The Manipulated Villainess

Leon quietly glanced at Shara as if he was observing her. In fact, he was at a loss for words. The way she glanced at him made him unable to think clearly. She was still bold even in this situation and... that's the special trait of the Shara Lee he knew.

"Leon, things are way messier than you thought. Locking me up here won't solve a thing." Shara said. When she saw the pain and torment in his eyes, she can't help but lowered her eyes. She didn't want to see that.

There was a hint of displeasure in Leon Jung's face. Then he walked towards Shara and stood right in front of her. "You underestimate me, Shara. I can do anything to protect what is precious to me. So, I have no plan to let you return to my father's side. Rather than that, I will lock you up here for whatever time needed."

Shara slightly lifted her head to look at him. When she realized how determined he was, it made her felt uneasy. "You can punish me for what I did but... allow me to withdraw after that."

"Don't you hear me, Shara? I already said that I have no plan to let you return and do whatever my father ordered you to do." Leon firmly said.

"Leon, please," Shara uttered but when Leon turned his head away from her, she hung her head low. Feeling the pressure, she was convinced that she was left with no choice, so... she dropped to her knees which made Leon's eyes grew wide in shock. "What do you think you're doing, Shara?" He snapped with rage.

"I will accept all the punishment for breaking the law of our Blackhood. So, I beg you, Young Master. Please set me free." Shara said, ignoring his question.

It was too hard for Leon to the point where he couldn't even think clear! He struggled to be in his right mind when he looked at her kneeling before him. Why must she always be too cruel to him?! She knew how important she was in his life!

"No." He finally managed to utter the word. Bracing himself, he glanced down at her. "I will never allow that." He firmly said in a cold voice.

"Leon -"

"Until our thoughts are alike, you will stay here. You will never return to my father's side." He paused and said, "You won't change my mind, Shara. If you insisted to leave, there is one way."

She looked up at him wondering what he was talking about. Then he said, "You must kill me first. That's the only way."

His words made her eyes widened. "What are you talking about? Don't say that."

"I mean every word I said, Shara. Rather than failing to protect my loved ones again, I will die. So, get to your sense before it's too late." Leon said and walked out of the room. He knew that he hurt her but it's fine. It's all for her own good. He won't allow her to destroy her life!

Shara felt as if all her energy were drained from her body. Feeling hopeless, she abruptly sat on the floor. If Leon insisted to lock her up here, what about that person whose life depends on her?!

* * *

When Leon gets off his car after reaching his house, Aston was waiting for him near the gate. It was 6 p.m. now and he understood right away that the actor was there for his sister. He would surely be unable to reach her all day and he will be worried.

Aston quickly ran to Leon when he saw him. "Leon, do you know where Aria is? I can't reach her since last night." He said with concern written all over his face.

Leon finds it hard to answer him but one thing crossed his mind. He finds it strange that Aston was easily caught by Lester Yun yesterday. Nicole was fine and there's nothing that would hold him back. Did Shara... he shook his head. She wouldn't do that.

"Leon, where is my sister?" Aston asked again when the potter remained silent. He was starting to feel anxious!

"Aston Kang, let me ask you a question. Did Shara had something to do with you being kidnapped yesterday?" Leon finally asked as curiosity got the best of him.

Aston's face turned pale. Was Aria exposed? Then about her disappearance... his face instantly darkened. "What did you do to Aria?" He coldly said.

Leon let out a breath. "So I was right. The one who came to catch you yesterday was Shara. She also rescued Lester Yun."

"You learned that Aria broke the rules of your organization. What did you do to her, Leon Jung? Answer me!" Aston growled. He was barely refraining from using his fists! 

"She is locked up in the base. You won't be able to see her for a few days." Leon responded. He believed that Aston deserved to know as he was Shara's younger twin brother.

Locked up? The actor instantly turned furious. "You do that?"

Leon refused to speak up and Aston became angrier. "Tell me, Leon Jung. For you, is my sister less important than carrying out your task? If you know what she did, do you ever think that she will have a reason for doing that?"

Leon finds himself in a dilemma. He didn't want to talk about his father. He didn't know if it was okay to tell the truth. How would he calm down this stubborn man?!

"Your sister will be fine. You should trust me." He said though he doubted that it would work.

"How can I trust her so-called husband who locked her up for something which she did out of her will?" Aston said. His tone was full of mockery yet his rage was still evident.

Leon struggled for words to say! What's more, he was too tired. Everything was too much for him. "Aston, I grew up with your sister. Right now, in my life, there's nothing as important as her. Can you just trust me this time?"

His desperate voice made Aston flustered but still, he knew what kind of organization Blackhood was. If Aria was to be punished for what she did, it would surely be corporal punishment and... he didn't even want to think further! He wouldn't allow his sister to go through that! Not a chance! Right now, he didn't care about anything else!

"I want to see Aria first. Take me to her." He firmly said.

Leon let out a sigh and covered his eyes with his left hand. "Our base isn't opened for outsiders. I can't take you there."

Aston fell silent for a while and clenched his fist. "Fine. Then I will search for it myself. I know that it's not far from my current filming set. I won't give up until I find her." He paused and coldly glanced at Leon.

"However, mark my words, Leon Jung. I will surely rescue Aria and after that, I will never allow her to get involved with you again. From now on, I will be the one protecting my sister. I searched for her for 17 years and I can do anything for her." He firmly said.

He walked past Leon but the latter grabbed him. "Can't you trust me just this once? I promise that I won't let anyone harm her." Leon pleaded.

After working together for the same goal, Aston had become quite close with this potter who leads a secret double life. However, he couldn't think clear right now as Aria was the only one he could think of. "You cannot be trusted. Take your hands off me." He coldly said, enunciating each word.

Leon didn't have a choice anymore. He can't let Aston go alone and create trouble in the base. "Fine. I will take you there." He finally said in defeat.

*

After riding a car for around two hours, the two men reached the base of Blackhood. The base would be easily mistaken as a farm which made the actor stupefied. He finally understood why the Blackhood were almost impossible to locate!

Entering the villa, they walked down the secret room where Aria was locked up. Then he saw his sister, sitting in one corner. The latter eyes grew wide and she abruptly stood up when she saw him. "Aston, how can you come here?" She asked him with a horror face but when she saw Leon behind him, she understood right away.

Aston observed his sister but when he learned that her legs were chained, his face darkened once again. Then he turned to Leon. "Let my sister go." He grunted.

"Aston, don't get involved. This is about Blackhood." Aria promptly said before Leon could say anything.

"Why, Aria? Why must you suffer here? You don't even have to be a part of this damn organization anymore! I won't let you do that!" Aston uttered.

"Aston -"

"Shara can't leave. She has to stay here." Leon finally spoke up, stopping Shara from whatever she was trying to say.

Aston furiously turned back to the potter. "Leon Jung, you have no right to do this to my sister, not after your father killed our father!" He growled. He was completely out of his mind now!