Aster Veren
Episode 175's

- Esther

"Miss!" Hans said immediately slamming the steering wheel when he saw a car traveling at high speed, preparing to hit the car we were riding in. But fortunately Hans managed to avoid the collision and keep driving forward his car.

"Strong grip miss," he continued sounding panicked as he watched the other car follow from behind.

"Do they know when to give up?" I said as I gripped the car seat in front of me as Hans increased the speed of his car.

Ever since they found out the truth about Dad's condition, they've become more aggressive with me. It seems like they really want to eliminate me while Dad doesn't care about me because he's busy taking care of his own work and problems.

I'm really tired of getting terror from the enemies of the Veren family. Last time I was almost poisoned for the second time, it was lucky that Mila tasted a little tea served to me. Although in the end he had to rest for three whole days due to the poisonous effect of the tea he tasted.

Then after that incident, Hans immediately tightened the guard around me. But it didn't last long, because Dad immediately pulled back the people Hans had prepared to take care of me. And right now, I'm out without anyone's guard. Just me and Hans.

"Sir Victor has sent help so that we can escape from their pursuit, hang on for a little while, miss." Obviously Hans glanced at me through the rearview mirror of the car.

"Focus on the wheel!" I cried along with the sound of gunfire that made me reflex to bow my head when the lesion of the bullet managed to destroy the car glass on my left side.

"They're really crazy huh?" I dare not raise my head.

"Te–stay down miss!" Hans exclaimed increasing the speed of his car. This time it was really faster than before.

It felt like my heart was about to jump out of its place right now. This was the first time I had such a blatant attack, even in broad daylight when everyone was busy.

Am I going to die today? My mind felt my heart beat more and more racing because of fear, when I felt the car I was driving increasingly recklessly overtaking other vehicles. And again Hans did not lower his speed in the slightest.

Then I heard the sirens of police cars that started roaring from behind, making the street feel more crowded, "hha–haha, looks like we got Hans' new pursuer." My mummy forced my laughter.

***

- Carel

"Hah~ when will our conversation be over? I'm tired of hearing your babbling grandpa." I said after sighing tiredly.

Right now I'm in my grandpa's study with my dad and brother who are shitty. Since morning we have been talking about work. I don't know since when I started getting involved in all the work of the Alterio family. It was really troublesome, even though I came home for the holidays because I was bored of continuing to stay at the academy. If you know it's gonna be like this, I better not go home.

The time has also shown at 11:59 noon, it is time for us to rest, right? That's how I thought, but this old geezer is completely insensitive and workaholic, just like my father. Uninspiring.

"You have to improve your attitude, sooner or later you'll meet a lot of clients. You have to–"

"Stop giving me a lecture! I know what to do when I meet those fools." Sela I cut Dwi's words.

"really? You sure you know what you're gonna do?" Tanya Dwi squinted her eyes and looked at me doubtfully, and it pissed me off.

"Ck, of course I know." Decak me while rolling my eyeballs lazy.

"Hee .. I was worried. You're not the type of person to talk to easily, I'll even believe that you're making a fuss and beating them up for disagreeing. Childish right? Pft ...," Said Dwi mocking me with his sarcastic gaze.

"Ansel asked for extra people to–" Father said to a halt when he saw Tomi enter with her serious expression that looked suspicious. I saw him approaching Grandpa and Dad before whispering something I couldn't hear.

Old man asking for more people? What other job is Dad assigned to her? My mind wondered while opening the file sheet before me lazily.

"You just read it?" Tanya Dwi I do not care, yes indeed since I did not read because I was lazy. Reason that makes sense, right?

My eyes widened in surprise when I saw the Veren family report sheet written by Aster. Even if I pay attention again, lately who often meet with Dad and Tomi is not the old man and Rigel anymore. But Hans. At first I thought he was replacing Rigel to deliver the files to the Alterio family, but it wasn't. Because that day, I also saw Rigel coming to bring me the file written by the old man, the same time Hans just finished giving the file he brought to Dad.

"Since when did this child become–" I was shocked by his ability to write a report.

"You surprised?" Tanya Dwi again said, "since you were busy studying at the academy. Aster worked hard to prove himself worthy of being the next successor to the Veren family." The next thing left me speechless.

I know he's a pretty smart and diligent kid. But I never expected that the old man would give his daughter the test of being the leader of the family so soon. Judging from his age, isn't this too soon? Aster has not even entered adulthood.

"That guy's crazy, huh?" Dad got up from his seat immediately, making me wonder what Tomi was saying to him? Until I look so upset.

"Send help to beat back those bastards! I'm gonna go see Ansel and talk to him directly." Then Dad gets ready to go.

"What about the police involved?" Tanya Tomi stopped my first steps.

I saw Dad glancing at Dwi, "you take care of him!" Father's decree made Dwi rise from his sitting position and walk closer to Tomi.

"Tell me the situation." He said as he walked away from grandfather's study.

"What exactly happened?" I muttered that I felt like a stupid child for not being involved in their conversation, being left with a grandfather that I obviously didn't like.

I see grandfather sighing when he meets me at a glance, "it would be a pity if the child died huh? Moreover, his ability is very useful, all the work given to him is always done well, the results always exceed my expectations. Shouldn't we protect her?" His words confused me.

"What are you trying to say?" My grunts were annoyed by her words deliberately made like a riddle so that I guessed who she was talking about.

"Ah you don't know the hot rumors that have been circulating recently huh? Shall I tell you?" Her question makes me cringe.

"no need. After all, rumors are rumors, I'm sure they don't matter." I replied after a short sigh while clearing the files before me.

"Oh, this time the rumors are not random rumors. But if you've said that, your grandfather doesn't have to be tired of telling you everything." He said as he rose from his sitting position, preparing to leave his study.

"But don't blame me if you're late knowing it from someone else. Don't pretend to forget that your grandfather has kindly offered to tell you the rumor." It made me grunt when I saw his thin smile.

"What is kind? If grandfather has a heart, it should be said clearly, don't play puzzles with me." I was angry at what I heard.

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Thanks for reading...