Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

"That is too heartbreaking," Avery cried out, her voice wavering. "Nobody ever deserves to die, especially someone as young as him. And certainly not for any reason, especially that," she added, on the verge of tears. Avery quickly covered her mouth with her hand as

soon as the words left her, which was a futile attempt to stave off the despair.

"I wish everyone felt that way, Avery. I really do." Jean walked towards Avery to try and comfort her. "But I guess that's not true for some people. They're sentimental ones who value love more than anything else. They would do anything, whether right or wrong, to pursue and get what they want," Jean said and added, "even if it costs them their lives. Am I right, Albert?" As soon as the words left Jean's lips, Avery's head shot up. Her expression was clearly in confusion.

Jean stared at Albert after what she said, eyes conveying utter contempt. She knew what she wanted to say so she went ahead and said them though consequences were damned.

Albert, in sheer shock at the blatant accusation, rose to the occasion. "I can't even begin to understand what you're trying to say," he answered. "Nor do I think you ever needed my opinion." Evident in his expression, Albert's shock turned into animosity. "Oh, but I do. I think you are the only person qualified in this ward to have an opinion on what I just said," Jean retorted in a slightly mocking tone.

"How dare you?" Albert said in disbelief, his face turning pale as a ghost as realization set in. He didn't expect any of this to happen nor did he expect any attacks like this. Unable to say anything else, Albert just looked at Jean; his anger brewing behind his cold stare. "Wait, wait. Hold up. What're you trying to say?" Adolf asked, hands gesturing towards Jean. He was still trying to make sense of what's transpiring in front of him. He didn't know why there's this sudden friction between Jean and his brother, but what he did know was that there was definitely something wrong with Albert - and he intended to get to the bottom of it. "Answer me, what are you trying to say?" he asked again.

"Are you blind?" Jean asked. "Can't you see that your brother drunk himself half to death because of the matter of love affairs?"

Jean turned to Adolf.

"You stop right the fuck now, Jean," Albert said in a grim tone. His eyes downcast. "Or I swear to God I won't let you walk away from this unhurt." Albert was desperate. He could only threaten Jean if he had a chance of stopping her from continuing whatever she's about to say.

"Why are you so hellbent on stopping me from talking. If you didn't do that because of the matter of love, then what's the reason?" Jean asked almost innocently. The corner of her mouth formed into a smirk. "Is it because things didn't go as you expected last night? That how you thought your brother was going to turn Avery away?" Jean clearly taunted Albert into betraying his emotions. Unafraid, Jean was just getting started.

"You bitch," Albert whimpered softly. He was dumbfounded, unable to utter a retort in his defense. He could only show his rage towards Jean, as if he could swallow the woman whole.

Zed, who was in the sidelines, was intently listening. He finally understood why Jean requested that they stay for a little longer. Well, judging from Albert's reactions, it was almost obvious as to the reason why.

"Mrs. Qi, I don't like accusations like this thrown about. Especially when the accusations are largely unfounded," Adolf quipped at Jean, warning her with a serious expression on his face.

"When will you see the truth, Adolf? I know that you know what Albert said at my house yesterday. If you honestly believe that he isn't lying, or even saying a shred of truth, then we have nothing more to talk about," Jean said, her voice clearly exasperated. "But do you actually feel no guilt at all - that you're alright, ever since you chose to believe Albert instead of Avery?"

Jean asked slowly, softly. Her words underlined the tension in the room.

"I..." Adolf's voice broke. He was utterly speechless. His eyes slowly turned towards Jean. Suddenly he turned to Albert. Looking at Albert straight in the eyes, Adolf asked, "Why did you drink like that last night?" "Is it because I didn't turn Avery away and gave her a few days off instead?" He added.

"Adolf, why would you possibly believe that bitch's words over mine, your own brother?" Albert asked, almost pleadingly. His face flushed and pressured.

"You shut your mouth." Adolf snapped. "You watch your words, when you refer to Jean. Now answer my question, or I swear to God, Albert," Adolf said, clearly losing his patience. "Why did you drink yourself within an inch of your life and get alcohol poisoning. I want only answers coming out of your mouth, Albert."

"I...I don't..." Albert grimaced. Feeling his elder brother's anger, Albert was starting to breakdown. He didn't want to set off Adolf.

He grew up with Adolf. He knew how bad his brother's temper was. He knew that if he didn't answer in the next second, he would regret it dearly.

"Answer me." Adolf started approaching Albert, his voice grim and his expression dark.

"Fine. I'll tell you. Just stop." Albert, beaten, started to tell the truth. His eyes, filled with hatred and disgust, turned towards Avery. "I wanted Avery gone. I wanted to drive a wedge between you two." "I wanted her to leave you," Albert added weakly. "Wait, Why?" Avery asked. She was surprised. For the life of her, she couldn't even begin to understand why Albert would feel that way.

Was it because she learned his secret, that he hated and was jealous of his brother, Adolf?

Well, put it that way, it definitely made sense why Albert would hate her and want to drive her away.

Realizing that, Avery felt hurt. She felt sad that it would end up like this. Her expression turned bitter to the thought of spending so many years together, and all this time Albert felt hatred. Avery felt only deep sadness.

"But, why?" Adolf also asked in disbelief. He was as surprised as everyone else in the room upon hearing what Albert admitted.

He'd heard it from Jean, but he certainly didn't believe it then. Albert was his brother.

But now that it directly came from Albert's mouth. He didn't exactly know what to feel. The truth was just simply hard to swallow. Hadn't they gotten along well lately?

How could things come to this in just a short amount of time?

"Why?" Adolf, asked again. Hatred burned in Albert's eyes as he replied, "Why, Adolf? Don't you know why I did this?"

Everyone in the room was stunned to silence.

A single question burned in everyone but Adolf's mind - Adolf knew what?

Everyone was confused as to what was happening now. What could this mean?

Avery the most confused of the bunch, turned to Adolf with a questioning look on her face.

'So it's not because of what she thought?' Avery thought. 'Is there any other reason I'm missing?'

Adolf stayed quiet. He stared solemnly at his brother and sighed deeply, "It looks like I have to involve Avery into this." "But why would you do that, Albert?" Adolf pleaded.

"I wanted to bail you out, to snap you back into your senses before you reach that point of no return," Albert explained, his expression firm. "Adolf, you deserve a better girl." 'What is happening?' Jean thought.

She looked back and forth at Avery and Adolf, and that's when it hit her.

"Bullshit! You had no right. I know that I don't deserve Avery," Adolf exploded. "I know she loves someone else. That was precisely why I couldn't tell her how I felt. I couldn't put her in that situation. That's why you have no right to decide that, Albert. What you did was absolutely unnecessary," Adolf said with his expression hardened and mouth curved into a bitter smile.

"What...What are you talking about, Adolf?" Avery slowly walked towards Adolf, her expression confused and conflicted.

"I...I..." Adolf stuttered. The room seemed darker to him now. All eyes were on him. He felt cornered. He realized then, that the only thing that would save the situation was the truth. "Avery, I..."

"Adolf. Wait," Avery interrupted him before he could finish his words. "I know that you took care of me and treated me better than anyone I know... You were harsh with me because you knew I needed that to survive in this world. You knew that there were worse things to come, and you only wanted to protect me," Avery continued while looking into Adolf's wide eyes. "Adolf, you're my partner, my best and closest friend, and I even see you as family. But that's the farthest we're ever going to be,"

Avery said this with complete sincerity in her voice. Her expression looked as if she was also hurt by this.

Avery was perceptive enough to have caught on immediately after what Albert had said to Adolf.

She didn't want Adolf going through that in front of everyone. That's why Avery stopped him and made her feelings for him clear.

Upon realizing this, Adolf smiled weakly at Avery. His heart was slowly crushed by her beautiful face. "Right. We're exactly that. Just partners, best friends, and family. And that won't ever change," Adolf whispered.

Avery smiled at Adolf - a cushion to soften the words she just said.

Avery's dazzling smile, along with her perfect features and her tender face made her look even more beautiful.

Adolf, for a moment, felt pure bliss seeing Avery's smile. Then it crushed him. He turned away from Avery, doing anything just to avoid her eyes.

This awoke Jean from the shock of what she just heard. However, she was still very much in disbelief.

Jean quickly walked to Zed's side, and rested her head on his chest. Her heart felt heavy, and she wanted Zed's comforting warmth.

'Things can never be simple, can they?' Jean thought.

Avery was head over heels with Moore for so long. All the while Adolf was in love with Avery. It was confusing because he was even harsh to Avery. But behind that harshness was care and affection. Jean had never expected that the cold Adolf, had a warm and tender side, as well.

And this guy, Adolf, was such a martyr to have hidden his feelings for Avery. He locked it deep within his heart once he knew that Avery had eyes already for someone else.

But Avery...