"Shut up!" Kevin frowned. He no longer had the patience for his assistant's ceaseless chattering.
"Send someone to watch the AS Group. Keep track of the president's every move, and keep me up to
date with everything." He was more composed as he gave out instructions in comparison to his earlier
outburst.
But his assistant was not fooled by his outward display calmness. Kevin's anger was still simmering
under the surface, but that did not stop him from asking again.
"Mr. Kevin, why the AS Group? They are a small company, and there's nothing particularly remarkable
about them for us to keep an eye on," the assistant said, confused at his superior's orders.
Kevin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I told you to stop asking. Just do as I say."
Knowing that his boss' anger was once again threatening to blow over, the assistant didn't push his
luck. Instead, he regarded him with a wary look and said, "Mr. Kevin, there will be an exchange
meeting at the Pearl Mall in a few days. Would you like to attend it?"
At this news, Kevin's lips curled into a wry smile. "The Pearl Mall is a place for people who want the
quick and easy way to success. In short, cowards. Do you think it would be a good fit for the AN
Group?"
Kevin exuded arrogance at his every word. Even his own assistant thought him to be cocky, but he
could admit that it was with good reason and not mere bravado. Kevin had led AN Group to rise to the
top ranks, and so his gloating mattered little when he had even more to show for it.
"Well then, I'll turn down the invitation to the Pearl Mall."
Half a day passed and the assistant reported the news about Ryan to Kevin, "Mr. Kevin, the president
of AS Group doesn't have any activities as of recent. However, he will be participating in the exchange
meeting at the Pearl Mall in three days—the one I mentioned earlier."
Kevin raised a dark brow at the information and said, "I see. Change of plans. Tell the person in charge
that I will be attend the meeting as well."
He'd be damned before he let Ryan escape. He had to find Anne. With these thoughts, he clenched his
fist tightly.
A sea breeze blew over the island, gently swaying the vines that hung from the roof. It swept through
Anne's thick hair, cooling her nape.
Since they could remember things, Simon and Sally had always watched the figure of their mother with
her back turned to them, silently watching the sea. For what, no one knew. Her thoughts seemed as
unfathomable as the blue depths of the waters.
The children were too young to know that Anne's gaze had meant loneliness. They looked at each
other, and then walked forward to put their arms around Anne.
"Mommy, Mommy, we are going out. Aren't you happy? I want to eat some marshmallows." Sally's
energy was as great as her appetite. She was a chowhound. Her eyes lit up whenever she talked about
food, and she seemed happiest when she was eating.
At her words, Anne turned to the two children. They looked up at her with bright, innocent eyes. Why
did they know about them going out? Could it be that Kim would do something to her children?
"How did you know that? Was it Kim? Did you do something to anger him? I told you to stay away from
him, didn't I?" she said sternly. The rise in her voice and the hard expression on her face frightened the
two children, who were not used to seeing their gentle mother angry.
Simon was still calm and quiet, but Sally was already crying.
"Mommy..." Anne's anger immediately softened at the sight of Sally's tears. She hadn't meant to scare
them.
With a lighter voice, she comforted Sally. "Sally, don't cry. I'm not angry with you. It's just that mom is
worried, so you have to listen well and do as I say, okay?"
As Anne sought to console her crying child, her arms went around Sally and held her in an embrace,
quietly hushing her sobs.
At this moment, Simon sighed, as if in exasperation. "Sally, why are you so afraid of things? Mommy
just said a few words. You are still so young, so you should listen to her. What if you get in trouble?"
Simon spoke in a serious tone. He had always been the more mature of the two, even if they were born
at the same time.
"I know. I'm just afraid of Uncle Kim. I don't like him. He's scary," Sally said timidly and burrowed
deeper into Anne's arms.
Anne sighed at her words. No wonder Sally had developed such a character. Kim's attitude towards the
two children was just too different.
She was their mother, and in her heart, she loved them the same, but being a woman herself, she
couldn't help but feel that girls needed more protection, especially considering how sensitive Sally was.
Apart from these reasons, Sally was the spitting image of Kevin, and seeing her sad made Anne think
of Kevin as well.
When Sally cried, she was reminded even more that Kevin was alone at home. Her chest tightened at
the thought of his loneliness.
"Sally, it's okay. You don’t have to be afraid."
When the girl had calmed down, Anne turned to Simon next and asked, "Simon, how did you know we
were going out?"
Anne wanted to know what gave the children the idea.
Simon frowned at his mother's question and said, "It was an accident. That day, I was hungry. Then, I
remembered that there were many fruits in Uncle Kim's living room, so I wanted to go there and eat
them. I overheard him saying that he would take Mom to A City for an exchange meeting."
Like Eddy, Simon had excellent memory. At only two years of age, he was able to recount what had
happened in precise words with such detail. Anne grew thoughtful at this piece of information. A City...
Wasn't that where Kevin was?
Kim must be up to something for him to take her there.
And yet, in spite of her fear, she couldn't help but look forward to seeing Kevin. It had been two years,
and his absence had grown in her, filling vacant spaces with longing.
"I see," she finally said after some time. "Now I need you two to remember that your Uncle Kim is very
dangerous. Do not provoke him, or I will really be angry." The children were unfamiliar with the rigid
tone of Anne's voice. She had never spoken so seriously before, and both Sally and Simon could not
understand the sudden change in their mother's demeanor, but they nodded at her words.
The wind had turned cold, like chilly whispers from the sea. Unlike the pleasant coolness in the day, the
night winds were less welcome.
Anne was washing up, when Kim's sullen face appeared on the mirror.
She had almost jumped from shock. His gaze was like a clammy finger, although he did not touch her.
Turning around, Anne said angrily, "Kim, I told you to at least tell me when you're coming in."
It had been like this for the past two years. It was as if Kim was adamant to remind her that she could
not escape. Even locking doors didn't stop him; he always had a way to come in.
Kim lurked around like a restless ghost. Anne did not even want to utter his name. It felt unpleasant in
her lips, leaving behind a foul aftertaste.
"And I also told you a long time ago that everything here is mine, including you. I don't need anyone's
permission," he answered, unconcerned at her discomfort. Kim's eyes raked over her form. In his mind,
every inch of her was his.
Anne had almost shuddered as the desire reeked from him. She knew that it was nothing more than
the hunger of flesh. She was nothing more than a possession to this man.
"No, I will never belong to you," she hissed.
Kim only sneered at her response. "Then who do you belong to? Kevin? Are you sure you still want to
come back to him? What makes you so sure he would even want you back?"
"What the hell do you want?" Anne asked, her voice rising again.
"Clean yourself up. I have no use for a shabby woman. When we go out, you have to be exceedingly
beautiful, more than any other woman. Otherwise, you will only be an embarrassment. And you know
what I do with useless things? I throw them away. Think of your two children. I guarantee that whatever
happens after will not be to your liking."
"You crazy bastard." Anne grit her teeth. Never in her life had she felt as murderous as she had at this
moment. She wanted to kill Kim with her own hands, but she held back. Even as her rage burned, she
knew that in reality, there was little she could do against him.
She had to endure for the sake of her children.
It seemed that what the two children said was true. Kim was indeed taking her to A City. The last thing
she wanted was to be a marionette for whatever he was plotting, but she was left with no options.
The AS Group was a small company, but Ryan managed it very well. In just a month, the company had
shown rapid growth.
The office was moderate in size but was well-decorated. Ryan leaned back in his chair, with cold eyes.
"Mr. Ryan, we have received news that Mr. Nicholas has confirmed his attendance to the meeting.
Would you like to go?"
"Of course." Ryan smiled leisurely. Compared to a few years ago, his eyes looked calm and held a
more cruel glint that concealed his greed in an unreadable mask. It was as if he had changed into
another person from the inside.
At the meeting.
The lights shone brightly, and the whole room was aglow with the sparkle of delicate glasses and the
rich color of wine. Silverware glinted on the tables, and neatly folded napkins were laid out in a perfect
arrangement. The event was of the top class.
Of course, the guests were of the same distinction. Beautiful men and women walked in, each a vision
of elegance and refinement.
Ryan stood in one corner, dressed in a straight suit. From time to time, women's eyes lingered on him,
their gazes enticed by his attractiveness. Some of them had stepped forward and asked for his name,
but upon finding out that he was not a well-known figure in A City, they had excused themselves and
left.
As they came and went, Ryan only sneered.
Women were definitely more calculating, but he had not come here tonight to charm ladies. He didn't
particularly care about being looked down upon.
"Is Kim here yet?" Ryan asked.
"He is already on his way. There are many reporters outside. I'm afraid it's difficult to carry out our plan
later," the man beside him answered.
"That's fine. Take your time." Unexpectedly, Ryan encouraged the other man.
The entrance to the meeting was as luxurious as its interior. No one could enter without an invitation,
but even so, the press' enthusiasm for the banquet couldn't be quelled.
Soon, the crowd was held back with the dozens of bodyguards. Everyone knew that a big shot was
coming.
Sure enough, a white Ferrari stopped at the entrance, which immediately attracted cheers from the
onlookers. A delicate foot clad in a golden crystal shoe stepped out, followed by slender legs. Then, the
full figure of a woman alighted.
Anne stepped out of the car. Her long hair was tied up, with two loose wisps framing the sides of her
face. She looked exquisite, but her eyes were cold, like those of a haughty queen.
All eyes were on her. When did such a beautiful woman appear in A City?
The next moment, a man got out of the car, his disposition even colder than Anne's.
Kim glanced at Anne with indifference, indicating for her to take his arm. Anne did not want to touch
him, but she saw the threat in his eyes and gritted her teeth to hold his arm.
The two of them entered the room, and everyone thought them the picture of a perfect couple. There
were many speculations, but no one among them knew the truth.
Still, Anne knew that she had a role to play. She forced a faint smile on her lips, even as her eyes
looked lonely.
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