Chapter 374: Forgive!!
Edwin Carter.
The feared head of the Carter Family.
The ruler of Crimson Island.
A name respected and feared across the underworld.
His commands carried enough weight to shake entire organizations.
Countless people viewed him as an untouchable figure.
Yet...
To Elena...
He was simply her father.
The father who had disappeared from her life when she needed him the most.
The father she could never truly forgive.
..
The peaceful breeze continued to move through the garden.
Somewhere inside the villa, laughter from Hope, Asher and the other young guests drifted outside.
It made the silence between mother and son feel even more noticeable.
Miles quietly studied Elena’s expression.
She looked calm.
Too calm.
He knew that look.
It was the same expression she wore whenever she made a difficult decision.
His hand slowly tightened into a fist beneath the table.
"Mom..."
"Did he try to contact you again?"
Elena gently shook her head.
"No."
"I’ve simply been thinking about it these past few days."
She looked toward the distant garden where the younger generation could be heard laughing together.
"So much has happened recently."
"You are getting married."
"Our family keeps growing."
She smiled softly.
"And while watching all of this..."
"I realized something."
She slowly lowered her eyes.
"I should forgive him."
Miles remained silent.
He searched his mother’s face carefully.
He wanted to make sure these words truly came from her heart.
"Mom..."
"Please tell me what’s really going on."
"If he is bothering you..."
"I’ll take care of him."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No anger either.
Just concern.
Pure concern.
Elena couldn’t help smiling.
She reached across the table and gently rested her hand over his.
"You really have grown up."
She squeezed his hand affectionately.
"I’ve held onto this pain for so many years."
"And what has it given me?"
"Nothing."
She slowly exhaled.
"I should forgive him."
"At least for Mona and Chase."
"They deserve a complete family too."
"I want to talk to him."
She looked into Miles’ eyes.
"Can you arrange a call?"
Miles did not answer immediately.
Instead...
He looked down at their joined hands.
His voice became quieter.
"Are you sure, Mom?"
"I don’t want to see you get hurt again."
His eyes reflected guilt that had never completely disappeared.
"Last time..."
"It happened because of me."
"I can’t bear seeing you sad again."
Elena immediately understood what he was referring to.
She gently caressed the back of his hand.
"No."
"Don’t blame yourself."
"No matter what happened..."
"He is still my father."
Her voice carried neither anger nor bitterness.
Only acceptance.
"Maybe it was only for a short time."
"But he did care for me."
"He loved me."
She smiled faintly.
"And..."
"He is your grandfather."
Her gaze drifted toward the clear blue sky.
"Before age takes him away..."
"I don’t want to live with regrets."
Miles quietly listened.
After a long silence...
He slowly nodded.
"I understand, Mom."
"I’ll arrange a call with the old man."
Elena immediately looked at him.
"He is your grandfather."
Miles sighed dramatically.
"I still don’t like the old man’s attitude."
"But..."
He smiled.
"For you..."
"I’ll call him Grandpa."
Elena’s eyes softened.
"Thank you."
Miles smiled back.
"I’m happy you asked me."
For him...
The greatest gift was knowing his mother had finally decided to let go of the burden she had carried for so many years.
The atmosphere became much lighter.
Then...
Elena suddenly narrowed her eyes.
"By the way..."
Miles blinked.
"Hm?"
"What was that weapon Silvey was talking about?"
Miles froze.
His expression instantly became awkward.
"N... nothing, Mom."
"We were just discussing random things."
"You can ignore it."
Elena slowly folded her arms.
Miles scratched the back of his head.
"It really wasn’t important."
She sighed helplessly.
"You are getting married in a few days."
"So don’t do anything dangerous."
Miles immediately nodded like an obedient child.
"Understood."
A moment later he suddenly leaned forward.
"So..."
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
"You saved me some..."
She looked confused.
"Saved what?"
"The snacks."
"The ones you mentioned."
Elena stared at him for two seconds before laughing.
"So that’s what you were worried about?"
Miles smiled innocently.
"I was hungry before."
"Now I’m starving."
"There is plenty."
She stood up.
"Come on."
"Let’s go inside."
Miles stood beside her.
"My mom is the best."
Elena gently tapped his arm.
"Flattery won’t get you extra desserts."
Miles grinned.
"It was worth trying."
The two walked back toward the villa together.
The sounds of laughter became louder with every step.
...
Mars Residency.
Ding Dong.
The apartment doorbell echoed through the quiet hallway.
Inside the apartment...
Chloe placed the book she had been reading onto the coffee table before walking toward the entrance.
She opened the door.
Standing outside were two familiar faces.
Alice raised a hand with a bright smile.
Kate stood beside her carrying a paper bag.
Chloe blinked in surprise.
"What’s the matter?"
Alice shrugged casually.
"Nothing."
"Since you’ve started coming to the office on weekdays..."
"There really isn’t any reason to keep the office open on Sundays anymore."
Chloe looked puzzled.
"So..."
"We only worked on Sundays because I used to come on weekends?"
Kate nodded as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Yes."
Chloe stared at both of them.
"Hey."
"You should’ve told me earlier."
"I thought Sunday was a normal working day too."
Alice waved her hand dismissively.
"It wasn’t a big deal."
"We just needed our lead designer to supervise the team."
"The designers were always happy whenever you came."
"They learned a lot from you."
Chloe looked slightly embarrassed.
"Lissy..."
"Don’t you think that’s too much?"
"Changing everyone’s schedule just because of me..."
Kate immediately interrupted.
"What are you talking about?"
"You’re the boss of Tulip Corporation too."
Alice folded her arms dramatically.
"So..."
"Are you planning to make us stand at the door forever?"
Chloe suddenly laughed.
"Oh."
"Come in, both of you."
The two stepped inside.
Kate immediately looked toward the kitchen.
"Hey."
"Do you still have those instant noodle bowls?"
Alice’s eyes lit up.
"I want one too."
Chloe looked between them.
"You two haven’t had breakfast yet?"
Kate burst into laughter.
"Alice woke up..."
She deliberately paused.
"Very late."
Alice rolled her eyes.
"Whose fault do you think that was?"
She pointed at Chloe.
"My best friend is getting married."
"Why wouldn’t I celebrate?"
She walked into the living room before dropping onto the sofa.
"And besides..."
She looked around the apartment.
"I don’t think we’ll get many chances after this."
"Eating instant noodles together..."
"Just like our college days."
"Let’s relive that one more time."
A warm smile slowly appeared on Chloe’s face.
Those simple memories suddenly felt incredibly precious.
She nodded.
"Alright."
"I’ll heat some water."
Kate had already walked toward the kitchen.
"I’ll do it."
She looked back at them with a grin.
"You two sit."
"Talk."
"I’ll prepare everything."
Alice immediately leaned closer to Chloe the moment Kate disappeared into the kitchen.
A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face.
"So..."
"Tell me everything."
"How does it feel to be a bride just five days before the wedding?"
Norway
Bjorn’s Mansion
Night had already settled over the vast estate.
Inside one of the spacious halls, a fireplace crackled softly.
Bjorn stood before the tall window with both hands behind his back.
His sharp eyes were fixed on the darkness outside.
Astrid slowly entered the room.
She had changed into a simple evening gown after dinner, yet the concern on her face was impossible to hide.
She stopped a few steps behind him.
"Have you heard from Thea?"
Bjorn did not turn around.
"I couldn’t reach her after she was in New York."
For a few moments...
Only the sound of burning wood echoed inside the hall.
Then Bjorn finally spoke.
"Yes."
"She is busy with something very important."
Astrid quietly listened.
Bjorn’s lips slowly curved into a satisfied smile.
"She is going to become a very important part of our upcoming plan."
He slowly raised his glass.
"And once everything succeeds..."
"I plan to officially announce her as the Heiress of the WEB."
Astrid looked slightly surprised.
"So..."
"You finally decided."
Bjorn nodded.
"The time has come."
"My children have already proven themselves."
"But among all of them..."
"Thea understands responsibility the best."
He looked back toward the endless night.
His smile gradually widened.
"If that old man were still alive..."
"He would die all over again after seeing what we have built."
A loud laugh echoed through the hall.
"Hahaha..."
Astrid’s expression immediately turned cold.
"Don’t talk about him."
Bjorn simply waved his hand.
"Fine."
"There is no point speaking about dead people."
His eyes once again drifted toward the darkness beyond the window.
"By the time everyone realizes what is happening..."
"It will already be too late."
...
Beijing, China
Chen Family Residence
Unlike the modern skyline surrounding the estate...
The main residence of the Chen Family preserved centuries of tradition.
Ancient stone pathways stretched across the courtyard.
Red lanterns swayed gently beneath carved wooden roofs.
The faint fragrance of sandalwood lingered throughout the residence.
Rouxi walked calmly through the quiet corridors.
Several servants respectfully stepped aside as she passed.
She eventually stopped before a large pair of carved wooden doors.
Knock.
Knock.
A calm elderly voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Rouxi gently pushed open the door.
The chamber reflected the old traditions of the Chen Family.
Ancient paintings decorated the walls.
Bookshelves filled with historical records stood neatly beside the windows.
An incense burner quietly released thin streams of fragrant smoke into the room.
At the center...
Old Master Chen sat behind a traditional wooden desk while calmly enjoying tea.
He slowly looked up.
"Tell me, Rouxi."
"What did you wish to discuss?"
Rouxi respectfully bowed.
"Father."
"I have successfully sold the cursed katana."
Old Master Chen’s eyes immediately widened.
"You really did?"
A genuine smile appeared on his weathered face.
"The Chen Family is grateful for your efforts."
Rouxi lowered her head slightly.
"I was merely fulfilling my responsibility as a member of this family."
The old man nodded approvingly.
Then curiosity appeared on his face.
"How much did you manage to sell it for?"
He chuckled softly.
"Even if you received one million dollars..."
"It would already be considered a good outcome."
Rouxi calmly answered.
"We sold it..."
"For thirty million dollars."
Silence.
The old man’s teacup nearly slipped from his fingers.
"Th..."
"Thirty?"
He stared at her in disbelief.
Rouxi nodded.
"Yes, Father."
For several long seconds...
The old man simply looked at her.
Then he slowly leaned back in his chair.
"Incredible..."
"So the buyer truly knew people from the Ancient Clans."
"He recognized the crest?"
Rouxi nodded once again.
"He immediately recognized the symbol engraved into the katana."
"He was especially interested in one thing."
"How the sword entered our family."
The old man narrowed his eyes.
"And..."
"What did you tell him?"
Rouxi smiled faintly.
"Only enough..."
"To spark his curiosity."
"I made sure he would have a reason to visit us personally."
Old Master Chen slowly nodded in satisfaction.
"You handled it well."
"I shall reconsider your position within the family."
"The clues connected to the Ancient Clans are extremely valuable."
"If that young man truly possesses those connections..."
"He is someone worth befriending."
Rouxi remained composed.
"He will definitely come."
"He also mentioned that he has connections with my husband."
The old man’s eyes brightened.
"Excellent."
"My son can finally become useful."
Rouxi looked at him quietly before speaking.
"He has always worked hard."
"Only to earn your recognition."
The old man’s expression softened ever so slightl
y.
"I will keep that in mind."
A faint smile appeared on Rouxi’s lips.
"Thank you, Father."
She stood gracefully.
"The thirty million dollars have already been transferred to the family account."
Old Master Chen slowly nodded.
"Very well."
"You may leave."
Rouxi respectfully bowed once more before turning toward the exit.
The heavy wooden doors quietly closed behind her.
The moment she stepped into the empty corridor...
The respectful smile disappeared.
A confident grin slowly spread across her face.
She looked back toward the closed chamber.
"Old man..."
"One day..."
"Leave that chair to my husband."
Her footsteps echoed softly through the ancient corridor as she disappeared into the quiet residence.