To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 47

“Don’t be so nervous.”

Scarlett whispered to Wilhelm, who was escorting her.

“They’re my friends. My brothers won’t eat you alive.”

“Just call me Bill. It’s easier that way.”

“Now you’re trying to act close?”

“Of course. I’m scared of your brothers.”

Scarlett chuckled quietly at Wilhelm’s joke. Wilhelm held out his hand to her. Her small hand softly rested on his rough one. He asked nervously,

“Is there anything I should be careful about?”

“Hmm. Aaron isn’t very polite. Please understand.”

“That’s fine.”

“Scott will dig up everything about you within two days. Actually, he probably already has.”

“That’s a little scary.”

“But he’ll also protect you from anyone in Wifland and give you anything you need.”

“I don’t need all that. I’m not sticking with you for that reason.”

“You’re so upright.”

“Thanks. Ah, we’re here. What should I do? I’m getting nervous.”

Hearing Scarlett’s words, Wilhelm gently squeezed her hand to reassure her. His thick hand firmly supported her.

When the ballroom doors opened, they entered together. Many curious eyes turned toward them. It was Scarlett’s first official event since becoming an adult, and Wilhelm was her partner.

Who was Scarlett White? She was the victim of a scandal that had shocked the capital and the beloved youngest sibling of the White family.

She also had inherited a massive fortune, making her the wealthiest underage heiress in Wifland since she was a minor.

“Ignore them.”

Even though she was trembling with nerves herself, Scarlett whispered to Wilhelm. Wilhelm looked a bit uncomfortable with all the attention.

Just then, they spotted her family waiting for them. Scarlett finally relaxed.

Susan greeted Wilhelm with a very bright smile. She seemed eager to meet him.

“This is Wilhelm Hoffman. Bill. These are my siblings—Susan, Aaron, and Scott. John isn’t here again today.”

“Nice to meet you. Please feel free to call me Bill.”

“Thanks for coming. Scarlett didn’t bother you too much on the way, did she?”

“Bill doesn’t take my tantrums seriously. He ignores me unless there’s a real reason.”

“That’s wonderful news.”

Susan’s smile deepened, showing her white teeth between her red lips. Aaron chuckled.

“Little one, you finally met your match. I like this young man!”

“I heard his major isn’t economics?”

Scarlett had never mentioned Wilhelm’s major to Scott. It was clear Scott had already looked into him and wanted to confirm it directly.

“I’m studying architecture. I got interested in economics, so I picked it up as a second major. That’s how I ended up in the same class as Scarlett.”

“You’re interested in economics? I really like you. I should invite you to my riding club someday! We have a few economists there too.”

“It would be an honor. I should study hard so I can meet them properly.”

Scarlett’s siblings welcomed Wilhelm with happy hearts.

No wonder—whenever Scarlett tried to make friends before, her temper would usually ruin things. This time, since she was introducing a friend, they had already gathered all of Wilhelm’s grades and background information.

“If you’re studying architecture, you’ll probably join an architecture firm after graduation.”

“Yes. My dream is to design a long bridge someday. In Hiberk, bridges are a symbol of national unity.”

“By the way, you speak Wiflandish quite well.”

“I had a nanny from Wifland. And Scarlett is fluent in Hiberkian. Thanks to that, we became good friends.”

The more they talked, the more they liked Wilhelm’s humble attitude.

Instead of feeling burdened by their attention, Wilhelm sometimes responded with humor, sometimes with sincerity. The one feeling the pressure was actually Scarlett.

“Let’s go dance.”

Scarlett pulled Wilhelm into the center of the ballroom. As they danced to a slow rhythm, Wilhelm said,

“You look happy.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. I’ve never seen you this lively before.”

“Maybe because you’re here.”

Wilhelm smiled softly at her teasing words. It looked like his face even turned a little red.

As they kept talking and dancing, they eventually disappeared onto the balcony together. Watching them, Susan said,

“If Scarlett brings a boy like that, I’m all for it. He’s even better than the reports said.”

“He wouldn’t be bad as a son-in-law. Did you see the sharpness in his eyes? It’s a memorable day—our youngest found a good person.”

“Scotty, stop drinking so much. Aaron, your face is already red.”

“Oh, Susan. It’s just that I’m so moved. Our baby is grown up enough to fall in love.”

“They’re not even dating yet.”

“Come on, it’s obvious they like each other. Scarlett has a temper, but she’s cute too.”

“Scott White, don’t mess things up by pushing too hard. Just watch quietly, okay?”

“Scary.”

“The auction will start soon. Go inside and rest a bit. You’re already drunk. Scott and I will take care of things. John just arrived too, so it’s fine even if you’re not there.”

“Alright, alright.”

Aaron left the ballroom and entered an inner hallway. He stumbled a bit from the alcohol and opened a door. He planned to rest in John’s study since it was too far to go to his own room.

“Workaholic, seriously.”

Aaron clicked his tongue when he saw the piles of papers on the desk. He bent down to pick up some papers that had fallen, but his dizziness made him slump down in a chair.

Sitting behind the desk, he flipped through a book from the shelf. The legal terms gave him an instant headache.

Just then, the door opened. He was about to shout that guests weren’t allowed here, but he heard voices.

“You know the truth.”

“About what?”

“Since Nicholas is dead, you’re the only one who knows everything. John, tell me the truth.”

“Why now? Is it because of Noah Ashford?”

“My heart burns with revenge. I want to destroy those two who shattered our family. I’m holding back only because Scarlett doesn’t want me to. But… if I know the truth, things might change. I want to know. No, I need to know.”

“Don’t overstep, Scott. It’s my burden—to know the truth and to carry it.”

“You’re the one overstepping. I’m their son too. How can you know everything alone? How can you monopolize their real will?”

“That’s why it’s called a will. It was our mother’s choice. Don’t stir up Scarlett.”

“John White!”

Scott raised his voice. Outside the closed door, the faint sound of the auction could be heard. Aaron held his breath, focusing on their conversation.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know you shared everything with Andrew? I pretended not to for Andy’s sake, not yours.”

“Andy can handle the truth. You can’t. I know you—you’re cruel, rough, and merciless. If you knew everything, you’d use it as an excuse to defy our parents’ wishes.”

“Their wishes? Ha! ‘Live kindly, spread love’—those words mean nothing coming from someone who committed adultery.”

Unlike John, who stayed calm and logical, Scott was full of anger and breathing heavily.

“The moment you sold Noah Ashford into slavery, you lost the right to know the truth. I refuse to tell you because of your brutality, Scott White.”

“…Damn you, John White! I know that bastard isn’t our father’s real son. I don’t even need proof. He looks just like his mother, not a bit like Father. Julia Ashford’s background was fake, and when I checked her medical records, Noah’s real birthday was even earlier.”

“……”

“In short, she was already pregnant before she even met Father. And Father accepted that child, knowing it. Was there some kind of deal?”

“…It was our parents’ decision. Stay out of it. A time of clash is coming whether you act or not. So do nothing. Stay still.”

“John White!”

“If you cross the line, I won’t hold back either. Consider this your warning.”

John brushed past Scott and left the study. After John left, Aaron stood up from behind the desk. Even after hearing such shocking news, he showed little reaction. Scott’s face twisted in frustration.

“You heard everything, so why pretend you didn’t?”

“What does the truth matter now? It happened over eighteen years ago. We should let it go and live in the present.”

“Hah. So that’s why you ignored the family and wandered outside? So that’s why you sabotaged Noah’s chances for any decent education? Stop with the lies.”

“I’ve always regretted that. But I’m tired of being stuck in the past. They’re dead. We should live our own lives.”

“Regret? Aaron White, Scarlett is still suffering because of them. Your attitude—always standing aside, keeping your distance—that’s just running away. You’re just pretending not to see.”

Aaron exhaled roughly, glaring threateningly. He pointed his finger at Scott and closed the distance between them.

“Our parents are the past. They must be forgotten. And remembering them will only hurt Scarlett.”

“There’s a right way to forget. Scarlett wants to know the truth.”

“Maybe you’re just imagining that. I’m cutting off all feelings about that damn mother and son. So don’t bother me, and don’t drag Scarlett into your selfishness.”

Then Aaron knocked down the framed photo of their parents on John’s desk. Whether it was running away or ignoring it, he didn’t care. He just wanted to escape the fifteen-year-old boy who had suffered so much from their divorce.

Scarlett wasn’t the only one wounded by Noah Ashford’s existence. In fact, all of them who had hurt the Ashfords were victims who had become perpetrators too.

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