Offer To The CEO

Tuesday, continued ...

Anna took a few deep breaths to prevent the tears from flowing too much before she continued. "As I mentioned I was scared for my personal safety and had the impression that Lu Jinhu would hit me as I was not giving into his demands. I had been unable to return to Lu Jinhu before arriving at the Key Plaza Hotel the ring he had given me, but I had removed it from my finger."

"I know it was poor judgement, but stupidly I threw the ring at his feet in desperation, believing that he would pick it up, which would allow me to move away from him rather than handing it to him. He slapped be across the face, verbally abusing me. Someone then knocked me to the ground. I believe this was his new wife Yang Lin who joined in the verbal abuse."

"Yang Lin, informed me I had no right to have thrown the ring Lu Jinhu, which I had realised was the case. She then stated they were calling the police to have me arrested for stalking and assaulting them. My response was they could, and that the CCTV footage would back my version of events. I told them to leave me alone so I could collect my personal items from the room I had been staying in and leave the hotel."

Anna paused, and picked up the glass in front of her to have a sip of drink, but before she could continue, Office Mu interrupted her. "Madam Hou, you have just indicated that you had previously been engaged to Mr Lu. Can you explain how you ended up marrying CEO Hou? We need to have this clearly documented in this matter."

"CEO Hou and I met briefly, when he visited my employer's firm in Melbourne for business relating to Hou Enterprises about 6 months ago. He created quite an impression on me, and I understand that I left an impression on him. We started communicate through messaging apps, as friends. He became aware through that communication of my engagement. He was clear that he would respect that relationship and not interfere with it, but it was clear from those communications in whatever I did I would have his support."

"Lu Jinhu and I had come to this country to obtain our marriage certificate and have a public ceremony before his parents and friends, as according to what he told me they could not travel. I was, however seriously doubting our relationship by the time that we left Australia. A simple chance meeting in the Australian Embassy with my husband confirmed all my doubts. I knew that I could not marry Lu Jinhu, it would be my husband who I married."

"It was by luck that the Embassy official was willing to give me some help with the official paperwork, when I explained the situation to him. This meant that my husband and I could marry here in City T, without the need to return to the capital to re-complete the paperwork. After I left the embassy I messaged my husband, and we talked about everything. We made the decision that we would not do anything about our relationship until I had respectfully ended my relationship with Lu Jinhu."

"The ring Lu Jinhu had given me was only on my finger when I was with him until I could tell him of my decision privately. I otherwise had it off, as it was not the symbol it was meant to be to me. I had not been able to talk to Lu Jinhu about the decision I made before I ran into him and his wife outside the Civil Administration Bureau just after they received their marriage certificate. I realised in that moment I did not need to respect him in ending our relationship, as he did not respect me, but given hour vicious they were to me I forgot about handing the ring back."

"I did not, however, tell him the decision I had reached days before, because I was afraid he might react physically as he wanted some victory for some reason. I let him have this as I knew it would keep me safe. I retreated from the situation and literally knocked my husband off his feet. He knew I was going to be at the Civil Administration Bureau to tell Lu Jinhu our relationship was over, so he came to support and met me."

"I was upset, as I was not able to feel as I had walked away from the relationship with my head held high, and Lu Jinhu had informed me he had secured all my Australian Assets. We discussed the situation and decided to ignore what anyone might say about our marriage, and attend the Civil Administration Bureau and register our marriage. I kept the ring with me, with the intention to hand it back at the first available opportunity and I have already said how I handed it back."

Hou Yi heard what Anna had said, turned and waited until she looked at him in the eyes and smiled, as if to say to Anna, I heard what you said, thank you for doing what I suggested.