Bad Born Blood Chapter 229

229
When I closed my eyes, Lapis’ face appeared in my mind.

‘Lapis.’

I opened my eyes and took in the reality. I saw the handicrafts’ quarters.

In fact, I wanted to run to the place where Lapis’ air vehicle crashed right away.

I resisted the urge and did not leave the handicraft industry.

‘Nothing will change if I rush to the crash site. Whoever the culprit is, there will be traces of him in the handicraft industry.’

I entered the handicraftsman’s quarters and stared at the empty room.

This was the second suspect’s room.

‘The room of the employee who had a huge confrontation with Lapis. He said that he kept fighting with Lapis even beyond what I saw.’

There were signs in the staff room that someone had packed up and left. Drawers were open here and there, and clothes were strewn about in a shabby manner.

I searched the room, my boiling emotions calming down.

Kiing, kiing.

Son Seok-jae, who had just finished receiving emergency treatment, appeared behind me. He was wearing an exoskeleton-type walking aid device on one side to support his broken leg.

“… … It was a brutal assault and intimidation that was thrilling. I really thought I was going to die. It was also the first time I wet my pants since I was 15.”

Son Seok-jae stood next to me and spoke. He had a bandage wrapped around his side where he had been stabbed by the Graken boot.

He must have been given painkillers, but his tenacity to move with such an injury is quite impressive. Son Seok-jae is not a soldier. He must be sensitive to pain.

“I have no intention of apologizing. Whoever the culprit was, it happened on the premises of a handicraft factory. It was reasonable suspicion that led me to question you.”

The aerial vehicle carrying Lapis Lazuli exploded. If the bomb was planted, it would have been while she was in the handicraft workshop.

“I was in a situation where I could be suspected. But if I’m not the culprit… … .”

“One of your employees has disappeared. He is the prime suspect. If he is the culprit, the responsibility still lies with you and Sonsoo Industry.”

“My subordinates disobey my orders and do whatever they want… … of course.”

Son Seok-jae also sighed, as if he was not sure. He was standing next to me even though I was pushing him to the brink of death.

‘If we delay in threatening and questioning a person of this level, it will be difficult to find out his true intentions. If I had missed the opportunity, I would have continued to suspect Son Seok-jae.’

If Son Seok-jae, who has free time, decides to deceive, it is not easy to read his intentions.

So, as soon as the accident happened, I immediately threatened Son Seok-jae with violence without giving him a moment’s hesitation. Thanks to that, I was able to immediately confirm that Son Seok-jae was not the culprit.

“Hey, does anyone know where Agent Oh is? Has anyone seen him?”

Son Seok-jae spoke to three employees and his secretary. They seemed to be Son Seok-jae’s close associates.

The mutterings grew louder. They contacted various places as instructed by Son Seok-jae, but no satisfactory answer came back.

“Give me the personal information of that guy named Oh Daeri. I’ll look it up.”

“The Oh Dae-ri I know is not the kind of person who would do something like this. He may be rough around the edges, but he’s surprisingly soft-spoken… … .”

I cut off Son Seok-jae’s words.

“People don’t move based on what other people believe. Just because you believe something doesn’t mean that person is really that kind of person.”

However, honestly, I don’t think that Mr. Oh is the culprit. There must be someone else behind it.

‘Maybe the real culprit kidnapped Agent Oh and killed him already.’

If Lapis was attacked by someone, it would be because of Mushir Al-Kashra’s data.

“We will also look for Mr. Oh.”

Son Seok-jae didn’t show any ill feelings even though he was treated badly by me.

‘Do you really think I’m that useful to you?’

Son Seok-jae has already obtained the remains of Mushir Al-Kashra through me.

‘And yet you remain kind and friendly. That means you have more to gain from me.’

I squinted my eyes.

Beep.

My terminal rang. It was Jafar’s call.

… … Perhaps, we will soon find out whether Lapis is alive or dead.

* * *

Beep, beep, beep.

The sound of life’s signal was heard intermittently throughout the hospital room.

I stared at Lapis in the hospital bed through the glass window.

Lapis was wrapped in bandages so that her blue skin was barely visible, and her legs and arms had been amputated one by one.

“I barely managed to survive. Thanks to the Equusians. They must have desperately protected me.”

Japha spoke next to me. The soft tone was gone. Hard anger permeated Japha’s words.

“The Equusians are fine, despite being desperately protected.”

I said, rolling my eyes. The two Equsians who had boarded with Lapis were standing ‘normally’.

Of course, when I say ‘well-off’, I mean able to walk around.

The Equusians were also badly injured. In particular, they had long, red burns running down their skin. By human standards, these were serious injuries.

Equusians were able to function even when seriously injured thanks to their high pain tolerance and tenacious vitality.

“I don’t understand what you just said. Mr. Luca, do they look okay? The explosion happened right near where Lapis was. Tarpa, who has weak physical endurance, was caught in the blast, so it would be difficult for him to survive. It was an act of God.”

“Why did Lapis have to sit so close to the explosion?”

I spoke quietly, staring at the sickroom. Lapis was in critical condition, still being kept alive. If I took her off the respirator, she would die.

“… … If you have something to say, there is no need to beat around the bush.”

“Nothing much. I suspect everyone. That goes for you too, Jafar. If Lapis gets into an accident, you’ll benefit too.”

“Profit? That’s ridiculous.”

Jafar showed his displeasure. I continued speaking without considering his feelings.

“As soon as we left Sonsoo Industry, the aerial vehicle exploded. Naturally, as soon as I witnessed that scene, I suspected Sonsoo Industry and Son Seok-jae and considered them suspects. You know very well that I would have acted violently given my personality. If I were to confirm Sonsoo Industry as the culprit, it would be the best for you, and even if that weren’t the case, my relationship with Sonsoo Industry would have deteriorated.”

The accident that happened to Lapis could drive a wedge between me and Handcraft. If it was Jafar’s doing, then that would be his motive.

“Do you really think I would put Lapis Lazuli in critical condition for something like that? Really?”

“It’s only a possibility. If they were after the data, they would have used a more certain method. In any case, Lapis survived, and the data will probably end up in the hands of Company Jafar. Oh, if they’re after the data, there could be additional attacks. It would be a good idea to strengthen security and deploy Yen.”

“Security is something I will take care of. And if you hadn’t joined hands with Son Soo-gong in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened. I clearly warned you that they are of poor quality. Can you be sure that this accident wasn’t Mr. Son’s doing?”

“At least in my opinion, it’s not Son Seok-jae’s doing.”

I answered firmly.

“Oh my, oh my, how funny, Mr. Luca. Are you doubting me when you are sure that it is not Son Seok-jae’s doing?”

Jafar took a step away from me.

“You were the first to break trust by hiding important information, Jafar. So when will we see Paolo Kwan’s legacy? Let me tell you in advance that Kinuan isn’t that far away. If you had cooperated properly, things would have been much easier.”

“Are you going to move on to the story of Paolo Kwan while still suspecting me? You want to take my brain out and show it to you. You’re putting me in charge of this incident.”

Jafar seemed very offended. But this too could be an act.

‘I was able to push Son Seok-jae without giving him time to think. However, Jafar had enough time to collect his thoughts and close his heart. It’s harder to trust Jafar than Son Seok-jae when it comes to the Lapis case.’

It is a rational judgment resulting from the method of elimination.

I intuitively believed that Seokjae Son was innocent. What if Seokjae Son was not innocent? Then I am a fool like no other in the world, so I intend to bow my head to Japha and apologize.

“You have repeatedly withheld important information and tested me. And even though you are my enemy, you have taken my family’s head by hitting them in the back. Objectively speaking, you are not a trustworthy supporter. You are someone who can cut off my head at any time. In fact, you have killed my predecessors.”

I too was emotionally attracted to Jafar. However, it was hard to tell if it was because of the bond we had built, or if I was just attracted to Jafar’s charisma as a businessman.

‘If I’m attracted to Jafar’s unique charisma, I’ll be used by Jafar until I die.’

Jafar also closed his pupils vertically and opened them again. He seemed to have calmed down his emotions, and as usual, he clicked his nails and flicked his tongue.

“What Mr. Luca said makes sense. I also seem to have become emotional because of Lapis. Let’s be rational from now on, both of us.”

I desperately suppressed the urge to be sarcastic. There was no reason to provoke Japha any further here.

“… … Let’s sort things out, Jafar. If the attack is aimed at data, there may be additional attacks. As I said before, strengthen security.”

“I will place the yen.”

“It has nothing to do with my original mission, but… … I’m going to find the person who planted the bomb on the air vehicle. We’ll talk about Paolo Kwan’s legacy later. Until then, be prepared.”

“It’s nice to hear that. If we let this matter go unaddressed and move on to the next issue, our relationship will become even more strained than it is now.”

I also hear squeaks all the time. Squeaks are okay. The right amount of clearance can actually correct misalignments and cracks.

But I also find it difficult to completely distort our relationship.

“I suspected you because I didn’t want to rule out all possibilities. I also know that the probability of you being the culprit is low. However, I questioned you because I personally confirmed with my own eyes that Son Seok-jae was innocent.”

I said as if I was taking a step back. Japa also seemed to accept my request for reconciliation, showing a much softer attitude.

“I don’t necessarily view the rough behavior you showed today as bad. More than anything, it’s reassuring to see you taking such proactive action for Lapis. You… … resemble Kinuan, but you’re a different person.”

I am different from Kinuan.

That’s true. Yes, it’s definitely different.

If it were Kinuan, he wouldn’t move in such anger. He would keep a faint smile and move to create more chaos. He would make it more confusing who is friend and foe, and the more this happens, the more people will rely on Kinuan.

“Lapis is a capable body mechanic. It would be hard to find a mechanic like Lapis in Border City. She is also the one who created my body. Lapis’s well-being is a matter of my life and death in battle. It is only natural to find the culprit.”

I answered coldly.

It was a bad habit of mine. I was still obsessed with the idea that feelings like sympathy and pity were weaknesses.

I don’t want people to see me as a kind person. I want them to see me as a rough and vicious… … kind of person.

Sometimes I feel more comfortable being hated than being kind. I guess this is proof that I am mentally unhealthy.

I tried to go out.

“Mr. Luca.”

Jafar licked his tongue and called out to me. I turned around and waited for him to speak.

“If you come into contact with Paolo Kwan’s legacy… … you will know everything about me. I apologize for testing you all along, and I promise to give you my unwavering support and trust in the future. When that time comes, I hope you will have no secrets from me. In many ways.”

Well, if you’re talking about secrets, there are some that come to mind right away. Things like your recent contact with Kinuan, or your regular contact with Ilay.

“… … I’ll try.”

“A lot has happened, but I think you’re a person who knows your way around. That’s why I like you quite a bit as a person.”

I felt creepy for a moment.

“that…….”

“… … Hoyooo, please don’t misunderstand. Don’t worry, I didn’t mean it like that. I know better than anyone that Mr. Luca doesn’t think of me as a woman.”

I felt a sense of relief as my pounding heart returned to its proper place.