Offer To The CEO

Friday, continued …

Hou Yi paused for the press to take in his words, before continuing. "The awarding of that interview will not be judged solely on the money being offered for it. It will be on the proposal for the interview, and therefore we challenge those media organisations who want to pursue that exclusive interview to come up with a package, not simply money."

"Thirdly, Hou Enterprises and my wife and I will not be commenting on the court proceedings we are here for. The matters are before the court and as my wife reminds me regularly, the legal processes need to be allowed to work through without our interference. Subject to the court outcomes, we may release a statement at that time."

"Finally, as to the business impacts of what has occurred, we want it made very clear, we do not want to see Lu Corporation destroyed despite our issues with its former Vice-CEO and the current matters before the court. There are numerous people employed by Lu Corporation and they do not deserve an uncertain future."

"And before anyone asks why we do not wish to destroy Lu Corporation, we personally own ten percent of the shares of the company. Why would we buy shares if we had the intention to destroy the company? Now please excuse me, I need to head into the courthouse for the court proceedings today."

With that the remaining bodyguards escorted Hou Yi into the courthouse, and he found Alister Nang waiting for him. After quietly indicating he would be a few minutes, Alister told him where to find them. 

As he entered the room Alister was speaking to Yao Tan. "CEO Yao, thank you for your assistance in delivering that letter. I spoke to your daughter yesterday via telephone and she has provided me with instructions as to settling the matter regarding Lu Jinhu. Based on those instructions I have already spoken to the national prosecutor's office, who are checking on certain information I need to complete those instructions."

"What did she tell you? She has let me know nothing."

"CEO Yao, the letter she had has certain information that she believes may not be completely truthful, and what is her bottom line as a penalty will be influenced based on that. I was able to verify all but one thing with them relatively quickly, and they were hopeful that the remaining piece of information will be verifiable today."

"What!" yelled Yao Tan.

Anna quietly said "Tan, she spoke to me on Sunday. All I told her was make certain that she can live with the decision."

"So, you know what she is not saying," Yao Tan spat out in an accusatory tone.

Hou Yi realising that his friend was getting angry "Tan, my friend. In the end the decision cannot be ours. I know, without you telling me much you want him locked up and the key thrown away. I personally agree with you. He got off lightly with what happened to Anna and I, but in the end we made a decision that we did not want the stress of fighting with him on penalty and could live with the outcome."

"You agreed to Alecia marrying James, a decision they both seem happy with. She needs the respect to make the decision with her husband as to what she can live with. We need to respect that. If you do not, she will give you another ultimatum, and you will end up caving. I know I will. But the risk is, she will walk away from a relationship with you."

Yao Tan looked at Hou Yi and realised that he was right. He nearly pushed Alecia away the day he agreed to marry James, refusing to allow it until he realised her seriousness. If he failed to respect her choices a second time, she would refuse to have anything to do with him. Damn it, his princess had grown up, and the worst thing was unlike Junior and Ton Alecia's personality was much more like his then their mother's. When she made up her mind, he was never able to shift it.

Hou Yi, seeing a change in attitude, quietly leant over to Alister Nang and said, "I think we need to leave them alone for a few minutes to talk."

With that Alister nodded and taking Anna's hand Hou Yi helped her up. The three of them left the room. As he was shutting the door Hou Yi heard Yao Tan saying "Amanda, is Yi right, will I completely drive Alecia away if I push too hard?"