Chapter 189: Trevor and Valentin

Chapter 189: Trevor and Valentin

Aviah's POV

I shook my head.

But a vague suspicion was forming in my mind.

It seemed Scott and the Allen family really did have some connection.

"Cooper and I are biological siblings," Juniper's voice was soft. "We were both born to Dad's second wife. And Scott is the child of Father's first wife."

I raised an eyebrow but said nothing, listening quietly.

Juniper slowly recounted the Allen family's past. "My father's first wife couldn't have children for years, so my father had an affair. After getting pregnant with Cooper, my mother was brought home. I don't know if it was because she was upset by my mother, but his first wife also gave birth to a boy the following year—that was Scott. But she died from hemorrhaging during a difficult delivery."

Juniper paused for a moment, took a sip of coffee, and continued, "My mother has a strong personality. Since we were young, she's been badmouthing Scott to Cooper and me, saying he's not really part of the Allen family, that he's an illegitimate child. She wouldn't let us play with him or be nice to him. She talked about it the most with Cooper."

"Maybe because of all that influence growing up, Cooper really dislikes Scott. After becoming an adult, he even kicked him out of the house and has been on guard against him ever since. I... I don't want things to be this way."

"Scott saved my life when I was little. He's a really good person. I think he deserves a chance. I can tell he doesn't want to fight Cooper for the family fortune. But my mother won't allow it." Juniper looked up, her eyes pleading. "That year I fell into the swimming pool, he was the one who jumped in and saved me. But Cooper is my real brother. I don't want to see them fight to the death."

I drank my coffee in silence. I hadn't expected the Allen family to have such a history, and I certainly hadn't expected Juniper to share these family secrets with me.

The fact that she nearly died in a swimming pool made me feel even more sympathetic toward her, because I had almost died the same way once.

Maybe this was what they call shared suffering.

"Cooper already knows you've been getting close to Scott," Juniper finally got to the point. "The reason he asked you here today was actually to have me ask about your attitude toward Scott. He doesn't want you helping Scott. After all, you're Griffin's woman, and he doesn't dare go after you directly, so he had me feel you out indirectly."

"Why are you telling me all this?" I looked directly into her eyes.

"Because I hope you can help ease the relationship between them." Juniper grabbed my hand. "I know this is a presumptuous request, but I really have no other choice. I can tell Cooper treats you differently. He never smiles at any woman except me. Maybe you can change his view of Scott. They're both important brothers to me."

I let out a soft sigh. I was all too familiar with the grudges and conflicts of wealthy families.

Even if I wanted to help, I wouldn't know where to start.

Besides, her mother would keep filling Cooper's ears with this stuff. No matter how persuasive I was, how could I possibly compete with his own mother?

"I don't have any good solutions either. The only thing that might work right now is to try to get your mother to stop saying these things to Cooper. But that would be pretty hard to pull off, right?" I spoke honestly. "But I'll remember your request. Scott is my friend, and the Allen family is our company's partner. Within my abilities, I'll do what I can to help."

"Of course, you can also go back and tell Cooper that I won't be in contact with Scott anymore. Though that's just to reassure him."

Juniper nodded gratefully, and we sat for a while longer before leaving.

On the drive back to the office, Juniper's words kept echoing in my mind.

The world of wealthy families really was just one mess after another.

At seven in the evening, Chloe and I sat in a corner of a restaurant in Mistvale District.

"Congratulations on your promotion." I raised my glass. "General manager of the new company—this is a great opportunity to show what you can do."

Chloe's lips curved in a perfectly measured smile. "Thank you."

We were chatting about tomorrow's handover when the restaurant's doorbell chimed crisply.

I instinctively looked up, and when I saw the two people walking in, my wine glass paused slightly in my hand.

Trevor.

I recognized him almost immediately.

The first time I went to the Fisher family, his sister Catherine had even given me a friendly warning, though I hadn't fully understood it at the time.

"What's wrong?" Chloe noticed my reaction.

Before I could answer, Trevor was already walking straight toward our table. He wore a casual suit and moved with an unhurried gait, as if he'd known all along he'd run into me here.

"Aviah, what a coincidence." Trevor pulled out a chair and sat down without invitation, and the man beside him quietly took a seat as well. "This is Valentin, Dwayne's brother."

Valentin nodded slightly, his voice somewhat weak. "Hello."

I didn't know how to react for a moment, and could only stare blankly as they occupied the two remaining empty seats at our table. Chloe quickly sensed something was off and immediately stood up. "I just remembered I have some documents to handle. I'll head back."

"I'll walk you out." I stood up too.

"No need, you guys talk." Chloe grabbed her bag and gave me a meaningful look. "See you at the office tomorrow."

I watched Chloe's retreating figure, and when I sat back down, I found that Trevor had already waved over a server and ordered several more dishes.

"The foie gras here is excellent." Trevor cut a piece of bread, his tone as relaxed as if chatting with an old friend. "I heard you're working at Skyline Group now?"

I nodded, watching them warily.

Valentin remained silent the whole time, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, making soft sounds.

After the newly ordered dishes arrived, Trevor put down his knife and fork and wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin.

His movements were elegant, but the words that came out of his mouth made my whole body go cold.

"Dwayne is dead."

I froze, my mind going blank for a moment.

Dwayne was dead?

If there was anyone in the Fisher family I had good feelings toward, it would definitely be Dwayne, and Catherine who had warned me.

Only those two.

"When did this happen?"

Trevor didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked straight into my eyes and slowly said something even more shocking: "Griffin killed him."

Those words hit me like a sledgehammer to the chest. I instinctively reached for my phone in my bag, wanting to call Griffin immediately and demand an explanation.

How had I never known any of this?

Trevor reached out and pressed down on my wrist. "Don't rush."

His fingers were ice cold, making me shiver involuntarily.

"We're just in Lakeview for tourism this time." Trevor released my hand, his tone returning to calm. "I heard Dwayne and Dennis were very close when he was alive, but we don't have his contact information. Could you help us get in touch?"

Valentin finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "I want to understand Dwayne's life. I'm alive because Dwayne died in my place. I need to meet the people who mattered most to him, for his sake."