Chapter 328: The Clue

Grandpa Randell sat at the head of the dining table, patiently waiting for everyone to finish their meal.

Shay, seated between Lara and Moira, was the last to put down her spoon.

"I’m finished eating, Great-Grandpa!" she announced cheerfully.

Randell’s stern expression softened. "Good girl."

He turned to Moira. "Take Shay to her bedroom. There’s a new storybook waiting for her on the bed. I’m sure she’ll love it."

Moira was about to object, but one look at his stern face made her swallow her words.

Come to think of it, this might be Grandpa Randell’s way of giving her an opportunity to bond with her daughter. She had spent so little time with Shay that she couldn’t exactly blame the old man for wanting them to grow closer.

"What about Lara?" Moira asked, glancing at the woman beside her daughter.

"She stays." Randell’s reply was brief and final.

Shay’s face brightened at the thought of going with Moira, but she hesitated.

She wanted to stay with Mommy Lara.

However, one glance at her great-grandfather’s expression made her keep the words to herself.

Moira was reluctant to leave Lara behind, but when she glanced at Asher and then at Ares, she found neither man willing to intervene. Ares, in particular, looked as though he had no intention of questioning his grandfather’s decision.

Realizing she had no choice, Moira took Shay by the hand and led her out of the dining room.

The moment they were gone, Randell’s expression turned serious.

He looked at his two grandsons.

"I’ve found a clue about the key your mother left behind," he announced. "It may lead us to something important. I need to travel north, to Fengsel Island."

Asher nearly shot to his feet.

"Are you kidding me, Grandpa? Fengsel Island? That place is practically in the middle of nowhere! The terrain is treacherous, and getting around there won’t be easy."

Ares, on the other hand, remained composed.

"We’ll go in your place," he said matter-of-factly. "You should stay here at the mansion or return to Isla. You’re far more valuable here than on some remote island."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Randell’s mouth.

That was precisely what he had been hoping to hear.

He had absolutely no desire to drag his old bones to a remote island where even the weather seemed determined to make life difficult. But if he simply told his grandsons to go, they might ask too many questions. A little drama, on the other hand, worked wonders.

Unfortunately, Asher wasn’t making things easy for Ares.

"Ares, you can’t go," Asher said, quickly changing tactics. "You have too many responsibilities here. The business can’t afford to have you disappear for an unknown period."

"I’ll go," Ares replied without hesitation. "You stay here, Asher. It’s time you learn to handle more of the business yourself."

Asher’s eyebrows shot up.

"Why me? I’m better suited for this mission. I’ve trained there before, remember?"

"I’ve been there more than ten times."

Ares delivered the words calmly, as though that settled the matter.

And, in truth, it did.

Asher knew his older brother had far more experience with Fengsel than he did. Ares had frequently accompanied their father on work trips there and was familiar with the region.

Still, Asher wasn’t about to surrender without putting up a token protest.

After some more arguments, he let out an exaggerated sigh before raising both hands in mock surrender.

"Fine. You win, as usual."

Randell hid his satisfaction behind a thoughtful expression.

Perfect.

Now, all he had to do was make sure Ares follow the clue that he found in Hevenfort. It was like a map but was not a map.

Whatever that key unlocked, Randell had a feeling it was something their family had been searching for far longer than they realized.

...

Ares and Lara disembarked from a C-140 military transport aircraft.

No commercial flights served Fengsel Island, and reaching the remote island was no easy feat. To avoid unnecessary complications, Ares had arranged for them to travel aboard a military transport plane scheduled to deliver supplies to the island’s garrison.

As soon as Lara stepped onto the tarmac, she instinctively surveyed her surroundings.

The rugged terrain stretched before her, its familiar landscape stirring memories she had long since buried. Years had passed since her last visit, yet Fengsel Island had changed very little.

She had come here on a mission to rescue her so-called father’s most trusted ally.

That mission had left a bitter mark on her memory.

The man had suffered a serious accident, and her so-called father had forced her to learn and perform surgery almost simultaneously. There had been no time to hesitate, no room for mistakes. She was expected to save a life despite barely having the skills to do so.

Even now, the memory was enough to darken her expression.

Some experiences were impossible to forget, no matter how desperately one wished to leave them behind.

After their arrival, military personnel escorted them to the barracks and showed them to their assigned rooms.

Lara’s room was right next to Ares’s.

She stepped inside and surveyed the cramped quarters. A narrow bed occupied most of the space, leaving just enough room for a small bedside table and an overhead cabinet where she could store her luggage.

That was it.

Lara stared at the room for several seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.

Soldiers, regardless of the era they lived in, always seemed to be the ones making the greatest sacrifices while receiving the least in return.

They endured harsh conditions, dangerous assignments, and long periods away from their families. Yet even their most basic living necessities were often overlooked.

Was it really too much to ask for a decent place to rest?

Her gaze swept over the bare walls and the thin mattress.

When she returned, she would donate a substantial sum to improve the barracks. She would also speak to her father, General Norse and have him arrange better accommodations for the soldiers stationed on Fengsel Island.

They shouldn’t have to endure such miserable living conditions simply because their assignment was to guard prisoners.

Protecting the island was already a difficult enough responsibility. The least they deserved was a comfortable place to return to after a long day of duty.

Lost in thought, Lara barely noticed the knock at her door.

Knock! Knock!

She turned toward it, assuming Ares had come to check on her.

Without a second thought, she crossed the room and opened the door.

But the person standing outside wasn’t Ares.

Lara froze.

Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at the unexpected visitor.

"You..."