Chapter 1708: Ten minutes out

Hugo Bennet.

Perhaps, he was the only Bennet Zoren could say he respected. The second son of the Bennet Family might have had his shortcomings, but when Penny’s case broke out, he was the only person who didn’t believe it.

While Atlas was busy salvaging what he could with the company, and Slater with his nonsensical career, Hugo went to his superior and asked to be discharged. He asked his commander for authority to investigate the case.

However, Hugo couldn’t directly interfere with the case because it was a conflict of interest.

Moreover, even if his commander wanted to approve it, the higher-ups and other departments were trying to get their hands on him. The reason for this was that, since his sister was deemed a terrorist, the government had become more hostile toward him.

After all, Hugo held a good rank and reputation, but that also meant he had access to confidential files—files he could’ve sold to the enemy.

While Penny was waiting for her trial, Hugo was already being investigated in the military court. Before the court could even conclude her case, Hugo’s had already been concluded.

And that verdict was sending Hugo to a place for execution.

According to the reports Zoren gathered, Hugo tried to flee and ended up getting shot dead. However, the detail that the military general and a few high-ranking soldiers stepped down after hearing the verdict on Hugo’s case told Zoren a different story. Therefore, Zoren made a quick trip to the general’s retirement home in a faraway province in Anteca.

It was there that Zoren found out that the general had been the one to send Hugo to another place under the pretense of execution. They didn’t execute him, but rather set him free. The general knew Hugo was of clear conscience, but he also realized something was terribly wrong with the power structure—not just in the military, but with the only person who could challenge the military: the President of Anteca, President Smith.

Not wanting to serve a man like President Smith, the general and the president made an agreement: they would let Hugo go, but the general had to step down. And the general did.

The catch?

Even if Hugo was freed, he would have to live as a dead man.

It was a consequence Hugo accepted, but his heart didn’t accept it just because he was told to. He accepted it because it would give him the freedom to prove his sister’s innocence and expose the blatant corruption and abuse of power.

Sadly, neither the general nor Hugo had foreseen how difficult it would be.

Because the person behind all this power made sure Hugo—the biggest threat to the Bennet Family—would be silenced. They succeeded, but not without Hugo putting up a fight by taking down a few of their bases and commanders.

He died long before anyone even knew he was dead. He had been dead way before they told Atlas of his death, and long before Atlas hosted a funeral service for him.

---

Standing in front of a tomb, Zoren read the name engraved on it.

In Loving Memory of Hugo Bennet.

Zoren bent down, placing a single stem of flower in front of it.

"It’s a shame," he whispered. "That I didn’t know you before."

Had Zoren known of this before, he could have done something. After all, it was true that Hugo was the biggest threat to the Bennet Family. Aside from his combat skills, he was well-connected and had access to information.

Even if Zoren was the enemy, he would have focused more on Hugo first. So, it wasn’t surprising they made sure Hugo was dead.

"I cannot say you were a good family," he remarked, eyeing the tomb. "However, I do think they truly did not acknowledge your sacrifices and achievements by not letting you be buried in the heroes’ cemetery."

Zoren’s eyes lingered on the tomb before they drifted to the graves next to it.

Allison Bennet.

Charles Bennet.

"The parents," he rocked his head. "Well, I assume resting with your parents isn’t so bad still."

Zoren lowered his head in respect to the parents, even though he didn’t have a good impression of them. Especially Allison, who had spiraled when she lost her husband early. He didn’t dwell on them as he just stood there, in front of Hugo’s grave.

His mouth parted, but then he closed it again. "Thanks to you and the information you gathered before you died, I learned a lot of things."

"And... I apologize that my family—that the blood running in me—has contributed to your death," he added solemnly. "But apologies won’t cut it anymore."

The only way Zoren could correct this was by making sure Penny got the justice she deserved. And that Hugo’s death wouldn’t be a meaningless one.

The howl of the night blew past softly around Zoren before he turned on his heel.

He didn’t look back but continued to walk away. He knew he wouldn’t come back here—this was the first and last time. The only reason he paid his respect was because it was actually Hugo who uncovered the Pierson Family’s involvement in the case.

It was Hugo who showed Zoren his place in Naylani’s life.

Therefore, he wanted to pay respect and express gratitude, even if that meant having a conversation with a dead person’s tomb.

---

[In reality]

Penny monitored her husband’s vital signs from time to time. But until now, Zoren was unresponsive. His vitals were all within the normal range. Still, her concern was growing.

"Renren?" she called again, trying to get through to him. "Can you hear me?"

She waited and waited, but nothing.

Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, she pressed her lips into a thin line. Zoren had been out for about ten minutes now.

Penny slowly moved her eyes to where her husband lay. Another shallow breath escaped her, concern evident in her eyes.

"I wonder what’s happening in his memory now?"