Xhemin begged to disagree with Darryl's words because as far as she knew, she had hired the best security in the town and no one could just easily snatched her. With all that happened in the past, she has made sure she and her family will always be safe. However, she really couldn't blame Darryl with his choices especially in situations as dangerous as right then.

Franco's mouth twisted in another slight laugh. "You dare challenge me, my boy, perhaps I should let you have a state of my fury,"

​​

"And perhaps I should remind you that I am the President of L Empire," Darryl spoke calmly as he gave his uncle one thorough look. Unlike Franco who was already at his feet, almost ready for action, Darryl was particularly calm as if he feared not even the danger and violence that might take place at any moment. "You and your organization, whatever you call it, existed for my favor. So tell me, uncle, you dare defy me now?"

Franco tensed up even more at Darryl's words. Never in his entire life did he ever think that out of all the Presidents of L Empire, Darryl, his nephew would impose authority on him. However, Darryl was right; Franco and his organization gained the elder's approval with a certain purpose to protect the Lagdameo family, most specifically the President of L Empire. So technically, they were there for Darryl's protection and he can't simply deny him that right or else, the elders would no longer acknowledge him. If that happens, their organization will lose its purpose as well as its power.

Franco was very mad, but he was wise enough not to make any reckless decisions like Darryl did. Seeing how he calmed down a bit, Darryl placed the question on the table again. "Now tell me, did you have my son killed?"

"I am the protector of every Lagdameo, I swore to that oath. How in the world would I kill someone I should protect?" Franco exclaimed. "How could you come here and accuse me of this folly? And how dare you come here and let me take responsibility for the death of the new Lagdameo heir?

"Because he too was your responsibility, yet you failed to protect him," Darryl reminded him and his pair of hazel eyes dug into Franco, consuming him. "You exists to protect every Lagdameo and you failed the protect the most important Lagdameo of all, the last heir,"

Franco silenced at this. Unknown to everyone, Winter's death was Franco's ultimate failure and although no one could see, his pride and conscience were haunting him of the fact that in a split of second, the life of the new Lagdameo heir slipped into his knowledge and hands. Winter's death was a taint to his reputation, being the one charge of all of the Lagdameo's security.

"Collet said you called Aunt Blanca when we were in London to tell her about Xhemin's return from the island," Darryl started ascertaining facts.

"I did. I received reports about the Lagdameo woman returning from the island and that she was looking for you. I was just taking precautions, making sure you won't be disturbed until the proclamation day so I called Blanca to warn her," Franco carefully narrated what took place at that time.

"If your men reported my return, then you must have been informed that I was pregnant when I came back?" Xhemin couldn't help but indulge herself with the questioning. It was now that she realized after knowing Franco's role in the Lagdameo family that somewhat, Franco had a connection and responsibility to what happened to her and Winter.

"That…" When she heard Xhemin's question, the expression in Franco's face faltered and his anger turned to shame. "That…that report didn't reach me,"

"Your men didn't tell you I was pregnant?" Xhemin repeated the question to clear it out. "You mean to say your men were selective on what information to tell you?" Learning this loophole, Xhemin couldn't help but return the insult Franco threw at her in the beginning, "I guess then the reputation that people tell about you was overstated. You aren't competent at all,"

Franco's annoyance intensified, however, he knew and admitted it himself that what happened six years ago with the new Lagdameo heir was negligence on his part and so he swallowed Xhemin's insult. Although Franco doesn't have a pleasant character, he was, however, a man who values oath and words and was reasonable enough to admit his own faults.

Running through all the details of what really took place at the time of Xhemin's accident, Franco received a report about Xhemin's comeback a few days prior to Winter's death but it didn't contain any information that Xhemin was pregnant that's why when the news broke out about the new Lagdameo heir being dead, they were all caught off guard and Franco was first blamed for it.

"Don't speak as if I didn't lose anything from it," Franco replied to Xhemin hard.

"Certainly not as big as what I lose," She snapped back with the same intensity. She wasn't afraid anymore, especially after she learned that the great Franco Lagdameo had long fallen into defeat the moment the new Lagdameo heir was killed.

"I came to give you a chance to redeem yourself," Darryl spoke, cutting Xhemin and Franco's sharp gazes toward each other. "I hope you could make yourself useful this time or else I'll reconsider all that L Empire invested in favor of you and this organization of yours,"

"Do speak," He answered like he was up for any challenge. Franco didn't think there would be a time where he can correct his past failures, but if what Darryl indeed said was true, then he'll do anything to get back the reputation he had lost.

Darryl threw an envelope on the table. "We're looking for someone. Someone who once was under you. He's probably the one who sabotaged your dealings and made you unaware of the existence of the new Lagdameo heir,"

"Dead or alive?" Franco asked one last question and took the envelope.

"I don't care," Darryl replied tonelessly. "All I want is to know his identity,"