Chapter 102: I Saved Laura
Laura was somewhat shaken.
Elijah was Harold's only son, and with Harold's age, it was nearly impossible for him to have a second child.
"This must be a great shock for Harold."
However, Laura was deeply puzzled about one thing: how could Harold bear to kill Elijah? Was it really for her?
"Henry, is Harold still outside the cave?" she asked hesitantly, debating whether or not to go out and thank him.
She was certain that Harold must be immersed in his grief over the loss of his son and that, upon seeing her - a person who is closely related to the incident - he might become overwhelmed with emotion.
As this was one of the armies of Freton City... Not even the Costa family would dare to offend them.
Seeing the fear in Laura's eyes, Henry tried to reassure her, "Laura, you won't have to face something like this again. I'll assign someone to secretly protect you."
Laura nodded lightly as she nestled closer to Henry's chest.
Internally, she sighed softly. What good would Henry's men do if similar dangers arose in the future?
They were lucky this time; only because Harold had personally executed the murderer.
But not everyone was like Harold.
Laura had been terrified earlier on; when saw Henry somehow break in, she was ready to die alongside him.
Thankfully it didn't come to that though.
Well, it's the thought that counts, no need to refuse his offer, she thought.
As the members of the Tiger Gang began returning to their stations, they began to get the general picture of what had happened.
Miss Costa had been captured by Elijah, whose intention was to violate her until Harold, who was in a fit of rage, led troops to her rescue upon learning of the incident. Leading to him killing his own son.
They also heard that all the soldiers involved in this matter, regardless of their merits or years of service, were expelled from the army of Freton City and stripped of all honors.
The mid-to-high ranking majors who knew the truth, without any exceptions, were executed by firing squad, their bodies still hanging at the military's station.
"People always knew Harold was old-school and traditional, but today's incident has made it all the more apparent. He killed his own son with a single shot. Such an old-fashioned man is truly frightening."
"Why was the Tiger Gang involved with this? Were they the real reason behind Elijah's death? Forcing Harold to kill his own son?"
"Beckett wouldn't dare, that's Harold we're talking about. I reckon, this move was purely self-preservation on Tiger Gang's part."
"I've heard that the four major families are targeting Beckett. If he ends up saving the Costa family's daughter, it could certainly win them over to his side."
With Harold's ruthlessness in killing his own son over the kidnap of Miss Costa... Giulio is certainly arrogant.
Overnight, Freton City's high society was abuzz, consequently resulting in the Costa family's status now being on par with the original top family, the Harris family.
Even Giulio was caught in a whirl of doubt, actually believing that Beckett, and even Harold, one wanted to woo him, the other not daring to offend him, leading to the previous chain of events.
Tens of thousands of troops were mobilized, almost putting half of Freton City on lockdown.
Tanks and planes made their appearance.
All this, just to save his own daughter.
Giulio thought of these things, his face flushed with pride, feeling this proved that he was indeed the number one figure in Freton City.
However, some things still puzzled him.
"Both Harold and Beckett saved my daughter, and yet neither one of them have they not come to claim their credit? I've even prepared a thank-you banquet, yet there's been no movement. And where has that daughter of mine gone?"
Even though he knows she's been rescued; he wants to know what the situation is now. To ensure her safety.
He was filled with remorse and guilt towards his daughter now, after learning that the fake kidnap he'd plotted with Elijah was intended to be made real by Elijah.
He pondered momentarily before deciding to call the two Generals involved in Laura's rescue, hoping to learn her whereabouts and at the very least offer his thanks; even if it is telephonically.
Upon receiving the call and hearing it was Giulio, Beckett hung up immediately, having no desire to deal with any Costa family members other than Laura, seeing them as nothing but backstabbers intent on harming him.
Giulio pondered for a moment. Beckett's courting yet avoidance was a clear hint - he need not say more. When the four families were united against him, the Costa family should just hold back a little.
"Nothing but a brute after all. What does saving my daughter amount to? On one side there's his isolated Tiger Gang, and on the other, the three main families. Even a fool would choose the latter," Giulio sneered and then, adjusting his mood, proceeded to call Harold.
The call went unanswered as well; when it connected to the deputy general in Freton City, the tone was icy cold towards Giulio. The words were curt: "The General is not in good condition, he doesn't wish to speak to anyone," and then the line went dead.
"Bastard, even your superior wouldn't dare to cross me, preferring to beat his own son to death - and you still have the nerve to act so arrogantly?!" Giulio cursed furiously for a while before he calmed down. It was only then that he considered that his daughter might be with Sophia's family.
But upon contacting them, Sophia's family was also clueless; they hadn't seen Laura.
Giulio really became anxious now. Laura's social circle was very small; she didn't really go anywhere. If she wasn't with Sophia's family, where could she be?
In his distress, he couldn't think clearly and went to find Anna. Together, they came up with the only possibility.
It was highly likely that Laura was with Henry!
"So, Henry indeed holds a high position at Nicholas's side. The Costa family hasn't learned about Laura's rescue, and he's already taken her away? Hmph, such a conspirator. He knows Laura is vulnerable right now and wants to make her dependent on him?!"