Chapter 408 Family Business

"So… you're telling me that someone else is actually backing the Li Family?" Jiang Yue asked Ashton, as her gaze turned serious. The reason she was keeping a close eye on the Li Family was that she wanted to know who was trying to kill her mother.

She could not forget how Gideon said that someone wanted her mother dead. So, she was using the opportunity at hand to force the people behind the Li Family to act and try to save them.

"You are right," Ashton answered. "I don't have the specifics, however, I believe those people are the same ones who have tried to approach my grandfather from the Kim Family a few months ago."

"Nevertheless, my grandfather refused their help. That's why they had no other choice but to approach the Li Family," he added.

Jiang Yue immediately narrowed her eyes at Ashton. Trust was something that she did not have anymore. After Gideon's betrayal, Jiang Yue accepted the fact that the only person she could trust was Fu Jin.

Now that another person approached her for no apparent reason, Jiang Yue had already anticipated that this person had another hidden motive. Was he trying to bait Jiang Yue into leaving their country?

Countless assumptions immediately started twirling inside her mind as she continued staring at Ashton. Though she liked his direct and calm demeanor, Jiang Yue couldn't deny the fact that she was also very suspicious of him. "Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Don't get me wrong." Ashton ignored her question. "Me telling you this does not mean that I approve of what you have done to my family. The only reason that I chose not to avenge them is that I am basically nothing right now. I can't do anything, compared to what you can do." He answered.

"The only reason I am telling you all of this is for you to ensure my safety in this country." He added. "I will tell you everything that I know. In return you will not kill me and keep my…" he hesitated before looking straight into her eyes, "my wife and daughter safe from the Li Family."

Jiang Yue raised an eyebrow at the man, finally understanding his motives. So, he already had a family at such a young age. This could explain why he approached her then. "You are smart enough to approach me." She said. "For that alone, I will promise to keep you and your family safe. I will give you a new identity and a chance to start a new life abroad. With my skills, no one will be able to track you."

"Now… tell me… what do you know about the people who are backing the Li Family?" She asked.

"I know that they are from the West. Their accent was rough. I am an expert in languages as I have studied in different countries for years. Because of that, I have developed a keen sense of hearing. I can identify a person's origin country just from their accent alone."

"Those people are from the West, I am certain of that." He added. "I heard my grandfather talk with one of them over the phone for a lot of time. I can say that the person he was talking to should be in his fifties or older. He had a thick accent as well."

"Can you tell me why did your grandfather decline their offer? And how do you know this information?" She asked.

"Miss Jiang, I was studying abroad for a reason and that is because I was brought up to lead the family business in the underworld. My brother was supposed to be the King while I was supposed to rule the underworld." He answered. "Because of that, my grandfather always brought me along during his endeavors abroad."

"The reason he declined their offer was because they wanted my grandfather's help in branching out in the East. They wanted to infiltrate in the underworld of M Country. My grandfather thought that it would not be profitable for us to collaborate with them." He continued.

Jiang Yue analyzed Ashton's words before speaking, "So, why are you here now, instead of pursuing what you were trained to do? With your grandfather dead… you will be the next person to rule his organization in the underworld."

Ashton's eyes immediately turned gentle once he heard Jiang Yue's question. "My wife has just given birth." He answered. "As much as I would like to earn a lot of money and inherit the family business, I can't let my daughter to be exposed to a world full of blood and hate. I would rather become a white-collar worker and earn something enough to get us through a month than introduce my daughter to the underworld."

"I hope this answer is enough to satisfy you, Miss Jiang. If it is… please honor your promise and protect my wife and daughter from this brute world that I was trained to rule." To Jiang Yue's surprise, Ashton got up from his seat and made a low bow towards Jiang Yue.

...

* *

Support on kofi: ko-fi.com/theblips