BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS

CHAPTER 9

Miss Kate drove into the hang's mansion. As she pushed open the door, a warm golden light spilt out into the evening air, welcoming her home from a long day's work. But her expectant smile faltered as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the familiar room with a growing sense of unease.

Her parents, usually beacons of warmth and comfort, sat on the couch, their faces etched with utter confusion. Her mother's eyes, red-rimmed from crying, looked up and met hers, filled with a deep sadness that made her heart skip a beat. Her father's strong shoulders slumped in defeat, his eyes cast downward, unable to meet her gaze.

The room, once filled with laughter and warmth, now felt heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. The air was thick with tension, like a storm cloud waiting to unleash its burden. Her instincts screamed at her to rush to their side, to offer comfort and solace, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do.

As she stood there, frozen in uncertainty, her mother's lips trembled, and a single tear rolled down her cheek, like a silent plea for help. Her heart went out to them, and she knew that moment, something was terribly wrong. They sat, staring at a man sitted opposite them, dressed in a brown suit, a man in his late 40s.

She wore a curious look, everything felt strange, she tried to break into the silence, trying to figure out the cause of the sudden c****x but couldn't understand what transpired between them and needed a clear explanation.

Her dad, Mr. hang stood up and walked to her. She tried to look at her mom but avoided her gaze,

"It's good you're home. It would have been an emotional dilemma to you if we had everything arranged without your consent. "

" Just say it, dad. " She pestered.

He took in a deep breath, glanced at his wife, and began his long awaited speech. He pointed at the man sitted on the cushion. " This is makowa, the chief of Leeds investment group. " He cleared his throat before speaking further. " After the shameful neglects by other financial services, he finally yielded to our quest but at a very high rate. "

" Dad..."

" Be still. " Mr. hang cautioned, shunning her from speaking. " He is willing to invest 300 million dollars if you agree... If you marry him!" He exclaimed as he rushed her, gripping her shoulders.

Her eyes, once bright and full of admiration for her father, now dimmed with disappointment and hurt. She felt betrayed, like a fragile flower crushed by the weight of his selfish intentions. His attempts to connect with her seemed shallow, a thinly veiled effort to exploit their relationship for his profits. Her gaze, once filled with affection, now turned cold, a mask to hide the pain. She wondered if he ever truly cared for her or if she was just a tool to further his own ambitions. The disappointment settled in, a heavy burden she couldn't shake.

Rears rode down her eyes. " You're a shameless dad!" She stated, speaking with a shaky voice. " So you could sell me over for your interest." She nodded, staring at him. " Here's the news I brought before you ruined it all. " She shook his hands off, gnashing her teeth. " 300 million... we have a gold opportunity. Someone is willing to invest 20 billion dollars. "

" Her words dropped a bombshell in the atmosphere as it clouded the tenscious feelings of both parties, including makowa who arose in utter bewilderment. Her mum's eyes widened, surprised. " 20 - bil - lion? Are you sure?" Her mum asked, in excitement.

Kate nodded. " Absolutely, we're talking about 20,000 million dollars here. " Her voice trembled, a delicate leaf quivering in an autumn breeze, as she tried to convey the information to her parents. " Considering their investment packages, that's over 19 billion dollars difference, yet you almost gave me away to this bunch of faeces. "

Makowa was drowned in shame and disbelief. He deeply regretted ever considering their company and caused the day he taught of marrying the young mistress.

within a few seconds, her phone buzzed. She glanced at it with excitement, The money arrived a bountiful sum of 20 billion dollars. She showed it off, riding their parents through the amusement park of joy.

" Where did you find such an investor. " Mr. hang asked.

She put her hand into her bag, brought out a card, and chucked it to him. He caught it and was greatly astonished. " You had a connection with kan - song?" He laughed in disbelief. " Good tidings and well compliments of the day. So, the invulnerable man has a hidden weakness. " He gazed at her. " So you've been keeping secrets. How many times have you slept him?" Do you plan on having a baby with him?"

" Honey!" Mrs hang exclaimed. " How can you be so imprudent. "

" I'm sorry. " He glanced at makowa. " Just leave, you stinking bag of bones. "

Makowa gave out a sinister smile. His head seemed too heavy as he shuffled his legs as fast as possible, leaving the mansion in disgrace.

Kate's mum looked at her in disbelief. " Come daughter, we need to make him... " She paused a bit. " our son - in - law"

JUTSU POLICE STATION

Lian sat on her desk, spinning a pen, pondering and reflecting on her last experience with Clara. She looked at her desk, staring at the empty seat.

" Don't you find it strange? " She said, directing her speech to bryan.

" What do you mean?" He asked, coming to her.

" Come to think of it, Clara's cold attitude baffled me. She was adamant and persistent, pressurising us to believe her. Do you believe her?"

" Believe? Are you trying to say there is a phenomenon or magical spells cast on our mind ? she might have gone crazy that morning. But, I got an info that she hired a pre - programmed chopper 3 days ago, since then, I haven't heard from her again. "

Lian racked her neck. A deep crease etched between her eyes as she gazed into the distance, lost in thought, her mind whirled like a maze with no escape. " Don't you suggest we let the upper authorities know of what's going on? It might be helpful. "

"Just let her be. " Bryan spoke reluctantly. He took hold of the glass of coffee and let the liquid slide down his throat. He glanced at the private card next to lian, brought a pen and wrote down the name on a sheet of paper- writing out Kan - song's name depicted a deep message of curiosity and animosity, complimented with envy.

A pang of possessiveness pierced his chest, like a dart striking a bullseye. He felt his heart sink, a heavy weight pulling him down, as he discovered her encounter for another guy. The thought of her smiling at someone else, laughing at their jokes, and sharing secrets, ignited a fire of jealousy within him.

His mind raced with suspicions, a never-ending loop of "what-ifs" and "maybes," each one fueling his growing unease. He couldn't shake the feeling of being replaced, like a worn-out shoe cast aside for a newer model. Envy crept in, a sly whisper in his ear, taunting him with thoughts of his own inadequacies. "She's mine. " He murmured. And now he has to make a move, whether it entails a dangerous leap cause he just got a new enemy.