"Is that all? Really, nothing more? Think carefully! Is there anything else?"
As for the other things...
The frail girl bit her lower lip upon hearing this, and a vision of a crying man's face flashed through her mind. She then glanced at Leon with a complex expression.
If I obtained a family photo, and that man got hold of it, he would restore everything. You, William, and Melanie would regain your original lives, and I would no longer be part of your family.
*If that happened, I would become alone again, and your only family would be Sister Veronica. I truly envy her...*
*But it was because I used that photo six years ago that I took away your original lives, separated you from your true family. Do I have the right to stop that man and prevent him from putting everything back on its original course?*
After her lips moved slightly, Anna shook her head with a somewhat gloomy expression, murmuring in reply, "I don't..."
"You do! Anna! You are definitely hiding something from me!"
Even without using soul vision, Leon could see the hesitation in his sister's heart.
If it were something else, it might not matter. Everyone has their secrets. But the matter Anna didn't want to talk about was likely related to the Anomalous Object created by the Aquarius Director, and that allowed no ambiguity!
"Though I don't know why you're hiding it from me, it's related to that photo, isn't it?"
After utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit pendant to toss out the robust old man who had already crept inside, Leon grabbed his sister's shoulders and looked into her eyes seriously, "Anna! Listen to me!
"Whether you are trying to avoid past mistakes or think that keeping it from me might be better, or whatever other reason, never do that!"
Paused for a moment, looking at his sister who hadn't denied anything, Leon continued to emphasize while pondering, "I am your brother. If you've made a mistake, just tell me directly! I will do whatever I can to help you make amends!
"If you think it's for my own good, then there's even less reason to keep it from me! My matters are for me to decide. You can try to persuade me, but you're not allowed to make choices for me!"
"Don't say anything else. Right now, you can only choose to tell me or continue to keep it from me."
After secretly touching the Black Goat's horn and checking Anna's soul condition, Leon's expression softened a bit, and he gently said, "Just like I mentioned just now, the choice is up to you. I can't make it for you, but I still hope you can tell me what's going on.
"Anna, you have to be prepared. If you keep it from me, I will definitely be very angry, extremely angry!
"But rest assured, because I'm your brother, no matter how angry I get, I will eventually forgive you! Now, it's time to make your choice!"
Even though the choice was hers, if she still chose to hide it from me after all this, then I'd go find the director and figure out a way to borrow a mind-reading Anomalous Object!
Unaware of Leon's underhanded plan, Anna felt her eyes well up. Even at this moment, seeing Leon still chose to trust her and return the choice to her, she choked up a little and said softly, "I choose to tell you! I'll tell you everything!"
"What? The Aquarius Director has already been to the Capital City? And even been to your house?"
After hearing the selectively relayed information from Leon, even the always composed Red-haired Director was startled by this news.
"Yes, and it was very recent, just the night before the investigators came to the office."
After explaining Anna's ordeal and her conversation with the Aquarius Director, Leon bit his lips fearfully and said, "Director, this person is terrifyingly dangerous and is likely planning something extremely risky. Can't we move up the internal inquiry?"
The Red-haired Director shook his head helplessly, "The year-end review in six days is the fastest we could arrange. There's genuinely no way to advance it any further...
"Um... If you're worried about your family's safety, you could have your brother and sisters temporarily stay at the office these few days to keep them safe, and I can protect them until the year-end review is over."
"That's what I intended... Thank you, Director!"
Sincerely thanking the Red-haired Director and feeling a bit of pressure finally lifting off his shoulders, Leon let out a long sigh, then handed over the photo.
"Director, though I don't know why the Aquarius wants it, whatever he's planning is something we should stop. This should stay with you because I'm afraid I can't keep it safe."
The photo that can replace an identity, right?
After looking at the image of Princess Veronica in the photo, the Red-haired Director pondered for a moment but didn't take the photo. Instead, he took out a dirty little mirror from a drawer and waved it over the photo.
Seeing the photo flash and then directly turn into two, Leon couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.
This is... a duplicating type of Anomalous Object? Is the director trying to...
"This thing is called [Duplicating Duo], one of the Anomalous Objects I privately own. It's also a Numbered Anomalous Object, with a real strength ranking around thirty."