509: [Bonus chapter] Don't need that handicap anymore

[Bonus chapter] Don't need that handicap anymore

When Grandma Zhu, Lionel, and Ria resigned to bed, the dinner also came to an end minutes later. Dominic and Silas still chatted while Heaven busily made sure Sebastian was fed well. But once they finished dinner, Silas also bid them farewell. It was getting late, and he still had work in the morning.  2

The couple didn't stop him with Dominic sending him off. Meanwhile, Heaven took Sebastian to his room to wash him up and prepare him for bed. Axel, on the other hand, went straight to his room to rest.

Even though everyone in the family wanted to forgive, Axel would never forgive Silas. Silas had just done so many things that even if Silas apologized many times, it wasn't enough to make up for all the trouble Silas had caused in the past. 

Axel could forgive, but that doesn't necessarily mean he welcomed Silas back into his life. The latter should stay at a distance from him and they would be okay.

"Thank you." Standing outside the main entrance of the residence Dominic and Silas stopped. The latter turned on his heel, facing Dominic squarely. "I was surprised when you reached out and invited me to dinner."

"No." Dominic shook his head. "I should thank you for coming, and I should apologize for how Axel behaved."

"Haha. I'm already used to him, so it's fine."

"He is an emotional person, so I'm sure things weren't easy for him. I know you've always been patient with him, but it's shameless of me to ask for you to extend your patience."

Silas assessed Dominic's unsmiling face. The latter only smiled in front of his wife, and sometimes, at his kids. Therefore, it didn't seem anything amiss with Dominic. Well, if Silas overanalyzed everything, then hearing Dominic say such remarks was suspicious in itself. But then again, Dominic was trying to make peace with everyone for the sake of his daughter.

Children were surely such mystifying creatures, he thought.

"Axel is also like a brother to me, just like you." Silas let out a deep exhale, smiling. "You don't have to ask me, since whatever happens, I will have to understand him. Of course, I won't be a hypocrite and say that it irks me sometimes. But at the end of the day, he's still my little brother. In the most crucial time, I'll still take his side."

"That's... very reassuring to hear, Silas." Dominic rocked his head, planting his hand on Silas's shoulder. "Silas, I have tons of enemies."

Silas's brows rose at that unexpected confession from Dominic. 

"That incident months ago is an attempt to kill me. So, you have to be careful. People out there want to harm this family." He squeezed Silas's shoulder, looking at the man with genuine concern in his eyes. "They would do anything to get me. And I'm afraid they would get you to get me, so be very... very careful."

A moment of silence descended between the two of them. For a minute, the two men who almost shared the same face could only stare at each other. One carried a look of sincerity, while the other bore a bit of surprise. It was so out of Dominic's character to warn him, unless he cared for his well-being. Not only that, but Dominic also told him about something Silas had considered a piece of confidential information. 

"Does everyone know about that?" Silas blurted out under his breath. 

"Axel has an idea and Heaven as well." Dominic retrieved his hand from Silas's shoulder. "That is why they were also being careful. Don't worry. I've already raised measures. As you can see, this residence is surrounded by guards."

Silas instinctively looked around, catching people in the driveway. He already noticed it when he came in, and Dominic's remarks only brought enlightenment to him. When Silas faced Dominic once again, a subtle and reassuring smile turned up on his face.

"Thank you for warning me," Silas expressed, nodding. "Don't worry, I am always careful, Dom. But I'll always keep this in mind. If you need anything, I'm only a phone call away. I'll do what I can to help."

"That's very reassuring." Dominic rocked his head. "Then take care on your way home."

"Mhm." 

With that being said, Silas jogged his way down the steps before reaching his car, which was parked right outside the residence. He looked back at Dominic, who was still standing in the same spot, and then nodded before hitching inside the driver's seat. 

Honk! Honk!

Dominic nodded as the vehicle's lights lit up, honking twice at him as if Silas's way to bid farewell. He then slowly slipped his hands inside his pockets, watching the car's bumper as it sped away through the driveway. 

"Be very careful, Silas," he whispered, maintaining a stern expression with his eyes fixated on Silas's car. "People might approach you with bad intentions while wearing a friendly mask."

A glint flickered across Dominic's eyes as he repeated the warnings he had given Silas. This time, however, his warning sounded as if those hints were actually warnings for Silas to watch out for him. 

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Meanwhile, Silas glanced at the rear mirror. Dominic was still standing in the same spot until he reached the gates, and the man turned around to go back inside the residence. 

"Hah…" Silas smirked deviously, snapping his eyes ahead to see the gates opening for him. "That fool. Don't tell me you truly believe there's still hope for us just because your daughter survived?"

All the friendly facade in front of the Zhu family disappeared, revealing the twisted and wicked man he truly was. 

"Forgiveness? Unity?" he mocked as he passed through the gates, shaking his head mildly. "Don't make me laugh. Dominic Zhu… you are making a huge mistake in ever trusting me."

He blinked ever so slowly, smirking. "It seemed I don't need that useless handicap anymore to bring down this family." — if this continued, then Silas could break this family apart from the inside. "I knew it. I can only trust myself in this, since that useless shithead is all talks, only to end up losing an entire arm."

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