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"Eldest Young Master, Mr. Diego Bronson has arrived," The head butler reported after he knocked on the door three times before he twisted the doorknob open.
"Yes, escort him in," Laotian replied as he let go of his documents and slowly placed them on his table. Even though he was not physically present at the Mo Empire, he still did his work as always but ever since he went to Africa and had gotten hurt, his documents had been piling up into an incredible amount. Normally he wouldn't be able to hold himself and work on it as soon as possible but he went ahead and visited Daniel and Luangmin first and now that he was back again he was trying to distract himself from missing the two so much.
He wished to stay with the two longer and spend time with them like he always did but then this happened. He didn't know why Diego Bronson was looking for him. He was even willing to listen to all of his demands, and visit him in his territory alone but depending on his purpose and the things that he's going to say, the man is never going to get out of his place that easily.
Finished informing his Master, the butler nodded and soon left. Laotian didn't follow immediately as he was still drawn to his thoughts but after a while, he finally stood up from his chair and soon followed. His expression was stiff and frigid as if his facial muscles hadn't been stretched out for a long time. It was probably difficult for people to believe that just the day before yesterday, this same man was smiling ear to ear in front of his beloved wife and child while eating a meal and taking a walk outside to sightsee.
Trailing the way to the waiting room where he expected Diego Bronson to be escorted to, Hanlu suddenly popped out of nowhere and ran towards Laotian. Hanlu's sudden appearance made the older Alpha frown as he stopped walking and his frown went even deeper when he also saw Tian Zi slowly walking towards them.
"I made it on time," Hanlu said out of breath, his hands both on his side to which Laotian just watched and didn't say anything, the same when Tian Zi finally reached them.
"If Tian Zi didn't tell me that the bastard was coming, I would never have known. Why didn't you tell me? I deserve to know, I was the one who told you he called," Hanlu complained between his heavy breaths. Meanwhile listening, Laotian internally sighed. He purposely didn't mention it to Hanlu because it was not like something that needed both their presence. Additionally, he didn't tell Tian Zi, the young Alpha must've known it through his own ways. It was not easy to hide something from him.
"It is unnecessary for you to come, Hanlu," Laotian said. Diego Bronson was picked up by their men, he was blindfolded all throughout the journey so it was sure that he came by himself and wasn't bugged. And surely Laotian doubted that Diego Bronson could fight all of them alone when the base was infested with highly skilled mercenaries. They did a background check of Diego Bronson and although he was on friendly terms with some of the Mafias in Austria and Italy, he was merely just a businessman. Aside from training how to shoot a gun and boxing as a hobby, he didn't have any background in fighting or had any real-life enemy encounters.
"What? Why? I was the one who was most inconvenienced by him and his wife, I deserve to at least hear what he had to say..." Hanlu yelled unhappily. He had a lot to say to his older brother but when Laotian raised his hand indicating for the younger Alpha to shut his mouth, Hanlu did so almost automatically.
"Fine, you two can come," Laotian said in the end, and without waiting for both Hanlu and Tian Zi's response, he proceeded to walk and trailed the way to where Diego Bronson should be waiting. Of course, not long after he left, the two quickly followed until they finally arrived by the door.
Since Diego Bronson was an enemy, even though he's alone, Laotian wasn't the kind to underestimate his enemy. He wasn't the kind to let his guard down just because the place was his territory so especially for today, security in the mansion was rather tight.
"Young Masters, the visitor just arrived," One of the armed men guarding the door informed before his partner twisted the door open for the three brothers to enter. Laotian was the first to walk inside followed by Hanlu and then Tian Zi. All their expression was frigid as if entering a battlefield. Meanwhile, looking at the three walked-in together, despite being a dominant Alpha himself, Diego Bronson couldn't help but feel nervous especially by the sight of Mo Laotian.
This was not the first time he had seen the Alpha up close, he met him during his brother's art gallery more than a month ago with his wife Daniel Sullen Mo but compared to last time, his expression today was unpredictable and quite nerve-wracking. But no matter what his plan mustn't fail today, he'll swallow his pride for the sake of Jordan and their future baby.
"I'll skip the formalities and go straight to the point," Diego started when all three brothers finally found their seats with Mo Laotian sitting directly across him with his legs crossing forming a number four. Diego knows he's unwelcome because he's an enemy so he understood why the approach wasn't so hospitable.
Not replying, Mo Laotian just looked at Diego as if his look was saying he would be doing him a favor by skipping formalities because he had no plan on acting all friendly with him.
"I came because I want this to end," Diego started. He knows full well his request was absurd. They had done so many things to harm the Mo Family and it was not something that could be forgiven just like that but he had to at least try. He had nothing much to offer but he had to at least try.
"I'm willing to give up Botswana's Diamond. I'm even willing to give up my company, just let my wife go," Diego said again. Jordan may have made a name in the Mafia world but that wasn't enough for him to beat Mo Laotian. The Alpha was just too great, if he knew from the start that his wife was to go and plot his revenge on someone like Mo Laotian's caliber, he wouldn't have encouraged him up to this point. He was very confident with his wealth but against Mo Laotian, he was deemed to lose.
"What? Do you think it was that easy?" Hanlu suddenly burst after hearing Diego Bronson's request. He almost lost Ian and his son nearly died twice, he couldn't believe the man just asked him, them, to forgive the person who caused his family so much pain and misfortune. It wasn't that easy to forgive someone like that.
"If I kidnap your child and later poison him. If I ask you forgiveness after that, would you forgive me?" Hanlu said, almost yelling. He was gripping on his chair so tight that if the furniture wasn't made from the highest quality of wood, it would have broken into two beneath his palm.
"I know what I'm asking is impossible, but I'm willing to give up everything. I risked my life going here to prove to you my sincerity, I never wanted this to happen. I tried convincing Jordan but his hatred towards his father and your family was just too great," Diego said, sounding frustrated. What he is saying is ridiculous but he still hopelessly believes.
"This conversation is laughable, why are we even wasting our time on this?" Hanlu said again while releasing a deep frustrated sigh. He had a gut feeling this was going to happen since who would dare come to their enemy's territory alone except for when he had a death wish but this was simply ridiculous. He can't bear to listen to Diego Bronson's bullshit anymore. He was about to stand and walk away when the door to the room opened and David walked in and bowed towards Hanlu and Laotian. He heard the conversation just now and as Jordan's father, he wished for his son to be saved as well.
"Young Master, I know I don't have the right and what he did to Young Master Lan and Luangmin was unforgivable, I am not asking you to forgive my son now but I hope you'll find it in your hearts to do so in the future. He doesn't know what he's doing, he was blinded by his hatred towards me. I neglected him as he grew up, this was all my fault. I will try and correct this even for the cost of my life," David suddenly said, still bowing towards Hanlu.
"David, you are like a family to me. You raised me and I respect you but you are asking for something I can not give," Hanlu said, his tone was hard and frigid. He wasn't shouting but his words were filled with warnings as if an Alpha wolf growling. He may have had the image of someone who would forgive easily but he was far from that when it comes to his family. He watched Ian cry secretly multiple times throughout the whole week watching Lan's condition and his heart would break every time that if he had the power to take all his pain away, he would do it in a heartbeat.
"That's enough, Hanlu," Laotian finally said, having enough playing as the bystander. One of the reasons why he didn't want to let Hanlu know about his meeting with Diego Bronson today was this. He knew the younger Alpha would somehow react like this. Hanlu was never good at keeping his emotions in check and whenever he's overwhelmed, he doesn't think straight and sometimes acts rashly unlike him who has a better grip on his emotions and tends to do the most rational things depending on the situation.
In today's case, of course, what Diego Bronson said was absurd. He was not a saint, he did not forgive his enemies that easily. He also does not like the thought of not having the chance to take up his revenge. Jordan Bronson had caused Daniel too much pain and Luangmin nearly died from the poison as well, he can not just simply forgive without doing anything.
"What? Don't tell me you'll forgive them just like that? Are you insane? Without doing anything?" Hanlu yelled towards Laotian, which was quite unexpected.
"Do you think I would forgive that easily?" Laotian replied, his brows formed into a slight frown as he glared at Hanlu. Meanwhile, Hanlu hearing his older brother, he suddenly turned silent. He knew Laotian more than anyone here in the room so he knew he wouldn't forgive that easily.
"But let's at least hear them out. I'm interested, why is someone like Diego Bronson risking his life coming here. Tell me, Mr. Bronson, what made you come up with this decision? You had a fighting chance if your candidate wins the presidency," Laotian asked, removing his eyes from Hanlu and directing it to Diego. What he said was true, if Diego managed to secure Botswana's diamond and monopolize it, he should have gained the power which could uphold against Mo Empire but he was now. He was doing great until now, in less than 4 months the election was coming. Why give up now?
"I just want a simple and peaceful life for Jordan, nothing else," Diego replied, hiding the fact that Jordan was currently pregnant with their child. He doesn't know for now if revealing it to them will be beneficial or not, after all, Mo Laotian and the rest of the Mo family are still his enemies.
"It's okay if you don't tell now, and even if by chance we agreed with your condition, I believe so your wife thought otherwise," Laotian said, he doesn't believe there wasn't anything else but if the Alpha didn't want to tell them, that's fine. He respects that however, he does believe Diego Bronson was doing this on his own accord. He doubted Jordan Bronson gave up the thought of revenge even at this very moment.