78. Let The Games Begin

The next oncoming days turned out to be a nightmare for everyone. Yeon was brought to light over what had happened to his parents and despite their efforts to keep him out of it, Mijin was the one that brought the situation to his attention.

The demise of Mora's brother yet again brought the media's attention and created quite a rukus in the hospital that they had to take a restraining order against anyone who overstepped beyond what was stipulated by the law, which only heightened the situation and made more people interested in the story.

Many people afterwards came out speaking of the injustices caused by Mora's family that no one cared any longer about Yeon and Stan's story anymore. It was all about the SC drug and it's side effects, especially it's abusers and Mora's family being a big investor of many pharmaceutical companies only damaged their image further. Most of those that came out to speak against them being former household staff that had endured silent suffering or abused by their employers however, with every new secret unearthed, they were each silenced and after a few weeks there had been no news, neither a search history of them on the internet or a broadcast from mediahouses.

It was just as Mora had predicted and this made Mijin apprehensive of them all. Things looked calm but it's often calm before a storm...and a storm indeed was on it's way and a big one at that, Mijin thought to herself many times that she could almost feel it.

Mora's brother was never apprehended despite being the cause of the fire. His lawyer claimed he was mentally unstable and there had been no evidence provided showing he caused the fire. However, he was kept under house arrest. Despite committing multiple crimes, his case involving Stan was further delayed based on his mental state and the fact that the drug was also found in his system when he'd been caught.

Inspite of Stan's statement, everything was overlooked since in all his crimes, he had had the drug in his system and after a while, Elric's mother advised to change the angle of the case, pointing Mora's brother not as a culprit anymore but a victim of his family's crimes.

"This way, we get more evidence against the root cause of everything. My suspicions are he may not be aware what he is doing most of the time. However, we need to find out why his angle is always focused on Stannie's fated."

"Are you sure you do not know him Yeon? It is strange indeed that a stranger would hate you this much." His dad had asked.

"I've never met him in my life before..."

"What about the sister? She is a close friend to Mijin. Perhaps you met him without knowing." When Yeon shook his head, Elric's mother continued. "I fear we are missing something crucial. Where there is smoke, there is fire. Mora's brother can not be acting all by himself. If we are to make him a victim, we need to give him a trigger. Perhaps someone or something that makes him be violent."

"The drug on it's own is a trigger..." Yeon's father said but then stopped. They too had heard of the drug but it had had a different name. In their time, it was illegal to be used however was legalized after a few years only for use by those seeking to confirm their pairing without being fated. A lot of people spoke against it however not everyone had been lucky to meet their fated mate and wanted to pair up. For the sake of being fair, it was to be administered medically in small doses, a privilege that could only afforded to those that could pay a huge sum for it. "Isn't he supposed to see the person he cares for?"

"He is but if he took the corrupted version and just a bit above the prescribed dose, it would explain his actions. This is the reason why I chose to make him a victim. If we take this path, our culprit no longer becomes him but someone else."

"He still has to pay for all he did."

"He will. But, this case has been dragged far too long and a lot of people who need to pay attention to it are beginning to loose interest. Since I am affiliated with you because of my son and the investment he'd proposed of your business, I'm afraid I will have to step back. However, my son and I will act as legal advisors behind the scenes to this case. I do not wish for it to be taken to court for it will definitely become ugly and that will further damage if not traumatize those involved. I'm sure the opposing party will come to a settlement. All that we have to do is to find a way to get in touch with Mora's brother when he is off that drug...but how to do it, I'm not sure."

"Mijin, he is your friend. I'm sure you can pull a strings or two..." Yeon asked, maintaining eye contact with his sister. His statement sent everyone in the room looking at her to confirm her familiarity with the culprit.

"We...used to be friends. We...we aren't anymore..." Mijin Stattered nervously.

"What about Mora? You mentored her so I'm sure you can find her weakness and slowly coax her to be on our team." Elric asked, his usual smile playing across his face.

Mijin glanced at everyone in the room, from her parents to Yeon, Elric's mother then Elric and kept mum.

"What? Cat got your tongue? Or perhaps you're not in good terms with her too.." Elric further teased, but loved the provocation it gave Mijin.

"Son, this is not a good time to be throwing jockes around. This is a serious matter." Elric's mother had warned then loocked back at Mijin and pleaded. "If there is any way you can speak to her, it would be of great help. We might not even need evidence from the brother if we can get it from his sister."

Mijin had vehemently denied any residual familiarity with Mora and her family and as she sat alone in the living room, her mother showed up and asked why she had been keeping to herself recently.

"This is unlike you. You no longer cry for attention nor throw tantrums. I commend your improved character but I'm not blind. You are keeping something from us. You were nervous the entire time Elric's mother updated us on the way foreword..."

"What happens to the gym now. You and dad are at home a lot these days." Mijin changed the subject. She'd gone almost a day without thinking of Mora that she didn't want to think of them again, especially now that she felt safe at home. Elric's mother had placed a constant watch on her parents home that it was unlikely anyone would try and follow up on her every move here.

Sighing, her mother replied. "It does affect our livelihood but not to worry. Even while training, we always practice safety first and at the moment, our safety is paramount above anyone else's. I especially dislike the constant watch from the media and the fact that it has kept your father away from me. I'm glad he left with Yeon to Stan's parents house. If he were here, he'd have lost his mind and snapped at a reporter or two, blabbering away our next move."

"They are not safe there either mom. You don't know Mora's family as well as I do..." Mijin spoke out her thoughts aloud then stopped.

"So you were hiding something after all. For you to blabber like your father when nervous, that means you are indeed keeping something from us and if it involves this case, or promises any form of improvement then I suggest you blabber some more, or I might be persuaded to get the information out of you with any means necessary."

"Mom, please...the less you know the better..."

"Speak." He mother said simply yet Mijin knew she had no time for her excuses anymore. "Are you going to use your scent on me...?"

"If I have to. It won't be the first time nor the last. You are my most stubborn and notorious child and for you to think I'm a fool was a big mistake on you part my dear daughter. Do you really think we can not defend you? I am your mother Mijin. I can see right through you. Your father may be oblivious since he is distracted with Yeon's situation at the moment but I have been watching you for the longest time and I have a rough idea of what is going on."

"You know nothing Mom..."

"I know you've almost met your fated mate." Seeing the surprised look in Mijin's eyes, she added. "You know how we can sense the presence of our fated, some pay attention to it others mostly don't. Your eyes changed colours briefly a few years back to dark grey. It was a clear indication you crossed paths with your fated but afterwards, it went back to normal."

"How did you know?" Mijin looked shocked.

"I have good observational skills my dear daughter. That's why I could tell your relationship with Niel wasn't going to last either. You act as if you do not care for others but you do. I've been trying to give you time to confide in me but you prefer throwing tantrums instead. What happened to you my dear daughter? This is not how you used to be or how we raised you."

"I made a lot of mistakes..."

"Don't we all?"

"...But I'm going to fix it. I'll fix everything so just give me time."

"You're truly your brothers sister, trying to take care of everything by yourself. Speaking of which, I've noticed to have grown apart with your brother too. Did you two fight?"

"No mom. Just some petty argument but we'll get over it."

"It does seem serious to me but I'll choose to trust you. Anyway, I'm quite hungry so I'll make us something to eat. What are you in the mood for?"

"Something spicy...like beef stew will do."

"Then I'll have to purchase more beef. I hope you don't mind if I run off to the butcher for a while.."

"No mom. It's fine. I'll use the time to apply for my leave of absence. I need to speed time with my family and besides, I've missed you guys a lot."

"So have we." Standing up, she went to her room and took her wallet then walked past a lost in thought Mijin and called out but she didn't respond.

Once outside, her mother reached for her phone and called her husband.

"What is it sweetheart? Did she give in?"

"No. However, I'm convinced that she is definitely hiding something big from us."

"So does Yeon."