Mr Manoban's Daring Wife 2 [Jenlisa]

Chapter 365 - Functioning Arm

"It seems you have already anticipated my arrival." Kwon Jae Wook said when he walked into the study room where the tea and pastries were already set out. Then he realized something highly entertaining.

The bitter oolong tea and unsweetened lotus seed cake were Lisa's favorite. Kwon Jae Wook only knew of this when he encountered the rascal when he was fifteen and accompanying Hojin Manoban in the study.

"Or perhaps you were waiting for your dear grandson..."—Who is currently after your head. Kwon Jae Wook wisely kept the last comment to himself. He was not going to reveal and snitch on Lisa, though he was sure Hojin Manoban would've known by now. Lisa was making his rounds throughout the city and everywhere his eyes settled on, would surely become his.

"I expected both of you would arrive." Hojin Manoban shifted his head away from the window but kept his body facing the garden. It was the least dazzling one he owned and smaller than the rest, but it was his favorite because this was the spot Lisa used to frequent when he visited.

"You should've known by now. I don't tread lightly on those who have harmed my granddaughter." Kwon Jae Wook had brought his men today and kept them outside with Li Xuan. He didn't need outsiders to know of their conversation.

"Then how did you punish yourself when you harmed her first?" Hojin Manoban figured there was no need for friendly chatter anymore. He could sense the people outside, even so, he didn't seem to care. His life's mission was fulfilled tonight. Finally, his grandson had unleashed the beast that is chained within him. The only problem was, Hojin Manoban didn't know Lisa was a lot worse when Jennie wasn't present.

Lisa was so worried for her safety; he was willing to privately cut down anyone in her way. Hojin Manoban didn't know the increase in skeletons after Jennie, he didn't know nor care that Manoban Enterprise was brought to an even greater level after the investment with RJ. So many things that this old man didn't know...So why was he still worried about power?

Hojin Manoban could've lived his last few years in bliss and surrounded by the love of his grandchildren or even great-grandchildren; however, he chose to go down the worst path possible. Targeting the first granddaughter-in-law who would provide him with great-grandchildren was the stupidest thing to do, especially when there was a dragon hovering over her like a mother hen.

Kwon Jae Wook's face was twisted in a wicked and crafty smile to mask the pain in his eyes. The prick on his heart reminded him that even to this day, he had not healed from the mistakes in the past. That even to this day, he still cursed himself for indirectly bringing his granddaughter to ruins.

"You took her back there. To a place I swore I would never bring her to ever again." It was time to acknowledge the past and every atrocious sin he had ever committed, and the majority of it was rooted around Jennie. His eyes flashed. He remembered her distant expression when the memories of Lisa were completely wiped from her head. Then, she had to go back there to get her memories altered to be Kai rather than Lisa.

"Didn't you hear yourself? You swore to not do so, I never swore on anything." A droplet of water landed on a leaf and soon, the rain started to pour down. Lightning loomed in the distance, flashing, but silent, reminding him of Lisa.

The wind howled like a wolf during a full moon. Grey clouds rolled across the sky in no particular pattern. He didn't know crows existed around his manor until he saw a murder of them ominously circling in the sky.

Finally, Hojin Manoban decided to sit down, gesturing for Kwon Jae Wook to do the same. For old times' sake, Kwon Jae Wook sat down with his cane still in hand. Because they had been close friends for so long, Hojin Manoban would never go for a low-blow that targeted the Kwon Patriarch's aging body, for he too, was slowly deteriorating.

"You can't place the full blame on me when you were the one who introduced me to the institution." Hojin Manoban mused, pouring Kwon Jae Wook a cup of tea before pouring himself one as well.

Kwon Jae Wook stared at the lone petal that had slipped out of the teapot. "The first time, I did it for her sake and protection. This time, you did it for your selfish gains." He grunted, leaving the teacup on the table.

"Regardless of the reason, you still did it to her." Hojin Manoban deeply chuckled, taking a sip of his tea and wrinkling his nose. The tea had gone cold.

Kwon Jae Wook knew he would be forced to come into terms of what he had done in the past. It was going to bite him one day and it was finally today. If there was one thing he had ever regretted in his lifetime, it was not letting his wife go, it was destroying Jennie's adulthood and future before anyone else ever could.

- - - - -

Eighteen years ago.

Hojin Manoban had never intentionally wanted to harm the innocent little girl distracting his grandson's duties. He figured the abrupt separation between the two of them was enough, for she was just a child and didn't seem to pose any deliberate threat. Also, because she was the first-ever granddaughter that was fully acknowledged by Kwon Jae Wook. Cherished by the Hua's and Kwon's, should any harm come her way, everything would go haywire.

Jing Caoxiao knocked on the door and was greeted with a normal, "Come in." He opened the door, stepped into his Boss' private studies, and then bowed his head.

"How are his studies doing so far?"

Jing Caoxiao already knew who the Patriarch was referring to. "Young Master Lisa's grades are still stellar, however, it will be affected soon. On the most recent ethnic test, he scored 99/100 and for his Philosophy paper, he received a 98/100."

Hojin Manoban's face became stormy. It was the first time since that child was born to not have a perfect score. What happened?! The institution overseas was supposed to help him, not ruin him! "Prepare the jet."

"Yes, Master."

Half an hour later, Hojin Manoban boarded the aircraft and traveled to the nearby country where he had sent Lisa. The Headmaster came out to greet Hojin Manoban but he was blocked off by the forces and men of the Manoban Clan.

Jing Caoxiao silently accompanied his Master up a flight of suspending staircases leading to the dormitory. Since this was an all-boys school, there was no need to worry about any other distraction the Young Master might get. So, how was it that his grades were slipping?

No one had anticipated the abrupt arrival of Hojin Manoban, thus, no one prepared to greet him. At this moment, none of this incompetence mattered. There were a few boys in the hallway who scrambled to the walls, standing up as straight as their postures would allow them. A few didn't know who he was, but those who paid attention to their parents' lessons and advice were familiar with the likes of Hojin Manoban and the Manoban clan, who ruled over more than half of the country besides this one.

Being the first Young Master of the Manobans, Lisa had his own room. This was a private institution swarming with elite and overly wealthy sons. Even so, everyone had to share a room, all except Lisa.

The door to his dorm was busted open without warning. Lisa didn't flinch or jump, but he did show a flicker of emotion and Hojin Manoban viewed it as the first sign of weakness. "What is the meaning of your imperfect score?" No greetings, no pleasantries, this was the treatment that Lisa was used to. Sure, the servants greeted him and treated him well, but he needed more than that. And Nini did exactly that. The little bundle of cherished innocence and naivety was all he needed to keep him afloat and sane.

"I am studying." Lisa monotonically replied, standing up with his hands behind him. He put up a front that he was not panicking, but deep down he was a bit. His hands worked quickly to hide the white envelope lined with blue and red.

"Really now?" Hojin Manoban was quick to sense that something was off. The room was neatly organized and not a single thing was out of place except for Lisa's desk. There was a stack of books on top of it, but that was not the suspicious part of it all.

Hojin Manoban tilted his head towards Lisa, and Jing Caoxiao stepped forward to examine the desk.

"Touch my belongings and you won't have a functioning arm." Lisa's voice was cold and hard with an edge to it, his eyes flaring and glaring daggers at the assistant that seemed like a lap dog to him.