Selena took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the room before landing on her parents. "I need to ask you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you think... could it be possible that the assassinations are being ordered by a family member?"
The room fell silent, the only sound was the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Eun Ho's eyes widened, her face pale, while Jonathan's expression turned grim.
"What makes you think that, Selena?" Jonathan asked, his voice low and even.
Selena's voice cracked as she spoke, her eyes welling up with tears. She sat in the office, surrounded by the familiar faces of her parents, Eun Ho, and Jonathan. "You were destined to die in a plane crash 6 years ago, and Dad, you were destined to be shot outside of the head office 4 years ago. Jonah was destined to die in that crash, but at age 17." Selena admitted. "I prevented those deaths. The truth is-" a haunted look came upon her face.
Selena looked at her mother; the words she spoke were anything but familiar, revealing a life of unimaginable horror. "I have already lived a life before you found me. I lived until the age of 71. One day, a miracle happened. McKenna tried to kill me, she shoved me into a barrier that kept a dead earth somewhat habitable for the few of us that survived it all."
"I lived a really horrible life," Selena began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was tortured and bullied in school by McKenna after Jonah died in a car crash at 17. Before that, I had poorly treated epilepsy. Molly was still an alcoholic, and I fell in with the wrong crowd. I was forced into sex trafficking by an abusive boyfriend. I did every drug I could get my hands on to forget what was happening to me. Until I ended up escaping."
Eun Ho's face paled, her eyes wide with shock and horror. Jonathan's jaw clenched, his fists tightening as he listened to Selena's words.
"After I got clean, I read that you, Jonathan Lowrie, were shot dead in a drive-by shooting on the street," Selena continued, her voice cracking with emotion. "Shortly after, his wife, Eun Ho Lowrie, died when her plane blew up. After that, Arthur died, and Amelia Lowrie died from poisoning."
Selena took a deep breath, her eyes locked on her parents. "Then, years later, Park Jun Pyo inherited the Noe family property after Noe Jin-ae and Park Gulduk died of carbon monoxide poisoning. McKenna and Park Gulduk inherited it all. After that, a major earthquake rocked California, and all the volcanoes from OffShore Oregon to Yellowstone erupted. America was destroyed."
Eun Ho and Jonathan exchanged a stunned glance, their faces reflecting their shock and horror.
"I escaped, but those two made my life hell. I learned that McKenna had a twin who died in an accident only in this life." Selena said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm certain that Park Jun Pyo and Park Gulduk are working together, and they want to kill all of us for the Noe family estate. Now that McKenna is gone, there is no need for her to struggle to steal the Kinsman and Lowrie fortune."
The room fell silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of Eun Ho and Jonathan. They looked at each other, their faces reflecting their determination to protect Selena and uncover the truth about the events she had described. Jonathan looked up at his daughter, his eyes red-rimmed and watering with tears.
He trusted his daughter; she would not lie about a vision. His wife, on the other hand, looked like she was about to break down. Park Gulduk helped investigate the assassination attempts. He always acted so angry and passionate when she called. Was he disappointed and emotional because they failed? How would she handle this? Poor Eun Ho? Jonathan's heart broke.
Eun Ho's eyes widened as she processed the information, her mind reeling with the implications. She felt like she had been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. Her father and cousin, Park Jun Pyo, are It possibly trying to kill her family? Itwas too much to bear.
She thought back to all the times she had trusted her father and had believed in his goodness. And now, to think that he might be behind the attempts on her family's life? It was a betrayal of the deepest kind. He had raised her, taught her, and embraced her lovingly. Who could do that to their child? Wait, children. "Joon-su, then." Eun Ho said as her eyes watered. "His own son, why?"
Eun Ho's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Selena. She knew that her daughter wouldn't lie about her visions or have a reason to lie about the future she had lived in. Selena's words were like a cold slap in the face, waking her up to a harsh reality.
"Why?" Eun Ho whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why would they do this?"
Selena's expression was somber. "I don't know, Mom. Misogyny? I think it's because of the Noe family's wealth and power, they do not know about our world. They want it all, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to get it. But have no idea what will happen if they get it."
Eun Ho's face contorted in anguish as she thought about her family's history, about the sacrifices they had made to build their empire. And now, to think that her own flesh and blood might be trying to destroy it all? She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, and she had to fight to keep her composure. She wanted to puke.
Eun Ho's face flushed with anger and shock as she processed Selena's words. "My father and my cousin?" she repeated, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why would they do such a thing?"
Selena's expression was grim. "I think it's because of Grandpa's pride and misogyny. He's always been a controlling and manipulative person. I think the idea of his son taking the Noe family name and his daughter taking over the businesses was too much for him to handle."
Jonathan's eyes narrowed as he listened to Selena's theory. "Go on," he encouraged. Eun Ho poured herself a drink and slung it back like it was the panacea to all of her problems.
Selena took a deep breath before continuing. "I think Grandpa brought in a bastard child, one to work in the family. "
Eun Ho sat as she felt her blood run cold, the idea that her father and cousin had killed her whole family in one life, and they were repeating it again. Selena's words hit her hard like she had lobbed a brick at her head. A brother?
Selena steeled her spine and said, "I think that bastard is your cousin Park Jun Pyo. He conceived with his cousin in North Korea before he met Grandma. And then he used that child to further his interests and maintain control over the Noe family businesses. Especially when Noe Joon-su and you were born. He must have felt castrated by great great-grandmother."
Eun Ho's eyes narrowed as she considered Selena's words. Her flesh was white and sweating. Her eyes red rimmed as her impression of her own Father shattered.
"Especially when Noe Jin-ae named his son 'Noe' Joon-su." Selena sadly added.
Jonathan felt his head pound as he thought about the man he held in high regard actions and words in the past. Park Gulduk was kept out of their world; of course he did not know that women were born to be revered. Females were the first creation of life. It was common sense. He did not have the benefit of being raised in a matriarchal home or family. Jonathan sighed.
"You're right, sweetie. We've been investigating individual incidents, but we've never looked at the bigger picture. Park Jun Pyo and Park Gulduk may be just the tip of the iceberg." Jonathan answered. "It could involve the guard or even vassals in South Korea, that is." Jonathan rubbed his temples. He could not believe he respected Park Gulduk, even if it was out of respect for Eun Ho and Jin-ae.
Selena nodded, her expression determined. "Exactly. And I think it's time we start digging deeper. We need to investigate the Park and Noe family and see if we can uncover any connections between them and the attempts on our lives. Who knows who is helping and what they know."
Eun Ho's face was set in a firm expression. "I agree. And I think an unplanned trip to South Korea is the perfect opportunity for us to start gathering more information. Can you get in touch with your mother? She can get close to the Noe family staff and see if she can uncover anything suspicious and any collaborators. Father doesn't know about our world."
Jonathan nodded and poured his wife another drink. "I'll make sure to brief Amelia on what we're looking for. Perhaps Edward should go too. I'll also see if I can dig up any information on Park Jun Pyo and Park Gulduk's backgrounds."
Selena nodded, a sense of determination and purpose settling over her. "Let's do this. Let's finally get to the bottom of what's been going on and take back control of our lives. I can't live like this anymore."
Eun Ho's expression turned cautious. "We need to be careful, though. We can't spook them. They can't know what's happening. We don't want to spook them and have them attack or leave."
Selena nodded in agreement. "You're right, Mom. We need to check everyone, but we need to do it quietly. We can't afford to tip them off."
Jonathan nodded, his eyes narrowing. "I'll make sure to keep a low profile. We'll work behind the scenes to gather information, and then we just…what do we do?" Jonathan looked at his wife with a complicated look.
Eun Ho's voice was laced with a mix of emotions - sadness, anger, and determination. "I was raised to believe that blood ties matter," she said, her eyes clouding over with memories of her childhood. "But I've come to realize that some ties are toxic, and they need to be cut."
She paused, her gaze locking onto Selena's. "I won't risk all of you in keeping them alive when we confirm everything. I'm certain my mother will feel the same."
Selena nodded in understanding, her expression somber. "I know, Mom. We'll do what needs to be done to protect our family. Cutting a tumor out is painful, but it makes the body healthier and prevents the spread of disease right?"
Eun Ho's jaw clenched, her resolve hardening. "We'll get to the bottom of this, and we'll take care of those who are trying to harm us. No matter who they are."
The room fell silent, the weight of Eun Ho's words hanging in the air. It was a stark reminder that, in the world of the Noe family, loyalty and blood ties were not always enough to guarantee safety or protection. Sometimes, the hardest decisions had to be made to ensure the survival of those you loved.