The content of the email stunned Eric. The possibility that had frightened him the most had happened. He closed the laptop silently, trying to calm himself down. Then he took out his phone and tried to dial the private detective.
“The president has received your email. I’ll take over the investigation from here. Your fee will be transferred into your account.”
Eric hung up, but his heart kept racing.
…
Ling Tianya and Lina met in a café in a large luxury brand shopping center. Since they were going shopping, a café inside the mall was the perfect place to meet.
Since Ling Tianya was younger, she had arrived much earlier than Lina to show her respect.
When Lina walked into the café, she immediately saw Ling Tianya. The young woman was sitting next to the window, drinking juice. The rays of sunlight reflected by the glass shone gently across Ling Tianya’s delicate features. She looked almost transparent, her skin as clear as a porcelain doll.
Lina stood there for a moment and looked at Ling Tianya. She almost felt like she was in a dream.
For some reason, she seemed to see a younger version of herself. Somehow, that thought softened Lina, who had been prepared for a battle.
A waiter approached Lina and asked politely, “Hello, madam. How many are there in your party?”
Lina came back to herself as if she was waking up from a dream. She pointed in Ling Tianya’s direction and said, “My friend is already here.”
“Of course. This way, please.” The waiter politely led the way for Lina.
Lina put her thoughts back together and stepped toward Ling Tianya.
When she heard the clinking of heels, Ling Tianya knew Lina had arrived. She put down her juice and turned around to find Lina, dressed gracefully and fashionably.
“President Li, you are here.”
Lina squinted. She noticed that Ling Tianya didn’t address her too respectfully when she greeted her.
It seemed Ling Tianya was aware of social tactics after all.
As a matter of fact, the way Ling Tianya addressed Lina had declared her own status and position.
At this moment, she was meeting Lina as the wife of Ruan Zeyan, the wife of the president of the Yuan Teng Corporation. Since Ruan Zeyan wasn’t here, her gestures and words represented him.
Therefore, even though Ling Tianya was much younger than Lina, her status and position were of the same as Lina’s. If she addressed Lina too respectfully, she would be belittling herself. That meant she would be at a disadvantage before her game with Lina even started.
Lina smiled at Ling Tianya. “Have you been waiting for a long time?”
“No, I just arrived,” Ling Tianya said calmly.
Lina sat down. The waiter passed her a menu and drink list. “What would you like today, madam?”
Lina glanced at the half-glass of fresh juice that Ling Tianya was drinking. She said to the waiter, “I’ll have the same.”
The waiter nodded and walked away swiftly.
“I was surprised that you invited me to join you today, President Li,” Ling Tianya said.
“I haven’t gotten to do much other than work since I came back to China. I feel a connection with you, and it’s the weekend as well. I thought we could get together and go shopping.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been shopping, as well. After I had a baby, my life has been centered around him. Most of the time, I’m just trapped at home.” The words might have sounded like a complaint, but Ling Tianya’s smile was full and genuine. There was nothing feigned about that bright smile.
Lina’s face hardened a bit when Ling Tianya mentioned the baby. “If my child was with me, she would be about your age.”
