"Our mission was a failure. We did not know that they were fully guarded inside the van and the driver was one of the guards, Vladimir sent."

The driver of the van who fetched the experts already detected their arrival and evaded their attack which in turn they b.u.mped into a fully loaded truck.

The person on the other line uttered foul and filthy words and cursed the masked man.

"You are so irresponsible! You are such a failure! You have failed me numerous times already. I thought you have tampered the DNA samples, but then, they outsmarted you! You are the best examples of being idiots! If I ever see your faces again, I swear, I'll kill you all!" the person gritted one's teeth and meant every word said.

The person's eyes glared with so much anger and thrown everything that is on the table.

"The reporter is stupid. The goons are all idiot! There are so many useless people nowadays!" the person screamed and broke everything in sight.

......

"Lance, come with me, I want to have a private talk with you..." John took Lance in the garden and he complied, his shoulders were hanged low.

John and Lance sat down opposite to each other. The old man took deep breaths before he spoke to Lance.

"My dear boy..." John felt deep emotions for the man in front of him. "I know I've promised my daughter to you, but you see, I don't hold her fate, her decision and her emotions."

"Uncle John, you don't have to worry, I have a big part in this situation, too. I have decided to wait for Ingrid and you were not at fault. I am now freeing you and Ingrid in that agreement you and my father have," Lance eyes are glowing with tears. "...but until she is not married, I will still chase after her. This time, I am not bound by any obligation, but my decision alone."

"But, Lance, Ingrid and I had an agreement." John was blown away by Lance announcement.

"Regardless of it, I'll still find my way to her heart. But I promise you, I won't do any tricks nor harm to anyone. I just want to experience expressing my love for Ingrid that is kept hidden for time immemorial."

"But she will reject you again..." John wanted to spare this man with so much trouble.

"I know that for sure, but at least I won't regret it. Who knows, I might be healed after that future rejection?" Lance smiled bitterly.

"Don't do this to yourself, Lance. You are already a son to me."

"And you are like a father to me, too, uncle John. But please give me this one last shot." Lance eyes were full of pleading. He knew in his heart that he just wanted to express his love for the woman he loves.

"If she still rejects me, uncle John, I will let her go no matter how painful it will be for me..." The man choked as he holds his tears and tried to appear strong to John Howard but he can no longer hold the tears.

The pain that he felt turned to tears that wanted to get out. It's like a prisoner that's kept for so long and that finally have a chance to be released and there's no stopping it. It flows heavily on its own, rus.h.i.+ng till it reaches the tip of his face.

John tapped his shoulders and did not further utter any word, but sit still as the man softly cried in pain.

...

Ingrid slowly opened her eyes. She saw two pairs of blue eyes staring at her, waiting her eyes to open.

"Mommy!"

"Ingrid!"

Ingrid wanted to get up but she was prevented by Clifford.

"Not yet, you are still dizzy. Take deep breaths first and rise up gradually." She felt some small hands touches her forehead.

"Thank G.o.d! You don't have a fever, mommy." She smiled seeing her son imitating her everytime he gets a fever.

"I'm okay now son. Mommy doesn't have a fever. I was just tired."

"That's good! Daddy's been so worried about you, mom."