"Who told you about that?

" Javier asked with an evident curve over his forehead.

"I know. I have my contacts who are willing to tell me about these things.

" Shawn stressed over to convey he was still keeping a track of the outgoing despite not being in the position to do so.

Charles and Javier remained silent when Shawn continued,

"Anyways, I heard.. Lucas contacted you first.

" Shawn answered with a calm tone while taking a sip of his tea.

Staring at his youngest son, he could already conclude that Javier was hiding something, and his body language spoke more than those hidden expressions.

"He contacted me via email.

"

"But you never told us.

" Shawn's wordings got a nod from Javier as well.

"I wanted to. Probably I missed telling any of you about this.

"

"Miss?

" A chuck left Shawn's lips when he can't help but get amused over his nonsense reply.

"Do people miss the important tasks which are handled by them? I don't think this ever happens.

"

Javier lifted his eyes to glance at his father's shining eyes to sense that the man was mocking him. 'Such sly man… he knew I'm hiding yet he never asked me straightforwardly…'

He had no idea why The elder Master of Johnsons kept this to himself to bring this topic today, out of the blue, asking them to return at home as early as possible.

At home, this surprise was presented to them about Lucas. The surprise and the fact which he was trying hard to hide and didn't let this out at any cost.

"Now that you know, why don't you come to the main topic instead of beating around the bush at this point,

" Javier told him.

There was no denying that both father-son duos were engaged in the war of words yet, the possibility of things not in their way was high.

On the other hand, Charles remained quiet throughout the conversation when he switched his gaze between his father and brother. Since they were heading this mission, he was simply the lead to provide and arrange security.

However, he does have a detailed plan about what his brother was trying to do.

"Lucas contacted me for an exchange… that is unimaginable to me..

"

"Me too.

" Elder Johnson answered with his hands already around his cup of tea with a sly glint that already surfaced inside the pigment of his eyes.

Shawn kept his hand over the study desk to join his fingers together without tearing his eyes from his sons,

"Lucas won't go that easy to actually go ahead and give us ruby.

"

"But at the same time, we don't have any other option to explore. We have wasted plenty of time already in the convincing or negotiations. Yet, there is no success..

"

"You are wrong…

" Javier interrupted in the middle to look at his father with his straight back to revert back immediately to clear the doubt,

"We did get success earlier as well. We got uncle back into our state. He has given us the land which we demanded. You can't just say that we have nothing in our hand..

"

Shawn looks at his son to find that he was damn serious in his talks. Those eyes were looking similar to that of a stone, where Javier's aura dropped immensely with the present time.

There was no denying that Javier will be a thorn in his way to the doings with the Lucas, which he sensed already.

"Even if I count that in, that doesn't change the fact that our main aim was to get the ruby. Wasn't it?

"

Hearing this, both the brothers smiled. A faint flicker over a smile that covered other faces showcase that this was nothing but a total lie that came in front of their eyes.

"Our aim?! Mr. Johnson, you are actually forgetting that it was only my aim together with ruby. Initially, you were the one who was only hoping for your brother..not for your dear ruby….

"

Shawn's lips were sealed and pursed into a straight line. The truth that Javier was bombarded with, was a blow to Elder Johnson's self-esteem.

"You are misjudging the entire situation …

"

"We surely aren't father.

" Charles interrupted when he stood on his toes to walk and sit on the nearby couch to stare at his father. Keeping his legs over the other, he shifted his hand near his face a bit,

"It was our mother's possession which we will ultimately have.

"

"If those smiths think that they can keep the stolen things and we all sit quietly then they will have to rethink their theory about us…

" Charles was stagnant, expressing his thoughts more vibrantly no matter what.

But Shawn was no less in changing the topic early on,

"THis is not the concern. We have to give Ms. Taylor back to Lucas to get the ruby. She was here for that, and if we are getting the ruby, return her.

"

"No!

" came a sharp and instant reply from Javier who made it seem much vibrant.

While Shawn tried hard to stop his mood from turning sour, he asked,

"Why not? You kidnapped her for this.

"

"I did that but things have changed. We can't give her back to that monster anymore. Think about my other condition in this way..

" Javier's words were disturbing to both of them when Charles remained still and observed his brother with his dimmed eyes.

While Shawn was already counting the time to make Javier understand,

"She is nothing but a mere hostage. Probably you took some liking towards her but that's enough. You have Emily to manage, she is your finance.

"

Shawn took a pause to take a breathe to sip his tea back without tearing his gaze away from the determined face Javier,

"She is nothing but a mere hostage for us…

"

"Not anymore! She is not a mere hostage for any of us…

"

...

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