Chapter 695: Ruud Pace Returns Home
Jared caressed her head with an indulgent expression and whispered, "I'll take you to the hospital first; I have some things to handle, and then you can stay at my place tonight." He was referring to his private villa.
Tina blinked and teased, "Am I supposed to clean up and wait for your favor?"
She had already started imagining her Uncle Jared seducing her, bare and enticing.
How tempting!
Jared, "..."
Tina blinked again, "No favor?"NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.
Jared, "..."
Since when had his Tina become so lascivious?
And what was that at the corner of her mouth?
Drool?
What colorful thoughts were filling that little head of hers?
"Ahem!" Jared suddenly came back to his senses, somewhat helplessly saying, "Aren't you supposed to perform a ritual?"
Tina paused, "Oh, right!"
She was planning a ritual to honor Justin.
She had wanted to go to Serenity Ridge, but it was too far, and with her mother still unconscious, she wasn't comfortable leaving, so she asked Uncle to find a place where she could perform the ritual to send Justin off! Ahem!
Unexpectedly, Uncle had chosen his villa for the location.
She had thought Uncle had other intentions...
How embarrassing!
Jared, helpless yet indulgent, said, "After I finish my business, I'll go buy what you need. By the time I'm done, it will be late, and I'll have Nathan pick you up!"
Tina preferred to remain silent.
Seeing her like this, Jared chuckled, then leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Tina, don't rush, this day will come eventually." Tina, "..."
Why did it sound like she couldn't wait?
Pace family.
All the members of the Pace family were gathered together. Leo had just awakened not long ago and was still very weak, but his eyes were full of excitement. It was already dark outside, yet no one suggested going to sleep.
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Suddenly, a car horn sounded outside, and Leo, even more excited, stood up and asked, "Is it him? Has he come back?"
Edwin quickly supported his father, looking out the window with a grim expression, "Yes, Ruud has come back." Why did he have to return?
Ruud had become a national icon, while he was the ridiculed and despised waste of the Pace family. Just when he thought he could do something to shed this disgraceful label, his older brother had returned. With Ruud back, would he continue to be mocked?
Previously, Edwin's return was bearable, although their younger brother was also outstanding, he at least could strive to surpass him.
Now, with both Ruud and Edwin here, what place did he, the family waste, have?
It was suffocating to think about!
Outside, two rows of black cars were parked straight in their yard, their flashlights turned on, exuding a powerful presence.
The old man, still unsteady on his feet, was supported by Edwin as they walked towards the door.
They had just reached the door when the people from the cars started to alight, standing in two straight lines. The man stepping out in a black coat had a formidable presence, which he instantly reigned in upon seeing them. Despite this, his presence didn't make anyone feel at ease.
He looked back and said something to the person beside him, who immediately drove the car away. Facing the two people walking towards him, Ruud Pace said, "Dad."
After these words, he knelt in front of the old man, "Dad, I'm sorry for not being by your side all these years."
As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! During these years, he had been constantly moving from one battlefield to another, managing nothing about the family affairs, and was not very clear about what had happened at home.
Over the years, as the eldest son of the Pace family, Ruud had indeed neglected many duties. He had not shown filial piety as a son, nor had he fulfilled his responsibilities as an elder brother in guiding his younger siblings. His heart was indeed filled with much guilt. As soon as he had finished speaking, the old man embraced him tightly, saying, "It's good that you're back, good that you're back."
Ruud Pace had been leading troops in battle for many years without any news, and his greatest wish was for his safe return. Now, seeing him return unharmed, Leo could hardly control his emotions, his eyes brimming with tears. After everyone had finished speaking, Ruud noticed Boris, who had been silent and standing aside. Ruud asked, "What? Aren't you happy to see me back?" Boris quickly put on a smile, "Of course I'm happy you're back. Weren't you talking to dad? I didn't want to interrupt."
Ruud's gaze, sharp as an eagle's, lingered on him for a few seconds before he turned to look at Edwin. Edwin stepped forward and hugged him, saying with a laugh, "You're finally back."
Ruud patted his back, "Hmm, how have you been these years?"
"Pretty good," Edwin briefly caught Ruud up on the major events of the past few years, avoiding too much detail considering Ruud had just returned.
Boris scoffed internally, "See, that's the difference!" After being away for so long, Ruud only asked Edwin how he had been, without showing any interest in him. Over the years, both Ruud and Edwin had been away, and Boris had been the one managing everything at home and taking care of their father, yet they took it for granted.
Ruud was still the same dismissive person he had always been! Boris thought to himself, "One day, I'll show them all that I am not worthless!" That night, the Pace family's home was brightly lit.
Leo asked many questions, mostly about how Ruud had been over the years. Ruud chose his words carefully, partly to prevent his father from worrying and partly because many of his activities involved military secrets that he couldn't disclose. Even though he knew his father wouldn't leak any information, as a soldier, professional ethics were ingrained in him, and he wouldn't discuss certain military matters even with his closest kin. In a way, this was also a form of protection for them; knowing too much about his dangerous life on the battlefield could only harm them. Understanding this, Leo didn't press further.
Edwin listened, occasionally sharing bits of his own experiences over the years. The three of them enjoyed each other's company immensely, none of them mentioning going to rest. Boris sat aside, watching them chat joyously, feeling somewhat out of place and bored, his thoughts wandering until Ruud called him two or three times. He finally snapped back.
"Boris, your brother is talking to you, what are you daydreaming about?" Leo, who had little patience for this son, couldn't help but chide him.
"Ah, big brother, what were you saying?" Boris internally rolled his eyes. With the three of them chatting so happily, it was natural for him to drift off into his own thoughts.