Chapter 17

The Truth Behind Their Deaths

After the conversation ended, everyone went their separate ways, leaving only Phraya Decha Damrongsak and Somyot alone in the house. The tension between them was palpable. The matter of Pipop and Jitlada was like a thorn in Phraya Decha Damrongsak's heart. His only daughter... he hadn't even attended her funeral. Somyot poured tea for Phraya Decha Damrongsak, fully aware that the elder was grieving. It was a heavy burden for an old man with white hair to bear witness to the death of young people. In truth, Phraya Decha Damrongsak was tough only on the outside.

"Miss Manfah has a maturity beyond her years, master. I'm truly impressed by her. When she grows up, Miss Manfah will surely make you proud. She's both charming and intelligent."

Phraya Decha Damrongsak sighed. "Too intelligent, indeed."

"When she grows up, she might give you quite a headache."

"This child is more difficult to handle than Pipop and Jitlada. Manfah doesn't act on emotions; she has her own plans. This child wants to avenge her parents, but she knows her own weaknesses. When she met me, she didn't hesitate to use me. Instead, she used the love I have for Jitlada to investigate this matter. Once I find out, I will have to eliminate the person who killed my daughter."

"According to what Puang said, after the incident, Manfah secluded herself for several days. But suddenly, she changed completely."

Somyot asked, "Do you think the young miss knows who did it but couldn't do anything, so she locked herself away?"

"She knows who did it, but she doesn't know who is behind it," Phraya Decha Damrongsak closed his eyes as he spoke.

Somyot felt saddened. "Poor young miss, to have thoughts of revenge at such a young age."

"........."

"Even Mrs. Jitlada herself was unaware of this danger. Because of that..."

"I was wrong about Jitlada. Sigh... Manfah must have sensed something. That's why I say this child is too clever. Someone is targeting our family. No, I should say all four families that protect His Majesty are under threat. Lately, the heirs of each family have been experiencing strange accidents frequently. They act so openly, as if they think we wouldn't notice. If, in the future, there's someone who can protect Manfah, I would be able to rest in peace."

"Please, Master, don't speak like that. Don't blame yourself, sir."

"If I hadn't come between those two, perhaps they would have lived longer. Young people always see love as something beautiful." Although Phraya Decha Damrongsak was married, it wasn't for love but for the suitability arranged by his parents. He was fortunate to have a good wife.

She was always beautiful, talented, and composed, sometimes serving as a great confidante, which turned into mutual affection and love. However, her health was frail, and she could only bear one child, which is why Jitlada was his only daughter.

Somyot sighed, "At least... Miss Manfah is a representation of both of them, and she's also a clever child. I'm really curious if anyone in the future will be able to make her heart flutter. That might be a bit difficult, though. She says they have to be richer than her."

"And then what?"

"Master, have you forgotten? The salary of a government official is quite less compared to business. Plus, few have a knack for business. Good officials are often straightforward and honest, not very adaptable. They can't handle Young Miss. They might even end up being controlled by her instead. No matter how powerful they are, they can't capture her interest. I'm afraid you might have an even bigger headache deciding who should be her partner. Forcing her to marry is already tough, and finding someone suitable for her is even harder."

"Let it be. If there's truly no one, even if the man ends up being controlled, just consider it... that's as far as it goes."

If a man with the right status could take care of Manfah, he would be very happy. Even if his granddaughter ends up wrapping him around her finger, so be it. He just wants Manfah to have the best, even if it's her own husband.

Thinking about it, he began to worry just like Somyot, his trusted aide. Manfah was both rebellious and had a mind of her own. He wasn't sure how much he could manage her, as long as she didn't go too far beyond the limits.

Manfah was still very young, but her demeanor was unlike any twelve-year-old. Sometimes, she seemed to know more than adults. For now, he decided to study her personality and observe her behavior.

The novel didn't specify who killed Pipop and Jitlada, only that it was a murder disguised as a mysterious accident. Manfah overheard this while she and Grandpa Puang were shopping in the provincial town. In a restaurant, there was a private room for wealthy customers. As she walked past that room, the door wasn't fully closed. She heard the daughter of the company where her father worked talking to a man. She recognized the voice. The real Manfah had met Oradee, and the memory was strangely vivid, as if she was meant to remember that voice.

The woman was named Oradee. She was shouting at the man, crying bitterly over her father's situation. She wanted Jitlada dead. The man insisted it was an accident; he hadn't expected Pipop to come to his mother's rescue. But Manfah felt that the man had intended to kill her father as well. Her instincts told her so.

The daughter of the construction company where her father worked had set her sights on him as a potential husband. Her father's good looks had caught the eye of the company's owner's daughter, leading her to plot the murder of Jitlada, her mother. But somehow, her father had intervened and died alongside her mother. In reality, her mother was about to be killed, but her father stepped in to help. The mastermind behind it all chose to kill them both, then made it look like an accident by dropping a steel beam on their bodies. If investigated thoroughly, Oradee would be found guilty, but the man behind the scenes was undoubtedly the one pulling the strings.

She thought there had to be more to it. Why had Phraya Decha Damrongsak only just learned about her parents' deaths? Wasn't it too late? By the time Phraya Decha Damrongsak could investigate, it would be too late because they were already dead. Jitlada had an extraordinary status, and Phraya Decha Damrongsak, having her mother as his only daughter, would love her dearly. She didn't know how many enemies the Phakdi family had. Phraya Decha Damrongsak had no other heirs. Now, she was the only direct descendant, the true flesh and blood. However, Phraya Decha Damrongsak had an adopted grandson and granddaughter, who were the hero and heroine. In two years, she was bound to face some turmoil.

The story would intensify after these two years. She really didn't want to get involved in the main storyline.

But never mind...

Let's go pick some durians. The people of Siam are waiting for her durians!∼