The Manipulated Villainess

Aston Kang didn't expect to have a guest though it was his day off. What's more, the unexpected guest was Garcia Han. Why did she suddenly show up unannounced? What did she want? He was feeling quite lost.

Of course, he wasn't happy to meet her. He couldn't forget all the harm this woman caused to his lover. However, he still let her in despite the confusion and hatred.

Sitting alone on a couch with an uneasy feeling, Garcia Han was trying her best not to appear nervous. She was always good at that but... she finds it so hard this time. Maybe because she was finally meeting the son of Ethan Min.

While she was busy trying to keep herself in check, Aston came out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee and placed it on a small table before her. There was a subtle smile on her lips when she saw this. "Thank you," she muttered.

Aston took a seat on another couch opposite her. Glancing at Garcia Han, he said, "I don't expect to have you here."

"I know," Garcia Han responded. "I also know that you won't be pleased to see me."

"That's right," Aston Kang simply said.

Despite his frank yet bitter response, Garcia Han remained calm. For the next few seconds, she didn't say anything but observed him. His behaviour, his facial features and even the way he talked with honesty... they were just like his father. Why didn't she noticed their resemblance sooner?

However, it wasn't her fault. She had only met him two times and both weren't a pleasant encounter.

Aston Kang was taken aback by the action of the Minister of Justice. What had gotten into her?!

"What brings you here?" he asked. Though he was amazed, he tried his best not to show it.

When Garcia Han heard his voice, she just realized what she was doing. She instantly shifted her gaze from him and briefly narrowed her eyes. What would she say? Would it be best if she gets straight to the point? What if he didn't like to hear it? She wasn't the type to over-worry. However, this time, she can't help but feel that way!

"I heard about what Peter Jung did to your father." She finally spoke up and her words made Aston raised a brow.

Nicole had asked him if it would be alright for her to tell her stepmother or Carson Jun as it could affect their plan. He said that he was okay with it. However, he didn't expect the stepmother to visit him because of that.

"Is that the reason why you came?" He still couldn't believe it. Why was the Minister of Justice always so complicated?!

Garcia Han hesitated to speak up for a while until she finally said, "No. I came because I know your father."

Her response shook Aston to the core! Did she just say that she knew his father? Was that even possible? For a split second, he even thought that she was lying. However, he quickly brushed away the thought. Why would she lie about this? She won't gain anything from it!

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

Garcia Han slightly smiled before she lifted the cup and took a sip of the coffee that Aston served her. When she put down the cup, her smile faded. "If Peter Jung was really the one who killed your father, then... I think he died because of me."

She withdrew her hands and put them on her thighs before she nervously squeezed her dress. She always wondered if this day would come. It was one of her main worries for many years and now that it finally happened, she was fine with it no matter what reaction she would receive.

Aston didn't understand her words at all. His father died because of her? What was she trying to say?! However, his face still turned a bit sour thinking of the many possibilities. "You should explain so that I could understand," he uttered in a firm voice.

Everything was also too sudden for Garcia Han and it took her a few seconds to nod in agreement. "I bet you already heard about my story from Nicole," she started and Aston nodded.

"That's true."

"When my brother died, I couldn't get the chance to meet Nicole's father who was the Chairman of Yang Group at that time. Colin Park still didn't come to me and explain. So, I was feeling lost. It was during that time that I met your father. He was the only police officer who was willing to listen to the story of an orphan like me," Garcia Han continued.

"Are you saying that my father was the one who was in charge of your brother's case?" Aston promptly asked.

"The case was never filed," Garcia Han corrected him and continued by saying, "I was trying to do that but Colin Park came to me. You know the story he made up, all to add my hatred so that I would perfect his plan.

"This might sound like an excuse but I don't have much choice at that time. The opposing side was powerful enough to suppress the media and even the police forces. Though your father was willing to help me, I don't trust in the law anymore. That's why I gave up on filing the case and chose another way."

Aston remained quiet but Garcia Han's words lingered in his ears. Somehow, he understood how Garcia Han might feel at that time. He also had a hard time growing up. The world was never kind to an orphan with no power or someone to rely on! Then one thing crossed his mind. "That incident happened two years before my father's death. How were they connected?"

Garcia Han thought of the only time she wavered after deciding to avenge her brother in her own way. Eighteen years had passed since then yet she could never forget it. Then she spoke up, responding to Aston's question.

"I thought that your father would just move on and forget about the incident but... he proved me wrong. He called me two years later. I already changed my name but he said he tried hard to find me.

"I was already so committed to getting revenge and at that time, I already started seeing Nicole's father as planned but... he told me that he was still investigating the incident and that there was something suspicious. He asked to meet with me.

"It wasn't easy for me to accept his request as I already went too far but... I want to know what he finds out. So, I agreed to meet him. However, he didn't show up at the time and place to which we agreed.

"For a while, I even thought that he was just playing around but... I heard about him through the news. He was charged for bribery and falsely using his uniform and authority as a police officer to help some criminals in committing crimes. He was branded as a traitor of the police forces."

Aston shut his eyes when he heard the last sentence of Garcia Han. Eighteen years passed but... just the mention of it was still enough to make him feel the pain. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and looked at Garcia Han again. "Do you believe that?" he asked.

If his father was the one who was willing to hear her out; if he was the one who never gave up on the case for two whole years... then at least, she would trust her father, right?

Garcia Han quietly glanced at Aston before she said, "At first, I was confused. However, when I thought about it, it seemed fishy to me. I don't believe in the news but I could never reach your father since then. At that time, I thought that it was the doing of Zachary Yang, but... if that's the case, he will also know my identity. That's why I can't be sure.

"But still, I look for your father in secret. I heard that he was out on bail but he will soon face a hearing. However, he passed away before I got to meet him."

Garcia Han thought of how that mystery made her wavered. She spent days wondering what might be the suspicious thing that the detective talked about. However, her will for revenge was already so strong that she ended up moving forward again. She only realized the truth 18 years later but... it was too late!

Did Ethan Min find out the truth during the two years? Was that why Peter Jung killed him?!

Aston still didn't say anything. He sat with his eyes slightly lowered. He had many questions but... each one of them only added to the rage which he tried so hard to suppress! Was that the reason why Peter Jung killed his father? To cover up his crimes?! 

"For years, I used to wonder if that was because of me. Did he die because he investigated my brother's death? I used to ask myself that question," Garcia Han spoke up again.

Looking at Aston who was trying his best to get hold of himself, she said, "No matter what, he was a reliable and kind police officer who was approachable for everyone. At that time, he was the only one who made me believe that there is still kindness and justice in this world but... I failed to live that way."