08. Family Truth Uncovered

Hearing Edmund's seemingly meandering words, Edward just nodded nonchalantly and uttered a simple hum.

"Go to sleep, tomorrow morning you can go home. I'll ask-"

"Don't you believe me? I found our family... the truth. Brother, you have to believe me. Someone sent it to me a few months ago."

Edmund explained the foreign email he received a few months ago, it was the beginning of his suspicion.

The email contained the Nielson family lineage. Initially, Edmund didn't pay much attention to it because there were many Nielson families. However, when he saw his and Edward's names on the list, along with their mother's name, he became suspicious.

He then asked someone to find out the truth about the Nielson family that used to be in the city of Aeridonia. Unexpectedly, he uncovered a secret.

"That detective came to me this afternoon to give me the results of his investigation. You might not believe it, but... the old man from the Nielson family really looks like me, Edward."

Edward simultaneously understood and didn't understand what Edmund was saying, but he had his own trust in his brother. So, Edward nodded to calm him down first.

"I'll check the files, where do you keep them?"

"In the office at home. You have to check, you have to."

"Yes, yes, you better sleep and don't think too much. I'll come back to look at it after you've slept."

The room became quiet, and Edmund slowly went back to sleep. Meanwhile, Edward stared at him with a complex expression. Although he seemed indifferent, in reality, he was quite disturbed by what Edmund had said. He pondered, trying to remember what happened when they were still children.

However, Edward didn't have many memories of their parents other than vague images of a loving couple.

Rising to his feet and leaving, Edward returned to their home and headed to the study without caring to rest.

He searched for the files and found them on the shelf. Opening page after page, he read every word carefully.

Edward was deeply surprised and increasingly shocked with each new revelation.

The Nielson family was destroyed over 20 years ago, in the news, it was stated that their business went bankrupt due to numerous frauds. There was also a money laundering case involving the second son of the Nielson family, who was a politician.

One by one, the news Edward read was about the Nielson family's misfortunes, their financial struggles, and involvement in legal cases. The most striking news was about the wife of the first son of the Nielson family, Agatha Brook, running away with their two sons.

Of course, Edward knew who Agatha Brook was, she was his mother. Although he didn't have many memories of his mother, his grandmother often mentioned her, saying that their mother loved them so much, which is why she left her two children with their grandmother.

Edward stared at the old photo of the Nielson family, examining each member. The old man indeed looked very much like Edmund. Edward finished that file and opened another one, it was then that he felt anger welling up inside him.

The information revealed a secret known to very few people. It was the true cause of the Nielson family's bankruptcy, which was nothing but a trap and actions orchestrated by their rivals, the Shirk family.

Reading and digesting all the information, the more he learned, the greater the anger in his heart. No wonder Edmund got drunk and lashed out at people, he must have been furious!

It was morning when Edward finished reading all the information. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself before getting up. Not feeling sleepy at all, he quickly showered and prepared to meet Edmund.

Temporary assistant Jennifer, Glory, arrived as usual and helped Edward get ready while informing him of today's schedule. For the past four days, Glory had noticed that Edward seemed less friendly, but this morning, her boss appeared even more intimidating. His facial expression was icy and distant, accentuated by dark circles under his eyes.

"G-good morning, boss."

Edward glanced at her briefly, nodded, and then, with a subdued tone, said, "Reschedule all appointments for today, I'm taking a day off."

"Ah...?" Glory stared at him in confusion. Even after working with Edward for only three days, she knew he was a workaholic. And now, suddenly, a day off?

"Alright, boss," Glory promptly responded once she realized, then left Edward's presence.

Coinciding with Glory’s departure, the car that picked up Edmund also arrived. Edward specifically welcomed him at the front.

“How are you?” he asked as soon as he saw Edmund getting out of the car. He reached out his hand to assist.

“Better,” Edmund replied, grabbing Edward’s hand, and the two walked together into the house.

The two brothers entered the study in silent understanding. They had something to discuss that only the two of them should know.

Upon entering the study, Edward locked the door. They sat facing each other with almost identical emotions—no anger, but no smiles on their faces either.

“Do you know who sent that email to you?”

Edmund shook his head. “I’ve checked and tried to find the sender, but found no clues.”

“But regardless of who sent it, one thing is certain—they paved the way for us to uncover the truth,” continued Edmund. He stared at Edward’s face with seriousness.

It was the first time for both of them, after more than 5 years of being apart, to face each other seriously.

“Brother, I want to avenge our family. The downfall of the Nielson family, the deaths of Grandpa and Grandma Nielson, the disappearance of our father and second uncle, and… Mother’s death. I want to avenge the Shirk family!”

“I’ve been thinking about it. I’ll go to Aeridonia and take revenge on them.”

Edmund’s anger was something that couldn’t be suppressed. Unlike Edward, Edmund was still too young when they were entrusted to their grandmother, so he deeply missed the love of his parents and the family bond he couldn’t have since childhood.

Edward could feel the anger, hatred, and the desire to unleash all those emotions. However, he reconsidered, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Edmund couldn’t leave this city.

Edward took a deep breath and said, “You can’t go.”

“Why? Don’t you want to avenge what happened to our family?! I even suspect Grandma’s death is related to this issue!”

“It’s not that,” said Edward. He tried to calm Edmund’s emotions first before explaining his plan.

“You look so much like Grandpa and Dad, they might target you. Not to mention, we don’t have much power in Aeridonia.”

“So, what do you mean…?”

“Yes, I will go back to that city. I will pave the way for us to take revenge.”