?


    While Frank noticed the tiny USB stick in the envelope, the old woman tugged on his sleeve firmly and cried, "Sir, please... Can you see what happened to ckie? What..."


    Frank remained silent for a while before saying quietly, "I''m sorry, ma''m. ckie is dead."


    "What?!"


    The ol women was left thunderstruck as her shoulder slumped, her jaw hanging open but no wordsing out.


    "He was killed in action by some rogues, and..."


    Frank nced at ckie''s body on the bed and breathed a long sigh as he reached out and closed his eyes.


    "Who was it?! Who killed my ckie?!"


    The old woman howled in grief. "He''s so kind to a fault. I always told him to listen to Tidus, but he had to fight with him, and now someone''s taken advantage of him! Oh, ckie..."


    Seeing her anguish, Frank knew that words were pointless-nothing was more painful for a parent than having to bury their own child.


    Working hard to hold back his own emotions, he exined, "I''m also Tidus'' boss, ma''am. I will arrange a funeral for ckie andpensate you ordingly."


    And with a quiet sigh, he left the shack.


    He was not particrly surprised that ckie had killed himself out of guilt―he knew that much about the kid.


    He was never that confident, and someone must have beguiled him into killing Tidus and Lizzie.


    People were capable of their worst when driven by greed.


    While Frank felt somberness from ckie''s penance, he was also relieved.


    To be frank, he did not want to kill ckie-especially not in front of his elderly mother.


    And thankfully, ckie had chosen to make amends and to answer for what he did to Tidus and Lizzie.


    Now, Frank could pin the me for ckie, Tidus, and Lizzie''s deaths on Stanley Durban and Josh Dellon.


    Those two must have beguiled


    et


    ckie into betraying them, having


    seen that he was young and naive,


    as


    Kell as having more reason to switch sides.


    But in the end, the kid managed to do things his way.


    Frank nced at the USB stick, earnestly hoping that there was something inside that could help.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    He got in the Rolls-Royce, inserted the USB stick into the port, and saw a video file inside right away.


    As he yed the file, he was stunned at first, but he soon smirked and nodded in understanding.


    "So you were working with the Lionhearts, Josh? Hah! I knew a meremissioner wouldn''t have been able to send the military after me. Guess you''re not that easily beguiled, ckie. Since you''ve given me this, I forgive you for your treachery..."


    Meanwhile, at a memorial hall in Zamri Central, the funeral for Commissioner Geon Kramer has begun after a procession of bagpipes.


    All the important people in Zamri-be it business folks, representatives of major families, or politicians were present.


    Geon''s crystal casket was ced in


    the center of the hall, and people


    were walking around it to pay their respects or present their bouquets.


    BUMS