IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER - Season 9 Episode 78

Now that everything was clear. Mike, who had believed that he and Lawrence were the smartest people in the world, had to confess that he was wrong. Heck, he had never known someone was snooping on him all the time? He also wondered whether Lawrence had any clue.

Soren continued to say, “To say it’s difficult to contact the Russian intelligence agency would be an understatement. Yet Sally had not only made contact but at a whopping three billion dollars she hired them to monitor a mere two individuals. That was one hell of a creepy story.”

“Well, Soren, how about digging into her networks thoroughly before we make any move?” Derek asked.

Before Soren replied, Mike interrupted.

“Wait for a second,” said Mike, who just digested the news and realized his task as per what Lawrence had asked.

“What’s the matter?” asked Derek. “Well, Uncle Derek,” Mike first looked at Derek and then Mond, “Uncle Mond, I’m afraid you have to listen to me this time.”
In confusion, Derek and Mond exchanged a look, trying to understand where Mike was heading. What’s going on? Soren was at a loss, too. Greg, on the contrary, was quite unperturbed.

“Mike, what do you mean by that?”
asked Mond.

“Well, I mean that Lawrence has a plan and we have carefully gone over it, so you better trust me and listen to what I have to say. It’s not my plan as such, but something that Lawrence figured out on his own. He only shared with me after he had done all the groundwork, so it’s purely his brainchild. But trust you me, it’s quite airtight,” Mike assured. He didn’t intend to hide anything for anyone here, seeing they were in this together.

“Lawrence?” Mond said quizzically. Quietly, Derek followed, eager to hear Mike out.

“Yes, Lawrence and I have been in touch over the phone. We have also put Greg in the loop,” Mike said as he turned to Greg.

Attentively, Greg nodded, giving his affirmation that Mike was indeed telling the truth.

“What did Lawrence say?” asked Derek.
“The things I’m going to tell are all true,” said Mike. “The case this time involves Sally He, the JC Group, Sharon, Rebecca Lin, Aria Liu, and her mother – Kate Bai. For your information, Aria Liu is Lawrence’s sweetheart.”

Willing to keep it as honest as possible, Mike didn’t keep anything back, including Aria and Lawrence relationship.

Confident that Lawrence and Aria would end up as a married couple, he saw it necessary to include that detail.

Especially, since Aria was now in prison, framed for a crime she didn’t commit. Her life was at stake too!

Following keenly, but quietly, Derek and Mond, frowned at the same time, like two automatons in sync.

“As for Rebecca Lin, she is a film star and once worked in a media arm of the JC Group. I think you have heard of her, haven’t you?” asked Mike.

Derek nodded and asked, “Does she have anything to do with this affair?”

“What if I told you Lawrence was in love with her? But at the time, Rebecca was playing with him, and indirectly caused Violet’s accident. With that background history, is it hard to see Rebecca’s involvement in Aria’s predicament?” Mike asked rhetorically, already fully aware of Rebecca’s culpability.

“What?” Abruptly, Greg asked. He had never known about Rebecca’s involvement.

For two years, Violet had suffered from the injury and subsequent scars. Again, he was surprised that for a whole two years no one in the family had asked what exactly had happened. Lawrence himself also kept his mouth shut about this. Derek too was surprised by Mike’s words revelations.

Casting a glance at Derek, who was in charge here, Mike continued, “I think on Sally’s instructions that Rebecca framed Aria. Unfortunately, Aria is now in prison on trumped-up charges. I guess we can all see that Aria, as Lawrence’s fiancee, is Sally He’s first target for revenge,” said Mike. Clearly, he knew everyone here was smart enough to get his drift.

“So, Sally He has used Rebecca to attack Aria, right?” Mond asked.

“Yes,” Mike immediately replied, “Obviously, Sally He’s next target is the JC Group, because of Lawrence’s absence. This is her best opportunity.” “I won’t let her take the chance to attack the JC Group,” Derek said in a firm voice. Their tolerance to Sally had given her room for dishing out senseless violence.

If only he had known this, he wouldn’t have let her off the hook. For all their kindness to her, she rewarded them with more and more trouble all the time. After Jackson and Cherry’s marriage, Sally had become a pain in the backside that should have dealt with mercilessly, and much earlier.

“Uncle Derek,” Mike said in a low voice and looked at Derek, “Lawrence instructed that you shouldn’t be bothered about this.”

“Why?” Asked Soren, not believing what his ears heard. Suddenly he realized he had underrated his son. It brought the old man great relief to know that Mike was much better than the image he projected of a carefree, party animal who shirked responsibilities.

Eagerly, Derek, who in his heart asked the same question as Soren had done, was waiting for Mike’s answer.

“Because Lawrence has someone else to do this. A very important and trustworthy person, who has lived in this city for a long time,” Mike said, trying to drop a hint for Derek. There was no doubt that Derek would figure out the person.

“Whom do you think we could count on for that, please?” Derek asked, while running a few names through his mind.

“A very reliable lady, whose loyalty to the Chu family is unmatched. Better still,” Mike paused for a second before he continued, “she has international influence beyond what all our entire family could make.”

“I think I get your drift,” said Derek, the deep anxiety that was written all over his face disappearing into a smile of relief. With that little hint, he had figured out the person that Mike and Lawrence had in mind.