Lady An, Chloe, Ben, and Mingxi went home. Ben protested and wanted to stay but Deming would have none of it.
Evelyn knew that Ben was an adult now but she couldn't help but see him as her little brother. She didn't want to put his life in anymore risk that she had to.
Deming, Jinhai, Zain, and Phoenix remained. Until earlier that evening, Evelyn had never told a soul about the truth of her in-laws, except Phoenix. There was a night not long after she was brought into the fold, that Evelyn spilled the beans to her best friend. Evelyn had gone out drinking with Phoenix and she inadvertently told Phoenix; after she had become completely intoxicated. Evelyn had sworn her to secrecy and neither had spoken of it since that night.
It wasn't a secret about Cheng's Global Corporation's involvement with the government. The Cheng's made deals with the corrupt officials. It was how they got away with as much as they did.
The weapon smuggling was mainly on behalf of the government. But then they began to sell the weapons to the members of the underworld, the government couldn't stop them because the Cheng's had incriminating evidence against them.
To further increase their profits, they began to dabble in the drug trade. Evelyn was relieved that she was never forced to assist in the illegal activities.
Evelyn had been aware that Shawn did not actively participate either. Together, they had brought Cheng's Global Corporation from the brink of bankruptcy. In the beginning they had been a well oiled machine.
Evelyn was a marketing genius and was damn good at her job. Shawn had allowed her to take the lead and worked late with her every night. He improved on her already amazing ideas and they were able to take the world by storm.
Evelyn brokered many deals in China as well as overseas. Shawn was then able to convince his father to give up his illegal ways.
However, Evelyn knew that CGC was struggling again due to her father's efforts. By now, news of her imminent divorce has spread across the world. It has not been formally announced that Evelyn was no longer with CGC and had returned to Wei's World Organization.
When the news of that hit, she knew that many companies would reconsider working with the Cheng's. They may be on the brink of bankruptcy again.
To make matters worse, Evelyn was in pursuit of Shawn's shares. She didn't want to hurt him so much as take back what was hers. For the sake of their previous relationship, Evelyn would not pursue CGC itself. She knew that that was something Shawn was afraid of.
Evelyn became someone that every employee at CGC had come to respect. This included the board members, and majority of the shareholders.
Evelyn told Jinhai, Zain, Deming, and Phoenix everything from beginning to end. They sat back and processed what she said. Zain was the first to break the silence. "Shit. I knew it was bad, but I didn't think it was this bad."
Phoenix went to sit next to Evelyn and gripped her hand tightly between hers. True to their promise to each other, they did not reveal that Phoenix had already been privy to this information. When Deming didn't say anything Evelyn questioned her father.
"Ba, are you okay?" Evelyn asked. Deming cleared his throat and sat up straighter using an armrest to support some of his weight.
"I knew," he said. "What?!" Evelyn, Zain, and Phoenix asked, shock colored their faces.
"Why did you let her marry Shawn?" Zain asked. "I couldn't have stopped her," Deming answered, calmly. He was almost too calm.
"Why didn't you warn me about it?" Evelyn asked. Evelyn was more surprised than angry that her father withheld this information. But she wanted an explanation.
"I had hoped you never had to know. The Cheng's don't generally keep their women in the loop," he said nonchalantly.
Evelyn noticed that Jinhai's face remained stoic. He had not said a word since Evelyn told them what happened.
Because she knew him as well as she did, she knew he was livid. His eyes were subdued to anyone else. But she saw a sharpness in them like he was looking to kill. But he was also planning his next moves. He was a very adept chess player and was no doubt figuring out what his pawns were.
"Do you have evidence?" Jinhai asked her. She nodded. Phoenix lifted Garfield off her lap and Evelyn went to the safe in her room and pulled out an envelope. Coffee dutifully followed her, trying to protect her.
She came back and set it down on the coffee table. Jinhai reached for the envelope first and pulled out the documents. In it were pictures, photocopies of a ledger, and a flash drive.
Jinhai held up the flash drive and looked at her. "What's this?" He questioned.
"A video of Cheng's father with the various government officials, gang leaders, and him approving weapons being brought in through the borders," she answered.
"How did you get your hands on this?" Zain asked, the surprise evident on his face. "I followed him," she answered, like the answer was obvious.
At the time she wanted to be absolutely certain that Shawn was not involved. So ignoring the danger, she had followed her father-in-law. She was grateful that Shawn had not been involved. But she also knew, knowledge was power, so she recorded these meetings.
"Xiaoli, that was stupid and reckless. You know that had he discovered you, you would have been killed," Deming said.
"No, I wouldn't have. But I would have been forced to assist him," Evelyn said. Evelyn arrogantly believed that Shawn's father had found her indispensable. Evelyn had been very fortunate that she was never caught and had the chance to test that theory.
"Is this the only copy?" Jinhai asked. Evelyn nodded turning to him, "Yes."
Jinhai wordlessly got up and glanced back at her waiting. She stood and together they made their way to her study.
"What are you doing?" Evelyn asked. "Making copies," Jinhai answered. He went to her copy machine and began to make copies of the photographs. He instructed her to make copies of the flash drive.
She made three copies on her laptop. Jinhai went around until he found folders large enough to put together three packages of documents. When Evelyn was done he slipped the copies of the videos in each one and sealed it.
When he finished, he sat at the edge of her desk. Evelyn glanced up at him. He took advantage of their moment alone and bent down to kiss her.
Evelyn angled her body to better accommodate his kiss. Her lips gently parted as she welcomed him. She was careful with her left side.
Jinhai pulled back and gently caressed her face. She noticed lines of worry on his face and she commented.
"You're not happy with me?" Evelyn asked. He smiled softly at her.
"It's not that. If I could put you into a bubble, I would. But I also know you don't want that," he answered.
"Aren't you already though?" she asked him. He shook his head. "No Princess, if I could I'd lock you in a tower until the dangers passed," he said. He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You can't keep me caged, Jinhai," Evelyn murmured. Jinhai straightened and she had to lift her head to meet his eyes.
"I will, if that's what will keep you safe," he said. Evelyn stared up at him. "But we aren't there," he finished before she could protest.
She knew that if it went that far he would be true to his word. She was grateful that he took what she wanted into consideration.
"Come, let's get back to the others," he said extending a hand to her. She took it and he helped her out of the chair. They left the room holding hands. Deming saw them first and he zeroed in on their joined hands.
Evelyn loosened her fingers but Jinhai gripped tighter. It was clear he made the decision not to keep anyone in the dark about their relationship.
"Are you two together now?" Deming asked interrupting the conversation between the others. Everyone turned to them.
Jinhai didn't say anything but instead turned to Evelyn. Evelyn made a mental note to kick his butt later for forcing her hand.
"Yes, father," she answered. She prepared for him to have a negative response. But it never came. Instead he had a huge smile on his face. "Good," Deming said. Evelyn's mouth dropped open.
"What? I didn't think you would be happy about this," Evelyn said. Next to her Jinhai tugged her to the couch and gently guided her to sit.
"I had always expected this to happen," he said motioning between them. Evelyn felt a weight lift, knowing that her father approved.
"I would advise you to keep a low profile until your divorce is finalized," Deming said.
"We will," Jinhai replied before Evelyn could say anything. He passed an envelope to Deming and one to Zain. He kept the last one for himself.
"Where's mine?" Phoenix protested. "You don't get one," Zain said. She turned to him.
"And why not?" Phoenix asked. Evelyn quietly watched the scene before her unfold. She had thought the last one would go to Phoenix but she was beginning to understand Jinhai's intent.
"We aren't putting your life on the line," Zain reasoned. "There is someone out there that wants my best friend dead. They aren't after me. I can safeguard a couple of documents, Zain," Phoenix's voice began to rise.
"If anyone knew you had these documents they'll be after you, and they may try to kill you too," Zain said. He tucked the envelope away into his suit jacket. Phoenix jumped up.
"Let them try, I'm not afraid," Phoenix said through clenched teeth. It was clear she was fighting to maintain her composure. "Humor me, then," he said.
"You're not the boss of me, Zain. You don't get to make decisions for me or regarding me. Especially when it comes to Li Li," Phoenix face began to turn red, probably from realizing how much of a child she sounded in that moment. "It's just a couple of documents, I'll be fine," Phoenix said her voice rising.
"That's not a chance I'm willing to take!" Zain snapped at her standing up as well.
Evelyn was shocked to see Zain's reaction. Evelyn has rarely ever seen him lose control or to even get angry. But there was something else. He was afraid.
"You don't get to make that choice for me," Phoenix argued.
"Xifeng," Evelyn interrupted. They both turned to her. Evelyn stood up and went to her friend.
"He's right. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you. You already know so much. But I can't risk your life," Evelyn's voice was thick with emotion. Phoenix's gaze softened at her friend.
"But then, I cant do anything," Phoenix said in a defeated tone. "Am I supposed to sit back and do nothing while your life is in danger, Li Li?" Evelyn took one of Phoenix's hands in her good one.
"You are doing something, by being here. I won't keep you out of the loop. I promise," Evelyn said. Phoenix wrapped her arms around Evelyn. Evelyn could feel Phoenix's body shaking against her and she smoothed a hand down her back.
"It's going to be okay. But we also have to make sure you're protected. The last thing I want is for them to try to use you to get to me," Evelyn said. Evelyn looked at Zain when she said the last part and he nodded in understanding.
"All of us are going to have to improve our protection detail," Deming said. "What?" Phoenix asked pulling back.
"He's right," Jinhai said. "How far is this going to go? Are my parents going to need protection too?" Phoenix asked. Jinhai shook his head.
"They aren't involved so I think they should be okay," Jinhai replied. "But I still live with them. I don't want to scare them," Phoenix said.
"Why don't you move in with me?" Evelyn suggested. Phoenix raised an eyebrow and surreptitiously glanced in Jinhai's direction. Only Evelyn saw Phoenix's reaction and her face heated up at the suggestion.
"I wouldn't want to impose," Phoenix said aloud for everyone else to hear.
"You won't be. Besides, you picked out the decor in the guest bedroom. It's fitting for it to be your room," Evelyn said. Phoenix protested a little bit more but eventually gave in.
Evelyn knew that Phoenix wanted to move out on her own. But she was raised to be a docile daughter. Phoenix was struggling with the idea of moving out.
But now the situation was dire. The stakes were rising. With all the lost she has endured over the years, Evelyn could not lose anymore. Evelyn could only hope that she made the right decision that she shared her most safely guarded secret. But for now a plan was in place. Step one: safeguarding.