Chapter 181 - Darwin's Return

"I know what you did last… last spring."

Patricia wasn't sure how to react. Obviously, someone was playing a trick on her. It has been over two years since Darwin's death.

'Why now? What does this person know?' She said to herself in silence. 

"I don't know what you are talking about," Patricia plainly said while trying to hide her worry.

"I know what you and your father did to Darwin Clark."

Patricia's eyes grew wide and her hands began to tremble. She held on to her dress while clenching her hand into a fist. When she finally found the courage to answer, she said, "Look, I don't know who you are  - "

"Of course you don't, stupid." It was Xio Hanxi who made the call, purposely trying to change his voice with a modulation device. He could not help himself but scorn at her lies. Moreover, he hated the fact that this woman was disturbing his sister's pregnancy. 

Realizing she was being mocked, Patricia yelled from her seat while holding the phone up to her face, "You are the one who is stupid! You think I will fall for your tricks! I don't know who that man is! You hear me?"

Patricia's voice was loud enough for several guests to turn their attention to her. Harold and Pamela immediately rushed to her side in an attempt to soothe her.

Harold felt ashamed of all the attention that Patricia was getting. For the first time in his life, he scolded his daughter."Patricia, stop this right this instant!" 

"..."

Seeing the shock expression of his daughter, he leaned forward to hold her shoulders. This time he softly reprimanded her, "You are humiliating us, especially yourself. Stop this right away - "

"But Daddy, look," said Patricia as she showed the picture of Darwin on her phone. "Someone sent this to me and said... he said he knew - "

"Shhh... whoever they are. They are just bluffing."

Pamela was staring blankly at the two and knew, somehow she knew, they were going to be found out soon enough. 

Harold immediately grabbed Patricia's phone and saw it was an old photo of Darwin. He will need to look into this further but for now, his family will have to bear.

Patricia went to the ladies' room to fix herself. Pamela accompanied her and as she waited outside, she also noticed the same familiar figure appear before her. However, after rubbing her eyes, the same person was gone from her line of sight. 

All throughout the party, the Smiths had a glimpse of Darwin that it caused them paranoia. Even Harold had his fair share of feeling Darwin's presence at the event. 

Harold was talking to his new business partners when one man in the same circle said, "Strange. I met a man who said he was one of the biggest shareholders of Intramed Wise, but Mr. Smith you only mentioned you were traveling with your family?"

It puzzled him, thinking if any other board members were in China, but no, to his knowledge, he was the only one currently in Beijing. He confidently shrugged it off saying, "You must be mistaken I- "

"Darwin Clark! Yes, I believe that was his name. Is he not a shareholder of your company?"

All of a sudden he felt his throat dry up. He gulped down an entire glass of wine to soothe it.

Realizing they were waiting for an answer, he simply said, "I don't… I don't know any… Darwin Clark. He must be playing a joke on me - Excuse me. I need to check on my family."

As he approached their table, he saw a figure that looked exactly like the man he had ordered to be killed. He hastily walked towards the man but there were too many other guests blocking his way that he lost sight of him. 

Harold stepped outside the ballroom and found himself a secluded area in the hotel lobby. He made a phone call to the same organization that took care of Darwin. "Are you certain that Darwin is already dead? I paid you a whole lot of money to get the job done! You better be sure of it." 

As he was talking on the phone, he glanced at the surrounding area, making sure that no one was around or coming his way. 

"I think I just saw Darwin, are you sure? Did you see his body? What do you mean by that?"

"Mr. Smith, the entire place was burned down. He is as good as ash." When Harold heard this response, he realized, technically, they did not find the body. There was no way of telling if Darwin was really burned to death inside the warehouse. 

Harold walked back and forth, thinking about his dilemma and because he found no solution, he went back to get his family and demanded that they head back to the hotel. 

Little did Harold know the couple especially chose the Peninsula Hotel for its keen surveillance capability. Each corner of the hotel is installed with a voice recording camera. Some even kept hidden on purpose.

From the moment the Smiths accepted the invitation, they were bound to be found out. It was a simple trap that the Smiths excitedly fell into. 

Lu Fang and Andrea were now enjoying their time at the party noticing the Smiths leave. They all gathered in one table together with Gao Rou, Hanxi and Han-joon. 

Andrea asked Darwin to join them and for the first time, he felt like he was his old self after a very long time. He was reluctant at first, but seeing how accommodating Andrea and Lu Fang were, he started to loosen up.  

For over a month of having occasional exchanges with the couple, Darwin learned of their individual competencies. What impressed him the most is that they both were not afraid of fighting back, taking the law into their own hands as necessary. Yet, despite being this capable, they never bragged about it nor has he seen them abuse such power.

"Darwin, are you ready for the upcoming games? I trust that you can manage given all the resources we have provided for you?" Lu Fang asked as he handed the bottle of wine to him suggesting they have a drink together.

"Yes, I can manage. I want to thank you all for your help," he paused trying to find more words to say. "You gave me hope to live again."

The couple looked at each other before returning their gaze at him with a heavy heart. Andrea especially felt his pain, losing almost everything, some people would take their own life but Darwin lived on. 

"Well, think of it this way. If it were not for you, we would not have learned about the Smiths' real purpose. So, consider this as a thank you," said Andrea as she raised her glass, offering a toast.

"Here is to your return!"

"To Darwin!" Cheered Hanxi and Gao Rou. 

Han-joon raised his glass at him and Lu Fang did the same but gave Darwin an approving grin. 

"To bringing down the bitch who stole my sleeping clothes!" Exclaimed Andrea.