Never Judge

"It seems both your mother and father trained you well." Camilla chuckled as Al arrived at the mansion's parlor.

"He looks the part and behaves the part." Guan Ming said with a nod as he agreed with his wife. "I'm sure he is also smart enough to take over after his father. Although he still has a long way to go." 

"Ming!" Camilla scolded her husband, making Al laugh and shake his head.

Not far behind him were Angelo and Zimo holding a little boy's hand as the child tried to run up to his now favorite Uncle Al.

"What did you give this kid?" Angelo asked as he held Nikolai's hand tightly making sure that the boy didn't suddenly run out of the house.

"Nothing, we just played this morning." Al said with a shrug as Angelo and Zimo stopped next to him.

"Awww, who is this cute little child?" Camilla asked as she stretched out her arms signaling to Nikolai that he could approach her. 

Nikolai gave a tentative glance to the adults next to him as they let go oh his hand.

"She's my aunt, go on, say hi." Zimo said as he encouraged Nikolai to go to Camilla. 

"She's a nice lady, don't be scared." Angelo added in the hopes of convincing the boy.

After a few awkward seconds, Nikloai shyly walked up to Camilla. 

As he stood in front of the regal lady, she pulled him into a hug and held him tight.

"We can't keep him." Guan Ming groaned, making Al, Angelo, and Yu Zimo laugh. They all knew that Camilla wanted more children around the house, and having Nikolai around, partially fulfilled her wish.

"You didn't kidnap him, did you?" Guan Ming asked knowing full well who the young boy was.

"No, his father handed him willingly, I even have this." Yu Zimo boasted as he handed Guan Ming some documents that even Al and Angelo were seeing for the first time.

Guan Ming took it and his eyes went wide with shock as he read through them.

"Adoption papers?" Guan Ming asked as he looked up at Yu Zimo with a smile. 

He knew how important getting Nikolai as far as possible from Ilya was to his nephew. This was a good thing, it was the perfect way to finally get rid of Ilya.

"I've already started the process." Zimo said proudly.

"Aren't you worried that Ily Pavlov will stop you?" Angelo asked. 

They still didn't have the man in their custody so things could still go south. 

"I'm already having him followed. He's too busy to even notice that his son's documents are being changed." Yu Zimo told Angelo. "Also, the person processing the documents are in our pockets, they are loyal." 

Al and Angelo nodded, relieved that Nikolai would be safe.

After everything they had learned about Ilya Pavlov last night, they were certain that Nikolai needed to be kept as far away from that man as possible.

"Do you have everything you need against that man?" Guan Ming said as his tone became serious.

At the same time, Camilla stood from her seat and led the child away. 

She knew that it was time for them to talk business, and this was no place for a child. 

"We do." Al said with a nod as he waited for Camilla and Nikolai to leave. 

It didn't take long as Camilla took the child to the second floor of the mansion where a playroom had been set up for the children of their many guests. 

"Thank you for doing this to help me, uncle." Al said as be gave his uncle a small bos as a sign of respect.

"It's the least I can do, you are practically family." Guan Ming told him. "I'm just sad that I couldn't see all of you growing up. We will try to visit more." He promised.

"I'm sure my parents will like that." Al said as he smiled. 

He couldn't help but think of his parents. He knew that his father and mother would be worried sick. It had only been a month and yet he felt like a lifetime had already passed.

"So what will you try getting from Ilya Pavlov first?" Guan Ming asked Al.

"Information on Colin Jao then I will get revenge for Zimo." Al promised as his gaze hardened.

"Sir, your guests are here." A butler said as he walked into the living room.

Guan Ming nodded before turning to Al.

"There are spaces below for you to conduct your business." Guan Ming informed him as the butler stoof and waited for instructions. "Zimo, what room would best suit Al's purposes?"

Zimo grinned and chuckled.

"The rainbow room." He said, making it sound like it was some children's play room.

Al knew better.

He was certain that it was called that out of more sinister reasons. 

"We'll meet with him there then." Al nodded as Guan Ming gave the butler instructions to take the guest to the Rainbow room.

As Al made a move to leave, Guan Ming stopped him momentarily.

"Don't waste this opportunity." Guan Ming said. "Don't let your anger get the better of you. I've made that mistake, trust me you don't want to fall into that trap."

Al nodded, acknowledging what his uncle had just said.

He had heard the story, they all did. 

Guan Ming dismissed them, allowing the three men to make their way down to the labyrinth of halls that lay beneath the mansion. 

"Through here." Yu Zimo said as he pointed towards an empty hallway.

It was clear that those that were normally there had vacated it for their purposes. 

They stood before two elegant doors, but as Al was about to open it he turned to Yu Zimo. 

"Are you ready? Are you sure about this?" Al asked. "We cannot return Nikolai to his father after this."

"I'm Nikolai's father." Yu Zimo bravely declared. To which Al simply responded with a nod, pushing the doors open and walking in.