C487 Gupta Family Leader

Alicia and the Lions finally arrived at the Gupta family residence. The moment we entered the estate, we were given a warm welcome. Several members of the family came out to greet us. Victor walked toward Alicia. “My grandchild, I was expecting you four days ago. What happened?” Alicia looked at Laura before answering. “Hanna killed Laura's father.” Victor's smile disappeared. “We had to wait until his funeral.” The moment the words left Alicia's mouth, everyone froze. Miller was no different. The old man's face immediately changed, and a small tear rolled down his cheek. “My child…” He looked at Laura. “I am very sorry.” His voice became quieter. “I don't know what is happening to my grandchild. I'm sorry that your father died at her hands.” Laura bowed her head. She didn't say anything. Miller waited for a response, but none came. Laura simply stood there, her face expressionless. Victor noticed the uncomfortable silence and forced a small smile. “Everyone, please come inside.” Darry and Samson exchanged a quick glance. Neither of them had expected such news. They followed everyone inside.

Dinner had already been prepared for us. Under normal circumstances, we would have enjoyed it. But nobody had much of an appetite. Laura barely touched her food. The rest of us ate only a little before Alicia finally put down her utensils. She looked toward the elders. “Great Grandpa, you called for me even though I was still grieving.” She paused. “But now I'm here.” Her eyes moved between Miller, Victor and Samson. “Tell me what the issue is.” Miller looked at Victor. Then he looked at Samson. Finally, he turned back toward Alicia. “My child…” He took a slow breath. “Your grandfather Victor is too old to lead wars.” Victor didn't argue. Miller continued. “And my first son, Samson, is no longer young either.” Samson's expression hardened slightly. “Darry has never wanted to participate in wars.” Darry simply remained quiet. “That leaves the family in a difficult position.” Miller looked directly at Alicia. “We are now forced to depend on you and Hanna.” Alicia's expression changed at the mention of Hanna. “But Hanna has left home.” Miller sighed. “She has not contacted anyone.”

He leaned forward. “Today, I am asking you for a favour, not as the leader of the Gupta family, but as your great-grandfather.” Alicia waited. “Please go to the front line.” Miller's voice became firm. “Settle the internal conflict between our soldiers.” Alicia stared at him for a moment. Then she smiled faintly. “So I will be fighting as well?” Miller nodded. “Yes.” He smiled. “Yes, my child. You will be leading them.” Alicia looked at him carefully. Miller continued. “I heard you trained with Gold and Diamond.” He paused. “Please take it with you.” Alicia slowly turned toward Samson. “And what about my old grandfather?” Samson's expression changed. Alicia continued. “He has been opposing me all this time.” She paused. “Didn't he want his daughter to lead everyone with the Gold and Diamond Dagger?” Samson's jaw tightened. He looked away. Inside, his anger was growing. Why is she picking me? Does she want to humiliate me in front of everyone? Miller noticed his reaction. “I gave Samson the same order.” Samson looked at his father. “I told him to convince Hanna to return and lead the family.” Miller shook his head. “But Hanna never came.” He looked at Samson. “I am sure you understand the situation we are facing.” Samson remained silent for several seconds. Finally, he nodded. “I understand, Father.”

Alicia stood up. “Well, then, we will be leaving.” She looked at Victor. “Grandpa, inform Hammer that we are coming.” Victor nodded. “No problem.” Then his expression became serious. “But remember something, my grandchild.” Alicia looked at him. “We want the two families to have peace.” Victor paused. “I know the Third Family is still your family, but you cannot always choose their side.” Alicia listened carefully. “If they step out of line, discipline them as you see fit.” He pointed toward her. “You are going there as the Gupta family leader.” He paused. “Not simply as the leader of the Third Family.” Alicia nodded. “Grandpa, I understand.” We said our goodbyes and soon left the Gupta residence. On our way to the boarder, Faith was driving. Samantha sat beside her while the rest of us were spread throughout the vehicle. I looked at Alicia. She looked back at me. She gave me a small nod. I cleared my throat. “Guys…” Everyone turned toward me. “We have a plan that we need to discuss with all of you.” Faith immediately slowed down. “What kind of plan?” “Let's stop for a minute.” Faith pulled the vehicle onto the side of the road and parked. Everyone's attention turned toward me.

I looked around at the Lions. “I’m afraid our plan comes with sacrifices.” Nobody spoke. “We are racing against time.” I looked at Laura. “And because of that, there is really no way for us to take things slowly.” Laura remained silent. I continued. “Laura, Alicia and I discussed something.” Laura looked at us. “We want to put you undercover inside the First Family.” Laura's expression changed slightly. “You will get close to them.” Alicia continued. “You'll observe them, learn how they operate, and find out anything that could lead us to Hanna.” Laura nodded slowly. “But you're still grieving.” I looked at her. “If you feel that you can't do this right now, tell us.” Alicia nodded. “We can appoint someone else.” Laura shook her head. “I'll do it.” She looked at us. “Tell me what I need to do.” I smiled. “We'll discuss everything tomorrow.” I looked around the vehicle. “For now, it is enough that you agreed.” Then I looked at Chris. “And you, brother…” Chris immediately became suspicious. “What?” “We want you to get close to one of the women who fought alongside Hanna.” Chris stared at me. “Absolutely not.” Sarah immediately laughed. “So you want my husband to cheat on me?” Everyone laughed. Alicia shook her head. “No.” She looked at Sarah. “We're not asking Chris to cheat on you.” Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Then what are you asking?” “She will help Laura get information.” Chris shook his head again. “No.”

I looked at him. Chris sighed. “You know very well that those people know I'm your brother.” He looked at Alicia. “Do you really think they didn't do background checks on us?” Alicia and I exchanged a look. He had a point. If Hanna's people were as careful as we believed, they would already know who Chris was. Alicia finally nodded. “Fair enough.” She looked at Faith. “Let's go.” Faith started the engine. “We'll continue with the plan once we arrive.” The vehicle pulled back onto the road. For several minutes, nobody spoke. Then Alicia suddenly reached for her phone. She called Victor. “Grandpa.” Victor answered. “Yes?” “Are you still with everyone?” “No. I just left.” Victor sounded confused. “Why?” Alicia's voice became serious. “I want to know how the recruitment of soldiers works.” Victor paused. “What exactly do you want to know?” “I want to know how the First Family recruits their soldiers.” There was silence on the other end. Victor finally spoke. “That is a very tricky procedure.” Alicia waited. “Hanna used to handle recruitment herself.” He continued. “And before that, her father Samson would attend underground boxing matches and select fighters he believed were strong enough to join. But he stopped doing that, a long ago.” “So what does he do now?”

Victor thought for a moment. “Everyone knows how he used to recruit people.” He paused. “Because of that, people who want to join him simply approach him.” “And then he decides whether to accept them or not.” Alicia nodded. “Thank you, Grandpa.” She was about to end the call when she remembered something. “Wait.” Victor waited. “You still haven't investigated how Charlie Kinlore is connected to Hanna?” Victor sighed. “It jus like I told you, there is no relation that we know of.” Alicia frowned. “I even asked my father.” Victor continued. “The Harris family has been an enemy of the Gupta family for longer than you have been alive.” Alicia smiled faintly. “Okay, Grandpa.” The call ended. She lowered her phone. We all looked at her. Suddenly, Alicia laughed. “An enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Sarah frowned. “What?” Alicia looked at her. “It seems that saying is actually true.” She leaned back in her seat. “Hanna is my enemy.” She paused. “Charlie is also my enemy.” Her smile disappeared. “And now they're working together to bring us down.” The vehicle continued down the road. None of us spoke. Because there was something else we were beginning to understand. If Charlie and Hanna were working together, then finding Hanna might not be enough anymore. We needed to understand Charlie too.