The Manipulated Villainess

Shara maintained her silence for a few seconds. She stood still and her face was pale. However, the Prime Minister couldn't see this clearly because she still lowered her head.

"Master, this is - "

"I will give you three days, Shara. If you fail, then you will have to bear the consequences." Peter Jung's voice was full of authority. Glancing at Shara with cold eyes, he added, "However, I don't want any failure. Lester Yun said Aston Kang is very skilled but I know you're capable enough. However... after what you did, it's hard to trust you wholeheartedly again."

Shara was well aware of what Peter Jung was saying. 'If she failed, that means she did it on purpose.' That's what he said, all for her past defiance. She squeezed her dress harder, wondering how to escape this situation.

"Why don't you say anything? Are you hesitating?" Peter Jung asked with an unpleasant voice.

"No. You can trust me." Shara promptly said. She had to figure out a plan. She would never allow her brother to fall into the hands of the Prime Minister or Lester Yun.

Walking out of the Prime Minister's office, Shara glanced at her phone. After releasing Lester Yun, she gave him a phone in the name of the Prime Minister and she secretly connected it to hers. She couldn't just release him without taking any measures and put Aston and Nicole at risk! So, she made sure that she could track down the Red Tiger Boss anytime and easily.

Shutting her eyes, she hardly squeezed the phone. Shall she just kill Lester Yun? She finds the idea too tempting! Thinking of Aston's suffering, she wanted to end the Red Tiger Boss but... thinking of her father, she couldn't take a life. It would be a huge disgrace for her righteous father!

*

Aston rushed to Nicole's house after he met Leon at the villa. Now that Lester Yun had escaped, he wanted to be careful than ever as he believed that the Red Tiger Boss won't be still after he was arrested by the Blackhood.

When he reached the gate of Nicole's house, there were already some guards around the house which Edwin arranged as per his instruction. This made him felt a bit at ease. Then he quickly entered the house.

He was first greeted by Edwin who told him that the Chairwoman was in her study. Then he rushed there.

When he opened the door to the study, Nicole darted her eyes to him. "You're here." She calmly said.

Aston walked to her and stood beside her who was sitting on the chair. "Is everything fine today?" He asked with concern.

Nicole nodded. "I heard about Lester Yun. How did it go?"

Aston pulled another chair next to Nicole and sat down. "We are still searching for him." He let out a sigh. "I should have been more careful. I don't think through the possibility that he might have someone to aid him. But I have no idea who it might be."

"You don't think that it's his men who rescued him?" Nicole asked with a perplexed face.

Aston nodded. "The person who released him is very skilled. He can singlehandedly take down the guards alone. I doubt Lester Yun will have such a capable subordinate."

"Then you should be careful too. If the person is as capable as you say, you will be in danger if he comes after you." Nicole slightly frowned and added, "You care about my safety so much yet you neglect yours. This is not good."

"I can protect myself. Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me as long as you're well-protected." The actor said with a reassuring smile. "Besides, you asked Nathan to look out for me. He can track me down anytime." His displeasure was quite evident in his voice.

"That's for your safety. Just bear with it." The Chairwoman simply said and shifted her gaze to the files.

"Do you have many work to do?" Aston asked her, gazing at the files.

Nicole nodded with a sigh. "The final meeting with the Aris Group is tomorrow. I want to make sure that nothing is going wrong."

Aston slightly chuckled. "Is Zander that tough to deal with? You seem to be troubled."

"He's quite a headache, unpredictable too." She shook her head and turned back to Aston. "Do you know what he did on our first meeting? I gave him the draft of the contract and he signed without even reading once!"

Aston laughed out loud. "That's very like him!" He remarked but Nicole frowned.

"Do you know how strange it was for me? I'm a businesswoman but I never meet someone who was that careless." She clicked her tongue and glanced at Aston with displeasure. "It's not funny. You don't understand at all."

The actor chuckled and rose from his seat. "Alright. You can keep on working. I will leave first now that I know you are safe."

"So soon?"

"I want to go and check out Aria. It's been a while since I last see her." Aston calmly said. He bent down and planted a gentle kiss on her lips.

"I'll come again tomorrow." He said and when Nicole nodded, he walked out of the study.

"You're leaving?" Edwin asked him when he walked down the stairs.

"Yeah. I have to meet my sister." Aston replied. "By the way, Edwin, did Lester Yun have someone capable enough to rescue him all alone?"

Edwin gave a quick thought and shook his head. "The villa is heavily guarded and the Blackhood members are very skilled. To be rescued by a single person; he won't have such a capable subordinate."

Aston stood still for a while before he turned back to Edwin. "I got it. Now that Lester Yun is out, be more alert."

Edwin slightly bowed. "Don't worry. I won't let any harm come near."

Aston nodded and left Nicole's house.

* * *

Shara was surprised when Aston suddenly showed up at her door. She instantly thought of the Prime Minister. What if that old man becomes suspicious?!

"Aston, what brings you here?" She asked with a perplexed face.

"Do I need to have a reason to visit my twin sister?" The actor simply said and walked inside the house. "Leon is not home yet?"

"Yeah. He has something to do with the other members." Shara said and they both took a seat on the couch.

"It might be Lester Yun. Leon is very determined to find him again." Aston promptly said the moment he sat down.

Shara slightly narrowed her eyes and faked a smile. "You rarely have time. You should be with Nicole when you have some free time."

"You're my sister. How can I just neglect you and only care about my lover?" Aston jokingly said. However, he was feeling uneasy on the inside.

Should he tell Aria the truth? How will she react if he told her that it was Leon's father who killed their father?! Aria seemed to be happy with Leon and he was afraid to destroy that happiness.

"Aria, have you ever thought about how our father died? People said it's suicide. Do you believe that?" He said in a low voice.

"I never believe that our father killed himself. However, isn't it better to move on from the painful past and start anew? Being stuck in the past will only hurt us." Shara responded to him in a calm voice.

Hearing her sister's response, the actor was feeling discouraged. If he said the truth now, it will surely hurt his sister. "You're right." He muttered.

Shara observed him with concern. "You act different last night too. Is something wrong?"

"No. I often thought of our father these days. Maybe that's why." Aston promptly said, forcing a little smile.

"Aston," Shara muttered in a low voice. "No matter how strong you are, for me, you're still my younger brother. So, I want you to be happy. Let's forget the painful past and live on."

"I know," Aston said. "I just thought that it would be great if we can have our names back."

"I understand how you feel but remember this. I want you to be free of harm and live a peaceful life with Nicole." Shara stated and glanced at her brother who seemed to be torn.

What made him behave this way? All she wished was for him to live a normal and peaceful life. She was willing to do all the work, the fight and the sacrifice as long as he could lead such a life.

When Peter Jung order crossed her mind, she felt too suffocated. She couldn't hand over her brother but if she didn't, Peter Jung will become suspicious of her and in no time, he will become aware of their relationship. Then they will become each other's weakness. That's the last thing she wanted!

She thought of another way but her mind went blank. What was she supposed to do?

Her life already went wrong many years ago but even Leon wasn't aware of this. For years, she was practically Peter Jung's dog, doing whatever he ordered her to. However, she was never ordered to harm others. That's Lester Yun's job.

She only went against him when Leon was concerned and she was barely forgiven for that. But if it happens again, she knew what will happen to her.....