Chapter 1238: And it all started… in our first life.

Hugo had definitely heard of Homeland Security and knew about it, but Atlas had barely heard of it. He was aware of its existence, but he wasn’t exactly sure of its real role. Hence, Atlas spent the night researching and trying to understand what kind of organization his third brother was part of.

Shocked was an understatement when Atlas read about it.

This made him question Slater more and more because his goofy, childish personality didn’t seem to fit someone in such an organization.

"Penny!" Slater gasped at his devious sister. "Why would you do this to me?!"

Penny puffed her cheeks and shrugged.

"What do you mean?" she asked. "First Brother already understands what I went through, and I already gave a glimpse of what happened to me. To be honest, aside from all the sad things, that’s all there is to it."

"I was in prison, so after I was incarcerated, I didn’t know what was happening outside," she added matter-of-factly. "You, on the other hand, knew things that I didn’t because, unlike me, you were free. Well, your career ended because of the scandal, but at least you were out to see the world! Moreover, before First Brother and Second Brother came to us, we were ready to talk about it."

"But that was different!" Slater yelled. "I wasn’t mentally prepared to have them hear my story!"

"I wasn’t ready yesterday either, but I still had no choice." Penny shrugged.

"Does this rebirth thing have anything to do with your involvement with Homeland Security?" Hugo wondered aloud, not really listening to Penny and Slater’s banter.

"I don’t think Slater was reborn," Atlas clarified. "From what I overheard, he tried to kill himself and failed. In return, he regained his memories of his past life."

"Oh..." Hugo nodded. "That’s why you wanted me to punch you that night and..."

His expression turned stiff as he glared at Slater.

"Why would you do that, Slater?"

"I was... foolish, I guess..." Slater frowned and lowered his eyes. "Can we not talk about that right now?"

"No, we cannot." Atlas shook his head. "Slater, whatever is bothering you, always reach out. If not to me, then to Hugo or Penny. Or Uncle Haines, Dad, Mom—Zoren, or Grandma Pierson. Even Butler Jen, if there’s really no one else available at the moment. Always know that we might not respond in real-time, but we will once we know you need support."

Penny smiled and nodded. "See?"

"I’d fly to you even if I were at the base, you brat." Hugo clicked his tongue, still not appeased by the revelation. However, it had already happened, and there was no point in dwelling on it. "It’s upsetting, but I just hope that if you ever feel that way again... reach out. Don’t just decide to leave us all like that."

Slater pressed his mouth into a thin line, studying his older brothers, Penny, and then Zoren, who nodded at him with a kind smile. A lump formed in his throat before he nodded, holding back whatever tears he had left in him.

"I’m sorry," he muttered, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "But don’t worry anymore. I promised Penny that in this life, my life is hers. So, even if the day comes when I want to, I can’t."

"He’s my slave now," Penny giggled proudly. "Anyway, since that’s cleared up—"

"Should I try it as well?" Hugo blurted out. "I want to remember. I think I’d know more."

"Second Brother, you died," Penny remarked knowingly, making Hugo gasp. "I heard you died, and First Brother buried you where Mom and Dad lay."

"What?!" Hugo jumped from his seat, wide-eyed. "Mom and Dad... what did you just say?"

Penny pursed her lips and exchanged glances with Slater. She hadn’t mentioned this to them before.

"Hugo, sit down," Atlas said, remaining calm. "That first life sounds like a complete mess, so be prepared for whatever they’re about to tell us. And be grateful that it hasn’t happened yet."

The lines on Hugo’s face deepened as he lowered his eyes, trying to compose himself. He could take jokes, even dark humor, since he was surrounded by not just brave men but also humorous ones. But if there was one thing he couldn’t take as a joke, it was anything that jinxed his parents’ lives.

Even so, Hugo sat down, his breathing slow and heavy.

"Let’s hear it," he said, snapping his eyes at his younger siblings with a stern look. "I want to know what really happened. How it happened. And then everything after that."

Silence followed Hugo’s words as none of them could bring themselves to speak. Yet, even in that silence, no one urged anyone to hurry up and explain.

"Okay," Slater breathed out and nodded. "Penny is right. She already told you what happened to her, what she had to endure, and how her life ended."

He paused, carefully scanning their faces.

"But to tell you how I ended up in Homeland Security, I have to explain how I was qualified for their special unit in the first place. And it all started... in our first life."

Slater drew another deep breath as he prepared to share what he knew. However, even with that, he didn’t really know where to start. A lot had happened in their first life, and if there was anything he remembered, it was partying at a nightclub with his friends before being struck by the news of his sister’s arrest.

Everything after that was almost a blur. All he knew was that Penny’s arrest led to a series of misfortunes for their family, and before he knew it, he was being trained by one of the largest assassin groups in the world—just to kill two people.

However, in a mission, eliminating two targets was nearly impossible, no matter how careful and meticulous the planning was.

After all, the two targets he had been ordered to kill to save his sister were both prominent figures with significant influence—people with entire networks willing to die for them.

But, of course, Slater had to leave out the details of his targets for now.

Penny, Zoren, Hugo, and Atlas listened intently. And the more they listened, the grimmer their faces became.

Whoever had recruited Slater had turned him into a killing machine. No wonder that even in this life, Slater had spiraled into depression. His mind couldn’t remember, but his heart definitely remembered the weight of his criminality.

Unforgivable.