A shadow fell across my face.


    The mere recollection of Brian’s ordeal was enough to disrupt myposure.


    Anger welled up within me, an unyielding surge in my heart.


    Approaching my father, I demanded in frustration, “Dad, why are you treating Brian like this?”


    My father remained engrossed in the newspaper, still not meeting my eyes or responding immediately.


    The vast study fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the rustling of the newspaper.


    After a pause, my father finally looked up at me and asked calmly, “What do you think?”


    Anger surged within me.


    Clenching my fists, I fought the urge to lose my temper as I retorted, “I don’t know.


    ALL I know is that it’s a terrible decision.


    ”


    “What do you mean?” my father inquired, unperturbed.


    His demeanor was cid, akin to discussing mundane dinner ns, utterly indifferent to the gravity of the situation.


    Wearing a sullen expression, I spoke in a hushed tone.


    “Brian worked for me, helped me in secret.


    I never rewarded him, yet you want him dead.


    How can I ept this?”


    My father let out a sigh.


    Setting aside the newspaper, he gazed at me with a helpless expression.


    “Caleb, the truth is, this decision was made while you and Debra were in aa at the hospital.


    ”


    I was taken aback.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    “What do you mean?”


    “After the ident you and Debra had that day, Carlos did his utmost to keep everyone, including me, in the dark about the foggy forest incident.


    In other words, the elders and I are unaware of the truth behind your injury.


    That’s why we can’t determine whether Brian’s assassination attempt was deliberate or influenced.


    Without certainty, he can’t be pardoned.


    ”


    My heart sank, and I blurted out, “But Brian was poisoned and driven to madness.


    Many others who ventured into the forest suffered the same fate.


    The madness caused them to lose their sanitypletely.


    He was not an assassin by any means.


    ”


    “Do you have any evidence?” It was evident that my father didn’t trust my words.


    He nced at me and stated, “Without information and evidence, how can we possibly determine if Brian harmed you in a state of madness? Even if he’s your informant, you need a clear exnation.


    ”


    I was eager to defend Brian, but my father interjected, “If you’re keen on saving him, urge Carlos to present the information and evidence from that time.


    Otherwise, there’s no need to say anything further.


    ”


    I fell silent, grappling with the weight of the situation.


    Carlos refrained from disclosing the truth because we aimed to shield the revtion of Debra’s half-witch bloodline.


    I never anticipated it would lead to harm for Brian.


    What should I do?


    Caleb’s POV:


    My thoughts were a wild race, leaving me flustered and disoriented.


    The current situation had gone far beyond my anticipations.


    It felt like, no matter how I articted it, the oue would be unfavorable, dragging Debra into the mess effortlessly.


    After I mulled over it extensively, a viable solution remained elusive.