The Traps of Black Swan

As soon as Aaron sat on the couch, "Her parents had motive and gain by Ava's death." What Aaron meant was simple, her parents are real foes and the main culprits who would do anything for money and fame.

Shawn furrowed by the thought of it and retorted, "Bro, they are her parents." Why would biological parents hurt their own child? He found it ludicrous.

Dax crossed his legs leaning back as he responded in glum, "Her parents always wanted her dead from her birth and they obtained quite a big company shares after it. They are literally over the ninth cloud after the death news." He meant to state that it's highly possible and he too suspects them.

Shawn: "..."

He saw three men seriously considering Aarvi's parents could be the mastermind behind everything.

Zain looked at Aaron before contemplating to ask, "Did she tell you about her parents?" 

He had tried to know why her parents didn't treat her well. His first main concern was she could be adopted or an illegitimate daughter. His parents had turned down his speculation so he had even done a DNA test after he had the capability to do it with his job help.

He really wanted the results to be negative from both reports so that he could take her away from them but both had turned out positive. And his Pumpkin never told him the reason behind the ill behavior of her parents towards her while they behaved elegant and sophisticated to the world.

Dax and Shawn thought Aarvi might have told the real culprit so their entire attention fell on Aaron. They were even ready to read each of his little expressions.

Aaron's aloof face turned frosty just by remembering how his little Cupcake was bullied by her own parents, "About how parents could also treat their own child terribly?... Yes!" He gritted his teeth after it.

The clueless Shawn was irritated hearing them talk about her parents when he hardly knew anything about them. He had thought her parents favored the boy as an heir for their family bloodline hence she was ignored.

Dax noticed him and cleared it, "You were distressed due to your sister and aunt that time. So I never got a chance to tell you that Dum Dum's parents blamed her for the absence of Vance Hays at the wedding when they didn't even know the reason. I heard them cursing and also stating why she didn't die before taking birth or many times in the hospital. So it's just my guess that Dum Dum is fighting for her life from birth."

Fuming, Shawn was disoriented trying to analyze everything that happened and happening. Hearing him even brief, Aaron felt his anger rise against her parents.

Shawn remembered an incident that happened three years back as soon as they had returned to the country after graduation. He told them in a little hurried voice, "Bro, Dad had once told me Grandfather Kelly was planning to make Little Heart President of Kelly International when the project that she had supervised won against our and many companies."

"Her graduation project?" Dax asked to confirm.

Shawn nodded, "Little Heart had submitted that project as a thesis in graduation and attended the success party after coming here. Dad was very proud of her that time and scolded me to learn from her."

Aaron knew that because Hayden Kelly had told him personally when he went to meet him. However, he understood what Shawn was trying to say.

Obviously Shane Kelly and Maisie Brunette wanted the highest position in the company. If not them, they would definitely want Jose Kelly, their beloved son to take over the company. So they were afraid Ava might rule and order them around without knowing she was leaving Kelly International for Jose Kelly.

The more they think of her parents' deeds, they felt it was quite possible that her parents are highly suspicious.

Zain's emotionless voice sounded once they fell silent, "Pumpkin said 'NO' when I had asked her directly."

Dax and Shawn retorted in sync, "Brother Zain, she wants to handle them herself."

Zain countered, "She doesn't lie to me." If she doesn't want to tell, she maintains silence.

"Brother Zain, when you ask her directly and if she maintains silence to avoid lying, doesn't that mean 'Yes'?"

"Hence she chose to lie." Dax completed Shawn's line.

Zain ran his fingers through his hair feeling frustrated. The four men wanted to clear ground unwillingly to see her face problems but they were kept in the dark by Aarvi, cleared of all the proof by Leon leaving them hanging.

They knew there would definitely be uncleared hints but grabbing that also became difficult.

Aaron spoke after a long silence, "Aarvi wouldn't like it if we keep discussing these."

Zain rested his backhead on the couch, "If we keep doing this, it will only imply that we aren't trusting her capabilities."

Dax still tried to justify, "We aren't doubting but worried."

"Doubt!?" Shawn exclaimed in shock, "Little Heart looked like a vicious slayer holding a butcher knife. If she comes home saying she chopped somebody, I won't be surprised instead I will definitely ask her how she whacked." 

Shawn managed to get the smile on two's faces and relax another one before turning the conversation light.

---

Aarvi satisfied all four men with her culinary skills filling their stomachs leaving the apple pie at last. The five settled on the patio with the dessert.

"Dum Dum, your cooking is still fantastic. Were you cooking daily?" Dax praised as he enjoyed the dessert.

Aarvi giggled as she pointed at Aaron, "He didn't even know I could cook. So what do you think?"

Aaron: "..."

Then Shawn and Aarvi pulled Aaron's leg, making the other two laugh until Zain got a call from Shane Kelly. Zain didn't hide either, "Shane Kelly."

The happy faces turned curious or serene. They could already guess it was a call related to Aarvi's appearance in front of Maisie Brunett.

Zain didn't go aside and answered the call. He didn't care to greet so he just kept at his ear. Shawn and Dax looked at each other witnessing Zain's face turned cold as an iceberg hearing the man's words.