Chapter 721 The Truth Behind Deception
Day Seventy-Six…
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When Spade mentioned Black Rose's name, Alexander finally recognized the woman standing next to Hanabi. He failed to notice her presence since his attention was focused on Hanabi.
After that, he cast a glance at Spade, giving him a questioning gaze. 'What is the meaning of this?'
Spade just smiled at him sheepishly, feeling apologetic. He deliberately kept this intentional meet-up from Alexander.
"I'll explain to you later. Just smile, Alex. Don't scare them away," Spade softly mumbled, begging Alexander to behave and act friendly.
Meanwhile, Hanabi and Cherry exchanged meaningful glances with one another. Both of them had the same thought in mind. 'Wait? Is he the Dragon Lord?' The two ladies shifted their gaze back to Alexander who still had an indifferent look on his face.
The two ladies were also surprised about how Spade was treating Alexander. If he was the Dragon Lord, then how come Spade had the guts to command him like this?
"Who is the real Boss here?" Cherry whispered to Hanabi.
"I'm not sure." She plainly responded, her gaze not leaving Alexander's figure.
"You! Come with me. We need to talk!" Hanabi didn't waste any more time as she reached out, grabbing Alexander's hand. She pulled him up from his seat.
Hanabi didn't give him a chance to complain and object. She dragged him out of the restaurant, leaving Cherry and Spade.
"Where are you bringing me? And how did you know my friend?" Alexander asked her as they continued walking. "Stop talking. We need to find a better place with no strangers around." Hanabi's hand was gripping his right wrist as she led him to the parking area.
Alexander pursed his lips in annoyance. But instead of freeing his hand from her, he just continued following her until they reached Hanabi's car.
"What do you want from me?" Alexander asked her again after stepping into the car's front passenger's seat.
Hanabi just ignored his question and started the engine. She drove away from the Towerville Central Mall.
"Where are you staying? Give me your address?" Hanabi demanded in her commanding tone.
Alexander furrowed his brows when he heard that. "Why should I give you my address? Are you interested in me? Stalking me, aren't you?"
Hanabi rolled her eyes skyward. "Stop daydreaming. Just answer me, otherwise, I'll tell Abigail that you intentionally approached her because of her father, the leader of the Sawada Clan. You can't pretend anymore. I know who you are." She paused before glancing in his direction.
"Dragon Lord." She uttered his alias with emphasis.
Alexander was caught off guard by her. He couldn't believe that his identity had been revealed to Hanabi. 'Is it Spade who gave away my identity?'
Unable to hold herself, Hanabi swiftly maneuvered the car to the side of the bustling streets, parking it in an open area near the city park.
"I'm not going to delay this further." Hanabi took the document inside the car compartment.
Alexander just watched her in confusion. He still didn't know what was she up to.
"Take a look at this. You are being deceived by the King Stallion Mafia." Hanabi handed the documents over to Alexander. Those pieces of paper contained evidence that would prove Monica was alive and she was using Helena Carlsen's identity.
Alexander scanned the documents, reading the contents. He was trying to figure out Hanabi's words. As he processed the content and photos in front of him, Hanabi told her what they knew and their speculation.
"We have reason to believe that Monica had an ulterior motive in approaching you. She's an exceptionally skilled manipulator. Her aim was to entice you and sow discord between you and the Syphiruz Mafia. You were unwittingly used as a powerful weapon to strike the Syphiruz Mafia," Hanabi explained, pointing out Monica's deceptive tactics and her calculated strategy to create division and conflict.
"See… she is alive… living happily with Vincent. The Leader of the King Stallion Mafia."
Hanabi's words were like daggers hitting his heart. He couldn't believe this. The woman he loved whom he thought died was still alive. But this was something he should be grateful for. According to Hanabi, he was deceived by them.
"How long will you let them deceive you and take advantage of you? Will you permit them to manipulate your organization for their vendettas? Are you that gullible?" Hanabi started to mock him, her words sharp and incisive. She intended to make him realize that Monica and Vincent had made a fool out of him.
It did not take long for Hanabi's provocation to sink in. Alexander clutched the papers tightly.
'Everything about us is just a lie… Her kindness and her sweetness… all of them are just part of her ploy. No wonder… she acted that way when I first saw her as Helena Carlsen. She seemed to know me and familiar with me.'
Alexander slammed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth. He could already imagine that Monica was laughing at him.
'Why? Why do I have to feel miserable again? I was hurt when I found out she was Nathan's girlfriend. I mourned her 'death', vowing to avenge her. She just played me… Vincent and Monica exploited my weakness just because they wanted to bring down Nathan Sparks.' Alexander finally realized his mistake. He trusted the wrong people.
"I'm going to kill them," Alexander mumbled through his gritted teeth.
He was about to get out of the car when Hanabi suddenly stopped him, grabbing his hand once more.
"Where do you think you are going?" Hanabi asked him in disbelief. "Confronting them head-on is a bad move. Think twice before you act. Are you going to march in their backyard and announce to them that you already know how they deceive you? Do you think they will care? No!" Hanabi started lecturing him.
"Keep your cool and strategize. The most satisfying revenge you can enact should come as a complete surprise! Turn the tables on the manipulators! They betrayed you, so it's only fair to do the same to them!" She tightened her grip around his arm, not allowing him to leave.
"So what do you suggest?" Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to exploit my weakness too? Using my anger as a weapon against them?" He smirked sarcastically, his words laced with skepticism and irritation. "You are all just the same."
This time Hanabi was rendered speechless. She could see the raging fury in his eyes. Apart from anger, she also sensed his sadness and pain.
The atmosphere was engulfed by heavy tension. The silence overtook them. No one spoke for a few seconds. Soon, Hanabi released Alexander's hand as she averted her gaze to the road.
"I'm sorry." Hanabi suddenly apologized, surprising Alexander. "Why are you apologizing?" Alexander inquired, a glint of amusement shimmering in his eyes.
"Because you were correct. I, too, intended to use you, channeling your anger towards them to cease your interference with the Syphiruz Mafia," she confessed, acknowledging her intentions with a mix of sincerity and admission.
"But now, I changed my mind. You can do anything you want. You are free to go." Hanabi didn't want to be insensitive toward Alexander. Though she didn't pity him, she knew the feeling of being betrayed by their loved ones.
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