Shadows of Guilt

CHAPTER 04 : CONSPIRACY

 In the silence of the halls, there came steps that echoed all around the gallery. White walls remained quiet, the dim lights in every distance made the person’s shadow stretch all over the place and the paintings he passed by gazed at a certain space, hanging and silent.

Mr. Jun Li, had his other hand kept on his pant’s pocket, his lips curved when he saw the person he was about to meet tonight.

Meters away, at the center-most spot of the gallery, a large painting was supported, illuminated by the lights on each corner of the spot making it special than any other paintings on the gallery. He walked closer and saw the person standing still in front of the painting. His small and thin figure didn’t make any movement as he just gazed at the canvas in front of him.

Jun stopped beside him and sighed, “It’s a bright painting.” he said

Lin just felt his presence when he spoke, he turned to the man and softly called, “Brother.”

Jun smiled and turned to his younger brother who had several features similar to his but Lin was gentler and had an angelic appearance that made people differentiate them with no blood relation and since childhood, the two never showed any closeness in public only these moments when they need each other that they will casually meet and speak to each other.

They grew in different households but they are aware of what connection they have that will never be broken.

Jun already knew what he wanted and sighed again but his arrogant expression didn’t fade on his face, “This brother is worried, how come you’re still obsessed with that person? You’ve lived enough to forget everything, my dear brother.”

Lin just stared at him with his usual unreadable expression, unblinking as he directly look at his eyes.

Jun knew it wasn’t a good choice of words but he can’t help to scold him, “It’s always been my fate to clash against that Liu but that person is beyond terrifying, whenever I take offense, he will always welcome me with a greater attack and when I retreat, he’ll never let me and will get me back to me a hundred times…”

His words were exaggerated as he try to make a gesture to emphasize his effort but Lin coldly interrupted him, his eyes focused, “Can you do it?”

Upon hearing it, Jun realized his loss of composure and stood firmly again, clearing his throat, “What I mean is, what’s the purpose of this?”

Lin turned his head towards the canvas again, his eyes softened seeing the painting, “My happiness, our happiness.”

Jun shared the view of the elegant painting and can’t help but sigh again, scratching his head, “How can you be so sure that it will be his happiness, remember what happened…” he was interrupted again when Lin spoke with his firm voice.

“Things in the past were only a misunderstanding and no one wanted it except for that man.” His voice carried hatred and animosity, his gentle appearance completely disappeared as those dark and fierce eyes darkened upon remembering those vague memories.

He then asked, “Can you do it?”

Jun stared back at him then raised his shoulders, “Piece of cake.”

Lin finally broke a smile, his gentle and soft appearance came back again gazing at the painting he had treasured. “A little more and it will be fine again.” He muttered.

…

The following days had been hectic for everyone, Fendice had been busy and was occupied with the proposal, preparing for the final presentation for Shawn’s approval. The Proposal he made for Humsvan wasn’t just a simple one, he will make a landscape that would serve as the focal point of the City, a whole-time investment that’s why he was so meticulous on every detail regarding the matter so everything will flow smoothly.

Fendice was gathering data records from the current excavation of the ancestral land and saw that the old family, the lineage of Dorothy came to retrieve the ancient artifacts that their family had been keeping, buried under the soils. Their family lived through generations since then, served several royal families and nobles that made their family survive amidst the tide of changes in the country. Rumors already circulated the area about this ‘treasure’ that was kept under the old building, some had taken action beforehand and luckily, Fendice had his hand on the land first and managed to tighten the security against the evildoers that has been keeping their eyes on the and until the family came themselves and soon revealed that these treasure that they were talking about was a pile of old books and scrolls.

Fendice was reading the report when he saw the picture attached when the soil was dug, they were holding ancient scrolls and dilapidated books, there were batches of them but no sign of any sparkling and silvery jewels or gold. Fendice finally sighed, he promised to help Dorothy and her family to keep everything down and safe. He somewhat thought they needed protection and tight security with the belonging they retrieved but guess they didn’t need seeing it was all just books and literature plates.

He then called Mierin to have an update on his father’s schedule since he needed to discuss the changes to the Bei CEO again before the final presentation.

“As for now, Mr. Reel is out for a deal with the Kingdom. He had scheduled for your time tomorrow.” Mierin said

Fendice nodded but can’t help but to ask about the deal between his father and the Kingdom.

Mierin replied, “There was no confirmation yet but I heard that the Kingdom wanted to acquire a sector from the Bei.”

Fendice frowned. “Father didn’t tell me this.”

“It was just rumored circulating, don’t deal with it. Some were words were created due to the employee's boredom.” Mierin said but she suddenly stopped, her expression suddenly changed.