Chapter 182 - A Joke on The Smiths

Andrea was on the phone with Yeong. He was supposed to come for a visit and check on Lu Fang's training since last month, but work got in the way. Plus, he had to deal with a syndicate who tried infiltrating one of the Yeong's arms factories. 

"Yeong, please be safe," pleaded Andrea. "Can't you just leave with it the police?" 

"What can they do? How long will they need to capture all of them? I've already captured a few of their men and know their base location. I have more reliable men than the police force." Yeong went on and on about his disappointment towards the authorities that Andrea felt sleepy, yawning her way to the other suite where Arti was at. 

"How is Yanmei?" She tried to change the subject. 

"She is fine. She seems to be close to mom. Don't know how that happened."

Andrea giggled to herself recalling how she told Mommy Soon about Yanmei. Mrs. Yeong was so delighted that she wanted to take part in bringing the two closer. 

"Anyway, I better go now. The signal is getting bad. There's a storm coming - "

"What? Yeong, please check on Yanmei. She is all alone!" 

"She is a grown adult, and you chose a good apartment for her - "

"At least, call and make sure she is fine."

"Why me? Why don't you call her?"

"Duh, long-distance calls are so expensive! Bye I have to go. Call her!" 

Andrea had been staying home these past few days. She found it tiring to step outside. The babies were now on their 30th week and she felt like her body was so heavy to carry. 

Doctor Qi had ordered for her to follow a bi-weekly checkup starting her 31st week and get more rest. They still do not know the second baby's gender, yet Lu Fang had not shown any signs of looking forward to a girl, or at least he was scared of showing it. 

Arti was in Lu Fang's study, attending a conference call with Andres Island's Managers, taking notes of the progress of their marketing effort. When Andrea came in, she greeted everyone and thanked them for working hard despite her absence. 

She announced that Arti will be doing the resort inspection on her behalf and requested the General Managers to identify a Sales Manager to be based in China. Andrea had already decided on opening a Travel Agency specifically selling Maldives Vacation Packages to Chinese groups. 

After their meeting, she received a call from Darwin. 

"Andrea, Harold had already paid 100 Million Dollars to keep me quiet. He said he may pay the additional 400 Million in staggard, year after year when he was sure that there is no more news about… me."

"Haha! He is being crafty, yet he would not care much how much he would spend to give his daughter anything. I think it's time we release the article, Darwin. You know what to do. Hanxi is helping you out well?"

"Ah, yes. He is more passionate about bringing them down… more excited than me."

"Good, then carry on and enjoy yourself seeing them go frantic," said Andrea. 

Darwin has been communicating with Harold through email, using an unknown email account. He sent threats showing news clips about the warehouse fire hinting that he knew of Darwin's death. 

At first, Harold ignored the emails but with the help of Andrea and Hanxi, they hacked into the hotel's server. When Harold would use the internet, regardless of which device, his browser would get diverted to a website entitled "I know what you did last last spring."

Footages of a burned man and of the warehouse were posted on the site and towards the end of the page, a reminder for him to pay up 500 Million Dollars. 

Darwin finally got an email reply. He expected Harold to give way, but instead, he received an email threatening him back. 

[Whoever you are. It only costs a few million dollars to hire an assassin group and have you killed. 500 Million Dollars is absurd! What is my guarantee that you will shut up forever?]

[I will only give you 100 Million Dollars and if you are keeping your word, I may give you the remaining funds, slowly each year.]

Darwin gave him the account which was set-up to be untraceable and replied back with his demands. 

[I expect no less than 500 Million Dollars deposited in my account in less than 24 hours. Otherwise, you will regret it.]

Since Harold did not follow as instructed, the following day, an online article was published about Darwin Clark and his sudden disappearance. In the same article was a video of Patricia capturing the very moment when she yelled of Darwin being alive. 

The article was particularly spread in the US alerting the families of Darwin Clark and Intramed Wise's board members. 

Harold Smith received a call informing him of an article that has been spreading, indicating his involvement in Darwin's disappearance. As he checked the article, he saw the video of Patricia and realized this was taken at Lu-Wei Enterprise's Anniversary party. 

His eyes narrowed while reading through the article. He told himself, "Lu Fang must be involved! He must've known!"

Everything that was on his desk was thrown to the floor as Harold went on a frenzy. His screams were so loud that they received a call of complaint from the concierge.

After releasing his anger, he emailed Darwin saying he refused to give the remaining amount. He quickly contacted his PR team to release a statement saying that Patricia merely thought that Darwin had died, not having been seen for two years. In the same report, Patricia's longing for her fiance was highlighted explaining her behavior. 

When Darwin reported to Andrea, she ordered, "Since he is being so stubborn, let us move to the second stage of the game. Ask Hanxi to buy red lipstick."

The next morning, Harold woke up to the sound of her daughter's scream. 

"Ahhh! Daddy! Daddy!"

Harold found his daughter squatting in the corner of the bathroom, distressed. 

Pamela quickly contacted the front office requesting an ambulance as Patricia was showing signs of another mild heart attack. Harold, on the other hand, hastily wiped away the lipstick handwriting on the mirror where it said, "I know what you did last last spring."

"This is a joke! They are playing a joke on us!" Complained Harold. 

Pamela brought Patricia to the hospital while her husband settled things at the hotel. He complained about the hotel's security saying that someone came into their room. 

The manager immediately checked the surveillance camera but there was nothing captured. No one else entered their room last night up until morning when the hotel staff came to aid Patricia. 

"Should Lu Fang be involved in this, he seemed to be serious in bringing me down," Harold told himself. He realized that their schemes had turned against them and that Lu Fang may not be as simple and as easy to manipulate as he thought he was.