"It's okay. I'm not a vengeful guy. I didn't get mad at Paul. Although he got me really angry, I let him go easily. I just hung him over the center of a crocodile pool. But is it true that Paul is not one of your acquaintances, Mrs. Ouyang?" Edward had an immediate impulse to punch Paul in the face, whenever he thought of the disparity in the price of the necklace. So, it was obvious that Edward's declaration of his not being a vengeful guy was nothing more than a lie! But in the presence of the two women, Edward spoke in a subtle manner. He put it as if it was the most justified fact under the heaven. He was so brazen that he didn't mind at all that the two women sitting here would spot his hypocrisy and feel ashamed of him.
"Who is Paul? I know nothing about him." Yakira replied in a hurry. She could not help but feel nervous now, as she had figured out Edward's intention to test her and get her into revealing something by mistake. So, Yakira thought carefully before giving any answers. As Yakira was engaged in fabricating her flawless answers, she paid no attention to the few sensitive words in Edward's sentence and the real threatening implication behind them. But those words did catch Mary's attention.
Mary was, of course, scared of Paul's woeful destiny of being hung over the crocodile pool. It was terrible if it was true. Mary wondered whether it was just one of those Edward's jokes. But in case she offended or cheated him in the future, would Edward treat her in the same manner he treated Paul? Mary was eager to know the answer.
"Oh? You know nothing about Paul? But he told me otherwise. He said he is your cousin, and you two are on good terms. Did Paul lie to me?"
Edward looked with a confused expression. He could not help but feel happy on seeing Yakira panic. In Edward's opinion, psychologically tormenting someone was definitely a better way to torture his foes. Compared to physical pains, it was more agonizing, stressful and unbearable. Even tough people, who were fearless of physical affliction, tended to easily surrender when afflicted with psychological suffering. Edward was a pro in driving his enemies crazy psychologically. He was wondering how long Yakira would stand his psychological tormenting.
Edward, you must have been mistaken. As far as I can recall, I have never heard about any uncles from my mother's side. How is it possible for the Pool or Paul you just mentioned to be a relative of my mother then?" Mary shouted before Yakira could speak. As far as Mary could recall, she too never heard her mother mention anything about this so-called Paul. It could be a possibility that her mother knew nothing about this man.
"Really? You don't know who Paul is, do you? Mrs. Ouyang. Then how is it possible for him to tell me everything about your family? Everything! It seems he is very familiar with everyone in your family. Please don't tell me it's just a coincidence. Not too many coincidences happen like that! Paul even knows how you married Mr. Ouyang, Mrs. Ouyang. He told me everything about your marriage in detail. It was so detailed that I had no reason to suspect him. He seemed to be trustworthy. So, are you trying to tell me that he succeeded in cheating me."
Edward said in a cold manner. Although he seemed calm and composed as always, his eyes had a trace of satire in them. He looked straight at Yakira and observed every change in her expression. He was eager to know what Yakira would say next. Would it be the answer that he was expecting?
No, Paul didn't lie to you. He is indeed one of my distant relatives. But we haven't seen or contacted each other for many, many years. I almost forgot about him and his existence." Yakira sighed secretly. It finally happened! Even if Edward wanted to look into her legal liabilities, he had no way to find any concrete evidences. He could not take any legal action against her if she kept denying everything. So, it wouldn't be easy to bring her to justice.
Oh, Mom, do you know who Paul is? You're indeed relatives! But I have never heard you talk about him. Why?" Mary was never willing to play a neglected role by keeping silent in a party. So it was natural for her to cut in when others were talking. That was really impolite though.
"Oh! We're just distant relatives. I never thought we would get in touch with each other in our lives. So it was never necessary for me to let you know about his existence." Actually, Mary had no idea who got Paul captured. Now, she was quite sure that Edward could be behind all this. But it was beyond her knowledge why Edward would do all this and what was he even gaining out of all this? Irrespective of the benefits Edward wished to hunt, he would never be interested in the assets of Ouyang Foreign Trade! As Leo said, Ouyang Foreign Trade meant nothing in Edward's opinion, as he was supremely rich. Wasn't it true?
"So, you really know him. Then those words that he told me... Should I take them to be true as well? Did Paul tell me the facts that really happened?" Edward smiled and squinted his eyebrows a little. While speaking, he paused on purpose to observe Yakira and Mary's reactions to his questions.
"I'm sorry! What you and Paul talked about is none of my business. So I'm not going to answer your questions." Although both Edward and Yakira were fully aware what had happened and what the truth was, Yakira still pretended to be innocent. She maintained that she had nothing to do with Paul's matter and would continue to do so as long as Edward didn't directly accuse her of her evil conducts. She was certain about Edward's lack of evidences and his incompetence in putting her into jail. Yakira was sure that she could certainly escape justice this time.
"Edward, we haven't seen each other for a really long time. This opportunity doesn't come easy. Why do we keep talking about someone who has nothing to do with us? What a disappointing topic! Let's drink and forget everything unpleasant! A little wine will not get you tipsy. Don't be afraid!" The riddle-like conversation between Edward and Yakira puzzled Mary. She looked visibly upset. So she interrupted in between to divert the topic.
All right! As Mrs. Ouyang refused to answer my questions, I have to hand Paul over to the police." Edward didn't believe that Yakira would have the luck to escape justice forever.
She might not believe it either! But it was indeed difficult for him to bring her to justice at present. Except for one witness, he had no other evidence that would help to prove Yakira guilty. But a witness' testimony was far from enough to convict Yakira. Powerful evidences would be needed. But where could he get the evidence he needed after so many years? As a result, Edward had to resort to other means to manifest Yakira's guilt. But if Yakira insisted on her innocence and refused to confess her crime, even the court could not convict her because of lack of evidences. The evidence was the key! Edward would get mad whenever he thought of his inability to acquire those necessary evidences. He felt so desperate and helpless that he ran out of his patience to test Yakira any further.
Hmmm! That Paul.. What crime did he commit? Why will you take him over to the police? Mary seemed to have grown more confused. The more she heard this conversation, the more she became perplexed.