''How is Natalie?'' Thomas asked when Mikael came out of their bedroom.

''She is fine. She just fell asleep after a series of nightmares''

''Mikael, does my sister remember Daniel Song? How are they related?'' Alice asked as Mikael joined them in the hall.

''Yes, she remembers all of it now and it's the same as what Solace told me this afternoon. Daniel Song needs not just Natalie's rare blood but he also wants everything about her, her entire existence''

''How can such a person exist? Natalie was such a kid and had to go through all this because of this man. To think that society thinks of him as the saviour of the Drug investigation and Research World. My blood is boiling so much from anger'' Xia said as she picked a glass of water to drink.

''Brother, what did you find today?''

''It seems that Haldon wants to betray us. He is truly loyal to Daniel Song but I still have a trump card with me. He won't be able to do anything''

''This is getting more dangerous than I thought. One thing is for sure, Daniel is not the type to go down alone and now since he has his fingers wrapped around Natalie's mother, it won't be easy getting her out of this'' Josh added.

''The last time I saw aunt, I noticed she had bruises on her upper arms. Even though she tried to hide them I still saw them. Daniel is not only blackmailing her but he is abusing her too. Can't she get a divorce from him?'' Alice asked.

''It's too late to get a divorce. If Solace wants a divorce, he will kill her. She knows too much about him. he won't take that risk of letting her go'' Thomas explained.

''Then, what do we do now? I am confused. I can't believe with all my ten years as a journalist, I can't even figure this out'' Xia sighed.

''We play his game along with him'' Natalie spoke as she walked out of the bedroom in her pyjamas.

''Natalie, you are awake?'' Mikael stood up and held her hand, making her sit next to him.

''Daniel Song has my mother by the throat. Right now he is high on suspicion and is extremely cautious of everything happening around him. He has a tail on my mother wherever she goes. Someone like that would not hesitate to kill my mother once she mentions divorce or tries to go against him''

''Then, what do you suggest?'' Thomas asked.

''I already signed a project with him a few days ago. He asked me to go with him to his factory and see how the production team go by their duties. I'm guessing that he wants to see if I still remember that place. That is the place my father took me once when I was a child. I met Daniel Song for the second time there and we had a funny encounter there''

''What happened there?'' Alice asked.

''When I was almost 7 years old, my father just started working with Daniel Song. The first test I was supposed to undergo was at this place but it never happened because my father realised at the last minute that me undergoing such a test could turn me into a vegetable, so in order to play along with my father I faked it and acted unconscious. When I was sent to the resting room, Daniel Song came in and said to me;

''I know you are faking it but it doesn't matter anymore. You will never be able to get away from me since you are my priced possession'

''That was what he said to me''

''What a lunatic'' Alice cussed.

''First, I will infiltrate his camp, earn his trust, play the part of a good stepsister and also let him think he still has the balls in his court. By the time he realises that he has lost it, it will be too late for him. Thomas, in dealing with Haldon, you shouldn't be soft on him or he will try to play his cards for both sides and begin to decide which card is better for him''

''Whoa, are you really my sister? You sound like a different person just now''

''If I put my mind to it, Daniel Song will be destroyed in a day but it won't be glorifying. I want him to watch as he loses everything dear to him. I want him to be defenceless and helpless in front of his own doom''

''A punishment worse than death'' Josh said.

''Exactly'' Natalie added.

Thomas stood up and spoke, ''well, since we are done here I am leaving first. I have somewhere I need to be''

''Brother, did you take my advice and finally confess to her?'' Mikael said and everyone turned to look at Thomas.

''Confession?''

''Thomas when did you fall in love?'

''Who is she?''

''How did you meet her?''

''What is her name?''

Thomas looked at Mikael and let out a sarcastic chuckle. Mikael pouted his lips mockingly and smirked as he leaned back and watched the show. Thomas bit his lips and turned to look at the curious faces before him.

''Thomas, is it…''

''You shut up!'' Thomas said sternly and Natalie covered her mouth and stood up.

''Sis, tell us. who is this girl?'' Alice asked.

''Even Natalie knows. Who is this girl that he is trying so hard to keep from us?'' Xia asked.

''I… I remember I need to drink some water… aha'' Natalie said and stood up, running off to the bedroom.

''Nat…'' Xia and Alice stood up but Natalie hurried into her room and closed the door. The two turn turned to look at Mikael.

''I have a phone call to make. Lock the door on your way out'' Mikael stood up and walked away.

''Don't ask me anything'' Thomas said to them and picked his keys and left.

''Whoa! I can't believe we are the only ones who don't know what is going on? Since when did Thomas find a woman and is even keeping it away from us? Even my sister who is usually clueless knows who she is''

''It's his privacy. Let me tell us when he is ready. Let's go, we will send Xia home first'' Josh said to Alice.

''Who is this mysterious woman? I can't sleep when I am in the dark…'' Alice frowned and picked her bag.

….

Niania's apartment.

''You should have called me first, I would have let you send it through courier'' Niania said to the man sitting across her.

''It has been a while since I last saw you. Your parents were also worried. Since I had business in the city, I decided to bring the things to you''

''Thank you, brother Henry. What would you drink?''

''Water is okay'' Henry said and scanned the room after Niania went to get the water. ''This place is becoming small for you. Do you plan to move out after you complete next year?''

''Mm, but I still have a lot of debt so I might stay here for another year before I move out. This place is quite good and the house owner is also good. I won't get such a better deal anywhere''

''If you are looking for a place to move, I can recommend a place for you. This place might be good but you are a young woman living alone. It's dangerous''

Niania smiled and handed the cup over to him before sitting down. ''I know, but, I don't have a face that will make people notice me, so I don't think I am in danger''

''You are beautiful Niania. You have the kind of beauty that only comes out after one gets to know you. It's inside out''

''Are you going back today?''

''Yes, I planned to go back today but I don't know if the weather will allow it. It was drizzling when I arrived'' Henry finished speaking and the rain started falling.

''Oh, it's raining'' Niania stood up and went to close her window that was open. The wind started blowing and her hair got messy, clouding her face.

''Let me help you'' Henry stood up and went to the window. He helped her to close it and they turned, at the same time, their face very close to each other.

Henry looked at her and started leaning in. Niania's body froze and she looked at him with a shocked expression. She couldn't react early but just when Henry was about to kiss her, the doorbell rang.

Niania stepped back at once and they turned to look at the door.

''Are you expecting someone?'' Henry asked as he followed her to the hall.

''No'' she remembered she was supposed to prepare Thomas a meal but that would be tomorrow so she wasn't expecting anyone. She never had anyone coming to see her apart from Thomas.

''Wait here, let me go and see who is at the door first''

''Mm'' Niania sighed and frowned. She muttered to herself, ''why did I see Thomas face at that moment Henry was going to kiss me? You are a lunatic, Gu Nian''

''Where is Gu Nian?'' A voice asked from the door and Niania turned at once.