“Are you sure that someone took her?” Cathy paced as she held her chin. “Who would dare do that?”
“I have some ideas but I won’t act without proof.” Zhou Jingren answered. “I am working on it.”
“Aren’t we supposed to wait for the DNA result before announcing something?” Yang Mi chimed in, her eyes were a little swollen and red. “I mean… the media are already lining up in the doorstep of our company. While some investors are already blowing up our phones asking for an update about the accident. Aren’t we supposed to tell them that we are waiting for proof?”
“No.” Zhou Jingren eyed Bei Tian as he shook his head. “I will take over the company.” Zhou Jingren’s goal was simple. Once Lily’s death is announced, her company will suffer. He could not allow this to happen. Not when he knew how much Lily loved Facci Group.
His words immediately caught Cathy’s attention. She stopped pacing and looked at him. “Are you sure that she is still alive?”
“I am positive. That is not my wife’s.” He answered. “I know every part of her body. That — that was not her.”
“You said that the woman accompanying Lily was still alive? Is she unconscious? What is the current status?”
“She is with us. Alive yet unconscious. I am sure that the Zhou family will ask for her soon.” Bei Tian answered Cathy. “We are not planning to give her to them.”
“The Zhou Family…” Cathy narrowed her eyes at Zhou Jingren. “Did they… Did they do this to her?”
“It is possible.” Zhou Jingren nodded in response. He knew that both Cathy and Yang Mi might blame him. This was a normal response as they treated his wife as a family. However, he was not planning to blind them about the current situation. The only way that he could gain their trust is, to be honest with them.
He knew this will be hard. How could they trust his words with no proof? It is normal for them to doubt him, and he perfectly understood that. After all, he was nothing but a stranger to these women.
“Without the DNA we can’t really say that it was not Lily.” Cathy sigh. “I have been working for both Lily and her grandmother and I know why you wanted to take over the company. However… I cannot let you do it without proof that she is still alive.”
Zhou Jingren nodded. He already expected the questions. He already expected their doubts. He opened a folder and held its contents to the two women. “This is the only thing that we have so far.” He handed the images and documents. “The CCTV near the area was shut down minutes before the accident. We are still waiting for the analysis of their car. My men said it was badly burnt and it will take some time to examine the reason for the explosion. Both Zhou Lanying and Daohu who was with her was still unconscious so there is no way that we could ask them about it either.”
“I know… this is not enough to convince you.” Zhou Jingren said. “But think about it. It was noontime… This is Hong Kong. There are cameras everywhere. However, before the accident, it magically shut down.”
“I am telling you… someone shut it down. Staged the accident, then replaced her body with a badly burned one.” He was honestly convinced that this is what happened. He watched as both Cathy and Yang Mi examine the papers. He waited for them to say something.
Zhou Jingren could always announce her wife’s death and take over the company without their permission. However, its effects will be devastating. His sudden involvement in the company will cause the directors to question his authority. They might even want to elect a new CEO to replace him.
All these are possibilities that Zhou Jingren has considered. While he was not afraid to face all the possible effects of his decision, he could not do it without crashing the Facci Group’s stocks. Zhou Jingren would not allow his wife’s hard work to go to drain just because of his wrong calculations.
So can Cathy and Yang Mi prevent this possible chaos? No, of course not. But these two women knew the ins and outs of the company. When it comes to dealing with the investors while keeping the company afloat, these two women are Zhou Jingren’s best option right now.
“I understand,” Cathy said after a few minutes of silence. “I got your point.” He walked towards Zhou Jingren. “Can you promise me that you can bring Lily back?”
In response, Zhou Jingren rose from his seat. He returned Cathy’s stern gaze and nodded. “I can.”
“Can you promise that you will save the company no matter what happens?”
Once again, he nodded.
“Then… we have a deal. Announce her death. Me and Yang Mi will help you with the investors. Just make sure that you can bring her back alive.”
……………………………………..
Zhou Family’s Ancestral Mansion
“She’s dead?” Zhou Kang raised an eyebrow as he heard his men said that Lily died just a few hours ago. “They are going to announce her death?” he asked himself as a smile bloomed on his face. “Is he just going to accept it just like this?” His confusion was short-lived as he beamed at his father. “Isn’t this worthy of a celebration?”
“Kang… I have a bad premonition about all these.” His father said. “I believe he… he might be lying about her death.”
“Father… I don’t see any reason for him to lie. They are about to marry each other. Why lie about this? Unless…” he tilted his head and smiled. “He wanted her wealth?” He rose from his seat and walked towards the window. “This is an opportunity. We can take advantage of this!” Excitement swirled his eyes.
“I believe that man is planning something. I would advise…”
“Are we going to cower now?” Zhou Kang interrupted his father. “This is our chance! Zhou Jingren is so occupied with everything! He could not possibly focus on his business right now!” His eyes shone with mischief. He ignored his father’s frowned as he dialed the Dongfang family’s number. He was so happy, he could not stop himself from shaking in excitement. Finally!
