Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress

Chapter 284: If by Some Miracle

After some time, Damien decided to talk with Frederick so he went to the study to find him. He didn't bother knocking and just waltzed inside, catching his uncle talking on the phone while William was on the couch drinking some scotch and reading today's news online through his tablet.

When Frederick saw Damien abruptly enter the study, he told the person on the other line that he would call back before facing his nephew.

"We need to talk," said Damien as he stood in front of the sturdy mahogany desk where his uncle was sitting.

Frederick set aside a set of papers and then answered, "You have been avoiding me these past few days and now you want to talk? What do you want to talk about, son?"

Damien hated how Frederick calls him 'son'. He knew it was just a fatherly gesture but he could never see him as a father. He wasn't even a father to his own son William Damien could guess the reason why he and William drifted apart and it was partly because of how Frederick showed that he favored Damien over William. 

But as to why, Damien could only guess as he grew older. He already left this mansion anyway and went on his own way and built his own name so whatever it was, it didn't matter to him anymore. And because of that, he and his cousin William drifted even further apart.

It wasn't only until recently that they started talking again. Although their relationship would no longer be the same as it was before William betrayed him, at least the two were now civil around each other.

Damien only glanced at William and did not bother asking him to leave as the other already knew anyway. "I want you to tell me who ordered the kill on Katherine's parents." His voice was commanding and stern. There wasn't an ounce of fear as he went straight to the point and asked his uncle directly. Even William was surprised to witness his straightforwardness.

Frederick Park got up, went to the liquor cabinet at the corner of the room where the bookshelves were and poured himself some scotch. "If I knew that, do you think I would just tell you?"

Damien didn't answer his uncle. Of course, he knew that his uncle wouldn't tell him just like that but he still wanted to ask the dreading question.

When Damien didn't answer, Frederick added, "Your silence means that you understand very well why I couldn't'if' I knew the answer to your question. You know how contracts work since you are a businessman. Contracts are binding, son, you know that. Our credibility and anonymity in this business are sacred. It is how our family survived and is surviving for decades. You should know that since you are a Park. Is it because you turned your back on this household that you have already forgotten the family values, policies, and principles?"

"Bullsht!" Damien spat. "This is different!"

Taking his sweet time, Frederick took a swig of the alcohol in his hand and calmly answered, "Why is it different? Because you fell in love with the woman whose family you killed?"

Damien's jaw tensed. He stepped forward until he was face to face with his uncle and spoke under gritted teeth, "I didn't kill her parents!"

Frederick Park turned around and faced the window that had a view of the vast land of the Park Estate. "Whether you did or someone else in the family did, the members of the Park Family are supposed to stick with each other. What one gains is the family's gain. What one achieves is the family's achievement. And similarly, what one does is the entire family's responsibility."

Damien was left speechless. His uncle only made him hate himself even more for being part of this dysfunctional family. What kind of family raises you to do evil?

Even after all the sessions that he had with his therapist, he still loathed himself. At dinner, he had already forgotten about it and began to feel happy because of Katherine's presence. But now he remembered just how much he didn't deserve Katherine at all. His wishful thinking was nothing but a selfish thought.

"If that's what you're thinking, then what was that during dinner? Why are you suddenly being friendly to Katherine? Aren't you even ashamed of what you did?" Damien asked.

"Let me remind you, Damien, a job is a job. I do what I need and have to do. If this was another person, you probably wouldn't have cared or batted an eyelid on this matter. It just so happens that it's Ms. Young. Am I right?" Frederick turned around and saw the darkness in Damien's eyes.

"The past is in the past, son. I feel sorry for what happened to her family but who she is now for me it has nothing to do with what happened years ago despite knowing that mission was a failure. I saw how devastated you were these past few weeks all because she left you. I didn't know she was that important to you until I saw how her absence affected you. Now that she is back, I just thought that showing a little kindness to her will make you happy. Am I wrong? Should I have been aloof then?"

Damien found everything that he said ridiculous. He laughed mockingly and replied, "This is because she belongs to a rich family now, isn't it?"

Taking a deep breath, Frederick faced Damien and answered, "I have always been looking out for your well being, making sure you would marry into a good family and any woman who is marrying you also comes from one. The Youngs have an excellent reputation in Esmea. If you really want her back, I won't stop you now."

Hearing the words from his uncle made him laugh even more. His head hung low, disgusted that Frederick didn't feel sorry at all. Just what kind of man was his uncle that there wasn't an ounce of remorse in the old man's body even after seeing Katherine and knowing that she was the daughter of the two people whom he had ordered or was hired to kill?

"I have always wanted her back into my life. But after learning who she is, do you think it's easy for me to face her without feeling disgusted with myself because of what you made me do years ago?" Damien shook his head and turned towards the door. He wanted to get out of the room as soon as he could or he might do something he would regret.

When he reached the door, he met William's concerned gaze for a brief second before he turned the knob and opened the door. However, before he left, he turned his head to the side and told his uncle, "If by some miracle I do get her back again, it wouldn't be because you allowed me to. I don't deserve her but if she takes me back, it will never be because you're giving us your blessing. I never needed your permission on what to do with my lifeespecially not who I want to be with."

Damien stepped out of the study and slammed the door shut. He took a long and deep breath, trying to calm himself down before he alighted the stairs and went to the tea room where Nana and Katherine were. He needed to see her.

As soon as he entered the room, Nana's face brightened and immediately said, "Ah, my sweet boy... I was wondering where you were. I had Katherine fetched earlier today so she needs a ride home. You don't mind taking her back to the city, do you?"

Damien glanced at Katherine who was looking slightly uneasy. He instantly felt better after seeing her so he flashed her a gorgeous smile and said, "Of course, it will be my pleasure."

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