Chapter 301 Attend The Meeting


    "Shut up!" Kevin frowned. He no longer had the patience for his assistant''s ceaseless chattering.


    "Send someone to watch the AS Group. Keep track of the president''s every move, and keep me up to


    date with everything." He was moreposed as he gave out instructions inparison to his earlier


    outburst.


    But his assistant was not fooled by his outward disy calmness. Kevin''s anger was still simmering


    under the surface, but that did not stop him from asking again.


    "Mr. Kevin, why the AS Group? They are a smallpany, and there''s nothing particrly remarkable


    about them for us to keep an eye on," the assistant said, confused at his superior''s orders.


    Kevin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I told you to stop asking. Just do as I say."


    Knowing that his boss'' anger was once again threatening to blow over, the assistant didn''t push his


    luck. Instead, he regarded him with a wary look and said, "Mr. Kevin, there will be an exchange


    meeting at the Pearl Mall in a few days. Would you like to attend it?"


    At this news, Kevin''s lips curled into a wry smile. "The Pearl Mall is a ce for people who want the


    quick and easy way to sess. In short, cowards. Do you think it would be a good fit for the AN


    Group?"


    Kevin exuded arrogance at his every word. Even his own assistant thought him to be cocky, but he


    could admit that it was with good reason and not mere bravado. Kevin had led AN Group to rise to the


    top ranks, and so his gloating mattered little when he had even more to show for it.


    "Well then, I''ll turn down the invitation to the Pearl Mall."


    Half a day passed and the assistant reported the news about Ryan to Kevin, "Mr. Kevin, the president


    of AS Group doesn''t have any activities as of recent. However, he will be participating in the exchange


    meeting at the Pearl Mall in three days—the one I mentioned earlier."


    Kevin raised a dark brow at the information and said, "I see. Change of ns. Tell the person in charge


    that I will be attend the meeting as well."


    He''d be damned before he let Ryan escape. He had to find Anne. With these thoughts, he clenched his


    fist tightly.


    A sea breeze blew over the ind, gently swaying the vines that hung from the roof. It swept through


    Anne''s thick hair, cooling her nape.


    Since they could remember things, Simon and Sally had always watched the figure of their mother with


    her back turned to them, silently watching the sea. For what, no one knew. Her thoughts seemed as


    unfathomable as the blue depths of the waters.


    The children were too young to know that Anne''s gaze had meant loneliness. They looked at each


    other, and then walked forward to put their arms around Anne.


    "Mommy, Mommy, we are going out. Aren''t you happy? I want to eat some marshmallows." Sally''s


    energy was as great as her appetite. She was a chowhound. Her eyes lit up whenever she talked about


    food, and she seemed happiest when she was eating.


    At her words, Anne turned to the two children. They looked up at her with bright, innocent eyes. Why


    did they know about them going out? Could it be that Kim would do something to her children?


    "How did you know that? Was it Kim? Did you do something to anger him? I told you to stay away from


    him, didn''t I?" she said sternly. The rise in her voice and the hard expression on her face frightened the


    two children, who were not used to seeing their gentle mother angry.


    Simon was still calm and quiet, but Sally was already crying.


    "Mommy..." Anne''s anger immediately softened at the sight of Sally''s tears. She hadn''t meant to scare


    them.


    With a lighter voice, sheforted Sally. "Sally, don''t cry. I''m not angry with you. It''s just that mom is


    worried, so you have to listen well and do as I say, okay?"


    As Anne sought to console her crying child, her arms went around Sally and held her in an embrace,


    quietly hushing her sobs.


    At this moment, Simon sighed, as if in exasperation. "Sally, why are you so afraid of things? Mommy


    just said a few words. You are still so young, so you should listen to her. What if you get in trouble?"


    Simon spoke in a serious tone. He had always been the more mature of the two, even if they were born


    at the same time.


    "I know. I''m just afraid of Uncle Kim. I don''t like him. He''s scary," Sally said timidly and burrowed


    deeper into Anne''s arms.


    Anne sighed at her words. No wonder Sally had developed such a character. Kim''s attitude towards the


    two children was just too different.


    She was their mother, and in her heart, she loved them the same, but being a woman herself, she


    couldn''t help but feel that girls needed more protection, especially considering how sensitive Sally was.


    Apart from these reasons, Sally was the spitting image of Kevin, and seeing her sad made Anne think


    of Kevin as well.


    When Sally cried, she was reminded even more that Kevin was alone at home. Her chest tightened at


    the thought of his loneliness.


    "Sally, it''s okay. You don’t have to be afraid."


    When the girl had calmed down, Anne turned to Simon next and asked, "Simon, how did you know we


    were going out?"


    Anne wanted to know what gave the children the idea.


    Simon frowned at his mother''s question and said, "It was an ident. That day, I was hungry. Then, I


    remembered that there were many fruits in Uncle Kim''s living room, so I wanted to go there and eat


    them. I overheard him saying that he would take Mom to A City for an exchange meeting."


    Like Eddy, Simon had excellent memory. At only two years of age, he was able to recount what had


    happened in precise words with such detail. Anne grew thoughtful at this piece of information. A City...


    Wasn''t that where Kevin was?


    Kim must be up to something for him to take her there.


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    And yet, in spite of her fear, she couldn''t help but look forward to seeing Kevin. It had been two years,


    and his absence had grown in her, filling vacant spaces with longing.


    "I see," she finally said after some time. "Now I need you two to remember that your Uncle Kim is very


    dangerous. Do not provoke him, or I will really be angry." The children were unfamiliar with the rigid


    tone of Anne''s voice. She had never spoken so seriously before, and both Sally and Simon could not


    understand the sudden change in their mother''s demeanor, but they nodded at her words.


    The wind had turned cold, like chilly whispers from the sea. Unlike the pleasant coolness in the day, the


    night winds were less wee.


    Anne was washing up, when Kim''s sullen face appeared on the mirror.


    She had almost jumped from shock. His gaze was like a mmy finger, although he did not touch her.


    Turning around, Anne said angrily, "Kim, I told you to at least tell me when you''reing in."


    It had been like this for the past two years. It was as if Kim was adamant to remind her that she could


    not escape. Even locking doors didn''t stop him; he always had a way toe in.


    Kim lurked around like a restless ghost. Anne did not even want to utter his name. It felt unpleasant in


    her lips, leaving behind a foul aftertaste.


    "And I also told you a long time ago that everything here is mine, including you. I don''t need anyone''s


    permission," he answered, unconcerned at her difort. Kim''s eyes raked over her form. In his mind,


    every inch of her was his.


    Anne had almost shuddered as the desire reeked from him. She knew that it was nothing more than


    the hunger of flesh. She was nothing more than a possession to this man.


    "No, I will never belong to you," she hissed.


    Kim only sneered at her response. "Then who do you belong to? Kevin? Are you sure you still want to


    come back to him? What makes you so sure he would even want you back?"


    "What the hell do you want?" Anne asked, her voice rising again.


    "Clean yourself up. I have no use for a shabby woman. When we go out, you have to be exceedingly


    beautiful, more than any other woman. Otherwise, you will only be an embarrassment. And you know


    what I do with useless things? I throw them away. Think of your two children. I guarantee that whatever


    happens after will not be to your liking."


    "You crazy bastard." Anne grit her teeth. Never in her life had she felt as murderous as she had at this


    moment. She wanted to kill Kim with her own hands, but she held back. Even as her rage burned, she


    knew that in reality, there was little she could do against him.


    She had to endure for the sake of her children.


    It seemed that what the two children said was true. Kim was indeed taking her to A City. Thest thing


    she wanted was to be a marite for whatever he was plotting, but she was left with no options.


    The AS Group was a smallpany, but Ryan managed it very well. In just a month, thepany had


    shown rapid growth.


    The office was moderate in size but was well-decorated. Ryan leaned back in his chair, with cold eyes.


    "Mr. Ryan, we have received news that Mr. Nichs has confirmed his attendance to the meeting.


    Would you like to go?"


    "Of course." Ryan smiled leisurely. Compared to a few years ago, his eyes looked calm and held a


    more cruel glint that concealed his greed in an unreadable mask. It was as if he had changed into


    another person from the inside.


    At the meeting.


    The lights shone brightly, and the whole room was aglow with the sparkle of delicate sses and the


    rich color of wine. Silverware glinted on the tables, and neatly folded napkins wereid out in a perfect


    arrangement. The event was of the top ss.


    Of course, the guests were of the same distinction. Beautiful men and women walked in, each a vision


    of elegance and refinement.


    Ryan stood in one corner, dressed in a straight suit. From time to time, women''s eyes lingered on him,


    their gazes enticed by his attractiveness. Some of them had stepped forward and asked for his name,


    but upon finding out that he was not a well-known figure in A City, they had excused themselves and


    left.


    As they came and went, Ryan only sneered.


    Women were definitely more calcting, but he had note here tonight to charmdies. He didn''t


    particrly care about being looked down upon.


    "Is Kim here yet?" Ryan asked.


    "He is already on his way. There are many reporters outside. I''m afraid it''s difficult to carry out our n


    later," the man beside him answered.


    "That''s fine. Take your time." Unexpectedly, Ryan encouraged the other man.


    The entrance to the meeting was as luxurious as its interior. No one could enter without an invitation,


    but even so, the press'' enthusiasm for the banquet couldn''t be quelled.


    Soon, the crowd was held back with the dozens of bodyguards. Everyone knew that a big shot was


    coming.


    Sure enough, a white Ferrari stopped at the entrance, which immediately attracted cheers from the


    onlookers. A delicate foot d in a golden crystal shoe stepped out, followed by slender legs. Then, the


    full figure of a woman alighted.


    Anne stepped out of the car. Her long hair was tied up, with two loose wisps framing the sides of her


    face. She looked exquisite, but her eyes were cold, like those of a haughty queen.


    All eyes were on her. When did such a beautiful woman appear in A City?


    The next moment, a man got out of the car, his disposition even colder than Anne''s.


    Kim nced at Anne with indifference, indicating for her to take his arm. Anne did not want to touch


    him, but she saw the threat in his eyes and gritted her teeth to hold his arm.


    The two of them entered the room, and everyone thought them the picture of a perfect couple. There


    were many spections, but no one among them knew the truth.


    Still, Anne knew that she had a role to y. She forced a faint smile on her lips, even as her eyes


    looked lonely.