Not to mention that place was originally where his wife worked, and many of his people were already stationed there. It could be said that he held half the home advantage there.
He could even act more freely there than in PLANT itself.
However, if there really would be an attack someday in the future as Fred said, then he would need to evacuate the personnel stationed there first.
Genetic talents were also extremely important.
He should indeed increase security for that place.
While Siegel's mind was racing, Lacus, seeing her father speak to this extent and fall into deep thought, did not continue to object.
She merely lowered her gaze slightly, softly acknowledged, and then turned to leave her father's study.
Taking a breath of the fresh air outside, Lacus looked through the large European-style floor-to-ceiling window toward the distant garden.
Inside, countless rare and precious flowers from Earth were blooming in full splendor.
But that was merely the result of careful cultivation and nurturing.
With her naturally keen intuition, she could roughly guess that the reason her father gave when refusing her was likely false.
Not entirely false, but not entirely true either.
His concern was genuine, but the reason was fabricated.
"What is over there?"
Lacus gazed at the flowers and sighed softly in her heart.
But since her father forbade her from going, she really couldn't move around freely.
And her father's concern wasn't fake either.
Going there might indeed bring unexpected dangers.
Though her rationality understood this clearly, the curiosity in Lacus's mind at that moment burned like a raging fire, impossible to quell.
The more she looked at those flowers, the more unease grew in Lacus's heart.
However, she didn't linger to admire the flowers any longer. After a moment's thought, Lacus quickly returned to her room and took out her terminal.
"Miss Lacus?"
Fred asked with some surprise toward the terminal.
"Uncle Patrick has agreed. We can depart according to the original plan."
Lacus's familiar voice replied.
"Understood."
After all, Siegel was currently the Chairman, so Fred wasn't surprised.
What surprised him was why Lacus would call him over such a small matter.
It couldn't be that she was bored and wanted to chat on the phone, could it?
"Brother Fred... if you encounter anything strange during this trip, could you tell me about it?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing Lacus's seemingly out-of-nowhere request, Fred was momentarily taken aback.
Had Lacus noticed something?
After all, she didn't mention telling her father but directly addressed him.
That likely meant she was keeping it from Siegel.
In other words, Lacus might very well have begun to suspect her own origins?
But from where?
Could it be because of his influence?
The Mendel matter was indeed his suggestion. It wasn't impossible for Lacus to discover something unusual by seizing this opportunity.
Though still young, Lacus remained quite perceptive.
It wasn't impossible for her to detect something amiss from Siegel's words.
If Lacus found out that he also knew about her origins, it could become even more troublesome.
Not to mention, if Bella was still there, it would indeed be quite dangerous for Lacus.
"Alright, I'll let you know if I hear anything."
"But what exactly is Lacus looking for information about?"
Fred pondered for a moment before asking.
This question wasn't a lie, and agreeing to it wasn't either.
He probably hadn't been found out yet.
"Hmm... I'm not sure, and don't force yourself."
For once, a hint of uncertainty crept into Lacus's voice.
She genuinely didn't know what she was looking for—it was just a gut feeling that her father was hiding something from her. And since Fred was someone she could trust, she had brought it up with him.
After all, if Siegel really was keeping secrets, Lacus had no one else to turn to right now.
"I understand."
Hearing the uncertainty in her tone, Fred felt a twinge of sympathy, but it quickly faded.
For now, it really was better if Lacus didn't know.
It wouldn't be good for her growth, which in turn wouldn't be good for his own retirement plans. So, as her brother, he couldn't say anything.
"Mhm~"
"And make sure you come back safely, okay?"
"Don't worry."
They didn't talk much longer, and the call soon ended. Fred quietly turned his gaze to the backpack in front of him.
Three days—this wasn't a vacation. He only needed the bare essentials.
Clothes would be provided on-site, so he'd just wear the researcher's uniform and burn it afterward.
Weapons would also be provided.
He didn't need to bring anything himself, except his wits.
Whether he could eliminate Creuset in advance might depend entirely on this.
Even if Creuset were gone, someone else would take his place, but it was still crucial to remove the most immediate threat first.
It was like being in a fight—if someone was about to catch up to you, you'd naturally deal with the one closest to you first.
There was no point in running a long way just to take out the person farthest behind.
Just as Fred was finalizing his plans, there was a knock on his door.
"Brother~?"
Flay's gentle voice came from outside the door.
Unlike her usual cheerful self, her voice sounded subdued.
"What brings you here so late?"
Fred responded and quickly opened the door.
"Mom said you're leaving..."
Outside, Flay looked up at her brother, who stood silhouetted against the light, feeling both nervous and worried.
As she spoke, her small hand tightly grasped Fred's sleeve.
"It's just a business trip to April City."
Hearing this, Fred crouched down in front of the girl and gently patted her head with his free hand—the one Flay wasn't holding.
"Really..."
Perhaps it was a sibling's intuition, but Flay didn't fully believe Fred's explanation.
She had a feeling he was going to do something else.
Lately, he had been like this—solemn and lost in thought from time to time.
It must be something very important.
And she understood that the more important something was, the more dangerous it tended to be.
She was afraid her brother would face danger.
"Really."
"I'll be back in three days."
By then, the danger threatening his sister and family would be gone.
All his planning was for the world, but it was also for his sister.
That man had to die.
Especially since he had already caused so many deaths.
"Be good while I'm away, Flay. Listen to Mom and Dad, okay?"
Thinking this, Fred's gaze toward Flay grew even more tender.
"Mhm!"
Flay obediently responded, also extending her pinky finger.
"Pinky promise!"
"..."
Although the gesture seemed like a classic jinx, Fred still extended his finger.