The Traps of Black Swan

Alex notified Aarvi in her earpiece, "Miss. Evans, a man is nearing."

Aarvi quickly instructed Elder Harmon in a polite manner respecting his age and how he was treating her. "Elder Harmon, a guard is coming this way. Please continue your actions." She looked at their hands indicating to him what she was trying to tell. 

Then she pulled her hand away. She didn't want bloodshed there but a few minutes to have a conversation with Elder Harmon. She quickly hid behind a green bush that was planted between tombstones.

Elder Harmon understood her intention and continued to pat his hand that appeared like he was clapping as he pretended to be speaking with his wife. "Don't worry, Honey. I am fit and fine. What will happen to me… Why are you crying even after seeing me? If you cry…"

The guard was shocked. He looked around but didn't get a glimpse of anyone. So he hesitatingly disturbed the old man, "Elder master, whose hand were you holding?" He had seen fair and slender fingers.

Elder Harmon was obviously angered as it was his alone time with his wife where he wouldn't like disturbance, Aarvi was an exception. So he didn't need to act, "You rascal, can't you see me talking with my wife? Why did you scare her?" He lied as he pretended to be patting his wife's hand. "Don't worry, Honey, I will send him away."

'This old man is senile.' The guard thought and left quickly when the old man grunted, "Go away."

Aarvi returned back to the place when Alex signaled her, [Clear]

"I should thank your Wife for saving me." She had a grateful smile at the old man

Elder Harmon wished he was this sly ten years ago. He could have probably saved his family from a monster. Elder Harmon who assessed the past few seconds had seen her eyes shift sharply before she hid away.  Yet he didn't see any panic or fear in Aarvi but extreme calmness. 

"You- Are you avenging?" He tried to make a guess. There was also a hint of worry in his eyes thinking what if she loses her life standing against Leon.

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'Revenge?' Aarvi wasn't really sure. If she just wanted revenge, she would have kidnapped Leon and beaten him to death. She didn't want Leon's torture to be so simple.

"I peeled his mask off. Next, I will throw him down the throne." She revealed her motive.

Elder Harmon watched her petite face for a few seconds as he recalled Leon's behavior from the past few days. He let out a hearty chuckle. He got the Inland Taipan who will make Leon's life a living hell. One who will torture Leon yet keep him alive.

He understood she was there to know about Leon. And he would be glad to be of any help. "What would you like to know, child?"

Aarvi had a few major questions and the response to them would help her plan better. However, she didn't ask him right away. She couldn't be sure if the old man was trusting her so, "Elder, Harmon, anything you'd like to share that could be helpful to me."

Elder Harmon was surprised. He understood she meant it when she said it was a date with him but not collecting information. He nodded at her as he started briefing everything that he felt important about Leon.

It was like the storytelling of how a young shy boy slowly became a greedy lustful monster. The lust for power, wealth, and control. And to acquire them, he could go to any length.

The questions Aarvi had for him were also answered in the story. 

She didn't know how many times she held her breath, got an intense urge to kill Leon and her hands ached to hug the old man for living through it as Elder Harmon disclosed everything about the Harmon family.

She was shocked when Elder Harmon told her to kill him, "You should kill me. That will be half success against Leon." So that Leon could lose his power to threaten him and fall from his high position in the business.

However, Aarvi shook her head decisively, "I won't." His death might be his salvation but she didn't have any right to take away his life.

Elder Harmon saw a frown settle on her face hearing him. A self-mocking chuckle made its way out as he admitted, "My punishment for raising a monster is to live. I have accepted it."

Aarvi bit her lips. She wasn't an emotionless being. The different emotions for the Harmon family were stopping her from speaking. She wouldn't let her emotions take control of her.

Elder Harmon continued, "Then promise me that you won't stop if he holds me as a hostage against you."

Aarvi: "..."

Leon could do that but why will he use Elder Harmon to stop her?

Elder Harmon chuckled in resignation, looking at her become silent for it, "You will definitely step back if Leon does that."

Aarvi looked at the old man. He was indeed serious about what he said. He was ready to take death from anyone, he was a man who would smile when taking his last breath. He had no desires other than hoping for Aeon to be safe and Sean don't follow Leon's path.

After having the long conversation with him, Aarvi too doubted if she could just stand and see him die. "I might take a step back." She wasn't Leon to see people dying. "But that will be my stepping stone from a long jump."

Elder Harmon smiled nodding his head. The thing he liked in her was her calmness and will. Looking at her contemplate about a matter, he probed her, "Don't worry, my heart is still strong."

Aarvi nodded, "I think Dylan Harmon is with Leon to find out the truth behind his parents and sister's death." 

That's the conclusion she could come by after hearing Elder Harmon. But she wasn't sure if Dylan was in need of power or not. She has some work to take care of before meeting Dylan.

Elder Harmon's back stiffened before he started to think. He shook his head after a few seconds, "I am not sure. Does he need to think when he knows Leon is a monster?"

Aarvi didn't know if she was right, it was her analysis. She half shrugged her shoulders, "I agree. But when Dylan was left all alone, Leon took care of him, very closely even if it's for his advantage."  Dylan was weak, young, and alone. Leon might have easily manipulated him. And Dylan might feel like he owes Leon until he started to doubt Leon.

Elder Harmon sighed without certainty about Dylan. If Dylan wasn't like Leon, then he would be happy for him.

All these were something he was never was able to speak with anybody. He felt lighter after sharing with Aarvi. "Don't you want to know who has my will and testament?" He hadn't told her because he didn't want to risk it in case the lady was from Leon's side. He had expected her to ask about the will for a long time but she didn't seem interested. So he asked out in curiosity.

Aarvi promptly shook her head accurately knowing what was going on in his mind. "Surprisingly, you aren't interested to know about me either."

The old man chuckled, hearing her. He could say it was her innocent appearance and her flawless beauty that caused Leon to reach her. His head hung down at the thought of Leon barbarously defiling her and she had the courage to stand back. 

He was about to apologize for whatever she had been through, Aarvi cut in, "Don't be apologetic, Elder Harmon." Those apologies were of no use to her. It wasn't a mistake that deserves forgiveness.

Seeing him blaming himself, Aarvi sighed, "Leon couldn't have his way with me. So he wanted to kill me."

Elder Harmon was overwhelmed at her words. He didn't know if it was a shock or surprise. He sternly instructed her, shaking the forefinger of his right hand, "Then you should protect yourself well."