C484 Kinlore Family Is Looking For Answers

Alicia finally stood up. “I can’t do this.” She looked at everyone in the room, her expression filled with frustration and pain. “I can’t send Laura after Samson.” She paused, struggling to find the right words. “But I also can’t tell Laura that she has to simply let everything go.” I stepped closer to her. “Then we need another option.” Alicia looked at me. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to find.” She turned toward her grandfather and father. “If there is another way to find Hanna without sacrificing Laura’s need for justice or turning the Gupta family against us, then we have to find it.” Peter nodded slowly. “Then perhaps that should be your next mission.” Alicia looked at him. “What do you mean?” Peter gave her a faint smile. “Don’t choose between the two.” He paused. “Find a third choice.” The room became quiet. Alicia stared at him, thinking about his words. A third choice. It sounded simple, but none of us knew what that choice was. After a few seconds, Alicia turned toward Mark. “But Father, you really can’t think of anything?” Mark shook his head. “Not right now.” He leaned back in his chair. “Let me sleep on it. I’ll think about everything tonight, and if I come up with a solution, I’ll tell you tomorrow.” Alicia nodded. “Okay.”

She was about to say something else when both of our phones suddenly vibrated at almost the same time. I pulled mine from my pocket. It was a message from Laura. "Lions, my father’s funeral will be held tomorrow. We are leaving in the afternoon." I froze. For a moment, I simply stared at the message. Alicia looked at me, then checked her own phone. Our eyes met. She knew exactly what I was thinking. Mark noticed our reaction. “What is it?” Alicia looked at him. “Father, Laura sent us a message. Tomorrow is her father’s funeral, but she also said that we can leave in the afternoon.” Mark's expression immediately changed. “You think she’s rushing to avenge her father?” He looked between Alicia and me. “You think she has already decided to go there and kill Victor’s brother?” Alicia slowly nodded. “I guess so.” Quinton, who had been listening quietly, suddenly leaned forward. “Wait.” Everyone looked at him. “You are all treating this as though there are only two possible outcomes.” He looked directly at Alicia. “Laura kills Samson, and the Gupta family seeks revenge.” He paused. “But what if Laura’s attempt to kill Samson fails?” The room became silent. Quinton continued. “What if she is captured?” His voice became more serious. “What if the Gupta family captures her and tortures her?”

Alicia froze. I shook my head immediately. “We can’t possibly allow that. She is still our friend.” Quinton looked at me. “And then what?” I didn't answer. He looked around the room. “So the Lions will go after the Gupta family?” Nobody spoke. “You think the eight of you can start a war with a family like Gupta and survive?” He shook his head. “And if Laura is captured, that makes it seven.” He looked directly at Alicia. “Seven people against a family with different branches, warriors, soldiers and resources.” His eyes remained fixed on her. “Do you really believe seven people can fight an entire organization like that?” Alicia remained silent. Quinton wasn't finished. “And you, my child…” He pointed gently toward Alicia. “Tell me what will happen to your throne.” Alicia looked at him. “Gold and Diamond dagger.” Quinton nodded. “Aren’t you supposed to inherit the leadership of Victor’s family?” Alicia lowered her eyes. “If the Gupta family turns against the Lions, what happens when your own people are standing on the opposite side?” He paused. “Can you really fight against your own subordinates?” Alicia had no answer. Neither did I. That was the problem. Every road seemed to lead us toward another disaster. Alicia slowly turned toward me. “Mike…” “Yes?” “Can you try to convince Laura?” I shook my head. “You know that’s impossible.” She stared at me. “Can you at least try?” I remained silent.

She continued. “You and Laura have history. If you can convince her to wait and not rush into anything while we prepare a better plan, maybe we can stop this before it becomes something worse.” I sighed. “Wife…” Alicia waited. “Laura is my ex-girlfriend, yes. But you are my wife.” I looked at her. “We will both talk to her. Besides, she is our friend. If she can listen to me, surely she can listen to you as well.” Alicia thought about it for a moment before nodding. “Fine.” She looked at everyone. “We’ll discuss this again after the funeral.” Nobody argued. There was nothing else to say. One by one, we left the room and returned to our bedrooms. But none of us really slept. The problem was no longer simply about finding Hanna. It had become a question of how far we were willing to go to protect one another. And somewhere between Laura's grief and Alicia's loyalty to her family, we had found ourselves standing on the edge of a war that none of us wanted. The Following Morning The next morning, the Kinlore family was on the front page of the news. We saw the newspaper while having breakfast. The headline immediately caught our attention. "KINLORE FAMILY DEMANDS ANSWERS AFTER JOHN KINLORE’S DEATH." John’s mother, Wendy, had spoken publicly about her son's death. “My son, John, was found dead in his home,” she said. “His wife disappeared after that. The Kinlore family wants answers.”

Her statement continued. “Was Charlie Kinlore the one who killed my son? If she wasn't, then why did she run away? Why is her whereabouts unknown?” She also mentioned Charlie's public post. “We are aware of the public post she made. That is why we are asking the police to investigate and give us answers.” I stared at the newspaper for several seconds. The situation around Charlie was becoming more dangerous. The police were asking questions. The Kinlore family was asking questions. And sooner or later, someone would start looking deeper. At Hanna’s private estate, she was reading the same newspaper. Charlie was sitting nearby. She read the article in silence. As she reached the part about John’s mother demanding answers, her expression changed. Guilt began to consume her. She lowered the newspaper. “See what you made me do.” Hanna looked at her. “Now everyone will know that I’m a murderer.” Hanna snickered. “If you didn't like it, then you shouldn't have done it.” Charlie looked at her. “You gave me no choice.” Hanna shrugged. “Don't blame me.” She pointed toward the newspaper. “Look at your life now. You're rich. Your uncle's killers are suffering, and you have everything you wanted.”

Charlie said nothing. But Hanna could see that she wasn't convinced. Charlie looked down. “Are you admitting that you gave me the order to kill him?" Hanna smiled. “Yes.” There was something cold about the way she said it. “But you followed it.” Charlie remained silent. Hanna leaned back. “What you should be worried about now is the police.” Charlie looked at her. “The police?” “They will investigate everything.” Hanna's smile disappeared. “And it's only a matter of time before they start connecting the pieces.” She paused. “John's death. Your disappearance. Your public post.” Then she looked directly at Charlie. “And eventually, they may connect you to me.” Charlie swallowed. Hanna continued. “And Alvaro.” Charlie didn't answer. She began to understand how dangerous the situation had become. Now she was beginning to realize that she had only created another problem, one that could eventually destroy everything. Hanna stood up. “I have somewhere to go.” Charlie looked at her. “Where?” “I'm meeting our new buyer.” Charlie remained seated. Hanna walked toward the door. “Just like I told you before…” She turned back. “You are the boss here. So don't let me down.” Charlie slowly nodded. “I won't.” Hanna left the room. As she walked outside, she climbed into her vehicle. A faint smile appeared on her face. “Looks like everyone is becoming dangerous.” Her expression slowly changed. “I can't stay here with Charlie.”