The Three Successors
The Three Successors
While the antidote they have given helped her wounds to heal, the only issue that they weren't sure at the moment was her mental condition. The impact of the collision might have affected her mind and memories.
Ririna was a sickly child when she was younger; hence, her mother had to work hard for her treatments. Yuna had seen her stay and spend most of her earliest years in a hospital room. A child with some kind of blood disease that refused any kind of medicine given to her body. It was only after Yelan had accidentally given Ririna a concoction with a drop of a venomous agent that her body started to improve.
"We could only hope that after she wakes up, her mental condition is stable. Her recent brain activity is returning to normal. If she keeps up with this pace, I'm sure she will wake up one of these days," Yuna explained to her son.
Eli didn't respond to his mother and continued typing profusely on his laptop. Skyler was already asleep again beside Ririna, and this gave him enough time to finish some unfinished work for their company. It was a good thing that his father and Evan had taken some of his business meetings and trips so he could focus on Ririna and Skyler while working at home.
Yuna looked at her son. She could see how the previous days had been affecting him. When was the last time she saw him like this? Overworked and tired as if he will fall from exhaustion anytime soon. Five years ago, she guessed. It was the time when this woman left him with their unborn child.
When she found out three days ago that Eli had added Skyler on his family registry as his son, she was ecstatic. She never thought that her cold and distant son could have a son with his subordinate and lover. While she didn't expect that love would blossom between the two, she was happy that, finally, someone could look after her friend's daughter. If only Yelan was alive right now and could see that their little jokes when their kids were younger came true.
Funny. She never thought that she and Yelan could be in-laws because of their children. With that eleven-year age difference between their children, Yuna wasn't expecting that her son would take a look and pay attention to the young woman. Her future daughter-in-law resembled her deceased friend a lot, and this made her heart ache when she looked at Ririna. For years, she felt remorse and guilt for failing to protect her best friend from Hattori's plans.
Yuna then realized that truly a man had led Yelan to her own death. She wondered by then if Ririna would suffer the same end because of Eli and the other successors of Hattori.
"I assume you know something about why Ririna was targeted by Hattori." Eli pulled his mother from her deep thoughts, without taking his eyes from his laptop.
Yuna crossed her legs, her silky dress sliding up and following the curves of her body. She hummed to herself before turning her gaze outside the window.
"We can assume that the current Hattori is fond of Yelan's daughter. Not surprising really, he fell in love with Yelan; but she rejected him. Right now, her daughter's face might have piqued his interest. Yelan and Ririna surely had a knack of making the famous personalities within the Underworld go crazy over them."
Eli's eyes looked up to his mother.
"She became his lover?" he asked.
Yuna shook her head. If Yelan did, she was sure her friend would have told her about it.
"No. I don't think so. Yelan never did accept his proposals no matter how many times he tried to court her, and she was already set in a marriage arranged by her father. Her father's wishes are so important to her that she even sacrificed her own chance to find true love. If I am right, Hattori was also the one who kidnapped Ririna after Yelan died."
"What about the man who left Ririna at the orphanage?" At this moment, they still couldn't track the man and find out his identity.
"I have no idea. I'm not even sure how Yelan was able to get the attention of that Hattori guy. By the way—once Ririna recovers fully, you must marry her as soon as possible."
"Why?" Eli asked. What made his mother think about his marriage so suddenly?
"Little birds informed me that the other two successors now fancy your woman. You wouldn't like someone to stake a claim on her, do you?" Yuna grinned at her son. As if she would allow anyone to take Ririna and Skyler away from them.
Eli looked down as if he's in deep thoughts. The other successors eyeing Ririna? Why? Both of them have tried to kill her and Skyler, what changed their minds?
"Do you know who these successors are?" Now that's the vital information he needed. While he could find out about them within the Underworld, the information he needed may take some time to gather. His mother's influence on both surface and Underworld were greater than his. News and gossips within both worlds would easily be passed onto her without even trying.
"Not that much, but you should be wary of that younger brother of Erica. He has recently joined the high ranks within the Underworld. I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to try to take the title."
Controlling one-third of the Underworld was really tempting especially if someone was from the lower ranks. Many would want to take the title for their own dreams and ambitions. The influence, the fame, even the money involved were so great that any mercenary would consider joining the successor game for the title. As of now, there are only two sure contenders for the title.
"Kian?"
"Yes, that guy. He is making his own name in the Underworld if you haven't noticed. He took several rank-A missions for the past months, and that improved his reputation. Although, he did make a mistake, trying to kidnap and kill Skyler." Yuna's hazel eyes sharpened. If Eli and Ririna had failed to rescue their son, she wouldn't even have a chance to meet her only grandchild alive.
"Don't hesitate to kill him if the bastard shows himself again." Her voice was so dangerous that one would wonder where her calm and mischievous nature went.
"Kian." Eli's eyes flashed with murderous intent. So it was Kian all along. The rat who tried to harm his son. He swore at that moment that he would never let Kian go near his wife and son again. He would kill him without a word on their next encounter.
"Of course, Mother. You don't need to remind me of that."
"Great. There are also some rumors that the current Hattori has picked Ririna as his rightful successor, that maybe one of the reasons why someone tried to kill her and Sky. You know what this means, Eli?"
"They are also starting a war with the Park and the Song families," he answered.
"Correct. Now that Skyler is officially a part of the Park family, he has also gained the title 'young master' of the family. It is expected that more families and mercenaries will look at him as another threat to their positions. Of course, this old one wouldn't let anyone hurt her little pumpkin."
It was reassuring that his mother had taken steps to protect his child. When he added Skyler as his son in the registry, he knew that everyone within the Underworld would find out about it sooner or later.
"And the other successor?" he asked.
Yuna rubbed her chin and looked up.
"If you think Kian isn't a big deal, you should never let your guard down against this man. He's a conniving man and a sadist. Based on what the little birds whispered to me, he is more dangerous than Kian and has the same reputation as you." Yuna emphasized her last words.
"Do… do you know his name?"
"He goes around with the code name Warlock. I'm not sure why though, but it seems he is mocking you and Ririna's titles."
The Warlock. Eli had been hearing news about him for the past five years. The illegal activities he started and how he managed to eliminate the mercenaries before they could make a move. A dangerous one indeed.
Now, there's another issue he had to take care of. Elder Han had refused his marriage proposal for Ririna and had already set someone else to marry her.