483: [Bonus chapter]Has our justice system fallen this much?!

[Bonus chapter]Has our justice system fallen this much?!

"Bullshit!" After listening to all the nonsense Dominic spewed, Axel couldn't help but jump from his seat in anger. "Do they think of us as children!? What sort of bullshit of an excuse is that!?"  1

Dominic sighed deeply as he rocked his head. "That is why I have to cut ties with the General and do my own investigation."

"Has our justice system fallen this much?!" Axel gasped in exasperation. "I can't believe they're using that family as a scapegoat, blaming it on them when we know for a fact they were also victims."

"But it was true, Axel." Dominic looked at his brother sternly. "Riley's father did borrow some money from a shark loan."

"So what?! They're all dead, anyway. Mr. Cruel dealt with them! He had done a huge favor in this world and took out those scum. They're all just a waste of space!" 

"But that's the situation," Dominic remarked. "Even Grandma has to use her own connections to help me with it because it seemed… I am surrounded."

"What…?"

The corner of Dominic's mouth curled up into a bitter smirk. "All the people I thought who would take my side seemed to have switched sides. After everything, all they had given me was nothing but nonsense excuses."

His face crumpled as he recalled the awful memories he had in the past few days. Those men in power carried an apologetic look, sympathizing with him with what happened to his family. However, none of them wanted to take accountability. Even the General, whom he trusted, only apologized while making a bunch of excuses to justify his incompetence. 

"This is why I hate those fucking scums," Heaven whispered, earning Dominic and Axel's attention. "They're far worse than that gang that was involved."

"I had been reevaluating everyone," Dominic reassured. "So far, half of the people I am connected with weren't as useful as I thought they would be. However, the other half of them were still loyal to the Zhu family because they still needed something from us. A small percentage were labeled as people I could trust. Some staff in the family were also laid off or fired, so you might be surprised if you don't see some faces anymore."

Heaven snapped her eyes back to her husband, having a deeper understanding of what Dominic had been going through on his side. He had been looking for justice, wanting to make those responsible to pay. But alas, everyone whom he helped in the past simply mocked him with their shallow apologies whilst laughing at him behind their mask. 

Unforgivable.

No wonder he hadn't been himself since the incident, worrying about his and his family's security. Everyone turned out to be his enemy, and he could only salvage what he could. He was trading pieces of him every single day, and none of them knew the weight he had to carry on his own. 

"We still have a long battle with this," Dominic continued with a heavy sigh. "The General already announced his retirement and some officials I cut ties with will never win the election again. The public already knew their dirty laundry. However, that doesn't mean it's over. Because at the end of the day, the person behind the abduction is still at large. I can't be complacent anymore."

He scanned Heaven and Axel's faces for a while. "What happened… as much as possible, I will not let it happen again."

"Bro…" Axel bit his tongue, lowering his gaze as he processed everything in one go. "I had no idea that's what's going on."

"It's alright." Dominic smiled. "It's my fault and before you say anything, this admittance didn't come from self-pity. But rather, a lesson that I should reflect on."

Bitterness still dominated Axel's face, keeping his furious heart at bay. The Zhu family supported all those people, but now, they were biting the hand that fed them. How shameless! It wasn't like the Zhu family had ever abused their power and connection. 

What Dominic was asking of them was to give his family justice. Something those officials should do for their citizens. It was their job. But alas, not only they were reluctant to do their job, but mocked them instead.

'Shameless scums…'Axel ground his teeth as he clasped his hand until they were trembling in anger. 'No wonder people are protesting! They're not any less bad than those people who did this to our family!'

Yet, aside from the anger, Axel felt helpless. He couldn't do anything right now and even if he threw a huge feat, nothing would change. 

Knock knock

Suddenly, a faint knock from the door pierced through the thickening air. The three of them turned their heads at the door, only to see Dane Zhang peeking his head in. 

"Sir, I already settled the account," announced Dane as he opened the door wider, stepping inside. "The madam can leave anytime she wants."

Dominic smiled and nodded. "Alright," he said as he set his attention back to Heaven.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked, maintaining a subtle smile. 

"Mhm." Heaven rocked her head, casting Axel a look. "I'll just change. Can you please wait for me outside?"

"But…" Axel blinked, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "Can't you do it in the bathroom? It's just right over there."

"I'll change here." 

"Axel, let's go." Dominic pushed himself away from the edge of the bed. "It's better if she just changes here, so she doesn't have to move around too much."

"Ahh…" Axel nodded, still a little confused. But, he still followed his brother and said before closing the door, "Sis, call us once you're done, alright?"

"Mhm." Heaven smiled warmly at him, watching them close the door. The smile on her face faded as soon as they were out of sight, replaced with nothing but coldness. 

"Primo Rossi," she whispered, gazing down at her hand. "I thought you only got close with him through Silas, but it seemed I was wrong."

Heaven lifted her chin as she turned her head to the window. "Had I known it was more complicated than what I expected, I wouldn't have hesitated. I guess the Reapers had to come out of their woodwork."

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