I asked him.

"Angry, sad, I am feeling all," Ray said.

"I can't say how you have to feel, but do understand that I am someone who can understand what you are in right now. For me, every day was a nightmare and it was Gerald who brought me out of it. He never stopped giving up. He kept on with me through everything and now I am going to do the same for you." I told as I took the drink I ordered and started to drink.

Ray looked at me and said, "I should have known you know, that something like this could happen."

"No one can predict what will happen and you blaming yourself is not the way to go." I could see the guilt in his eyes.

"It's not your fault," I said to him.

"Thanks, bro," At last, there was a smile on his face. A sad one but a smile.

"Were they able to find them? What did you do to them?" Ray asked a bit angry.

"Yes. I did give the location through anonymous means. They were able to find out who did this but before they could capture them, they fled. But what I heard from the Chief of Police is that they were killed. Mr. Ryan was also found dead in his hotel room. In Mr. Ryan's case, he killed himself whereas the Bounty Hunters were mostly killed by others as the Bounty Hunters themselves had a bounty on them." I told a story as even if Ray asks the Chief of Police, they would probably not talk about this. I do know the Chief of Police and if Ray tries to use my name to ask for details the Chief will not talk about it. And most importantly Claire's orders should have reached yesterday as I asked her to act. Having someone in her position is crucial.

Ray did not know whether to be happy or sad at the moment. He then said something that I did not expect from him, "That fucking Ryan, it should be me who should have killed that bastard. He fucking took an easy way to die. He should be tortured to death for what he did to my family."

"Calm down, you want to kill? Do you want to torture Ryan? The way Ryan died is the most humiliating way for someone to pass away. He killed himself because he was scared of what would happen to him if someone found out what he had done. He died in fear. Suicide is the worst way for someone to die. He fucking did not have the guts to even fight and died a coward's death." I retorted. Though deep down I know how much I wanted that bastard to die horrifyingly. I am also glad that the hotel is empty and no one is near our table.

"What is this about wanting to kill someone?" I whispered to him.

"Put yourself in my position Andrew and tell me." He said.

I remember saying those same words one day. I don't know what would have happened, a 8-year-old me pointing a gun at the one who killed my parents. No kid should have to do that. The one who killed my parents was shot to death by Gerald.

After thinking for a few more seconds and at the age that I am in, and the number of criminals I have killed. I know my answer even if he did not ask this question.

"I would do the same. Do know this once you take that step there is no turning back. The thought about killing your competitors will increase and you will succumb to it eventually and what you leave will be nothing but blood and flesh on your path."

This made Ray shocked. He started to contemplate my words and then he realized something.

"You have killed?"

"Yes, and that is why I am telling you, you have to be prepared to go down the path. The ones I have killed are criminals who were after me, assassinations that occurred during my whole life. I was prepared for this when I was at a very young age. My family comes down from the line of people who have been trained not only in developing, managing an Empire but also training in protecting ourselves and without a thought taking the step to kill if necessary."

"The world we live in, the cruel reality that many does not even know exists, we know that and this is your first time experiencing this. Claire and I have gone through many life-and-death situations. This resolved our will and the step to do whatever is necessary and I hope one day you will do the same."

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Ray's POV

I was listening intently as Andrew was talking about what he had gone through in his life. I who wants to kill for revenge knew that I would eventually go down that path as what occurred just made me realize that anyone will be willing to do the same that has occurred already. To protect my family, my friends, and all the people I care about I need to be prepared and have to go that step if necessary, as Andrew said.

I started to contemplate what I have to do from now on. This is like a wake-up call that anything can happen anytime and I need to be prepared to ensure that I can handle all of this.

"Enlighten me Andrew on what the other side of this world is, the cruel reality that you said. I have to be prepared."

"Not now. Your family needs you right now and I will talk about this when it is time." Andrew said.

I and Andrew then talked for another 10 minutes and asked for the bill.

Soon the waitress gave us the bill. I paid and we went back to the hospital to see Claire and Mike awake.

"Where were you guys?" Mike asked.

"Breakfast and this guy here had not had anything to have since yesterday," Andrew said as he pointed to me.

"You could have woken us up," Mike said.

"Well, someone must be here in case of emergencies, and this guy if given the chance will not have anything and just be here sad. He also needed a change of scenery and that being food." Andrew told. A smile grew on my face.

This made Mike chuckle and acknowledge and Claire a smile.

"Okay, I need to freshen up and have breakfast as well, we will be back in an hour," Claire said and dragged Mike.

The nurse came out a bit hurried which startled us all.

"What happened?" I asked her.

"Mr. Ray, your sister she has woken up and we… we…," the nurse started to cry.

"Ray, go in, your sister is scared," Andrew said.

I rushed inside and saw my sister crying. My friends all followed me behind as well.

Ria was bawling out, "Mommy, mommy it is paining, mommy…" she was breaking in her talks as she was crying.

All of us teared up when we saw her.

She then saw me and all of us and started to move her left hand calling out to me.

"Brother, brother, it is paining, paining, my hand, hand…" she sobbed as she held me

"It's okay, don't worry I am here," I started to console her. But seeing her made my resolve grow.

"Brother will take care of everything, you don't worry, your hand will heal soon, it will grow" I hugged her as I started to calm her down.

I kept patting her head and back and slowly she became exhausted from all the crying and went to sleep. But she was clutching my clothes so tight afraid that I will let her go.

Claire and the nurse were crying hard. Mike was with Claire and Andrew was consoling the nurse.

"Andrew, I will do what's necessary and when the time is right, teach me," I told him as he could see the resolution in my eyes which made him nod. I turned back to my sister who was sleeping in pain, I saw my mother who is showing no signs of waking up, and my father who is feeling he had lost his world.

I promise I will never let this happen and I will destroy the ones who have the thought of harming my family I know you will not accept this mother, father but I will do it and eventually you will understand why.

Time went by as it became 1 in the afternoon.

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Andrew POV

The Chief had scheduled the meeting at 1:30 with Helen Cho.

"Ms. Cho has arrived," Gerald who was beside me said.

"Great, the earlier the better. We will go to the Chief Doctor's room."

"Guys, I will be back soon, if you need anything call me. I have a meeting with Ms. Helen Cho and will be in the Chief Doctor's room."

"Alright, we will let you if anything is required," Claire said.

I was now in front of the Chief Doctor's room and opened the door to see Ms. Helen Cho talking with the Chief. They both turned to look at me and I could see the excitement in Ms. Helen Cho's eyes.

She was beautiful to look, a South Korean, with a slim figure and depicting intelligence in her looks.

"Mr. Andrew it's a pleasure to meet you." An excited Helen said.

"It's my pleasure, Ms. Cho."

"Oh, please call me Helen."

"Then you can call me Andrew."

We got acquainted and then I got to the important part.

"How's your research progress? Have you started Human trails?"

"Not yet, Andrew. The progress is good and till now we have only been testing on animals. Only when we see no negative effects will we go for Human Trails."

"How long will that take?"

"It will take a year to two. And I have to be honest, I don't think we will be able to regrow an entire hand but since the Chief told me that they were able to retrieve Ms. Ria's hand. I have asked them to preserve it and after looking at it I can give you a conclusive result."

"Thanks a lot." A genuine thanks came from me.

"I also have some insights and maybe we can meet another time to discuss as well. And if possible, I would like to fund your research and hopefully become a partner to your company. I will also lend you researchers who are accomplished in Genetics, though not at your level but will help speed up the research progress."

Helen started to contemplate my words for the next few minutes.

"I can't decide that alone, though the company is mine I need some time and do need some approval from a few of my colleagues who started the company with me before giving you an answer."

A smile grew on my face and I handed a card and said, "That will be great. Here is my number and do let me know as soon as possible."

"Sure," she said with a blush on her face.

The Chief Doctor then took us out to the room where they had preserved the hand.

Helen then saw the condition of the Hand and was also visibly eyeing it.

She then took out the report of Ria's condition.

"It is possible to heal her hand with my technology. It will take time for her bones to grow though. Her hand will mostly be that of a fractured hand that will slowly heal itself in 4 months after the Tissue Regeneration. The only issue right now is how to preserve her hand for a year without it deteriorating."

"I will take care of that," said the Chief Doctor.

We then had our lunch together along with Claire and Mike.

Claire and Helen were getting along well and sometimes in the middle she moves her sight towards me before going back again to Claire and continuing their chat.

She would have thought that I did not notice but I who has the Observation Haki could even sense a minuscule change in my range.

"Thank you, Andrew, it was a pleasure in meeting you," said Helen.

"The pleasure's all mine," I said.

"I will let you know by tomorrow of the decision we have come to," Helen said as she got into her car.

"That will be great," I said and moved as the car departed from the hospital.

Claire and Mike were along with me.

"She is into you, you know that right?" Mike said as we were heading back.

"Now is not the time for me to indulge in this Mike and you better be ready, I have a lot of work that has to be done and it will be done by you," I laughed as Mike felt a shiver run down his back.

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[AN: A big chapter. I did not expect it will go close to 3000 words. Provide me Power Stones and point my mistakes so I can improve. Let me know your thoughts of this chapter. Enjoy your day, Readers.]

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