Chapter 88 - This Time Around

Winter went frozen still when August closed the door on Cyrus. 

Her eyes flew wide while her mouth hung low. And for that fraction of a moment, she remained in thunderstruck silence, completely unsure of what to do. That was until he made a turn for it and started to walk back to the living room, still not giving a single damn at all.

"W-Wait, August! Why did you do that?!" she exclaimed with an incredulous look.

"Looks like a door-to-door fraudster to me," he reasoned out apathetically, astonishing her even more. 

"How can you tell?!"

"Did you see the way that guy looked at you? It made me want to slam the door shut on his face. Now, I understand why 'scam' sounds the same as 'scum'. How vexing." 

"I-I'm pretty sure you're just seeing things. I don't think he's looking at me that way. Besides, you're giving me a piggyback ride. So, he's just probably wondering why we're in this position."

"But he knows your name! Why would he know your name?!"

"And he knows yours too! Come on. It's not that strange." 

August isn't usually this short-tempered, but at this point, Winter doesn't really find him unreasonable anymore. After all, he had long been suspecting every older guy who would approach her and claim that he knew her, especially those he never saw before. It just happened that he's still on the hunt for this 'sugar daddy' of hers from way back then.   

Despite that, she made things go back to its original flow – not without spending a great portion of her energy in talking him out of his trust issues, that is. 

Winter managed to convince August to head back to the door while she waited at the living room. This time, it wasn't Cyrus who greeted him out there. Instead, it's one of those who came with him – a gentleman with light brown hair and eyes, wearing a warm, mellow smile. 

"Good day again, Sir. We believe that this is the residence of Mr. August Agreste," greeted the stranger, starting things over. 

"Yes, it is. Is there something you want from me?" answered the homeowner, still looking apathetic.

"I see. That's good to hear. It looks like we've got the right address, after all."

"Please, get straight to the point." 

"Yes, of course. We have come to meet Ms. Winter Agreste."

August didn't bother hiding his distrust this time. 

His eyes widened in surprise before narrowing at him in suspicion. He doesn't sense any danger coming from him, but even then, he can't help but be skeptic. Knowing quite well that his younger sister has been getting herself in certain matters lately, he has troubles trusting strangers who claim to know her. 

Not to mention, there is quite a number of them in front of their doorstep at this moment. They all appear imposing, and they seem to be wealthy. They really don't get this kind of visit everyday, so he finds it hard to not be doubtful.

"May I know who you are?" August asked, still on guard.

"My name is Victor, Sir. I used to work for the Middleton family, the owner of Middle Corporation, as their lawyer."

"A lawyer? Of the Middleton's? What could be your intention for going all the way here? To meet my sister and what?" 

"The reason why we want to meet Ms. Agreste is to give what rightfully belongs to her."

Taken aback, August only blinks at Victor whose smile never left.

---

It was like watching a re-enactment.

Winter did the same things she did back then. Everyone else also made an acting out of that past event. Yet she swore that this would be the only part she'd allow to happen again. For whatever that would come next, she'd make sure that she'd be the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Scheming. Deceitful. Calculating.

Those were the words that Winter kept thinking as she had her reunion with Cyrus. She knows what he's up to, and she knows what he's trying to do. The only one she could trust here was Victor since he's close to her deceased parents.

Up until the end, this man remained devoted to them. 

'Sir Victor is the main reason why they found me. He's been investigating on my mysterious disappearance for many years, which is why he's in hiding for a long time. I couldn't find him at all even with Sir Lexington's help. Not only is he a lawyer, but he's also a private detective. He knows that there are people who want to eliminate me, but he still doesn't know who they are at this point…' Winter pondered over as she stared at Victor who was sitting beside Cyrus on the chair across from her and August.

'Little did Sir Victor know that the one he's been looking for is just beside him all along. But he wouldn't know that since he'd already be dead by the time the truth was discovered.'

She knows that her parents' lawyer is going to get killed in the future, and she highly suspects that her uncle is the one behind his assassination. This time, however, she's not going to let him die. She's going to save him no matter what. 

'For now, I'll just let the adults handle this conversation. I already know what they're talking about, anyway. Just had to make sure that I keep my reactions on point.'

Like before, she'd stay silent at the side. She'd listen and obey. It's what she has to do to make herself appear naive, gullible and simpleminded. But that'll only be until they start deciding things for her. Near the end of their exchange, she'll be taking action.

It's when Cyrus makes an offer – one that eventually ruined her relationship with August before. 

"So, Winter…" her uncle called out to her, smiling his magnanimous smile yet again.

"What do you think about living with your biological family from now on?"

She still remembers how her elder brother reacted to that back then. He was surprised yet submissive. He easily accepted it. He looked like he no longer cared. And she recalled how much that broke her heart. 

But this time, he's not only thrown off guard – rather, he's a lot more shocked than when he was hearing her relations with the Middleton's. He looks unsettled. Overwrought. Extremely displeased. And perhaps, frightened too.

Winter can't help but feel relieved upon seeing August's response – she's happy that he cares, and though she told herself that she'd still be fine even if he stayed the same as before, she's happy that he didn't.

"Sir Cyrus," Winter started, acting meek and timid.

"You may call me Uncle now, you know. We're family, after all," Cyrus chuckled a little – and she tried her hardest not to snort right then.

"Okay, U-Uncle."

"Good. So, what is it, Winter? Do you want to come with us?"

"The thing is, I don't want to be separated from August. If I have to leave, I want him to come with me."

Everyone is flabbergasted to hear that.

This is where Winter will use that whole 'piggyback-riding' she did with August earlier. It's proof of their closeness as siblings. Though unnecessary, him acting overprotective can also serve as another evidence. Apart from that, she'll appear more childlike if she is to request this. They'll think that she's dependent and unreliable.

But most of all, she just really doesn't want to leave her elder brother behind. 

"Can I please take my brother with me, Uncle?" she pleaded, nearly pulling out her doll-eyed look when her uncle still remained silent and hesitant.

They had to take Winter with them no matter what, so Cyrus had no choice but to follow her condition in the end. 

She understands that he's a little wary of August because of the attitude that he showed them earlier, though. He also probably didn't want anyone close with her to be around. Then again, he planned to make her life miserable. She knew that he wanted her to suffer until she gave in from all the stress and pressure.

'But not this time around. I won't let you lay your hands on me or my brother…' Winter thought to herself while she gave Cyrus an innocent-looking smile. 

'So, prepare yourself, Uncle.' 

---

"You're weak, son. You're a disgrace."

He bites back a retort. His limbs shake, hands grasping at the rug beneath him.

A tall, black silhouette stands menacingly over his frail form. And there's a large metal brand glinting in their bony hands.

'Help,' he thought.

'Help, help, help.' 

There are hard footfalls. His head is pulled backwards.

"What do you have to say for yourself?!"

A cut on his cheek. A wall slamming into his back.

"Pathetic."

He coughs. His vision blurring, his mind reeling.

"No wonder your dear old mother didn't want you."

He tries to stand, but his knees quiver, and he falls back down to the ground. The rod is raised. 

Pain.

Agony.

Torture.

Suffering.

So much suffering.

Tears in his eyes.

He doesn't understand. All he truly knows is –

'Please, end already.'