Chapter 326: Her Mission

Yannis’s expression changed.

She remembered everything?

"Thank you for taking care of me back then," Lara continued. "And thank you for everything you taught me. The medical knowledge you shared with me has helped me save many lives."

Yannis stared at her.

For a moment, he could barely find his voice.

So, she had finally recovered her memories.

The realization brought an unexpected warmth to his chest. After everything she had endured, she finally reclaimed the part of herself that had been lost.

His hand rose instinctively, the familiar gesture of an older brother wanting to ruffle his little sister’s hair.

Then his gaze shifted toward Ares.

The man remained a short distance away, giving them privacy while keeping Lara within sight. Even from there, his attention never strayed far from her.

Yannis slowly lowered his hand.

Lara was no longer alone. She had someone powerful standing beside her, someone who appeared willing to protect her without trying to control her.

For the first time in a long while, Yannis felt that he could finally leave without worrying about what might happen to her.

"Since you’re doing well now, I suppose this is goodbye."

Lara’s expression changed slightly.

"Goodbye?"

"I’m going abroad to take over the family business. I don’t know when I’ll return, so we might not see each other for quite some time."

She regarded him thoughtfully before asking, "Have you forgiven your parents?"

Yannis fell quiet for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"Yes. They gave me life, after all. And they’ve genuinely repented for abandoning me back then. I can’t pretend the past never happened, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life holding on to resentment, either."

"That’s good," Lara said softly.

Yannis nodded before reaching out to pat her head, this time without hesitation.

"Just be careful of Artemio. If you get the chance, free yourself from his grasp completely. Don’t let him manipulate you again."

Lara met his gaze without a trace of fear.

"Don’t worry. I will."

She paused before adding, "Besides, he’s not my biological father. I’ve found my real family."

Yannis searched her face.

There was no bitterness in her expression, only a quiet happiness that made his chest loosen with relief.

Thank goodness.

At least Artemio had no blood ties to her.

Yannis was tempted to ask who her real family was, but he held back. Given Artemio’s schemes, knowing too much could put Lara’s newfound family in danger.

Instead, he offered her a genuine smile.

"I’m happy for you. Truly. I’m glad you’ve finally found your family."

Then he reached into his trouser pocket and took out a small, carefully wrapped package.

"There’s something I’d like you to do for me."

He placed it in Lara’s hand.

"Could you give this to General Leonard Norse? I know you are close to the family."

Lara looked down at the package before raising her eyes to him.

"General Norse?"

Yannis nodded, a trace of regret entering his voice.

"He saved my life once, but I never got the chance to thank him. Instead, I spent years thanking the wrong man."

His fingers curled briefly at his sides.

Lara studied him quietly.

She could piece together what had happened. Yannis was too young, too frightened, and too far from the front of the bus to witness the rescue clearly.

Artemio had simply taken advantage of the confusion and allowed Yannis to believe whatever suited him.

What an extraordinary twist of fate.

The man who saved Yannis all those years ago was was her biological father.

And Yannis, without even realizing it, had helped Lara time and again throughout her life.

"Of course," she promised. "I’ll make sure he receives it."

She paused, then added meaningfully, "And don’t think you’ve never repaid him. You’ve helped General Norse more times than you realize."

Yannis frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Lara held his gaze.

"General Leonard Norse is my biological father."

For several seconds, Yannis simply stared at her.

Then the meaning of her words struck him.

His face drained of color.

"Wait..." His voice came out barely above a whisper. "Your mission..."

His mind raced as the pieces connected with horrifying clarity.

Artemio had sent Lara on a mission to ruin the Norse family.

And now, the truth was undeniable.

"Your nominal father had turned you into a weapon against your own family?"

Lara didn’t answer immediately.

She didn’t need to.

The horror in Yannis’s eyes deepened as the full extent of Artemio’s ruthlessness became clear.

How could a man like that exist?

Someone who had sworn to defend the country’s sovereignty and protect its people, yet had no qualms about destroying an innocent woman’s life and using her against her own blood.

And Yannis had once admired him.

Trusted him.

Defended him.

For years, he had allowed himself to become a tool of that man’s schemes, never once questioning the hand that guided him.

His stomach twisted.

What else had Artemio done behind his back?

How many lives had he manipulated while wearing the respectable mask of a decorated military officer?

Yannis lowered his eyes, his face pale with shame.

Lara understood what was tormenting him.

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

"Don’t blame yourself, Brother Yannis."

He stiffened briefly, then slowly returned her embrace.

"I’m not his weapon anymore," she assured him. "And neither are you. I know what I have to do."

Yannis closed his eyes for a moment.

He wanted to believe that was enough. That Lara could finally break free from the man who had controlled so much of her life.

But he knew better than anyone that Artemio Fuegerro would not surrender his plans easily.

Still, Lara was no longer the helpless girl he remembered.

She had regained her memories. She had found her family. And she had someone beside her who would stand against anyone who threatened her.

Yannis finally nodded.

"I believe you."

He stepped back and gave her a small, affectionate smile.

"Keep in touch, little sis."

Then he glanced toward Ares, who had begun pacing a few steps away, a sign that he was getting impatient.

Yannis studied him for a moment before returning his attention to Lara.

"He seems to dote on you a lot. And from what I’ve seen, he’s loyal, too."

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"He’s a good man."

Lara followed his gaze toward Ares. Her expression softened in a way that did not escape Yannis’s notice.

"Of course he is."

There was no hesitation in her answer.

And for the first time that evening, Yannis felt a weight lift from his heart.

At least one thing in Lara’s life was no longer built on a lie.

He watched as the two figures walked farther into the distance, their hands clasped together.

Yannis let out a quiet sigh.

His true feelings for Lara would remain a secret, buried deep in his heart, where no one would ever find them.