Kalvin stared at the screen, biting his nails after confessing everything. He was looking like a sinner sent to god's judgment. But to his surprise, Maxwell and Bell remained quiet. They did not immediately lash out or blame him for what had happened. Instead, they just stared at the screen, letting out a deep sigh. They exchanged glances with each other before looking back at the screen.
Kalvin couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. He had expected a harsh response from his colleagues, but their silence was somehow even more unsettling. He wondered what they were thinking, and if they were disappointed in him. As he watched them carefully, Kalvin noticed that they both seemed lost in thought. They weren't angry or upset, but rather they appeared to be processing the information he had just shared with them. Eventually, Bell opened his mouth raising an eyebrow.
"This is serious Kal, I won't blame you for anything but taking out the gun, that's something" Bell said disappointed and Kalvin gave out a breath closing his eyes. He was ready for that response. He knew Bell's standards about using firearms. He tried to explain in a voice full of guilt.
"But Bell he crashed to me willingly to hurt me, that was a habit of Jackson's gang you know, the paper with the name of mine slipped out of the book when I fell"
Kalvin tried to explain as he opened his eyes, with a raspy voice but Bell interrupted.
"Your intention was killing when you took out the gun" Bell said firmly his eyes fixed on Kalvin's.
"But he saw the name and he realized that I'm a son of Turner" Kalvin tried to explain but Bell interrupted again.
"I see, but if you never took the gun out you would've never accidentally pointed it at him and he would've never tried to seize your gun, then the gun would've never fired accidentally and you would've never become a murderer" Bell explained as calm as possible but clues of disappointment was shown on his face. Literally, his brain was on fire right now. Kalvin looked at Bell with a painful look as Bell said the last word. Bell noticed it.
"Yes, Kal. That's it. You became what I never wanted you to be" Bell said giving out a breath and avoiding looking at Kalvin's face. Kalvin looked at the controlling board feeling guilty and shamed rather than hurt.
"I know. I'm sorry," he whispered still looking down. Bell looked at the screen to see Kalvin's teary eyes but instead saw his pale face with lifeless eyes. Maxwell looked at Bell in shock and decided that keeping quiet was the best option. He knew that speaking up would only hurt both Kalvin and himself. After a few seconds of silence, Kalvin started to speak staring back at Bell, not giving him a chance to speak.
"You must cancel my adaptation. That's what I deserve," Kalvin said, his voice full of despair. Bell was quick to respond,
"No, that's not what I meant," he exclaimed. His heart sank as he realized how much Kalvin had misunderstood him. Bell knew that Kalvin was feeling guilty for what he had done, but cancelling his adaptation was not the solution. Bell wanted to help Kalvin, but he also knew that he needed to be careful with his words. But Kalvin continued.
"I understand you being a chancellor doesn't mean you can pardon anyone you need. I'll take any punishment but please, Melvin has nothing to do with this. Being born in the wrong place is not a crime" Kalvin said with a cracking voice. He had to try hard to put out the words that were sticking in his throat continuously. Bell looked at Kalvin with an open mouth. 'Oh, what is this kid thinking?' Bell tried to explain as calmly as possible
"Kalvin, you don't deserve to be punished for your past mistakes. You deserve to learn from them and move on. Cancelling your adaptation won't make things better. Instead, it will only make you feel worse. Let me help you. Together, we can find a way to fix this, I can free Melvin from charges, It's alright but you" Bell said, his voice full of compassion. Kalvin looked at Bell, his eyes full of confusion. But slowly, his expression softened, and he nodded in agreement.
"I know," Kalvin said in a devastating voice.
"You are not letting him get hurt. Are you?" Maxwell asked hurriedly from Bell in wonder. Is he letting Kalvin get punished? No! Whatever he did Kalvin is still his stupid loving monkey bother.
"No. I won't" Bell said looking straight at the shocked face of Maxwell. Maxwell stared at him in a questioning mood.
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"Then?" Maxwell asked curiously looking for an answer.
"I have an idea. If Olivia is involved maybe we can take it into advantage" Bell explained thoughtfully. Kalvin looked at Bell as he realized his plan.
"No Bell! No! She is the problem. I won't beg her to help me" Kalvin said arrogantly. 'That bloody nosy parker' He thought. Bell looked at Kalvin with a firm look.
"You will. If we can get Elsa's vote and Penny's vote we can win this" Bell explained and Maxwell questioned.
"Votes?" He questioned doubtfully.
"Yes, our best shot is calling for a vote. This is not a decision I can make alone unless I call for my once-in-five-years decision chance," Bell explained, still considering every possibility.
"Why don't you take your chance instead of a vote, Bell? This is too important to take a risk. We can't risk his life," Maxwell asked, concerned. He looked at Bell with worry and, well, a bit of anger too. Why couldn't he take his chance and save his loving son?
Bell let out another deep breath.
"If the Asian case is involved in this, I can't use my chance. It's something that affects the survival of humanity " Bell explained, and Maxwell slammed his palm against the desk.
"I don't know anything about that bloody Asian case! You never told me anything except it killed Madam Brown's husband and daughter," Maxwell shouted angrily. Bell stared at him calmly, but his eyes betrayed his upset. Kalvin realized it was his call to say something.
"Max, you shouldn't know it," Kalvin said in a low voice and Maxwell turned his burning eyes toward Kalvin. Kalvin knew Maxwell was upset and angry because of all of the things that happened within the last hour.
"The reason I'm in danger is I know about the Asian case" Kalvin explained in a low voice. Maxwell stared at Kalvin's lifeless brown eyes which used to be mischievous and bright all the time. Then Maxwell looked back at Bell who was still lost in thoughts hiding his face in his hands.
Maxwell wiped the sweat from his forehead with his palms, his voice tense with anxiety. "So what now? You'll call for a vote, and Kalvin will talk to Olivia. Then?" Maxwell questioned wiping his face aggressively.
"I'll talk to Johnson. He is impressed with Melvin's talents. He'll vote for her" Bell said hopefully looking back at Maxwell.
"But we still need one more vote to seal the deal," Maxwell said concerned raising his eyebrow as he looked at Bell.
"We're getting there," Bell said, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.
"We just need to keep pushing. Maybe we can make madam Evens agree with us. She's not scared of Jessy and Jupiter like Swallow. She's independent. She'll vote for him if we can convince Kalvin is innocent. She'knows Melvin too" Bell's articulate explanation left Maxwell in a state of deep contemplation. As he stared at Bell, the information began to sink in. He was thinking about every bad thing possible to happen. He could see a hundred different ways this could go wrong. But still, he decided to stick to Bell's plan because he knew that as the chancellor of the security sector, Bell always made the right choices.
"OK, so after they are pardoned for being Turner's kids..." Maxwell said in a humiliating voice. He hated the way that children were blackmailed for their parents' mistakes.
"After that, you'll use your chance to pardon Kalvin for killing the soldier" Maxwell asked directly looking at Bell. Bell raised his eyebrow opening his mouth to indicate wonder. Kalvin bit his lips. He felt uncomfortable to hear what Maxwell just said.
"I'll pardon him for the 'accident' " Bell said highlighting the last word to convince Maxwell that Kalvin is not comfortable thinking about his crime. Maxwell stared at Kalvin realizing Bell was right.
"OK. So that's it" Maxwell said looking at Kalvin. Kalvin stared at Maxwell's raven colour eyes. He realized that Maxwell is not going to forgive him easily. But Kalvin knew that Maxwell still cared for his 'little monkey brother'.
"So you better go and talk to Olivia," Maxwell said to Kalvin in a commanding tone. Kalvin fixed his innocent-looking eyes back on Maxwell's face.
"No I can't" Kalvin murmured looking down and sharpening his ears to accept the bitter blaming from Maxwell.
"Are you kidding us? Huh? Or do you have a death wish?" Maxwell cried furiously. Kalvin barely looked at Maxwell's eyes feeling uncomfortable and looked down again.
"I can't. I..I ..tried to strangle her a few minutes ago" He explained in an awkward low voice getting ready to bear another horrible blame.
"What? You dumbass what are you talking about now? Another confession about an attempt to murder?" Maxwell shouted in anger. Kalvin stared at Maxwell's burning eyes.
"You would've done the same if you had a criminal father!" Kalvin said loud looking at Maxwell. He was done with all of this. He'd rather get electrified than lose his stupid pride by going begging to his enemy. Maxwell stared at Kalvin with a burning look mixed up with pain. He knew that Kalvin always had a little jealousy about Maxwell having a father who was Bell's best friend a long time ago.
"Quiet, Kal," Bell said softly, halting the argument between his two children. "Yelling at Maxwell won't solve anything. We both want to help you, but you must take responsibility for your actions. There are consequences for what you've done." Kalvin squirmed in his chair, reluctant to apologize to his opponent, especially after their recent altercation.
"But, Bell, how can I do this? I have my pride. I can't just bow down to her," Kalvin explained calmly. Bell nodded in understanding, while Maxwell fidgeted nervously.
"Listen carefully. I need to speak to Melvin. She can persuade Olivia. Melvin will do anything for you, I'm sure of it," Bell suggested, leaving Kalvin intrigued and hopeful. It sounds like a good plan to him.
"Not so sure, but...Okay, I'll bring her here," Kalvin said, rising from his seat. Bell smiled in relief as Kalvin made his way to the door.