The Manipulated Villainess

Chapter 65 - Just One Word

Garcia Han? Nicole was paralyzed! Mira Kim. Garcia Han. The two names repeatedly echoed in her ears.

If Mira Kim was the younger sister of Jonathan Kim and if the same Mira Kim was indeed Garcia Han, then she would surely have hatred for Yang Group, considering how her older brother died!

All these facts made Nicole wondered if her father meeting Garcia Han was not a coincidence from the very beginning. Was it Garcia's plan? She had many questions apart from this and it almost drove Nicole crazy!

"I know that you will be confused and you will also have many questions, so listen to me. I will tell you everything I know." Harris Ahn said to her. Maybe because he had bear this secret for many years, he was very calm.

"Mira Kim, I mean Garcia Han was a 2nd year Law student at that time. Her brother was the one who supported her as their parents died when they were a child. The siblings were very close because they only have each other." Harris Ahn started with Garcia Han's past.

"When Jonathan Kim died, Garcia Han suffered very much. But miraculously, she was very quiet. When your father heard of the incident, he tried to meet her as she was the only family of the victim but Director Park promised that he would take care of everything as he was the one in charge of the Construction."

"Just like he promised, he suppressed the incident and somehow proved to the protesters that those men were not sent by the company. Everyone also thought that Mira Kim was convinced. The company also compensated the injured workers and also Mira Kim before the media get a grasp of the news. We all thought that everything was settled though the one who sent those men was still a mystery."

"Do you mean that you were wrong? Because the younger sister returned two years later, seeking revenge? She thought that it was my father's doing." Nicole's voice trailed off. So everything was planned from the start?!

"Yes." Harris Ahn nodded. "Garcia Han approached your father after she graduated from Law school. Your father never got to meet Mira Kim because she went away soon after that incident. So, he didn't know that Garcia Han was Mira Kim. She already changed her name legally."

"How did my father find out? Why did I never hear of this?" Nicole asked. She was not sure of what to believe yet she knew that this man had no reason to lie to her.

"You were only 10, Nicole. Besides, when your father learnt of this, he was already very sick with not many days to live. He unintentionally heard Garcia talking with someone on the phone and he did a thorough background check on her. That's how he finds out she was Mira Kim and she planned everything from the start."

"I was his close friend and his psychiatrist who knew everything about him. That's why he only tell me and Garcia Han didn't know that your father finds out her identity. Your father asked me to protect you before he passed away. You might already forget but Nicole, you used to call me uncle and came to see me often while your mother was alive." There was a hint of seriousness in Harris Ahn's voice. The way he looked at Nicole was like a father staring at his daughter, with love.

"I'm sorry that I failed." Harris Ahn added with a face plastered with regret.

Nicole suddenly realized that this man used to be a psychiatrist in one of the best hospitals in the country. But now, he was here, being a Director of this small orphanage. She wondered if something happened to him after her father's death. "Did Garcia Han do something to you?" She couldn't resist the urge to ask him.

Harris Ahn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Nicole could felt the pain he felt. "I tried to run away with you after your father died. I even came to your house, secretly. But Garcia Han knew about me. I was forced to flee and she sent her men after me. That's how I ended up here. I even abandoned my real name because I need to hide from her."

"I'm sorry that you have to suffer," Nicole muttered. She clenched her fist tightly thinking about what kind of woman Garcia Han was!

"It's fine. Your father asked me to let you live in peace, with no hatred or revenge as Garcia Han did. That's why I attempt to take you far away from Garcia Han. Your father blamed himself for the incident and everything that happened. He said that his disease was the price he paid for it."

Harris Ahn sighed and added, "If I take you away with me, everything will surely be easier for her. I don't know why Garcia Han was so adamant about keeping you. But when I heard about you from Director Lee, I'm convinced that she wants to fulfil her revenge on you, to make you suffer. If I had known that your life was such a rough one, I would surely seek you out sooner. I'm sorry, Nicole." He apologized, hanging his head low.

"Don't be. Everyone thinks that I lived a happy life so I understand you. But... do you think my father's death had anything to do with my step-mother? I mean, she hated my father so she would have wanted him dead." Nicole uttered. She finds it so hard to say that loud!

"I also have my suspicions but I don't find out anything suspicious. However, nothing is proved. Garcia Han is an unpredictable woman." Harris Ahn stated.

"It's true that all those incidents are your father's responsibility but he never dirtied his hands. So Nicole, don't live like that anymore. Don't let that woman step on you. You don't deserve anything that she did to you. I know that it will hard but you should stand up for yourself. Your father wanted you to live in peace but as long as you're under her manipulation, what your father wanted will never come true." He firmly encouraged the young Chairwoman.

Nicole quietly sat there yet all her mind was occupied by her late father. Finding out all these truths before he died, she wondered how much hard would it be for him. Not to mention that he only had a few days left at that time! He must be worried about her much more than she could ever imagine!

Thinking about her father's suffering, she clenched her fist but there was nothing she could do! On the other side was Garcia Han who was determined to avenge her brother. Nicole understood her pain as she had also lost a loved one. But it was not her father's doing. Why must she take it out on him?! This was wrong!

After exchanging contact number with Harris Ahn to keep in touch, she slowly walked out of the room. If Garcia Han was indeed involved in her father's death, just the thought of it made her weak and she almost fell but Leon who was sitting near the door quickly holds her. Was he waiting here the whole time?

"Are you alright? Why are you so pale?" He worriedly asked her.

"I'm fine," Nicole muttered and stood straight, balancing herself. "Why are you here?" She asked.

"If I sat alone outdoors, the Minister's men might have suspicions. I only wanted to minimize the risk." He said and observed her. "Are you sure that you're fine? You have a weak body and you easily get sick." He wished to ask just what did she hear for her to be like this but he resisted the urge. He might make her feel uncomfortable.

"I'm fine. We need some photos, right? Let's get it done fast." Nicole said and walked out with Leon following her.

After they finished taking some photos, they left Moon Orphanage and visit two other orphanages right away. By the time they reached Nicole's apartment building, it was already 4 in the evening.

Nicole rarely talked ever since they left Moon Orphanage and that really worried Leon. Just before Nicole gets off the car, he grabbed her hand, stopping her. "What did the Director tell you? Can I be of help in any way?" He asked, giving in to the urge.

"Later," Nicole muttered. "Let's talk later, Leon." She slowly pushed away his hand.

"Call me if anything happened. Remember this, Nicole. The offer I made about Garcia Han is still valid. Tell me if you change your mind." Leon patiently said to Nicole.

"Get home safely," Nicole only said these three words and get off the car, walking into her apartment building.

"I only need one word, Nicole. Just one word from you and I will immediately free you from the grasp of that evil woman." Leon whispered as he stared at the disappearing form of Nicole from his car.....