* * *
"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, making Diego turn silent because the Alpha was right. If Jordan knew what he was doing now he was 100% sure that the Omega would go mad at him and maybe ignore him for more than a month.
"Your silence means I am right," Laotian said as he shifted his sitting position. Hanlu remained silent as he decided to stay and hear what Diego Bronson had to say. While David on the other hand straightened his back looking at Diego. He was very thankful his son was able to marry a man that loved him so much.
"Mr. Bronson, I don't know why you came up with this decision but you should know. If your wife still desires to harm our family, we will not just remain silent and let it happen. You're a smart man, I presume you already foresaw what might have happened in the next few days if you didn't come here," Laotian said again. Just recently they already know where the couple had been hiding and since then they've been revising a plan to attack them but with Diego here talking to them, Laotian was a little bit indecisive.
He's already 37 years old with a son that's not even 3 years old and a wife that is sensitively pregnant with twins. If it was long ago he wouldn't think twice about destroying his enemies mercilessly but age does change a person's view in life. As much as possible, he just wanted to have a simple and peaceful life with his family. If an issue like this is solved through negotiations then he thought it wasn't that bad. He's already powerful, a lot of people are terrified of him and the Mo Household's influence. He didn't have to do something to prove such power exists. Right now, he just wants peace because that's what Daniel wants the most.
Additionally, this was originally David's family affair and if the old man wanted to fix it himself, he doesn't mind giving him a chance. He'll only intervene when things get out of hand as he always has been.
"Yes, I know for the fact that it was just a matter of days before you find us. That's why I came here and tried to negotiate. You might see me as a coward, I don't care, my wife's life is more important. I don't care if you kill me, just let Jordan live," Diego said and couldn't help but admire Mo Laotian. True to his name, he was really someone that anyone shouldn't mess with. Before meeting him, Diego was very confident with his influence, he thought he could give Jordan everything that he wanted but now he knew that there was someone out there that was more powerful and influential than him.
"Tsk. Should I kill you then?" Hanlu mumbled, rolling his eyes from the side, listening to Diego's words. It was always easy for anyone to say that they would sacrifice themselves for others but only a few were sincere. Diego Bronson seems sincere enough, he thought why not grant his wish?
Ignoring what Hanlu just said, Laotian continued to observe Diego. When a man like him lowers his pride, there is always someone they need to protect. It's either his wife or their children. Alphas are naturally proud beings, they never lower their pride except when their beloved family is involved. Not all Alpha's find a true mate that they love and care for but when they find it, it's their natural instinct to protect such a bond. Laotian used to ignore such a fact but now that he has Daniel, he knew it was true.
"My wife is pregnant," Laotian started and it was only for a quick second but Laotian noticed how Diego twitched at what he said. It wasn't just him, Tian Zi who was acting as the observer all this time also noticed it and he didn't have to be told to quickly crack the code.
"He just learned I also do this behind Mo Empire. He wasn't too happy at first but in the end, he accepted me. But he doesn't like me putting my life in danger. He made me promise. I'm trying not to break that promise," Laotian continued saying. Originally, he wasn't the type to talk much or explain himself but for some reason, he could relate to Diego. All the man wanted was to protect his family, if by any chance he was in the same position, there was no doubt he would do the same for Daniel.
"This doesn't mean I'm forgiving everything your wife did to us. This is a warning, a chance I'm giving you one time. If by any chance Jordan Bronson harms our family again, I wouldn't think twice to annihilate both of you," Laotian told Diego before he looked at Hanlu.
"I know you don't like this decision so once they waste this chance, I don't mind you leading them to their demise," Laotian said and finally stood, making Diego stand as well and bowed in gratitude. Laotian didn't respond and started walking towards David before putting his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm giving you my full support. If you want to talk to your son, don't hesitate to contact me and I will help you like you always did when I was the one needing your help," Laotian said, patting the old butler's shoulder before he finally let go and proceeded to walk.
"Thank you, Young Master," David said with a slight bow before Laotian could walk out of the room, leaving all of them alone.
"If it was me, I would have made you my guinea pig. Don't waste this chance, else you want me to cut your wife's gut in front of you before I kill you," Hanlu said and stood up before he walked out of the room. Soon after, Tian Zi also followed leaving only Diego and David in the room in an awkward silence. It took an ear-shattering 10 seconds of silence before both of them finally decided to talk.
"I- I..." Both said in chorus, enabling the two of them to finish their words quickly, making David chuckle a little and decide to walk a little closer to his in-law and sit at the chair where Hanlu left empty. When he discovered that his son had gotten married after looking for him for so many years, David had been wanting to talk and thank Diego for taking care of his son when he wasn't around.
"Thank you, for taking such good care of Michael," David started mentioning Jordan's birth name. He failed to take care of Jordan because he couldn't forgive his wife, his son grew up unloved so he was happy to find out that despite everything, Diego still chose to love Jordan and was even willing to sacrifice himself for him.
"He is precious to me sir," Diego replied with a gentle smile. Jordan might have married him due to his money at first, but he still loves him no matter what, especially now that they have been given a chance to have a child again.
"Hmmm, don't worry. Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master might have been like that but they are true to their words, if Young Master said he was to give a chance then he definitely will," David said with a smile. "Also, Michael might not want to hear me out but I will try and explain the truth to him. I think keeping it from him will only make him worse," David added, removing his eyes from Diego as he watched his own fingers as it fidgeted, a habit he never knew he had until recently.
"Sir, if you don't mind me asking. Why did you neglect Jordan all this time?" Diego asked, he was really curious. What David did was wrong but he also understands that there might be a reason behind it. He had been dreading to ask this from his in-law but hadn't had the chance, and now that there is an opportunity he doesn't want to leave without knowing the whole truth because this might actually pacify Jordan from his hatred.
"I-I... I couldn't forgive his mother," David was silent at first as if trying to find the courage to talk until finally, he said. It's no use keeping it, Diego is Michael's husband, it is his right to know the past. Meanwhile, hearing David's words, Diego remained silent and continued to listen. He figured from Jordan's story that Mr. David might have had discord with his wife and instead of talking it through, he decided to leave it be in hopes time would it heal but clearly it didn't until she died and caused misunderstanding between him and Jordan who thought his father chose the Mo Family than his own wife and son.
"In the beginning, she left me for a rich man and had him take responsibility for my baby. I didn't know Michael was mine at that time. When the man left her and she came to find me, I doubted whether the child was mine or not. I was already working for the Mo Family and thought she came to me for money but the child came out to be mine. I wanted to divorce her but thought of the child. I thought I could forgive her but in the end, I still couldn't and I couldn't face her or Michael until she died," David narrated, and as he said his last sentence, he sighed in frustration as he rubbed his face with his palm.
"I should've divorced her when I found out Michael was mine, I couldn't give him the family that he deserved anyway. I should've just raised him alone with me, maybe if I did that, he wouldn't have turned out like this," David said again. He wasn't the best person out there but he should be able to raise a baby with love and care better than her wife. After all, he helped raise both Mo Laotian and Mo Hanlu into great people.
"I heard from Jordan... your wife, Jordan's mother died begging for forgiveness. She was looking for you until her last breath," Diego said, he now understands why David did what he did. He doesn't agree with his decision but he could understand why he chose to separate himself from his family.
". . ." Not saying anything, David already know this fact, Jordan himself told him this when he was captured but even if he went back in time, if he was still being asked to choose to help Laotian with his business or go visit his dying wife, he would still choose Laotian. Until now, he could not find it in his heart to truly forgive his wife who had hurt him so greatly.
* * *
After his conversation with Diego Bronson, Laotian decided to go back to his office and busy himself with his documents. Hanlu's departure for Africa was nearing and he needed to finalize the papers to help the Younger Alpha to finish his job there quicker. However, no matter how he tried to focus, his mind was still back at their earlier meeting. He didn't regret giving Diego Bronson a chance, he did want to end this conflict as silently as possible. He wasn't the person he used to be before. He wants peace and more time with the pregnant Daniel and Luangmin but at the deepest corner of his mind, he also still feels a little bitter that he decided to actually end this peacefully because in normal cases, things always end up in a bloodbath.
He realized, being married and having someone he wanted to protect with all his heart really does change a person. Now he's contemplating whether to quit managing the organization or just keep on being low profile from now on. Thinking about it again, he really regretted some of his life choices. Sighing, Laotian tried to focus again, thankfully this time he succeeded as he immersed himself with his work.