At the LA airport, departing terminal.
While waiting for his flight, Noran had been engaged in a long video call with his director because he had left work without completing the handover. Immediately after, he needed to brief his team so they could continue with the project in his absence.
After returning all the work calls, he noticed Shuri had replied to him. A smile finally appeared on his handsome face as he quickly opened her reply. However, his smile slowly faded as he read her last message.
"What? Rin is going to Fushin? Why?"
Did she decide to go abroad because she was pressured by what had happened? Or was she avoiding him because of the stress caused by being around him?
He had already followed Roy's advice to post a statement denying any romantic involvement with Sophia online. With the help of Roy's cyber team, his public declaration received positive feedback with most netizens believing that the photos were fabricated, and those rumors were baseless claims.
While part of the issue was resolved, Noran remained upset because he felt he couldn't protect Shuri as much as he desired. Despite Roy not being as talented as Noran, he had the power to control the media to safeguard Shuri's reputation.
Did his wife feel disappointed because he had to rely on another man to resolve this matter? Was this why she wanted to temporarily escape aboard? Because she thought he couldn't handle the mess?
"No, my Rin is so sweet, she won't think like that…" Noran murmured to himself, denying it. "But it's true I couldn't resolve this as fast as how Roy could."
Then he recalled his father's words before he left the office, "However, no matter how much of a genius you are, you lack power, so this is as far as you can go, son."
Power…
Noran had never liked that term. He hated how everyone would turn hungry and ugly for it. Because he didn't want to become like one of them, he escaped from all the politics twelve years ago to live a simple life with Shuri. Yet, he couldn't ignore the fact that with power, he could have prevented these problems and protected Shuri more effectively.
"What should I do?" Noran wondered, feeling lost.
Should he pursue power? Given his ability to grasp any concepts easily, he didn't think it was too late to enter the field to fight for authority. However, he hesitated when he recalled Shuri telling him she fell in love with him because he had the purest soul she had ever seen. Although he didn't quite understand what she meant, she probably wouldn't like him doing anything immoral right?
Noran sighed, acknowledging his own insecurity. He felt confident in all aspects of his life, except when it came to Shuri. Despite her love for him, he couldn't shake off the feeling of insecurity, believing that unlike him, she could live without him.
He wanted to call her to learn more about her departure to Fushin, but he hesitated, not wanting to disturb her rest since it was likely past midnight over in New Valley. As he was typing a reply to her, he heard the airport announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an announcement for passengers traveling on flight SL308 to New Valley. We regret to inform you that there will be a delay in the departure of this flight. The estimated delay is approximately four hours…"
"Damn it," Noran cursed. Initially, he planned to travel back and accompany Shuri to Fushin, but due to the delay, he wouldn't make it back in time.
He stood up and intended to go to the counter to ask about the delay, and was surprised when he noticed a familiar face approaching him.
It was his younger sister, Beatrice Kingston, whom he hadn't seen for twelve years.
Beatrice looked calmly at him as if she had been expecting him there.
Instead of greeting her, Noran asked bluntly, "Why are you here?"
"I heard Mum and Dad went to find you just now, and you ignored them," Beatrice replied.
"Is that why you caused this delay? Because they didn't want me to return to New Valley?" Noran concluded.
He was aware that Beatrice had married the CEO of Skylight Airline. Given her position as the CEO's wife, it wouldn't be hard for her to arrange a delay on the flight he was taking. Since Skylight was the only airline offering the fastest route and timing back to New Valley, he had no alternative but to book it despite knowing the risk.
Beatrice frowned slightly at his question. "It's true that Mum and Dad didn't want you to leave LA but let me be clear: I'm not in cahoots with them."
Despite being siblings, Noran and Beatrice weren't particularly close while growing up. Their relationship wasn't exactly bad, but it wasn't good either. Unlike Noran who was a prodigy, Beatrice was mediocre and was often compared to her brother.
"How can I trust you? Didn't you betray me once before?" Noran was referring to the time when someone had informed Damon and Julia about his relationship with Shuri.
"Believe it or not, it wasn't me," Beatrice replied, looking at him in the eyes as if she wanted him to trust her.
However, Noran still looked skeptical. "If you want me to believe you, then let me fly back to my wife right now."
"I can't do that…"
Noran was slowly losing his temper, his demeanor turning icy cold. "Beatrice Kingston, what game are you playing?"