"No." Neil shook his head, a self-deprecating expression flashing across his face. "I was earnestly trying to be Theo's brother then."
I let out a sigh of relief when I heard that. At least he had been good.
I looked at him. His eyes seemed to be carrying so many complications. What did he go through during this time to have made him change his mind?
What Neil said next shocked me.
"But they did run the news through me before exposing it."
"You chose to release it at this time. Could you have anything to do with Nibel?" My eyes narrowed as they fixed themselves on Neil.
He hid nothing and immediately confessed, "You're right. Mr. Nibel and I reached a partnership. Since I can't be on good terms with Theo, then I'll be his enemy. You've seen how much he insulted me. I think you should understand me, no?"
"That's not it. Theo just hasn't accepted that your mother—"
"It's been 20’s years. Is it not enough?" Neil cut me off, his eyes filled with hostility.
Nibel might have said some things to him to incite such hostility in Neil toward Theo.
He had been alone abroad for so many years after all. Perhaps he already harbored resentment when Theo rejected him after he came back.
I said nothing more since I did not know how to word what I should say. It felt like there was a thorn stuck in my throat, and my words were failing me.
"There's no reason for you to speak for him anymore. But since you've left Theo, why did you come looking for me today?"
I did not expect him to know about this too. There really were no secrets between Nibel and his allies.
My thoughts spun, and I finally came up with an explanation. "I was forced to leave. Of course, I'm still worried about Theo. I had a weird feeling when I saw the news, so I came to look for you. I didn't think you'd change so much."
Neil smiled faintly when he heard this. "I'm very grateful to you for helping me so much before, but did you think they wouldn't know that you're meeting me?"
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