Ascension Of The Villain-Chapter 338: Veil of Innocence

The clink of cutlery and the quiet hum of conversation echoed through the dining room, but it did little to distract Vyan from the thoughts swirling inside his head. His food sat mostly untouched, the faint steam curling into the air.

Those eyes—he couldn't get them out of his mind.

It was the kind of gaze that left a mark on your soul even if it never touched your skin. Vyan didn't even know the man, hadn't spoken to him. But something about the way those eyes met his in the crowd had lodged deep in his chest like a splinter. So hate-filled.

He wasn't sure if the man was dangerous in the way a murderer might be—maybe that part was an exaggeration. But harmless? No, not in the slightest.

And it didn't help that, after they'd scrambled out through the wave of paparazzi and into a cab, Elian had leaned in close and told him everything about what happened in the restroom. About the man in the green cap. About his sharp, green eyes. About the eerie stare. The odd questions. The way he'd crouched down, as if trying to peel Elian open with his eyes.

That wasn't a coincidence. Vyan could feel it in his bones, the way a storm warns the sea before it crashes down. His instincts were rarely wrong.

He had told Adrian and Emma as soon as they'd come home in the evening. And to their credit, they hadn't brushed it off.

They'd listened, brows furrowed, sharing glances across the room like two people who'd spent years trying to prepare for something like this.

"We'll keep an eye out," Adrian had said.

But it was Emma who'd been more direct. "I think it would be better to not take the kids out for a while."

She was right.

Adrian wasn't just any defense attorney—he was a good one. And that meant he had enemies. Plenty of them. People who weren't just angry at the system, but at the man standing in its way. People who thought they were deprived of justice just because Adrian proved the defendants innocent. And Elian… Elian was unmistakably his son. The resemblance was obvious: same facial angles, same features, and same molten amber eyes. Only his hair color was different from Adrian's, but it was still easy to tell the blood connection between them.

And Vyan… well, he looked too much like Adrian. That alone could be dangerous.

When Emma went out with the kids, the risk was minimal. An FBI officer didn't walk around without some certain security.

But that wasn't the case for Vyan. Looking at his age. One might just naturally assume he was an ordinary babysitter and would take him for an easy target. Or worse, someone might just take a shot at him because they mistook him for Adrian.

The irony wasn't lost on him. Dangers existed here just as they did back in Haynes. Different streets. Different weapons. Same fear.

And he couldn't afford to be hurt. Not here. Not now.

Because he had somewhere to return to. Someone to save from the pain of losing him. And a promise that burned through his every breath.

He just had to stay safe until the day of his departure from here. When he left, the Evans family would also leave on a tour to one of the Caribbean countries. It'd be a nice getaway for them as it was Elian's summer vacation and Amy was calm enough to travel with.

A soft tug on his sleeve pulled him back to the present.

Vyan lifted his eyes to meet Elian's worried gaze. The little boy was watching him quietly.

"Are you okay?" Elian asked, his voice small, yet serious.

Vyan smiled faintly, and nodded. "I am," he murmured. Then he reached over, brushing Elian's hair from his forehead with gentle fingers. "But are you?"

Elian gave a little nod. "Yeah… just a little worried about Daddy."

Vyan's chest softened. He placed a comforting hand over Elian's. "He's strong. You know that, right?"

"I know," Elian whispered, eyes lowering to his plate. "But sometimes strong people still get hurt."

Vyan couldn't argue with that.

Adrian, who had been eating his food while lightly chatting with his wife about her day, glanced over at the two of them. He set his spoon and fork down with a soft clink and offered a smile.

"No need to worry," he reassured. "You know Matt's a trained bodyguard, right?"

At that, Elian's eyes brightened, his tiny shoulders lifting in realization.

Matt was Adrian's chauffeur. But he wasn't just any driver—he was a well-trained professional bodyguard.

Though Matt dressed the part of an ordinary chauffeur, he was far more than that. A quiet, broad-shouldered man with heightened senses and silent steps. He was also the one in charge of driving Elian to and fro from school. So, Elian was quite fond of the reliable man too.

Upon hearing that his dad was protected by Matt, his worries melted away. Kids truly were simple-minded. His smile bloomed like a sunbeam after rain.

"Oh! Daddy!" he piped up next. "There were a lot of paparazzi outside your trial room today! Are you fighting a big, exciting case?"

Adrian gave a low chuckle, leaning back a little with that familiar glint in his eyes. "You could say that."

Elian leaned forward, elbows on the table now, chin propped in his small hands. "What kind of case is it?"

Adrian hummed, eyes flickering for the briefest second. "A fraud case."

Vyan stiffened just a fractice at the lie.

The words had barely settled into the air when his mind recalled the file he had cracked open briefly when Elian handed it to him to check. The file that had been swapped with Elian's. Inside Adrian's one, there were photos. Testimonies. Forensics. And then… the courtroom earlier today.

There wasn't anything about fraud.

It was about sexual assault. A molestation case. Which ultimately led to the victim taking her own life.

Adrian and Vyan's eyes met across the table.

Adrian didn't speak, but Vyan understood. There was something in the way he held his gaze—a silent conversation passed between two men.

He lied on purpose.

Not to Vyan, but to Elian.

Why? Vyan wondered. But then, he got the answer himself soon.

Obviously, to shield Elian. To let him stay an innocent boy with rose-colored vision for a little while longer.

It just made Vyan realize his mistake. He had taken Elian inside the courtroom today.

Good thing Elian wasn't paying much attention to what was being said in the court. He was just aglow with the thrill of seeing his father in battle mode.

On top of that, Elian also hadn't read what was inside his dad's file. He had just taken off for help from Vyan as soon as he recognized that the file wasn't his. Because there were pictures in that file no child—or even most adults—should have to see.

Even though Vyan knew better than anyone that children shouldn't grow up earlier than they needed to, he had made a rookie mistake today. He was really glad and relieved that his mistake hadn't left Elian tainted. Elian deserved to stay away from the cruelties of this world.

Just like his parents, Vyan too wanted to protect Elian from it.

But still...

Life didn't always care for plans.

And it rarely asked for permission before tearing the veil of innocence apart.

———

The next day, the late morning sun streamed softly through the kitchen windows. Light laughter rang out from near the kitchen counter as Elian stood on tiptoes, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Sammy!" he declared proudly, "You don't have to make lunch today!"

Samantha was surprised. "Oh? Is that so, mister boss?"

Elian grinned wider, chest puffing a little. "Yep! I got permission from Mommy to order pizza!"

The housekeeper raised an eyebrow playfully. "And do I get a portion of this royal feast, or am I being excluded?"

Elian laughed. "Of course you do! You're so nice, after all. Just wait a little bit. The pizza should be here in twenty minutes!"

Samantha chuckled softly, shaking her head at his theatrics. "Well, aren't I lucky to work under such a generous employer."

Elian beamed at the praise, then looked around, tilting his head. "Where's Vyan?"

"Oh, he went upstairs to change Amy's clothes," Samantha said as she rinsed a glass. "She threw up a little."

Elian's cheerful expression faltered. "Amy's still not feeling well, is she?"

Samantha dried her hands with a towel, her voice gentler now. "No, sweetheart. Your mommy's going to take her to the doctor later tonight. Maybe the heat yesterday was a bit too much for her little body."

Elian nodded, fidgeting slightly with the hem of his t-shirt, the joy of pizza fading.

Just then, footsteps echoed down the stairs. Elian turned around and immediately brightened.

"Amy!"

Vyan walked down the stairs with a flushed Amy clinging to his chest like a little starfish, her tiny face buried in his shoulder.

"How's my cute sister?" Elian skipped over, eyes soft with concern.

Amy peeked out at him, her voice weak but happy. "Yeeyan…"

Vyan managed a small smile. "A little better, I guess. But she refuses to let go of me. I even had to change her clothes while holding her."

Elian giggled. "Maybe she feels better with you 'cause she thinks you're Daddy... but still," he leaned close to Amy's round cheek and lightly pulled it, "you love me more, right, Ames?"

Amy let out a high-pitched giggle. "Amy love Mama!"

Elian laughed and said, "Yes, yes. Amy loves Mama the most. She's a mama's girl, isn't she? But what about me? Does Amy not love her super-reliable, amazing bro?"

"Amy love Yeeyan."

Elian gave an exaggerated bow and repeated, "Yes! Amy loves Elian more than you, Daddy's twin. You hear that?"

Vyan rolled his eyes with fond exasperation. "Yeah, yeah, I heard that, loud and clear," he said, walking over to the living room with Amy nestled against him.

He sank onto the couch, one arm cradling her as she closed her eyes with a tired little sigh, cheek smushed against his chest.

Elian came beside them and stroked her head, crooning, "I hope you feel better soon, my adorable sister."

"Your mom called just earlier. She's going to take Amy to the doctor in the evening," Vyan informed.

"Yeah, Sammy told me."

"So, don't worry. Amy will be fine soon."

Elian nodded, a little sad but trying not to let it get him down. "Let's watch Amy's favorite cartoon," he suggested brightly.

The house was peaceful. The kind of peace that makes you believe you're safe.

Then, the doorbell rang after some time. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Elian instantly perked up. "That's it! Pizza's here!"

From the couch, Vyan called out lazily, "Check who it is before you open!"

"It's obviously pizza!" Elian laughed, rushing over.

Vyan sat back, raising an eyebrow. "When did you even order it, huh?"

But then…

Silence.

"...Elian?" he called again, glancing over the back of the couch. "Why aren't you answering?"

Still no reply.

Vyan straightened, instincts tightening like a string pulled taut. "Elian?"

He stood up, cradling Amy protectively against his chest, and turned fully toward the entryway.

And froze.

Three men stood inside the house. Black masks. Dark clothing. One of them had his arm around Elian's shoulders, holding him close.

Pressed against the boy's temple was a gun.