"What's with him?" Wang Jun frowned.
"I'll go follow him, uncle." Jaxx got up and followed Kyle to the garden.
"Hey!" Jaxx nudged him. "Kyle, tell me what it is."
"What is what?" Replied Kyle
"You even stuttered. Hahaha, I know you, Kyle," Jaxx snickered.
"Stop it! I'm not in the mood," he said seriously.
"Okay, okay, fine." Jaxx put up both his hands.
"So what about the contract your dad is talking about?" Jaxx changes the topic.
"Ah, that... It's about what I told you before; when we were in high school. I want to know the truth about my mom's death through the legal process. But up until now, I couldn't find any evidence that could prove Mom didn't die in a mere car accident. I am the only one who knows the truth, Jaxx. No one believes me, even if I'm telling the truth. What I need is solid proof," Kyle stated. "There are times that I want to give up already, but I can't. I don't think I'll be sleeping at peace without doing anything, despite knowing the truth," he added.
Jaxx heaved a deep breath. "What did my brother and uncle say about this?"
"They didn't believe me either; they were convinced that I was just exaggerating or suffering some sort of trauma because I was with mom when she died. My dad likes me to help my brother Ace manage the company. But I insisted on pursuing this job. So dad and I made a contract. He allotted me five years to do what I wanted to do, but after the contract expires, I shall have to work at the company."
"I see." Jaxx nodded. "Do you have any information or anything that could lead you to the murderer of Aunty?"
"Unfortunately, I don't have any. Until now, I didn't even know how or where to start." Kyle glumly admitted that rage and dismay were all readable on his complexion.
Jaxx nodded and patted Kyle's back to show his support and understanding for his best friend. Sometimes you don't have to say words to show your care to your loved ones; it's either a friend, a family member, or your lover. Just listening to them sincerely is enough to make them feel that they're not alone. that you were willing to listen to them, and they can rely on you.
"I feel nauseous," Ryder says as he massages his temple upon walking out of his office and going to the meeting room. It is located at the end of the east wing of the Xiao Empire corridor. Ryder, the company's CEO, walked straight while Marius, Riley, Luke, and Dylan followed behind him. All employees had to come to a halt and bow their heads until the CEO and his entourage passed by.
When the doormen opened the door, everyone inside fell silent and rose from their seats.
"Is everyone here?" Ryder asked authoritatively as he sat down in the CEO's chair in front of the long rectangular flats.
"Yes, sir," replied Miss Jessie, the secretary.
"Alright, everyone, please sit down." Ryder gestured for them to sit in their respective chairs.
"Miss Albert, please," Ryder gestured to her to switch on the screen monitor. Marius took over and pointed out some company strategies and objectives, as well as things that needed to be addressed. When done explaining, Marius went back to his chair but was interrupted when someone suddenly spoke.
"Sir, we haven't discussed the upcoming anniversary of the company yet."
The CEO frowned. "Is the meeting over yet?"
"No, sir, I'm sorry, sir," he said while bowing his head.
"Okay, now sit down and let me finish. Here is the list of what I wanted to do." Ryder motioned to the assistant to play the video slides. "And if you have any suggestions or ideas, that would be better. Leave that to the planning and event coordinators. I want to dedicate this anniversary to our loyal and hard-working employees. Give them rewards of appreciation for their hard work. For our loyal investors, please prepare gifts for them. For our senior employees, grant them a two- to three-week holiday vacation free of expenses. Let them choose whether to travel abroad or take a free ride on our cruise ship. For other visitors, prepare gifts and host friendly games. And since this is our 35th anniversary, I prepared 35 special gifts as well.
All visitors, including employees from lower to higher positions, should receive raffle tickets that would be used for choosing the winners. If there are any suggestions or queries, please coordinate with our event coordinators. Meeting adjourned!"
Ryder left the room immediately, followed by Marius, Luke, Dylan, and Riley. He hurriedly entered his office, removed the mask, and flopped his bottom down on the couch. His friends shrugged their shoulders and sat along with him.
"Ahhh! This day is too tiring." Ryder complained, closing his eyes and resting his back on the couch. He truly hated arguments and nonstop meetings every now and then.
"Hey guys, I have received a message from Master Chow," said Luke. Marius got up, locked the door, and turned on the soundproof and bugproof system so no one could hear what they were going to talk about.
"Now, what about it?" inquired Dylan.
"Here, look at this," Luke said, opening his laptop and showing it to everyone. There were various kinds of pictures of a middle-aged man doing some nasty things and information about illegal drug manufacturing, illegal distribution of firearms, extortion, and human trafficking.
"Geez, another rotten cancer in society," Dylan hissed. Ryder's phone rang; it was Madam Yeoh.
"Yes, madam Yeoh?" Ryder answered, "Yeah, of course, I understand. "How are they?"... "Thanks for taking care of them, madam Yeoh. Bye." Ryder ended the call.
"So what did Madam Yeoh say?" inquired Dylan
"Well, just like Master Chow rules, give them a second chance," Ryder said, then turned to look at the computer. "If they won't comply within the given time, then we have to take action," Ryder pulled a thin smirked
"So when are you guys going to execute this?" asked Marius
"I think it's best after the company's anniversary, so we could come up with a better plan. You know he is not ordinary, and his security team is not a joke either. " Riley suggested
"Speaking of plans, there will be an upcoming gathering of billionaires, businessmen, and higher politicians at the Sky Tower. And you are invited to this event, Young Master Xiao." Marius, emphasizing his title, Ryder shot him a rolling eye.
"Right, Riley, could you give me the complete details of that event? I think that's the best time."
"Here, it will be three days after the company anniversary." Riley handed him the invitation letter.
"Marius, how was your lunch appointment with the CEO of the Wang Corporation?" Ryder inquired
"Just fine, although the CEO is kind of irritating and always has this idiotic smile." Marius rolled his eyes. "Oh, and speaking of Wang, doesn't the police officer in that detective also have the surname, Wang?" Added Marius
"Maybe it's just a coincidence; just how many here on the mainland have the same surname?" Riley commented
"Mmn... I think so too." Ryder agreed
"Duh!" Luke butted in and rolled his eyes. "I have ways to find out their relationship; why are you guessing?"
"Oops! "We forgot our walking encyclopedia, haha." Riley chuckles, followed by others.
"Sure, tell me if you find something interesting about him." Ryder then winked at Luke.
"Sure thing," Luke giggled, "let's have fun tonight, shall we?" He added
"I know a place; let's go after office hours," said Dylan.
At the Emperor's Nest clubhouse and bar
"Hey, Kyle, this place is so nice! Oh, look at that! So many hot babes!" Jaxx said it with sparkling eyes, feasting on the ladies on the dance floor.
"You can have them if you want, haha." Kyle chuckles
"Let's go to our table first," proposed Jax, and they went upstairs to the second level of the bar, enjoying their drinks while watching some hot babes and dudes twerking at the dancing area on the ground level.
Meanwhile, Ryder's group entered the bar; some people's mouths were hanging, and some were drooling and squeaking, trying to get their attention.
"Oh, my God! I think I'm dead! " "Why am I seeing angels?" squealed a petite girl from a group of ladies with eyes shooting hearts at them.
"Hey, baby boy, wanna dance with me?" The girl reached out to touch Ryder, but Luke slapped her hands with his fan. "Ouch!" The girl complained and retreated.
Meanwhile, at the second level,
"Hey Kyle, wow! Look at that group of men, wow!" Jax pointed down where Ryder's group was. Kyle looked down, and his eyes widened upon recognizing the familiar figure of a handsome man. He blushed and felt a sudden temperature rise. He was both flustered, shy, and nervous.
"It's him," Kyle mumbled under his breath, remembering the time when the pretty man winked at him at the restaurant. His face is flushed red, and his heartbeat is beating so erratically. Thump! Thump! Thump…!!!
"Kyle picked up a glass of whiskey and gobbled it in one go while Jaxx was busy staring at them, so he failed to notice Kyle's expression.
Ryder's group is now climbing stairs to the 2nd level, and guess what? Their table is next to Kyle and Jaxx's.
"Dylan and Ryder exchanged glances when they recognized detective Jaxxon Wang. "Interesting," Ryder and Dylan thought at the same time.
Kyle's dark hazel eyes were fixated on Ryder without him realizing it while he gulped the lump in his throat pretty hard. Kyle could hear his beating heart louder than the music being played by the DJ on the stage. He was oblivious that he had been staring at Ryder for quite a while already as if he were enticed by Ryder's pretty face.
Ryder grins, a mischievous scheme forming in his head. He swirled his tongue, licked his lips, and bit the lower part before throwing a playful and debauchery wink at Kyle, making him sober up from his daze.
"Fuck!" Kyle jerked and averted his gaze hastily; he didn't expect that and was caught red-handed.
"This will be fun," Ryder thought while staring intensely at Kyle.