The Truth
Rena’s parents, along with her younger sister and brother, came to our home.
When they reunited with Rena, they burst into tears of relief.
After everyone calmed down, they explained that marriage proposals for Rena were pouring in.
“Why so many proposals?”
“The winning piece from the exhibition was Rena’s idea. So they think Rena holds the rights.”
“You told them?”
“Yes.”
So they believe that marrying Rena would bring the profits to their side.
Ah… people really will try to seize any advantage they can.
Honestly, I never imagined the award winners would be dragged into this kind of trouble.
The exhibition was a success, but maybe it shouldn’t have happened after all.
Still, thinking about that won’t help now. Solving this family’s problem comes first.
“Did the culprits make any demands during the kidnapping?”
“They wanted the rights transferred.”
“But isn’t that strange? If you signed something like that, it would be obvious to us.”
“We thought so too, so we said it would be difficult. But they said Rena simply wouldn’t come back.”
“Did you file a report?”
“No… if people knew she’d been kidnapped, what would they think of Rena…”
In the middle of all that, every two or three days the young heir of the Milan Company came to see Rena, persistently asking why he couldn’t meet her.
They ended up blurting out the kidnapping incident to him.
He said he’d search for her secretly and suggested using an illness as a cover to buy time. So the family had decided to wait a little longer.
After Rena’s family left, Captain Kyle, who had been present, spoke to Father and me.
“The building where Miss Rena was held belongs to the Milan Company.”
So it was a staged operation by the Milan Company.
I couldn’t help but look up at the ceiling.
“My younger brother has done something truly foolish. I deeply apologize.”
The one forcing her brother’s head down onto the table hard enough to make a sound was Miss Salina, acting head of the Milan Company.
Her brother apparently feared that at this rate Salina would inherit the company.
So he schemed to marry Rena and turn the patent rights into company property, proving himself the rightful successor.
Show your worth through your own ability.
How could anyone entrust a company to someone who relies entirely on others?
He planned to kidnap Rena, then “rescue” her himself to make marriage easier.
In the end, Salina will take over the company, and her brother will start from the bottom somewhere else.
Rena refused to meet him at all, so he couldn’t even apologize directly.
Well, of course.
Even if he didn’t hurt her physically, her mental state must be shaken.
She’ll probably be afraid to walk the streets alone for a while.
It’s only a small comfort, but I’ve been casting healing on her while she stays here—hoping it eases her fear even a little.
After the Milan Company people left, Father and I spoke alone.
Rena’s family also wants to move to the New Town, and as soon as possible.
I understand why—they don’t want to stay in this city any longer.
The Milan Company will pay compensation to Rena and buy Fleur Flower Shop.
They’ll probably purchase it at a price higher than normal.
Her brother isn’t being handed over to the authorities only because Rena’s family never filed a report, and because Salina negotiated a settlement.
She’s likely thinking of the company, but still—the brother’s a criminal.
But if we think of Rena, we need to respect her family’s wishes.
It’s difficult.
Father said that though they call his new post “starting at the bottom,” the truth might be different.
So it’s like that other case where the brothers fought over succession and only after severing ties was the real outcome decided.
“Any award winner who wants to move to the New Town needs to be prioritized.”
“Yes. With the tighter entry restrictions, they should be able to rest there without worry.”
“They’ve suffered enough. Let them take it easy.”
“I’ll inform Damian and Rosetta.”
“They’re probably also preparing for their move to the capital, but tell them to arrange things so the relocation can happen quickly.”
What do you think about this chapter?
