C524 The Gupta Family's Dark Secret

Realizing it was getting late, Mark finally dismissed us. "Everything is up to you now. Be careful with the decisions you make, and don't assume that everyone who claims to be on our side has good intentions." With that, he turned and left the study. Alicia looked at us. "Let's meet tomorrow at Lucia Goods. We have a lot to discuss, and I want us to approach our next steps with a clear plan." Everyone nodded in agreement before we began leaving the study. Once we were outside, Alicia and I headed upstairs to our bedroom. Meanwhile, Chris drove Sarah and Samantha back to the Wood residence, while Laura returned to the Gomez family. Everyone had their own problems to deal with, but one question continued to trouble us all. Was the Mayor really a corrupt official working with drug cartels? The possibility was disturbing. We had accepted his offer because we believed we could use our abilities to protect our families and help the government deal with dangerous criminals. But what if the person who had offered us that opportunity was hiding something far more sinister? Until we uncovered the truth, we couldn't afford to trust anyone blindly.

At the Wood residence, Samantha and Sarah arrived a little later than expected. However, everyone was still seated, waiting for them to return. The moment the two women entered the room, Tracy spoke. "You're both back. Good. Let's continue our discussion." Sarah shook her head. "Mom, we just discovered something huge. The Mayor of Scotland might be involved with drug cartels, specifically the Harris Cartel." Everyone immediately turned towards her. Sarah continued, "We killed Willy Harris a few months ago, but the cartel is rebuilding. Now we're beginning to suspect that the Mayor might have been protecting them all along." Kelvin frowned. "Is he seeking revenge against you as well? Wait a minute. Aren't you working for him?" Samantha sighed. "It's complicated, Father. Even we don't understand what's happening anymore. We thought we knew where we stood with the Mayor, but now we're not so sure." Ben frowned. "So, he's coming after you, and once again, we're the ones who will suffer the consequences?" Sarah smiled. "Wrong, Brother. You worry too much." "How can I not worry?" Ben retorted. "Every time you get involved in something dangerous, our entire family ends up being affected." Sarah laughed lightly. "The Mayor hasn't ordered us to fight the cartel. He wants us to investigate it more deeply, particularly Charlie's mysterious partner. We don't know why he's so interested in this woman, but we'll carry out the investigation and see what we uncover."

Kelvin nodded thoughtfully, but his expression suggested that he was far from satisfied. Then he remembered their earlier discussion. "So, what about the matter we were discussing before you left?" The atmosphere changed. Samantha looked around the room before speaking. "If the Wood family decides that they no longer want me here, I'll move out. I'll find an apartment for Monica and myself, and we'll start over." She paused. "I know I've said this before, but I want to make something clear. I won't force myself to stay somewhere I'm no longer welcome. That's why I said the final decision belongs to you, Father and Mother. You can discuss it tonight and give me your answer in the morning." Sarah frowned. "Sam, if you leave, what will happen to me? Are you going to leave me all alone?" Samantha smiled sadly. "Sarah, you're married. Have you forgotten that? You and Chris are happy together, and you have your own life to build with your child." She reached for Sarah's hand. "Besides, no matter what happens or where we live, the path we've chosen will always keep us together. Leaving this house won't mean leaving you." Sarah looked away, clearly unhappy with the thought of being separated from her friend. After a moment, she changed the subject. "Where's Tristan?" "He's with Valeria," Tracy answered. Sarah frowned. "My mother-in-law? Isn't she supposed to be working?" "She changed shifts," Tracy explained. "She now works during the day instead of at night." Sarah nodded.

Samantha then stood up. "We'll go and rest for now. Father, please let me know your decision in the morning so I can prepare for whatever comes next." Sarah turned towards his father, her expression becoming more serious. "And Father, there's something else I need you to do for me." Kelvin looked at her. "What is it Sarah?" "I want you to tell me everything that has happened at Wood IT Company since I left. I don't want to return to the company only to discover that important things have been kept from me." Kelvin studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. Go and rest. We'll discuss everything in the morning." Samantha thanked him, and she and Sarah left the room. Although neither woman said it aloud, both knew that the following morning could change their lives. Meanwhile, the Mooney residence had grown quiet. Everyone had retired to their rooms after the long day. Inside our bedroom, Alicia was sitting on the bed when she turned towards me. "Husband, did you discover anything about that boat?" I nodded. "Yes, I did. But that's not our most urgent problem right now." She looked at me curiously. "What is?" I sat beside her. "There are two things I want to ask you. First, have you informed your grandfather from the Gupta family that his brother ordered an assassination against you?" Alicia stared at me.. "And the second question," I continued, "why didn't you tell everyone in our family about the attempt on your life?"

Alicia fell silent for a moment. Then she picked up her phone. "Let me call Grandpa now." She scrolled through her contacts until she found Victor's number, then placed the call. It connected after a few rings. "Grandpa," Alicia greeted. Victor smiled when he heard her voice. "My child! How are you? I've heard about your success at the border. Your strategies have certainly surprised everyone. You're doing an excellent job bringing the family together." Alicia smiled faintly. "Grandpa, I'm not doing well." Victor's expression changed immediately. "What happened, my child?" "Are you with your father right now?" "No. Everyone is preparing for my brother's funeral tomorrow." Alicia paused. "Grandpa, could you please go to him? What I need to tell you concerns both of you." Victor didn't waste any time. "Of course. Give me a moment." He ended the call and immediately left his villa. When he arrived at his father's residence, he found Miller sitting in his wheelchair in the living room. The older man appeared tired after the day's activities, but he looked up as Victor approached. "Dad, Alicia wants to speak with us." Miller turned towards him. "What is it?" "I don't know. She said it concerns both of us." Victor waved to the guards, signalling them to leave the room. Once they were alone, he called Alicia again and put the phone on speaker. Miller leaned forward slightly. "Alicia, my child, it's good to hear from you. I'm very proud of what you've accomplished. You've done more than anyone expected to unite our family and defend our country."

Alicia remained silent for a moment. Then she asked a question that immediately wiped the warmth from the conversation. "Grandpa, are you pretending to be happy about my success, or are you genuinely happy?" Miller frowned. "My child, what are you talking about? Of course, I'm happy. Why would you ask me such a question?" "Then why did someone try to assassinate me?" The room fell silent. Miller's expression changed, while Victor immediately straightened in his seat. "What?" they asked almost simultaneously. "Who tried to kill you?" Alicia let out a short, humourless laugh. "You're the patriarch of the Gupta family, Grandpa. Are you telling me you know nothing about it? I'm certain you must have approved the order to kill me." Victor stared at the phone in disbelief. "My child, I don't understand. What are you saying?" "The assassins you sent failed," Alicia continued. "I dealt with them myself." Miller shook his head. "Alicia, we don't know anything about this. We're busy preparing for Samson's funeral. Why would I send people to kill you when I've been working towards reuniting this family?" Alicia's expression hardened. "Then perhaps your brother can explain it." Victor's face changed. "My brother?" "Yes, Grandpa. Darry Gupta sent a group of assassins to kill me. They belonged to the Third Family. Your own people were sent after me." Victor looked at Miller, unable to hide his shock.

Alicia continued, her voice growing colder. "I've been wondering why the assassins came from the Third Family. Perhaps you and Darry deliberately chose people I wouldn't suspect. Or perhaps he used your people to make it easier to sneak in." She paused before delivering the question that had been troubling her. "And you, Great grandpa Miller? As the patriarch of the family, did you give him permission to do this?" Miller's expression darkened. "My child, we know nothing about this! I swear to you. How could I approve an assassination attempt against you when I've been trying to bring this family together? Why would I destroy everything we've worked so hard to achieve?" Alicia did not respond. She wanted to believe him, but she had already learned that family ties didn't guarantee loyalty. Finally, she spoke. "So you're telling me Darry acted alone?" Neither man answered. Alicia sighed. "Will this ever end? I've spent so much time trying to bring the family army together, yet there are still people within it who want me dead." Her voice grew heavier with frustration. "If Darry succeeds in killing me, what do you think will happen next? My husband won't simply accept my death. The Lions won't sit quietly either, and my family will demand answers. Before long, There will be another conflict between the families." She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "Is this what you wanted when you accepted me into the Gupta family? For me to spend the rest of my life fighting people who are supposed to be my family?" Victor lowered his head. Miller remained motionless in his wheelchair, struggling to process what Alicia had told them. Neither man had expected Darry to go this far. If Alicia was telling the truth, then his desire for revenge had become a threat to the very family they were trying to unite. After a long silence, Victor turned towards his father. "Dad, what should we do now?"