Offer To The CEO

Sunday, continued …

Hou Yi looked at his brother-in-law and could see that Adam was sincere. "Fine. What do you have in mind, Adam?"

"Let us head over to where everyone is and you can figure out what you want. But I can promise you I can tell you a few embarrassing things about your wife," Adam said, leading Hou Yi away from his wife and mother. As they moved away, Adam turned towards Anna, and with the smile on his face Anna felt a shiver go down her back.

Meanwhile, Du AnLing reached where Anna was sitting, and sat down beside her. She looked at her daughter-in-law before asking "Sweetheart, how are you?"

"Mother, feeling relaxed, despite my brother's actions. As they say revenge is a dish best served cold, and those two will pay."

All Du AnLing could do was shake her head. She had just heard those words from her husband, but like her husband she knew there was no malice in what either of them had said. "You love your family?"

"Leaving my mother, with her issues aside, absolutely. They love and care for me no matter what, and that is what is important. And before you ask my mother was not always as she has been like since you have been here. I remember she changed her attitude, particularly towards me was just after Adam's wedding, I think it was, when her father came back into everyone's life. He twisted her around and that has caused issues since then." 

Anna paused. She knew Hou Yi was aware of the issues with her maternal grandfather and they had together and even with Phillipa discussed its impacts on her. The last thing she wanted to do was tell her mother-in-law about it, particularly as they had decided to ignore the issue unless absolutely needed.

Taking a deep breath, Anna continued "Mother, let us not get distracted by this. Today is meant to be a continuation of our celebration."

Leaning over Du AnLing gave Anna a brief kiss on the cheek "Absolutely Anna. But there is something about your mother. When you are ready you, and that brat of a son of mine need to tell me about it. I will let you sit, as I see Alecia wants to talk to you"

Anna nodded, and Du AnLing stood up and quietly moved away, as Alecia came down and sat down beside her. As she sat down, she said "Anna can we talk about the court case?"

"Alecia, you know I am happy to talk to you about anything, but do you really want to do this here?"

"I do, as there will be little chance to do so otherwise before you head back."

"Not a problem. I will listen and give you some advice, but in the end, you need to be the one to make the choice about what happens. Now have you talked to James about this?"

"I need a sounding board Anna. I want to be able to make a decision not impacted by him. I know what his response will be, as all he wants to do is make sure that I am happy and safe while seeing everyone involve in what happened jailed for life. But I am not sure that this is the right decision though."

"Alecia, stop twisting yourself around. James needs to be …"

"Anna, no. Let me tell you what is happening. Dad and Alecia came to our place early this morning and handed me a letter that they were given earlier this week by Lu Jinhu. It was not something I wanted to read but I made myself read it. James started to read it and commented that he was self-serving and deserved to rot in jail for what happened to me. My initial instinct before I read the letter was in line with James but having read it now I am not so sure."

"You know I have my own issues with Lu Jinhu, and I would have to say that he deserves whatever is coming to him …"

"Anna, while I need your objectivity in this matter, not your personal view I think you are the only other person who can understand the conflicting thoughts I have."

"Can you tell me why you are questioning your initial instincts on what the penalty should be."