Chapter 2 "Was God Merciful?"

The time turned back. And now, Gaston faced Jurgen again.

The friend who stole everything and who wished him to die for his stead. Yes, that’s Jurgen.

After knowing the truth, Gaston only had this one wish. It was to punish Jurgen by all means. Yet, now that they were standing in front of each other, Gaston was in a mess.

It was so difficult for him to decipher this.

‘Did I really go back to the past? Did God have mercy and give me a second chance?’ He asked these questions over and over again.

Until Jurgen spoke.

“Hey. Are you really okay? Why are you looking at me like that?”

It was then Gaston realized that he’s been glaring at Jurgen while clenching his fists. He wanted to beat him and to slam his face. He felt so deeply mad that his throat hurts.

‘Why did you betray me? Why did you hide my identity?’

Gaston eager to ask those.Yet, he could not grasp the situation. Honestly, his mind was all over the place.  

“You’re being weird, dude. Anyway, just go out. Chairman wanted to see you in the dining room ASAP. Okay?”

When Jurgen left and closed the door, Gaston finally breathed.

“Haaaaaaa…”

He fell on the ground while catching his breath.

“A m-moment ago, I died,” he whispered. “I was so certain that I died.”

He vividly remembered how painful it was when his body was electrified. But suddenly, he woke up inside his room, saw Jurgen and heard that the Chairman was still alive.

If the time did not turn back, then what is it?

“L-Let’s say that I really came back to the past, Then…”

That means he wasn’t framed yet and he is still working as Chairman’s secretary.

He looked around his room and found his phone on the table. He grabbed it, opened the screen and checked the date.

It’s January, nine months before he died in October.

It was April when the Chairman died and Gaston was framed as the murderer. He spent six months in jail.

“So, if today is January, there are only two months before the Chairman will die,” he concluded.

Sighing, he sat on the bed. He was relieved to know that he still had time to avoid being framed. Moreover, there is one more thing.

In February, Jurgen will move out of the house and become the heir of the Hopkin’s corporation. That was because according to Jurgen, he stole Gaston’s real identity.

‘If I am the real heir, I have one month left to get my wealth and reunite with my father, Mr. John Hopkins.’

The information Jurgen told him wasn't detailed. And there’s no way to know it, unless Jurgen was also aware that the time turned back.

Yet, the way Jurgen approached Gaston a moment ago was very natural. As if Jurgen could not remember anything.

It hit Gaston that there is a possibility  he was the only one who was gifted with the ability to recall the original events.

There is one way to know the truth.

He must come out, meet everyone and confirm it with his own eyes.

‘Right. I had to see the Chairman.’

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“I could not understand why we need to wait for Gaston before eating?” Jules Solice, the youngest child in the Solice Family asked. “That b*stard should not let us wait f… ahh!” Jules could not continue his words because his older sister kicked his feet under the table.

Groaning, Jules glared at Divine Solice.

Divine smiled at Jules while saying, “Gaston isn’t a stranger to us, Jules. He is our family. Right, Grandpa?”

At her words, all looked at the old man sitting in the center of the long table in the dining room. He is Harold Solice, the owner of Hamington Corporation. The second leading group in the country.

Harold looked at his granddaughter and then to his grandson. When Jules met Harold’s sharp gaze, he shut his mouth.

“Gaston isn’t my grandson,” Harold announced.

All held their breaths.

It’s the same topic again and again. They are tired of this, and annoyed about the obvious result.

“But he was the only one who took care of me when I had a stroke. A man who does not share a single blood. That’s Gaston. But he became a family in the time I needed care. Who are you to complain if I wanted to eat with him at the same table?”

No one answered. Because they were all guilty.

Years ago, they abandoned the Chairman when he got a stroke. They focused on getting the inheritance, thinking that Harold will soon die. But after Gaston looked over at him, the Chairman regained his strength!

There was no doubt why Harold likes Gaston.  

“I am really sorry for Jules's rude behavior, father,” Victoria apologized. “I hope you will not  take it to heart.” Victoria mouthed at her son, telling him to apologize right away.

Without energy, Jules answered, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Sorry Grandpa. I didn’t mean it.”

Harold forged a cough. He looked at everyone, at the maids around, the guards and his family members who gathered in this place. At the same time, Gaston arrived on the scene.

“C-Chairman.”

All tilted their heads to the secretary.

‘He is alive. The Chairman is really alive!’ Gaston mourned with joy.

Gaston stared at the old man, as if soon he’ll gonna cry soon. The members of the family noticed his unusual behaviors and were confused why his eyes were filled with sorrowful emotions.

For these people, only a day passed since the last time Gaston and Harold saw each other. But for Gaston, it’s been six months.

“You’re here!” Harold greeted his secretary. “Come and sit down.” He pointed to the seat next to Sonny, which brought Sonny in grimace.

How dare a mere secretary sit next besides the Vice President of the Corporation?

If it was before, Gaston would hesitate to perch next to Sonny. Yet, because he was too occupied with seeing Harold alive, Gaston’s feet took him near the Chairman. Slowly, he sat down without taking his eyes off the Chairman.

Now that he saw him in person, Gaston was more convinced that the time turned back.

‘It is real!’ he gasped inside his head.

“This is the first time you got late, Gaston. I was surprised,” Harold said with chuckles.

The Chairman was in a bad mood a moment ago. But as soon as he saw Gaston, he became energetic and positive again. It was because Harold sees Gaston as his own grandson. On other hand, Gaston thought of Harold as his only family.

Gaston suppressed the sobs which were about to escape from his lips. He looked down and clenched his hands above his lap.

This is not only about getting what is rightfully his. Gaston realized that he was sent back to this time to save Harold.

“I am s-sorry,” Gaston murmured while looking down. “Chairman. I am so s-sorry.”

He was apologizing for not saving Harold before. However, Harold and others thought that Gaston was so apologetic for being late.

Chuckling, Harold tapped Gaston’s back and said, “I understand, Gaston. It’s okay to be late sometimes.”

No. Gaston does not want to be late anymore. He would not allow himself to be timid as the time frame is so short.

“Anyway, since everyone is here, I  will get to the point,” Harold announced.

Gaston lifted his head and looked at the Chairman, along with the other members of the family.

“Today is my wedding anniversary with my dearest wife, Jasmine. I never intended to celebrate a grand party since Jasmine isn’t in this world anymore. But, I chose this day to announce a very important thing.”

Sonny, Victoria, Jules and Divine stayed on their guards. What will the Chairman announce today?

There was only one person who knew it. And yes, it is the man who came back from the future. 

Gaston stared at the Chairman while expecting to hear the same announcement he heard a long time ago.

“I will step down as the Chairman. For the meantime, my secretary, Gaston, will manage the Hamington.”