Never Judge

"Here." Max said as he fished out a letter from inside the box.

He took out the yellowing paper inside and slowly unfolded it before handing it over to Cedric.

"This is the last letter my brother wrote to me before he passed away, it's also why we thought the Chans might have had him killed." Max explained as Cedric took the letter from him.

Cedric took a look at the old letter, it was neatly written and was one page with writing on both sides. Clearly Fernando had a lot to say in his last letter.

He lifted the letter up and read it.

~

Dearest Mom and Max, 

I hope you are all well back home. 

I've sent some money to you and to my darling, Marisa. I might not be able to send money home for a while. I've just confirmed that Miguel Chan, my employer, has just passed away.

I'm sure this news isn't new to you. His death would probably have been published everywhere there at home. I feel sad for his son, the little boy is all alone now. 

Have I told you about Miguel's son, Andrew? I'm not sure if I have. After his mom passed away a year ago, he was sent to live with me. I think they want him to be protected from someone.

To keep Andrew safe, we will be moving to another town or country, I'm not too sure. The last letter I got from Miguel was one telling me to keep his little boy safe, and that someone would come get him from me.

It's been months, and yet no one has come to get the little boy. I get milk from the local orphanage, but it's not enough. Little Andrew is much smaller than kids his age, he doesn't look like a toddler at all and I'm worried.

Mom, Max, I miss you both so much. It's been years since I last went home. I was honestly hoping that I could come visit you and my family this year, but I can' I need to keep little Andrew safe.

Max, have you graduated from university yet? I'm not sure if this letter will reach you before or after your graduation, just know that I am very proud of you. What was just a dream for us is now a reality. 

If you plan on working in the capital, can you check on my wife and children? Marisa said Mattias is looking for his uncle Max despite having his uncle Terry and aunt Lara around.

Did I tell you the good news? My little Maybelle can walk now! She's such a strong and brave little girl. I miss her so much, the last time I saw her was when she was born, that was over a year ago. 

Mom, Max, please don't worry about me. I'm safe and I won't be in touch for a really long time. I hope all of this mess settles so that I could someday come home and see you all again.

Right now little Andrew is my priority, I promised to keep him safe. I can only hope that his father's friends come and find me before the others find this little kid.

I love you all and stay safe.

Your dearest son and brother,

Fernando Benitez

~

"Andrew survived." Cedric said as he looked up from reading the letter. It was clearly written in the letter. Andrew Chan was sent to Fernando Benitez.

"So Lucius?" Ian asked with a frown. 

"What I don't understand is that Fernando already mentioned the orphanage, why didn't he say he was planning on leaving Andrew there?" Katerina asked as she thought of what Fernando had written to his brother.

"When was Lucius brought to the orphanage?" Cedric asked as he looked at Ian. "Was it after this date?"

Ian leaned over and took a good look at when the letter was written.

"This letter was written a year after Lucius was sent to the orphanage." Ian said, shaking his head. 

"So that means, Lucius can't be Andrew." Cedric said excitedly as he gently waved the letter. "This is proof that Andrew was still with Fernando when Lucius was in the orphanage."

"Cedric, even if we have his, our fathers are insisting that Andrew is dead." Katerina reminded Cedric. "And even then, how can we even prove that Fernando is telling the truth?"

"That may be true, but this is something we can use against Lucius." Cedric told Katerina. "The fact that we are sure he isn't Andrew, is enough for us to put more resources into taking him down. Eventually he will be forced to cave in."

"Does this mean you'll be speeding up the plans with Camilla?" Ian asked as he rubbed his chin.

"Yes, I need something big. Something Camilla can give him that will make Lucius truly believe that Camilla is on his side." Cedric told Ian. "I have someone in mind, but it will take a while for me to contact him."

Suddenly a knock was heard from the door and a bodyguard walked in. 

"Sir, you have a message." The bodyguard said with a straight face.

"Say it." Cedric said with a nod.

"Sir, I don't think this is the kind that I can tell in front of everyone." The bodyguard told Cedric as he looked at the people in the room.

"Very well." Cedric said with a nod. "Max, thank you for bringing all of these letters. I'll come and find you later. Please thank your mother for me as well."

Max nodded and relayed Cedric's message to his mother.

Cedric then turned to face Mein, the young man was confused and lost. There were just too many things going on at the moment. Too many lies told to him his whole life.

"Mien, I know it's a lot. If you need time for yourself this is your chance." Cedric told the younger man. 

"We'll be here if you need us." Mae added.

"Thank you." Mien said as he excused himself and left the room before Max and his mother. 

"He just needs time." Cedric told Max.

"We know, we need time too. Thank you again." Max said as he and his mother left the room as well.

Soon the only people were Cedric, his assistants, and Katerina.

"What was the message?" Cedric asked the bodyguard in a stern and cold tone. 

"Sir, the Barons are threatening to let the world know that Cedric Reyes was willing to bribe them." The bodyguard revealed.