C331 Life Tracking

Alicia swallowed nervously. “Grandfather... you don't know?” Victor frowned. “Know what?” Alicia took a slow breath before explaining. “My father is Peter Mooney. You know him, right?” Miller nodded slowly. “Special Investigator Mooney?” Alicia nodded. “Yes.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “My grandfather believes that my mother's death was connected to one of his enemies. They tried to eliminate him, but they failed.”

Victor's expression became serious. Alicia continued. “My grandfather believes that my mother and my aunt didn't die in an ordinary accident. He believes the accident was planned.” Miller's eyes widened. “You mean Peter's daughter?” Alicia nodded. “Yes. My mother and my aunt, Malice, died together.” Her voice became quieter. “They were innocent. They had nothing to do with the conflict, yet they were the ones who lost their lives.” Victor's hand tightened into a fist. “If you believe it was a planned accident, then who was responsible?”

Alicia looked around the room before answering carefully. “From what I know, the Harris family had a grudge against my grandfather.” Miller immediately understood. “Because he arrested Harry Harris?” Alicia nodded. “Yes.” She continued slowly. “My grandfather believes that after Harry Harris was arrested, the new leader of the Harris organization, Willy, decided to target his family.” She paused. “He couldn't get to my grandfather directly, so he went after the people closest to him.” Victor's expression darkened.

Alicia looked down for a moment. “That's why I'm preparing to confront them.” Victor stared at her. Alicia continued. “I know they're ruthless. They don't hesitate to kill people. But I believe my mother deserves justice.” Miller immediately shook his head. “My child, you don't understand how dangerous the Harris family is.” Alicia looked at him. “They are not ordinary criminals. They are powerful drug lords with connections throughout South America. Their influence has also spread into parts of Europe.” His voice became stern. “You cannot simply decide to go after them.” Alicia smiled faintly. “I know.”

Victor looked at her curiously. Alicia continued. “My husband and I have already started preparing.” She explained everything they had done. “We built a training facility inside Lucia Goods headquarters. It has a boxing ring, a shooting range and an area for martial arts training.” Victor listened carefully. “We also have more than twenty people who have willingly pledged their loyalty to us. They signed contracts dedicating themselves to our cause.” She paused. “Now we just need to train them.” Victor immediately shook his head. “My granddaughter, you don't need to rely only on your small group.”

He pointed toward Gold and Diamond. “The dagger you retrieved has given you the right to command my branch of the family whenever you need us.” Alicia's eyes widened slightly. Victor continued. “We have guards who are highly trained. Some of them even have military backgrounds. They understand combat and they understand what war looks like.” The mention of military experience caught Alicia's attention. She smiled. “Grandpa, if I'm going to command such a large group of people, then I need to develop some skills myself.” Victor nodded.

Alicia continued. “My training facility already has the equipment we need. There is a boxing ring, a shooting range and a martial arts area.” She smiled. “My husband will also be one of the trainees.” Victor laughed softly. Alicia's expression became more determined. “If you can give me a few experienced men to help train my people, then when the time comes, I can confront the Harris family with the support of your army and my own.” She paused. “That would allow me to command a much larger force.” Miller looked at Samson. A small smile appeared on his face. “She isn't as foolish as you thought.”

Samson remained silent. Victor nodded without hesitation. “Whatever you need, my child, I will provide.” He smiled. “You are the next leader of the Third Branch.” Alicia's eyes immediately lit up. “Grandpa, then I need coaches.” Victor raised an eyebrow. “How many?” Alicia began counting on her fingers. “One for combat fighting and boxing. Another for marksmanship and shooting. One for martial arts.” She paused. “And I also need a few experienced fighters who can help train my people.” She looked upward thoughtfully. “Hmm... I think I need ten people in total.”

Victor laughed. “Ten?” He shook his head. “That is a very small number. I can easily give you ten.” Alicia smiled. Victor then became serious again. “But there is one more thing you need to do.” He pointed toward the far corner of the room. Several candles were burning there. “Our family has an old tradition.” Alicia followed his gaze. “Our records say that every recognized member of the family must have a candle lit in their name.” He paused. “The candle represents their life.” Alicia looked at the candles. Some were still burning brightly. Others had already gone out.

Victor continued. “If the candle goes out unexpectedly, it means that the person's life has ended.” Alicia froze. “What?” Miller laughed softly. “My child, forgive my son. He was never very good at explaining our traditions.” He smiled. “The candles are used as a form of life tracking.” Alicia looked at him. “You mean they can actually tell when someone is in danger?” Miller nodded. “Your candle will be connected to you through your blood. When your life is in danger, it will show signs. And when you die, the flame will disappear completely.”

Alicia slowly began to understand. She walked toward the corner. There were many candles arranged together. Some were burning. Others were dark. She looked at them curiously. “What do I have to do?” Victor quickly walked toward her. He took her hand. Before Alicia could react, he made a small cut on her finger. “Ouch!” She looked down as blood began to appear. Victor took a fresh candle. “Now rub your blood onto it.” Alicia did as she was told. Victor then handed her some leaves. “Burn a small amount and mix it with the blood.” Alicia followed his instructions carefully.

When she finished, Victor placed the candle among the others. A small flame appeared. He smiled. “From now on, this candle represents your life.” Alicia stared at it. “Whenever your life is in danger, we will know.” Victor paused. “And if you die...” He looked at the flame. “It will go out.” Alicia remained silent for a moment. Then she turned toward Victor. “Grandpa, it's getting late.” She glanced toward the door. “My husband must be worried about me.” Victor nodded. Alicia smiled. “Can you please show me my mother's room?” She paused. “After that, we'll leave. I promise I'll come back and visit you again soon.”

Victor looked toward Miller. The old Patriarch gave him a faint nod. Victor understood. “Fine.” He stood up. “Come. Let's go.” The two of them left the room. When they returned to the living room, I was still waiting. The moment Alicia came into view, I immediately stood up and walked toward her. “Wife, are you okay?” Alicia smiled. “Yes.” She looked at me for a moment. “Follow me.” Victor then led us toward another part of the residence. Eventually, we stopped in front of a large wooden door. “This was Gabrielle's room,” Victor said quietly.

Alicia slowly pushed the door open. The moment she stepped inside, she froze. She recognized the fragrance immediately. It was the same fragrance she had noticed the first time she entered her mother's old room. Alicia stood there silently for several seconds. Then she slowly walked inside. Her eyes moved around the room. There were several bookshelves filled with books. She walked past them one by one, carefully looking at everything. Then something caught her attention. A photo album. Alicia immediately walked toward it. She picked it up and opened the cover.

The first photograph made her stop. She turned the page. Then another. She continued flipping through the album, studying every photograph carefully. For several minutes, she said nothing. Eventually, she looked at Victor. “Grandpa... can I keep this album?” Victor smiled. “Of course.” Alicia held the album tightly against her chest. She remained in her mother's room for a little while longer, quietly looking through the photographs and memories Gabrielle had left behind. Eventually, it was time to leave. Alicia said goodbye to Victor and Miller before we walked back outside.

We soon got into our car and left the Gupta residence. As we drove away, I kept glancing at Alicia. She looked much happier than I had expected. There was something different about her. She was still carrying the sadness of everything she had learned, but there was also a sense of relief in her expression. I finally asked, “Wife, what exactly happened in there?” Alicia looked out through the window. “My mother's family is much bigger than I thought.” I frowned. “What do you mean?” She looked at me and smiled. “I'll explain everything when we get home.”