11:00 p.m., Elite Banquet Hall ;

"Sister-in-law.", while the couple was busy chatting with the Prime Minister and the President, Xi Ying made her way through the crowd to them, a man following behind her, "Mr. Yang over here, has been a close acquaintance to the Xi family for more than 20 years now. He's been asking me to introduce you two, formally."

"Hello, President Yang.", Rong Xinghe turned to smile softly at the man in his late-thirties.

"I don't want to do this.", the man said, looking at Xi Yuan desperately, as if his red bloodshot eyes were trying to say something. "But I just can't stop."

Before Rong Xinghe or Xi Yuan could do anything, the man's right hand reached underneath his dark blue coat. By this time, the Ten Hybrids had already surrounded Rong Xinghe and Xi Yuan, defensively, instinctively, in a semi-circle. "Do not move, Alpha!", David Florence yelled, pulling out his Ruger SR22, aiming it at the man in front of him.

But it was as if the man was compelled. Totally unaffected. Robotically, he pulled out his Colt Python and stretched his hand, positioning its mouth against the temple of his head. Tears flowing down his eyes, the man delivered his final message to the girl, "Beware, Rong Xinghe, for War is on its way. Stop it if you can.

"Because when that time will come, thousands of bodies will be sacrificed. It will be, but mere collateral damage, for you, are both, the reason and the ultimate target of this battle. Only when you'll be standing over the bodies of innocent public, your family, and your love, will he come for you. Beware!"

BAM!

With a thud, the man's body hit the ground, evoking shocked gasps and terrified screams from the crowd. The black and gray ethnic-patterned carpet soaked the blood flowing down the man's head, gradually.

"Oh my god!"

"What did the man mean by war?!"

"He actually shot himself. I can't believe this! What do you think will Military Chief Rong do now?!"

"This is so scary."

"Holding onto the position of the highest Military Authority isn't surely easy."

"What should we do now?!"

As the crowd fixed its hopeful gazes upon Xinguan, Rong Xinghe clicked her fingers, gesturing one of the Hybrids to get her a mic. A few seconds later, the girl procured the microphone from Huang Ling, bringing it closer to her lips. She then held onto Xi Yuan's hand, interlacing their fingers loosely.

"Apologies for the mess, ladies and gentlemen. This is, but a matter of national concern. Involving politicians, diplomats, bureaucrats, and soldiers, it would be unappreciated if the word about this gets out. Ever.

"I hope for this incident to remain caged in all your hearts. High-class socialite families, the ones with thousands of secrets of their own, shouldn't feel burdened by this little secret of ours.

"If in any way, this news is leaked to any form of media, the person responsible shall be considered an enemy to Military of Country X. And towards traitors, no one is unknown of my barbarity. We cannot afford to let the Public panic. Am I making myself clear?"

The guests, of course, knew what was better for them. Rong Xinghe was a cunning personality. A sharp diplomat herself. She could turn the tables around for almost anyone present there, in seconds. Most importantly, Country X was already in a state of shock, ever since the news about a hundred plus SF officers were dropped dead in front of the Military Chief Office. Hence, there was no point locking horns with Rong Xinghe at such trying times.

In the end, the guests agreed to keep their mouth shut about the psychotic suicide and bid farewell to the two families.

"Hey, how are you?", Xi Yuan turned to face the girl beside him after the huge, enormous banquet hall was left with just their families. And the Hybrids.

Rong Xinghe hadn't said anything after she'd addressed their audience earlier. Her silence was frightening, petrifying. Xi Yuan could only hope that she wouldn't bottle up her feelings. Rage. Disappointment. Regret. He could deal with anything extreme, as long as he knew what was going on in her mind.

"How right was I about postponing our wedding?", the girl finally said, smiling wryly at the man looking at her. The man couldn't help but smile back in relief. "You're always right.", he laughed, planting a soft kiss against the girl's forehead.

Rong Xinghe then turned to fix her gaze upon her two families. Obviously, Superfamily wasn't as affected as the Xis were. It was natural, for they weren't yet used to having a soldier under the same roof as them.

"They'll come along. Don't worry.", Xi Yuan comforted the girl in his mellow voice.

"I know. I have you, after all.", Rong Xinghe let out a shaky breath, "I was just hoping for this one day, to end smoothly."

______________

12:30 a.m., MCO ;

Xi Yuan arranged for the two families to head to their respective homes as the girl called for a confidential meeting with the Hybrids in her office.

"Who the fuck did it?!", Jackson frowned, staring at the picture of the dead Mr. Yang, on the big projector screen behind the girl.

"I know, right?! Just for the sake of conveying a message.", Zheng Gen crossed his arms, "They could've sent a letter or something."

"Xinghe, are you okay?", Shawn Florence interrupted the girl's train of thoughts, evidently concerned for her, "What are you thinking?"

"Rong Yufan.", Rong Xinghe clenched her fists, letting out an icy cold chuckle, "That bastard was the one orchestrating all of this."

"What?! How did you-"

"Mr. Yang was hypnotized. She is right!", Elijah Williams spoke up, proud to have decoded the meaning behind Rong Xinghe's words, "Now, we all know how sensitive hypnotism can be. Even the slightest bit of disturbance can break the patient, push him off the edge.

"But Rong Yufan is no ordinary hypnotist. He had once hypnotized Xinghe's ex into inducing a tragic accident upon her brother and then-pregnant sister-in-law, remember?

"His hypnotism has never been inefficient before. He is simply brilliant at this damned game. Playing with people's brains is his specialty."

"Well... that's a possibility.", agreed Shawn Florence.