Saving the Villain

"Anyway, there is another reason I called for you here tonight. It's about your father."

Maxen's heart thudded at the mention of his father, unknowingly holding his breath. His eyes slightly turned blank, in a daze, as he stared at Conrad.

"I… do not have a father," Maxen blurted out under his breath, lowering his eyes as he picked up the wineglass. "That man… is he bothering you?"

"I took in his son… I'm sorry." Conrad cleared his throat, realizing it was insensitive of him to keep mentioning Maxen and that man's connection. "I had been in contact with him after the raid that night."

Maxen's brows rose after drinking a mouthful of wine to calm himself down. He knew that raid because Maxen was there with Conrad, watching everything unfold. It was the reason he brought a lot of security when he picked up Cosette and Luke tonight, knowing the area they got in trouble while rescuing Amie was the area where the drug trades and members of gangs walk around freely.

The establishment that got raided was just around that area as well. But that wasn't the point. What was important right now was Conrad and that man who claimed to be Maxen's father.

"I haven't said it before, Maxen, but I know that man." Maxen's eyes dilated upon Conrad's confession. "I know him and your mother, Stella."

"When I heard your name the first time, your surname Cloven sounded familiar," Conrad continued in the same relaxed tone. "Although I'm not as close to Stella and barely interacted with her. I just didn't think you were connected to her."

It was understandable that Conrad didn't figure out Maxen and Stella's connection because he didn't run a background check on Maxen. At least, he didn't dwell on Maxen's background. Moreover, Maxen's family name wasn't that uncommon. Therefore, Conrad didn't think about it until Cosette spoke about an international crime organization, SIN.

"However, Rocco used to be a good friend of mine," continued Conrad, staring at Maxen solemnly. "He was the nicest person I knew, and if I can turn back time, I would've done something to help him. Perhaps forced my help instead of letting him refuse me."

There was a slight regret and sadness that peeked in Conrad's eyes, recalling how focused he was on his career. He didn't know that his friends were already walking to the ring of fire. Back then, Conrad was just someone who was a friend, but at the same time, always absent.

Not that anyone could blame him. Conrad was an only son, and he was schooled to lead the BLK Corporation. He needed to be exceptional in every aspect, and thus, even when they were still in university, he had to juggle between school and work, barely having time to hang out with Rocco and Maynard.

Maxen assessed Conrad, and he knew the latter was telling the truth. Still, hearing Conrad call Rocco a nice person was something unbelievable. Maxen already met that man and even interacted with him. He had seen what Rocco could do and how twisted he was.

Rocco was the person who put this burden on Maxen's shoulders regarding a person's death. Until now, even though Maxen was living well, the thought that someone died because of him was akin to a leash around his neck, tugging him down.

"What does he want?" asked Maxen under his breath, balling his hand into a tight fist. "Is he telling you to give me back to him like a toy?"

"Not really…" Conrad let out another shallow breath. "He is requesting to see you."

"Why?"

Conrad shrugged. "He said he wants to make sure you are living well."

"Hah…" Maxen laughed dryly as if he just heard the biggest joke in his laugh. "He wants to make sure I am living well? Haha… that's funny."

"Maxen." Conrad leaned forward, keeping a stern expression. "I understand you do not have any familiar attachment to him. I won't ask you to give him the slightest respect, however, I know him. We agreed that once he made sure you're living well, he will leave you alone."

"You believe him?"

Conrad's lips parted, but his tongue rolled out.

"Initially, I didn't." — it was the reason Conrad had been busy recently, dealing with this organization because Rocco was influential… in a bad way. Rocco had been pressing Conrad's nerves, causing him problems here and there. However, Conrad was someone who would fall so easily; he would settle his matters, only to use his own influence and power to mess with Rocco.

The cycle had been like that for Conrad and Rocco for months; one of the reasons Conrad couldn't really oversee the security agency that Maxen was managing. Rocco was a whole load of shit to handle, but for Rocco, Conrad was the same.

But a few days ago, Rocco personally reached out to Conrad. More like he ambushed Conrad so they could talk in person.

"But I've met him, and I'm certain he is being serious," Conrad reassured Maxen. "Don't worry. I already spoke to the general and he will back us up to make sure we'll leave this meeting unscathed."

Silence descended in the room as neither of them spoke for a moment. Maxen kept his eyes on the wine, chugging it down in one go. He didn't like this; he disliked that now that he was having a good life, people he didn't want were coming to him. However, this would be a good chance for Maxen to tell Rocco off.

Meeting Rocco meant Maxen could cut ties with him.

"I'll go with you," reassured Conrad sincerely. "I won't send my son all alone to meet a dangerous man. If he pulls out anything funny, I'll kill him if I must."

"You don't have to —"

"Maxen, the only reason I agreed to this is that I think we'll both need it," Conrad cut him off mid-sentence, looking him straight in the eye. "If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility for it. Do you trust me?"

Maxen stared at Conrad solemnly before he nodded. Of course. If there was a person whom Maxen trusted the most was his father, Conrad. They might not be blood-related, but in Maxen's heart, Conrad was the only father he would love, respect, and admire.

"When are we going to meet him?" Maxen inquired.

"Tonight." A glint flickered across Conrad's eyes. "We'll meet him tonight."