Burning Passion

CHAPTER 120: THE CULPRIT

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Everything is ready. Theo and Daichi try out the spy cameras now connected to their phones. Mark Lao joined them and showed the cameras from the room.

When it's time, Theo sits in the lobby. He noticed that Nikki ignores him when he attempts to greet her. He just assumes she doesn't feel well after the news. Even how he desires to kidnap her at this moment to comfort her; there are things they have to take care of…

"Hang on, Nikki. Everything will be alright soon. I need to clear out the path first." Theo uttered to himself when he spotted the person he was waiting for.

As scheduled, Kevin Hale arrives before 2:00 pm. They monitored all his movements and conversation, even during his checking in at the front desk. It turns out; he flirted with Nikki, and he sounded like he remembered her from the past before the incident ten years ago.

'What is going on here?' Theo murmurs in his head. He glares at Kevin's direction when he hears him flirting at Nikki. He could tell that Nikki wasn't in a mood to work further today. But she forces herself to smile politely at the guests.

Theo is definite that she was heartbroken after learning that someone murdered her father. But she doesn't want to be obvious in front of everyone.

Theo wanted to rush at her side and hug Nikki. She's pregnant, and so she's sensitive a lot more. Suffering from loneliness and stress is not helpful for her pregnancy. It worries him.

Watching keenly, he saw Kevin Hale now leaving the Reception Area. Theo picks up his phone and speaks up to the people on the other line. "They're taking the elevator now."

"We're eyeing on them. Also, the suite has successfully planted Nano spy cameras. They won't notice anything that we are monitoring them." Daichi informed Theo.

"That's brilliant news." As expected of the Crow Corporation Security, they operated like spies. They have these kinds of gadgets and technology. Before Theo hangs up the phone, he makes a request. "Um, brother Daichi, can I ask a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?" Daichi eagerly listens from the other line.

"Can you send Nikki some mango pudding and mango cheesecake?"

"Oh. Did Nikki like those? I didn't know that?" Daichi sounded puzzled.

Heh. If I tell you the reason, I'm sure you'll be shocked and beat me up. Theo thought. He shook his head and replied. "Ah, she does. I saw her enjoying the desserts at the time of the event. Well, Nikki is trying hard to be cheerful, but I know she is depressed inside because of the sad news."

"You're right, Theo. She must have felt down, but she just showed she was fine. Sweets will help her mood! I'll go call the restaurant."

"Thanks. I owe you one."

"Nah. It's nothing. It's for our Nikki. I'll hang up now."

"All right. I'm coming up." Theo glanced at the front desk before he headed to the elevator. He is certain; she cried a while ago, but she did her best not to become transparent. Watching her, the more he wanted to hold her inside his arms.

It was the moment Nikki lifted her head, and their eyes met. However, Nikki quickly averted her gaze. Soon, he needs to straighten out everything between them.

"Yo, Theo! Hurry!"

"Have they begun conversing?" he asked curiously. He might miss something already.

"Not yet. Your uncle still on the phone." Mark replied to him.

Theo seated in front of his laptop and observed the meeting of his uncle Garry and Kevin Hale.

"Hello, Master Shang!" Kevin greeted the old man. But it appears it irritated the man seeing him.

"You seem lost, Master Hale," Garry yells at the man across from him, which Kevin only returns with an amusing laugh.

"Is this possible you are not pleased to see me, Master Shang?"

"Things still haven't gotten better! Why do you have to show up in Mainland City? They continue investigating what happened three years ago! Their—"

"Uh-uh... Why should we talk about it? What happened three years ago? I seem to recall nothing about that, Master Shang."

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MONITORING TEAM

Mark: Damn it! This guy is careful!

Shun: He should be. He is cautious not to make a wrong move or words in front of Garry Shang.

Daichi: Now, it will hold him up to mention anything about three years ago.

Mark: But surely, we can get more useful information from their meeting.

Rudolf: And attempting to discuss what happened three years ago only proves that Garry Shang knows something, and he must be involved in that.

Kier: Absolutely. One word is enough to see that hole they are trying to cover.

Theo. [....] (Keenly listening further to the conversation.)

* * *

ROOM 1410

"Are you washing off your hands, Master Hale?"

"What to wash if there is nothing to clean, Master Shang?" Kevin Hale questions Garry Shang. It displays how the old man feels unpleasant. "It seems you'd like to distract me. So, you are mentioning nonsense things."

"And why would I do that?" Garry Shang laughs nervously.

"I am here for important business. Now, let's down to business."

"What do you want?" Garry asked arrogantly. He's trying to be superior in this talk.

Suddenly, Kevin Hale slams his palm on the cocktail table.

"I have been supporting you for many years, but still, there are no excellent results! I am just wasting my investment in Shang Holdings. Now I need my money, Master Shang."

"We have an agreement!"

"That agreement is worthless when until now, you are still the inferior of that company! How come a disabled man surpasses you and becomes the President?"

"Shut up! If you killed them ten years ago, then we don't have a problem now!"

"Be careful of your words, Master Shang."

"I mentioned no one. What are you afraid of?" Garry Shang grin. "It was you who compromised the plan. How dare you question me? I was the VP of the company. Just a little work, I can throw out my nephew. But fuck, that bastard came back in the country."

"Who's a bastard?"

"The one you should have killed!"

"Isn't he dead? Did you fool me to make-believe so you will get the money?"

"Isn't we mentioning nothing about the past, Master Hale?" Garry Shang poured wine to his glass and drank it in one go.

"Don't change the issue, Master Shang." There is a threat to Kevin Hale's voice. The man is attempting to save himself, which he won't let that happen.

Garry Shang's forehead curled up from anger. Kevin Hale is giving him a hard time. He has to point the blame only to him. "It was your job to make sure of that! But you failed. Now you question me? You should fuck teach your nephew how to kill a person!"

"But you did not give the whole details, that they were with a girl!"

"And who is this girl? I don't know about that." Garry Shang denies it. It also surprised him after he heard that his nephew is with a girl that night.

"You must have forgotten. You give orders to kill anyone that could witness the crime."

"What are you talking about? Stop talking nonsense, Master Hale."

"Whether you deny it doesn't change the fact you used me," said Kevin Hale. The old man would try to trick him. He could play it all night.

"We are partners. As you can see, we are just providing each other that we both benefit from it. We need not become enemies, Master Hale."

"Stop playing with me, Master Shang. Is my investment still in good hands? Or have you spent these past years the reason you were trying to lead me to another direction of our conversation?"

"Of course not! But if you pull out now, what is my chance to win over my stocks?"

"Are you begging now, Master Shang?"

Tsk. This man is troublesome. He has to calm down and take it easy. "Master Hale, we need not end our friendship this way. It happens, I heard the news, and you need the money. I can support you, but I won't give back your investment. Instead, wait so that I can profit from it more."

"And what do you know why I need the money, Master Shang?"

"You are planning to leave the country." Garry Shang smirks. Now he holds this man into his hands. Of course, he won't allow him to win over.

"Heh. Trying to play with a game, Master Shang? You should know that if I ended up apprehended, I could drag you with me."

Garry Shang narrowed his gaze at the man sitting across from him. How can he get rid of this man? He has to convince him to leave the country. He cannot come back anymore because the Secret Intelligence Sector is eyeing him for multiple incidents in the past. Besides, this guy cannot harm him. He was inside the Mainland City. The Alliance would know promptly if a crime happens.

"Stops threatening me, Master Hale," he said. 'You can't do anything inside this city.'

"I know what is playing on your mind, Master Shang. Why don't you invite me to your house for dinner instead?"

"What? Why?"

"Let's discuss the business further at your house. I have a better proposal for you."

"Why don't you speak it here?" Could it be this person plotted to kill him inside his residence? Garry Shang pondering.

"I just find the place dangerous to speak of further details. We failed ten years ago, the more reason we plan out everything carefully. What do you think?"

"Ah, of course! All right! You can come by later. I have to prepare the main dishes." Garry Shang grins.

Kevin Hale returned the grin as well. He said, "I know you can't produce any money at the moment, Master Shang. But I have a job for you."

"What kind of request is this, Master Shang? Just make it sure I won't compromise my position and name, or else we both finish and say goodbye to your investment."

"About the main dish, you are talking. We want her." Neil, Kevin's assistant, places his mobile phone on the table.

"Who is she?"