The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)
Chapter 1228

"Augustus!"

When Mango uttered out the name, Nathaniel was clearly stunned for a moment.

His emotions seemed complicated. He said nothing and entered the room.

It was Mango's first time seeing Nathaniel behaving this way. However, she understood his feeling after thinking about it carefully.

Although Augustus had nothing to do with him, both Augustus and Nanny Zhang used to be in a relationship before. It seemed that the two of them had a kid. Thus, it was very likely that Maverick was the son of Augustus.

If it was true, then Augustus would be Nathaniel's half-brother.

Nathaniel wouldn't be able to accept that.

Mango did not bother Nathaniel either, and went straight to the hospital.

Although Nathaniel had been there previously, she wished to know about Michael's injuries as well.

In the hospital, Noah was stunned for a moment upon seeing Mango.

"Who helped you to put on the makeup? I can't really recognize you without taking a close look at you."

Mango felt slightly contented over Noah's remarks.

"Well, so do I. I don't feel like myself when I look into the mirror every day."

"Did the people in Baxter Alliance put on the makeup for you?"

"Yeah, you're right."

Mango didn't hide it from him either.

"How's Michael?"

Mango cut to the chase.

There were complicated feelings in Noah's eyes. Upon looking at Mango, he paused for a moment before asking, "Have you known that Michael has been working with Nathaniel all this while?" "Yeah. Nathan didn't tell you and Morgan as he didn't want you both to be entangled in this matter. He had no other intentions."

Mango understood their brotherhood.

There was no news about Michael when he left back then. Everyone was seeking Michael's whereabouts. They had even thought that Michael had died at the border. Generally speaking, Noah could not accept the fact the moment he figured out Michael had long been protected by Nathaniel and also struggled at the border for so many years.

"It's not the life he used to live."

"Everyone leads a different life which depends on your own choice. Since Michael has chosen this path, you shouldn't stop him for his good sake. Nathan has also developed the same thought back then. Instead of letting him live a living hell, it's better to let him live the life he wish to, am I right?"

Noah was stoned over Mango's words once again.

He suddenly realized that he was being narrowminded compared to her.

Indeed.

Michael was their buddy. Even if they had different stances, they could still get along together as long as there were no other conflicts of interest between them.

However, Noah somewhat admired Nathaniel.

He had certainly known the path that Michael chose, but he didn't stop him. It could be seen that his temperament had changed after he left the military region with his mission back then. Nathaniel literally couldn't return to the military region.

Regardless of the matter could be provided with an ideal solution, he could never go back anymore.

Noah lamented over Nathaniel's decision.

"Has Nathaniel made up his mind to leave the military region?"

Mango initially didn't understand the implication of his words. Though, she was clear once she had given an attentive thought.

"I respect Nathan's choice. Since he refused to stay in the military, then you shan't bother."

"He did it for you."

Noah looked at Mango and said in a profound tone.

However, Mango shook her head and said, "Perhaps I am part of the reason, but definitely not the whole. Noah, did you feel remorseful when you retired from the army for Genevieve back then? Do you regret it now?"

"Surely no."

After finishing his remarks, Noah felt that he was being a hypocrite who had put a high expectation on her.

She was right.

Why would he feel that Mango was a burden to Nathaniel, whereas he could do everything he wished?

Why had he developed the same narrowmindedness as other men did?

"I'm sorry, Mango."

"You don't have to apologize to me. I've never blamed you on this matter. Let's get back to the point. How's Michael doing?"

Noah sighed and said, "His condition doesn't seem optimistic. His wound isn't deep though, but he has suffered a massive hemorrhage and he's not determined to survive. You know right, if a patient no longer wishes to stay alive, we have no other choice. We've tried our best to sustain his life now but we've no idea when he will wake up again."

Mango had already predicted that outcome.

"He was actually living like a walking corpse after Valentina's death over those years. It was only due to his promise to Nathan that he stayed alive until now. Now that a woman who looks exactly like Valentina had attacked him, he might assume that it was karma for not being able to save her back then. Hence, perhaps it might be a liberation to him when he was stabbed by Aria. His guilt and self- blame were reduced through this stabbing incident but it has also made him lose the courage and faith to live on."

Noah nodded upon hearing Mango's word.

"Yeah, it was the most intractable thing. If there's still someone whom he cared about right at this moment, perhaps he might wake. However, he has no one left and he has also lost his mental support. I'm afraid that he will become a vegetable soon if he's not going to wake up."

Noah wouldn't wish for this.

It was indeed an insult for a figure who was once powerful lying half-dead in bed could only maintain his life by relying on dextrose yet they could do nothing,

Mango was also

eling somewhat upset.

It was not long before she had the chance to engage with Michael, but she knew that Michael was Nathaniel's best buddy. Nathaniel would probably feel terrible now that Michael was in this state. "Is he in a life-threatening situation for now?"

"Nope, he just simply don't wish to stay alive anymore."

Noah was flipping out over his buddy's condition.

The only motivation for Michael to stay alive was simply to get atonement for Valentina.

Though none of them blamed him for the mishaps of Valentina. He just couldn't get through himself.

As Valentina's boyfriend, he felt that he was not able to stay together with her when she was in danger, and had even led her to be drawn and quartered. He could not forgive himself for the mistake. He could only live for revenge and atonement.

However, he felt that he had completed his atonement when Aria, who resembled Valentina, pushed the dagger into his chest.

He felt that he had already repaid what he had owed to Valentina. He wished to end his life to follow Valentina. He had thought of meeting her again in the afterlife and reincarnate together with her. How he wished he could continue their love in the next life.

Consequently, Michael was having a death wish.

Mango felt uneasy looking at Michael from the glass window, who looked as if he had merely fallen asleep.

Michael was being affectionate and so was Nathaniel.

Would Nathaniel become the way Michael was if something happened to her? She didn't dare to imagine it.

No way!

He might be more ruthless, more heartless, and even lawless compared to Michael.

As the Golden Lancehead Venom was still in his body.

Thinking of that, Mango asked Noah in a low voice, "How much do you know about the venom?"

"Not much. I dabbled in this before due to the mission which allowed me to study it over some period of time. However, it isn't something that can be researched thoroughly in a day. A lot of people may not even be able to learn a bit in this field for their entire lives. I'm sorry to say that I can't offer any help in this matter."

Noah's remarks caused Mango's heart to slightly sink.

"Is there any other solution? I've no idea if the Golden Lancehead Venom inside Nathan's body will bring any side effects to his body, but it seems that his temper has changed a lot recently. He has become more irritable and violent. Sometimes, he even gets inexplicably annoyed."

Mango said in a low voice.

Noah frowned.

"I had once suggested him to wear jade because it may help. However, I'm afraid he still needs to seek help from the person who has previously bewitched him to completely disengage the Golden Lancehead Venom inside his body."

While hearing Noah's words, Mango immediately

understood.

The venom was being infested by people from Longford County. Regardless of their predecessors or juniors, they had to use the people from Longford County to get rid of it.

It was said that the relationship between Nathaniel and Longford County was indeed complicated.

"Does everyone in Longford County know how to control venom?"

"Probably. Otherwise, they would not have drawn a fatal disaster back then."

Noah's words caused Mango to turn around hurriedly.

"What do you know? How much do you know about the genocidal incident of Longford County?"

"There was limited information as the affair has kept it confidential whereby only several people knew about the fact. Inadvertently, I've learned a few things regarding it and it has something to do with the village. I don't exactly know about what happened back then and I still have no way to find it out."

Mango looked at Noah. From his eyes, she could tell that Noah wasn't lying to her. However, what kind of secret would cause everyone not to know about it?

"I reckon this confidential file should be documented in archive. Can we hack inside the system and have a clear view as long as we manage to find a professional?"

Noah shook his head and said, "The incident has never been archived."

"How can this be possible?"

Mango was completely taken aback.

How could one mobilize so many people to destroy the Longford County if the incident was being archived?

Without the warrant and certified document, how could the men below execute as told?

However, Noah was not a liar and he had no point to lie to Mango. That was the reason why Mango was completely astonished.

Noah shook his head and said, "I've no idea though. How old am I back then? I was not even born. If you want to make things clear, you can inquire your grandfather. Nevertheless, he's under house arrest now."

"What did you say? Is my grandpa doing fine?"

Mango immediately became tense.

She had previously suspected that it was her grandfather who snitched which made Nathaniel be in such a difficult situation. However, Noah even said that Brantley was locked up at his house.

Mango became worried at once.

Noah said in a hurry, "Don't worry. He's fine but his personal freedom has been restricted. Besides, his daily necessities are well prepared. I bet they're afraid that he will contact you. I'm kinda curious about this incident. Do rest assure that I'll check it through my networking when I'm free. Even if I can't offer you any help, I'm sure Brantley's life safety can be guaranteed."

"Thank you, Noah."

Mango nodded with gratification.

She was about to turn around and head back. Only then did Noah say, "Nathaniel has previously asked me to investigate the terrorists who took away your grandfather's eldest daughter back then, and I've received some news regarding it. I will send the information to you after I sort them out."