Chapter 21: The Inheritance.

*Present*

After Emilio finished explaining his side of the story, an awkward silence took over the atmosphere. No one was talking, no one was moving, but all three of them had the same thought, however.

- "There was the possibility that Anna, is Emilio's daughter!?" (CARLOS)

- "Why the hell am I thinking that she may actually be my daughter? It doesn't make sense." (EMILIO)

- " So, my mother was from the Dragon family, huh? Interesting!" (ANNA)

That would also be explained why she was educated so much about Greece and why her education was so different from the others. Kristy was also educated about Asia too.

It looks like, Ivan wanted them to know about their culture.

Anna was hoping for more answers after Ivan's death, but she ended up with more questions.

Something is still missing... something doesn't make sense for Anna. But what?

Was she overthinking? Maybe!

But her instinct was telling her that this answer was also important, for some reason.

Was it because she couldn't let it go?

The past is the past she was supposed to focus on the present... but...

Our past is also important in order to accept it, and move on and focus on the present. But if we don't know our past... how can we accept it? How can we move on?

Our past is the result of our present, but if we don't know our past we don't know ourselves at all.

Anna was expecting to be more upset about Emilio's story with her parents, but surprisingly she wasn't at all. It was like she was listening to the story of strangers or something, maybe because she wasn't remembering her family? Or maybe, she had never felt them as her family in the first place?

----

Minutes have passed and still, no one responded at all. Until a knock on the door interrupted them from their thoughts.

- Come in. (EMILIO)

The door opened and a beautiful and elegant woman came in.

The woman was around 1.71cm tall with beautiful tan skin and a good shape body. Her Brows were defined as natural, her hair was long straight black, and her eyes were almond black. Her face was oval, with a soft natural nose, and classic lips.

The moment Anna saw the woman, rage and hatred conquered her heart without knowing the reason. She was also surprised by her own feelings too but without a hint on her expression.

It was the first time in her life that Anna hated someone so much from the first sight that she wanted to torture her to death...

No! Worst!

She wanted a worst fate than death for this woman. But Why?

Why the hell does she hate a stranger? She doesn't even know the woman.

Her life was full of mysteries.

Anna loves mysteries, it was always her favorite category of books and movies, mysteries help you exercise your mind that's why Anna loves them so much. But she also likes a good story no matter the genre.

But when your life it's a whole mystery with no end, it's kinda frustrating. But that doesn't mean that Anna was going to give up, not until she solves those mysteries, which also it's her life too.

Soon after the woman entered she noticed Anna almost immediately. You could clearly see her being surprised, shocked, and even there was a little fear in her eyes.

- N-N-Nelly?

- "So whoever this person is, she knew her mother? Was she her friend?" (ANNA)

- Obviously, she is not! (EMILIO - SARCASTIC)

- O-OH... right!

- I'm her daughter! (ANNA)

- D-D-Daughter? Y-You are... Nelly's... daughter?

- "She doesn't look happy about it." (ANNA AND CARLOS)

- Tsk! Can't you see the resembling? Did you get blind? (EMILIO - IRRITATED)

- "Who is this woman? Fox doesn't look happy about her presence at all." (ANNA AND CARLOS)

The woman turned to look at Emilio and asked him anxiously.

- Is she... your daughter?

All three of them were stunned about how she actually managed to ask the question that all of them were wondering about too.

- "Who the hell is this woman who can casually talk to Fox?" (CARLOS)

- " Why the hell does she even care if I'm his daughter?" (ANNA)

Fox sighed in disappointment and turned to Anna and Carlos and responded to them.

- My apologies for my wife's rude behavior. She even forgot to introduce herself to our guests. (EMILIO)

- "Wife? She is Fox's wife?" (ANNA AND CARLOS)

- Uh... I'm really sorry for my rudeness. My name is Barbara Fox.

- "I have no idea that Mr. Fox was married." (CARLOS)

- Nice to meet you, ma'am. Carlos Santana. (CARLOS)

- Anna Wilson, nice to meet you Mrs. Fox. (ANNA - SMILE)

Anna turned to Emilio with a smirk.

- Congratulations on finding your... Rebound Mr. Fox. (ANNA - SMIRK)

Emilio wasn't happy about the word 'Rebound', and Barbara wasn't happy either but she didn't react at all, she just ended up looking at the floor in shame, and Carlos... didn't care at all.

----

*A Rebound relationship was defined by being in a relationship based on a reaction to a previous relationship, where one or both members were still contending with issues raised by the past breakup.*

-----

The room was in awkward silence once again until one of Fox's men came and informed him that a lawyer came to read Ivan's will.

Barbara went to sit next to her husband quietly while she was still looking at the floor, she looked like a timid rabbit among beasts who would eat her at any minute.

- "What's with the pitiful act like I've just killed your whole family? Tsk! Pathetic!" (ANNA)

- " Why did she look devastated by what Anna said? The attack was for Mr. Fox and not her, and by what she is doing now she just confirms Anna's words that are true. She fell for Anna's provocation and now she was trying to gain pity? From her husband? Why do you care about a stranger's opinion in the first place?" (CARLOS)

Emilio was also not happy with his wife's behavior and actions today. But there was not much he could do except to take the humiliation and ridicule.

- "Why the hell did she have to ask if she is my daughter right in front of her? Doesn't she know how to use her brain?" (EMILIO)

- "She is Nelly's daughter... she is actually Nelly's daughter... why do I feel so threatened by her? I just met her... but if she is Emil's daughter... doesn't that mean that..." (BARBARA)

Before she even had the chance to finish her own thoughts the lawyer was there and started talking to them about Ivan's will.

- Try not to talk or react at all, if this is even possible. (EMILIO - WHISPER)

- O-OK! (BARBARA - WHISPERED)

- "Why you are not telling me anything? I'm your wife for so many years. So why can't you share some of your burdens with me?" (BARBARA - SAD)

----

Deep down Barbara knew that Emilio wasn't telling her everything because of her own safety, but she was feeling even more distant from him because of this reason.

But even if she knew, what could she do?

She was a sheltered lady from a rich family who had never seen the ugly or cruel side of the world. But deep down she was wondering if the real reason she didn't know was really for safety or because Emilio wasn't trusting her?

If she was Nelly in her position would Emilio do the same thing? Did Nelly knew more than she would ever knew about her own husband?

Even after so many years of her death, Barbara was feeling that she was Nelly's shadow. Always behind her, always less good, no matter what she did.

Barbara was lost in her own thoughts that she ended up hearing nothing about what the lawyer said.

----

Apparently, Ivan had cancer for years and was trying to delay it as much as possible with medical treatment.

The properties he gained so far will be left to his brother Emilio Fox, along with the recommendation letters for his two positions as the military chief and his own agent's agency chief.

In simple words, Ivan made sure that Emilio would be more powerful in case Anna would decide to go after him. Ivan's recommendation and words were heavier than a contract and no one would doubt his words because of the power and influence he used to have, and he also made sure that Anna would never knew until this very moment.

No wonder Anna could never find any clues about him.

It looks like Ivan loved his little brother and cared about him a lot, this moment was also a proof of this. Otherwise, he wouldn't have worked so hard in order to leave him so much power to be protected, especially from the perfect killing machine that had created himself.

Everyone, except Barbara who wasn't paying attention, was stunned and shocked beyond words but without revealing any expression on their faces.

Apparently, today was the day for BIG revelations for everyone.

Ivan left Carlos some of Thor's hideout locations in the country when he first came and ended up forgotten after so many years and a letter for Carlos.

And finally, for Anna, all the properties and finances of the maternal grandmother and Dragon family belong to her including the law firm and the Navy Company since she is the last descendant.

And finally, a letter addressing to everyone present.

" Dear Brother, Anna, and Carlos.

Everything started when John Dragon's daughter left the country and he was devastated even though he had never expressed it. I could see it in his eyes that he really loved his children and wanted them to be happy, even if they were not with him.

That's why he let his daughter free in the hope to find her happiness far away from their curse. The only thing he could do was helping her from distance.

But unfortunately, the name Dragon would always make you have a target on your back, and that's exactly what happened with Tyron.

That's why he asked the help of Thor, his business partner who eventually became a close friend to him, Thor knew that I was the right person the moment he heard the name, Tyron Rex.

All three of us had people to keep safe from the same enemy, that's how we met and made this plan. Everything that happened so far was John's plan in case something happened to him, and it did. I've never found out what happened to him and his family or even his wife's family even today. But for some strange reason, it was like he knew it long before it even happened.

The plan was simple but complicated at the same time. We just wanted the people that we cared about the most to be safe and strong enough to defend themselves. But we needed time until our people were ready while we were dealing with the threats to eliminate them as much as possible.

We knew that it wasn't the right way, but at that time it was the only way. I'm sure that you must have more questions, especially Anna.

But don't forget, that some doors... should stay closed forever.

I hope one day you will be able to forgive us.

Sincerely Ivan Fox."