Both Angelina and Richard had been trained from a young age on how to handle sudden deaths. They were part of a gang, so they dealt with death almost every single day. But at that moment, neither of them could fully process the emotions running through them! They came back home hoping that they would be able to meet with their father and talk to him! Even though their father was responsible for sending them abroad for so long, they both knew that he loved them more than anything in the world and they were still happy to talk to him. So, hearing that he was dead so suddenly was heartbreaking!
Richard felt a strange feeling rise from his heart, and he let out a loud curse while turning to the side and walking away quickly. Angelina choked back a sob that threatened to escape her lips, and she struggled to control her emotions as Dante walked forward and wrapped her in a gentle hug. Dante held onto Angelina softly as her tears fell, and he slowly led her out of the airport so they could return to the mansion.
No one spoke a single word throughout the ride back to the mansion. Dante looked up from the front passenger seat to see what Richard and Angelina were doing through the rearview mirror. Richard had his hands folded as he stared at the car floor distantly, and Angelina was staring out from the window with sad eyes as she watched the scenes pass. Angelina's eyes were red from crying, and her makeup had been completely ruined, but she still looked as beautiful as a picture in that moment. Dante sent a message to Fredrick to tell him that they were on their way back and that he had already delivered the news to them. Fredrick thanked Dante for delivering the news, and Dante put his phone away while telling the driver to hurry up.
They reached the mansion an hour later, and Dante saw that the other members of the family were already standing outside and waiting for them. The Matron and Fredrick were standing in front of the entrance, and Risa was standing to one side while waiting for him to come out. Risa bowed when Angelina and Richard came down from the car, and Dante didn't miss the way Angelina frowned at Risa in pure hatred. Angelina ignored Risa's greeting completely, but Richard's eyes lingered on Risa for longer than normal as he sent a greeting back. The two siblings eventually began moving toward their mother, and the matron opened her hands with tears running down her face as she welcomed both of them home. Angelina finally broke down into heavy sobs once she was in her mother's arms, and Richard couldn't stop a few tears from escaping as well.
Dante was standing beside Risa, and he asked her if everything was ready for the reading of the will. Risa nodded and said that she oversaw all the maids herself. Risa was the most dedicated person Dante knew, so when she said she oversaw the maids while they worked, he knew that every fucking thing would be perfect today. Dante thanked her with a small nod before he turned to watch the family of four grieving over their loss.
After they were done with their greetings and the matron had calmed Angelina down so that she was no longer crying, the entire family finally headed inside the mansion to begin preparing for the reading of the will. Angelina and Richard were sent to their rooms so that they could freshen up, and Dante watched as the matron had a heated conversation with Fredrick. Both of them were very far away, and Dante could barely hear them, but it wasn't long before a new notification appeared in his system tab.
[Due to repeated action, the user has created a new general skill: [Espionage]]
[Espionage: This skill encompasses all stealth-based abilities and will grant the user the ability to move and lurk undetected through various terrains. Stealth is a necessary technique for anyone working in the underworld, and this skill will allow the user to become the best in utilizing it.]
[Due to a specific action, the user has created a new specific skill [Eavesdrop] under the general skill [Espionage]]
[Eavesdrop [D]: This specific skill grants the user enhanced hearing and allows him to hear better over longer distances.]
Dante immediately felt his hearing sharpen to a higher clarity as the conversation that had once been distant and muddy became sharp and audible! It was almost like they were talking right into Dante's ears! Dante didn't even really want to know what the two of them were talking about, but the skill was so good that he just couldn't help but hear the rest of their conversation.
"I don't want that boy in there with us!"
The matron seethed at Fredrick in annoyance, and Fredrick sighed tiredly as he tried to explain something to his mother.
"The lawyer said that Dante has to be there. That means Father also gave him something in the will. We can't go against it."
"And why not!? That boy is not a Lucas, so he does not deserve to be in the reading room with the rest of us!"
The matron was obviously not having any of it, and she turned to glare at Dante in annoyance before looking back at her son. Dante was surprised that they were talking about him. Dante already knew that the matron didn't like him, and he had intended to stay away from the reading room since there was no need to cause more drama, but if George had left something for him, then he wanted to know what it was. Dante had already lost the watch George gave him, so it would be nice to get something else to remember the man by.
Fredrick let out a silent curse before he spoke to his mother in a hard tone.
"I don't have the time or patience to argue with you right now, Mother! Father wanted Dante to be in there, and we are going to honor his will whether you like it or not! No, don't say anything! This conversation is over!"
Fredrick turned and walked away from his mother, and the matron called out to him in anger as she followed after him. Dante took in a silent breath before shaking his head and walking toward the window at the side. Dante was still curious about what George might have prepared for him, but Dante knew that he would appreciate anything the man gave him. George was a father to Dante when no one else wanted him, and for that alone, Dante would always think very highly of George.
Dante put his hand to his ear and spoke into the comms.
"Alpha One calling for Alpha Team check-in. Code name Indigo. Alpha Two, check in."
Dante's comms beeped before a voice came through.
[Alpha Two, code name Violet, all clear.]
"Alpha Three, check in."
[Alpha Three, code name Velvet, all clear.]
"Alpha Four, check in…"
Dante continued like this until he had checked in with all fifteen Alpha units surrounding the estate, and he nodded before telling them to get back to work.