The Novak's Heir Arises

8. The Shen Family

The next day found Travis at the private cemetery where Adam was being buried. The weather was peaceful, as if it knew someone was mourning. The sun sat high in the sky, warm but not scorching, as the clouds lazily drifted. The calm breeze flew through the field, rustling the grass.

Silence was thick in the area. Travis, all by himself, knelt in front of Adam's grave where he had been buried. At Keegan's order, the grave was made of white marble with Adam's name carved on it. Flowers surrounded the grave beautifully.

Travis knelt in silence for what felt like thirty minutes, reminiscing the memories he had with Adam. Adam had been the only father figure he had in life. Now he was gone. Just like that. 

Travis took a deep breath and bowed his head. A teardrop streaked down his cheek from both eyes. 

"I'll avenge you, father," muttered Travis. 

Keegan said the men who attacked him were in his custody. His jaw clenched. They'd pay for this, and whoever sent would pay tenfold.

After a while, he dropped his flower by the grave and kissed it before leaving the cemetery. He entered the SUV, where Eva sat waiting for him. 

Eva gazed at him with concern. "You are fine, right?"

Travis wiped the tear streak on his cheek with the back of his hand. "Yes."

"Home?"

Travis shook his head. 

"Wilburt Street? To see the Shen family?” she asked.

Travis stared at her in shock. How did she know about that?

She merely shrugged. "I have my ways of getting information."

"Well, um… yeah."

Eva nodded. "I know how they've been treating you. I can make them pay for everything they've done." 

Travis shook his head. "Don't worry. They can't hurt me now."

"Of course, they can't. They'll have to deal with me first." Eva's voice was filled with determination.

"Thank you."

"So, have you decided what school you'd like to attend? I'd suggest Henderson College, but I'll still support whatever decision you make."

Travis smiled sheepishly. "That's my dream school, actually."

Eva's face lit up. "Really? That's the college I and your father graduated from. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get admitted. With my words, I'm sure they'll admit you."

Travis pursed his lips. "I want to get in with my ability. I mean, I appreciate the help, but I didn't want it to seem like I'm depending on you too much."

"Oh, don't worry. You are right. I was just carried away. Their entrance exam is coming soon. So you should start preparing for it "

"Thank you."

Eva drove until they arrived at the Shen's duplex in Wilburt Street.

As Travis unfastened his seat belt, Eva said, "If anything happens, don't be afraid to call for help. I'll be here."

She had a look of discontent as she stared at the house. How much does she know? Travis nodded before leaving the car. He rang the doorbell.

He rang it again before a woman, not more than twenty years old, opened the gate. She stared at Travis in disgust. "Took you long enough."

Travis just scoffed and pushed past her into the house.

"Hey, get back here." The woman screamed. "And where is Adam?"

Travis ignored her and went in. A man and a woman sat in the living room. The man, Dominic, was the head of the Shen family, and the woman was his wife, Lorelei. They sat and stared at Travis as he entered, as if he killed one member of the family.

Dominic glared at Travis. "Where is Adam? I didn't ask for you."

The woman who opened the door came in and sat down, staring daggers at Travis for ignoring her. She was Jessica, the first child of Dominic.

"He won't be able to make it, unfortunately," Travis replied.

Dominic scoffed. "Is he feeling too big to attend a family meeting? I have issues with our company that needs to be addressed. How dare he not be here?"

"He's getting too cocky these days. So disrespectful," retorted Lorelei.

"Hmm, I wonder why with this kind of family," Travis said.

"Watch your mouth, boy. Adam is giving you the balls to be so proud, isn't he? Where the hell is he?"

Jessica crossed her legs and checked her synthetic nails. "He's seeking refuge somewhere. His house got burnt down."

Travis frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Isn't the house burnt down? I went there. It's all ash and rubble."

Wait, when did that happen? Travis hadn't visited for just two days and it had been burnt? His fist clenched.

However, the family had the opposite reaction.

"Perfect. Pretty sure he'd come here soon looking for solace," rejoiced Lorelei.

Dominic snorted. "Like I'd take him. He's better off dead."

"Hmm. You'd be happy for this news then. He's in fact dead." Travis gritted his teeth.

They all frowned.

"What the hell are you talking about?" asked Lorelei.

"Why would you be lying about such a thing? Or is this a stunt to avoid the meeting? Look, he's going to come to me sooner or later for a place–"

Travis interrupted Dominic. "He won't because he's not alive anymore. He was buried today."

"Liar," yelled Dominic.

"Go to Blackthorn Cemetery and see for yourself."

Jessica chuckled. "Travis, that's a private cemetery. Why would Adam be buried there of all places?"

"Also, if Adam's is dead," added Lorelei, "and the house is burnt, where do you stay then?"

Jessica said. "Isn't it obvious? That's why he's here. He wants us to take him in. He probably lives under a bridge now."

Dominic chuckled, adjusting himself on the couch. "Right, no matter how hard he begs, I'm not letting him in. Even if he kisses my foot–"

"Relax your feet, old man. I'm not here to beg for anything,” Travis said. "Where I'm staying is better than you can ever imagine."

"Travis, you don't have to pretend–"

"Anyway, that's all I came to tell you. Goodbye to you all. Next we see each other, we're strangers."

Travis turned to leave.

"If you step outside, don't even think of coming back here, you hear me? So now that I'm still feeling generous, you can come in and beg me."

Travis only laughed before leaving the house for the car.

Eva asked as he entered. "How was it?"

"Suffocating as always. Let's go to Adam's house.”