Chapter 603: The Royal Wells Family
"Cian, you've played half the afternoon. Now return to your studies," Oscar instructed. Cian, seemingly intimidated by Oscar, offered no resistance and left the room. Hannah watched him go, then turned to Oscar. "Don't you have dinner?" she asked.
"We just did," he replied.
"Where?" Hannah frowned.
"After fishing, we had a barbecue," Oscar explained. Hannah's mood soured; he hadn't invited her. Oscar smiled faintly, offering no further explanation. You'll know everything soon enough, he thought.
After dinner, Oscar took Hannah's hand and strolled through the manor gardens. She wondered about the island's ownership, and about Cian's wealth and profession. His name wasn't on Northfield's billionaire list, fueling her curiosity, though she held back her questions.
Oscar led her to a cozy tearoom. The fireplace’s warmth instantly filled the chilly space, creating an intimate atmosphere. As he brewed tea, Oscar revealed, "I'm not a blood relative of the Kensbury City Wells family; I'm their foster child."
Hannah's heart pounded. Nervousness washed over her as he continued, "My true identity is as a descendant of Northfield's royal Wells family. This family is unrelated to the Kensbury City branch. They ruled Northfield a century ago, but were betrayed and destroyed by Collins and Balderston." He spoke calmly, almost detachedly.
"My great-grandfather was the last chief. Our family, accustomed to a comfortable life, was weakened by Collins and Balderston's rebellion. They easily eliminated my great-grandfather, causing little public outcry. Our long history of irresponsibility bred indifference. Collins and Balderston swiftly outlawed our family and seized power."
Hannah watched him silently brew tea, the firelight illuminating his profile. She wondered at his apparent lack of emotion regarding his family's demise.
"The cycle of power is natural. Throughout history, rulers have been overthrown. After my great-grandfather's death, my grandfather planned to leave Northfield, effectively ending our family's claim. But Collins and Balderston ruthlessly exterminated our entire family, likely fearing they couldn't maintain control otherwise."
"However," Oscar continued, "the royal Wells family, despite its fall, still had loyalists. They established a secret organization, the Dark Guard—the same group Tan Laurier mentioned last night. The Dark Guard served only one master. After my great-grandfather's death, my grandfather, the new leader, escaped with their protection. The organization was severely depleted; only a few members survived. You know one of them."
He looked at Hannah.
Her heart quickened. "Theodore?" she asked.
Oscar chuckled. "Theodore's my age. He wasn't even conceived then."
Hannah was speechless, surprised by his humor in such a serious moment. She'd blurted out Theodore's name instinctively, thinking of his constant presence in Oscar's life. Manuel, she recalled, was his cousin.
"His father," Oscar stated simply, "Laird Wold."
Hannah's eyes widened. No wonder Laird has such influence; he’s connected to the royal Wells family, she mused.
"My grandfather, while in hiding, planned revenge. But it proved impossible. He failed and perished. Thankfully, he had a son and a daughter, ensuring our family's survival. My father and aunt, raised under the Dark Guard's protection, learned a crucial lesson during their pursuit."
"What's that?" Hannah inquired.
"That using weak power against a stronger enemy is suicidal. Revenge required rebuilding strength. So my father, my aunt, the Dark Guard, and loyalists scattered, secretly gathering power for a decisive counterattack."
Hannah nodded, agreeing with this strategy.
Oscar continued, "My father and aunt feigned their deaths, causing Collins and Balderston to cease their pursuit. They lived peacefully for twenty years. My brother and I were born; my brother became the heir. Our generation was meant to reclaim our family's power."
Hannah pressed her lips together. She finally understood his invincibility in her past life. She’d underestimated him, as had the entire nation.
"My brother and I, like my father and aunt before us, were raised for this confrontation. But in their time, the priority was deception—convincing everyone the royal family had no surviving heirs. Therefore, their training was less rigorous."