NOVEL NEXT Chapter 151: Leaving The Military?
That fear had blinded them, made them turn a blind eye to Frank's schemes.
'They never considered that Frank could do the same,' Daniel thought bitterly.
'Why do they think only I would rise against them? Frank has just as many resources, but he pretends not to. That is why they trust him more. If only they knew how dangerous he truly is.'
Daniel looked back at Silas, his face hard.
"We cannot let the Black Vultures keep stealing our strength. If they succeed, the base will collapse before we even fight the outside threats."
Silas looked at Daniel for a long time before finally speaking.
"Father, there is something I need to tell you. I believe it would be better if the Blackthorn family leaves the military completely."
General Daniel froze, his face calm but his heart heavy. He was not furious. He was not even surprised, only dismissive.
After all, compared to all of his children, he knew Silas was the most clever and calculating.
Silas always took the right steps, never careless. Since the day Silas had joined the military, Daniel had never been forced into any position he did not like.
Instead, his own influence grew because of Silas's schemes.
Daniel had always been proud of his son. He loved him deeply, though he still worried about his love life. Yet, none of that lessened his affection.
Looking at his son, Daniel asked quietly, "And what do you mean by that?"
Silas's expression darkened.
"Ivy recently had a vision. She said the Blackthorn family will be wrongly accused. She said you will be accused most of all. As for the rest of us, she said the family's worth will be measured as nothing."
Daniel's eyes narrowed. He was cautious by nature, even paranoid.
He never dismissed words like these, not when they came from someone who had already proved herself right before. He felt a chill run down his back.
'Ivy again,' he thought, bitter but unsettled. 'Her words stir fear even when I do not want them to.'
Daniel's lips pressed together. "What exactly did she see?"
Silas sighed. "She saw you accused. She does not know the reason. But the end was the same. You died, Father."
The room turned heavy. General Daniel sat frozen. Him? Accused and dead?
'How big must this crime be that I cannot escape? That even death is certain?' he thought.
His voice came low. "And what about you?"
Silas clenched his hand before answering. "I was alive, but far away. I could not stop what happened to you."
Daniel nodded slowly. He did not doubt his son's words. Still, something twisted inside him. He noticed Silas had not told him the full truth, but he let it pass.
Daniel finally said, "Can you arrange a meeting with Ivy?"
Silas smirked. "My girlfriend is busy. She may not have time for you."
Daniel's jaw tightened. Regret pricked at him.
Silas leaned back, smug.
"You remember how someone boasted a few days ago that he would not need Ivy's protection anymore? What if I tell Ivy that person now wants her help? I wonder how she would react then."
Daniel stared at him, his face dark. His son's words were like a slap. "If you do not want punishment, you will do as I say," Daniel said coldly.
Silas shuddered but forced a grin. "I am not afraid of punishment. My girlfriend will protect me. She would never let me be harmed."
For a moment, Daniel felt a pang. Watching Silas's smug look, so full of love, he suddenly missed his wife. A warmth and an ache mixed in his chest.
He almost wanted to hit his son, if only to stop that proud smile. Taking a deep breath, he said,
"I have noticed something strange. I was already planning to consult Ivy. If what you say is true, then the higher ups must be preparing to frame me."
At once, Silas grew serious. "If that is the case, then I will arrange the meeting."
Daniel gave a small nod, satisfied. He was about to speak again when the door opened.
Talia stepped in with an uneasy look. She lowered her head and said softly, "I am sorry to interrupt, but I need to tell Ivy something. My fiancé contacted me and asked me to meet him."
The air in the room grew tense. Both Silas and Daniel stiffened at once. Until now, Ivy had refused to let Talia leave.
They did not know what vision she had seen, but they knew it must have been grave. For Ivy to forbid Talia from going out, something terrible must be waiting.
'Why now?' Daniel thought, eyes narrowing. 'Why would her fiancé call her now of all times?'
Silas's eyes sharpened the moment he heard Talia's words. He shook his head firmly. "No. It would be better if you don't meet him right now."
Talia's lips pressed into a thin line. She lifted her chin, her voice trembling but stubborn. "My fiancé said if I don't meet him now, then he will break off the engagement."
Daniel's brows furrowed deeply. His tone turned cold. "Then let it be. We are not desperate for this engagement."
Talia's face darkened. She clenched her fists at her sides and said in a calm but heavy voice, "I love him. I can't break off the engagement."
For a moment, Daniel froze, staring at her stubborn expression. His chest tightened with a strange feeling.
'This… I have seen this before,' he thought bitterly.
His eyes slid to Silas, and suddenly he remembered. Silas's face looked just like that whenever he defended Ivy, full of defiance and love, refusing to listen to anyone else.
'Both of them… both of my children are love fools,' Daniel thought, frustration boiling in his chest.
'One is blind for a girl, and the other is blind for a boy. What have I done to deserve this?'
He rubbed his forehead with a sigh. Helplessness spread through him, mixed with anger he could not show. "If that is the case," he said heavily, "then you must take someone with you."