“I’m so sorry about the gathering tonight to be myself and my two sons only… My wife had a headache and is resting. Little Wei…” Dato Su apologised before Dato Kang waved him to stop, knowing Jazzlyn was hard to reach given their circumstances.

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. My wife is in another gathering. Lately, we have too many invitations, and yours is one of them that we cannot reject. I must personally attend.” Dato Kang informed.

  Dato Su laughed and noticed Benjamin. “Young man! Very well done in the interview!” Dato Su praised as he gently smacked his right arm.

  “Thank you, Uncle Su. It’s what I should do to promote the merger.” Benjamin said politely before they took their respective seats at the dining table.

  Benjamin was always intimidated by the Su brothers. The eldest brother, William, would always stare at him intensely as though Benjamin owed him, while the second brother, Oliver, who had just gotten divorced recently, was like the calm before a storm.

  Oliver may have looked like he was not interested, but Benjamin knew too well of people like such. It was only a matter of time for Oliver to start hunting, especially when something of interest arose. Benjamin still could not quite get what was Oliver’s interest.

  As the men enjoyed dinner, Benjamin was busy discussing with Dato Su on operational matters while Oliver occasionally chipped in. William was clearly bored and noticed Dato Kang was equally bored. William nudged Dato Kang to the living room as he entertained Dato Kang with a good cognac.

  “Come, Uncle Kang. Let me treat you to a glass…” William poured just a little into a tulip glass. He knew Dato Kang was still recovering from his accident and was unable to drink much.

  “Sit, boy… Thank you for the hospitality.” Dato Kang sniffed in the rich, mature, spicy flavors.

  “Good cognac…” Dato Kang praised but put down the glass as William chuckled.

  “Not giving it a taste?” William teased as he was ready to cheer with Dato Kang, who knew William was up to something.

  “Relax… The operation makes me take a break from all these…” Dato Kang made an excuse that William did not buy because he knew Dato Kang loves drinking.

  “Come on, just a sip…” William encouraged, but Dato Kang harrumped instead.

  “Let’s get to the point. What is it you want?” Dato Kang, upfront, questioned as William smirked.

  “You know they are all so enthusiastic about the business, but no one has been talking about a slush fund that we can create from the merger…” William prompted as Dato Kang sat up with full attention.

  “For both families?” Dato Kang questioned as William shook his leg.

  “That would depend on you, of course. You’re an elder… I must obey.” William’s hidden intention was thrilling to Dato Kang.

  “Alright, between us. You’re in charge of setting up and reporting to me.” Dato Kang raised his tulip glass as William smiled gleefully, cheering his glass to seal the deal behind his father and brother.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to let your precious son join too?” William teased while looking at the trio intensely in discussion of the merger operations.

  “Time will tell… Patience, young man…” Dato Kang said before putting down his empty tulip glass. “More please…” He requested as William poured the same small amount for him.

  Dato Kang knew he was at the start of a double-edged sword. He could let William handle and take all the credit, but he can also trap him and gain even more benefits.

  Dato Kang thought they were like the tulip glass. William was the bulbous bowl, and he was the tapered top. Both are working together to enhance and optimise the sensory experience while drinking. In this case, they were reaping from the circumstances for the sole benefit of their own interest, provided William does a good job in guarding trails. He wondered how greedy William would grow as he swirled the next glass of cognac William poured him.

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  Ethan decided to drive Jazzlyn back to his house in Kuala Lumpur instead of hers, while Isla drove Ellie back that night. Ethan knew Jazzlyn was worried that if they did not leave quickly, she would have more trouble coming for the Wang’s family, which really was not a big issue. However, he was sure she was worried about her mother. Though she did not say anything along the way and while they packed after breaking down, he knew it was the right decision to leave that night to give a peace of mind.

  That night, she could not fall asleep cause she knew the next day, she would be greeted by the Su’s bodyguards. She was wondering about many scenarios the guards would catch her and how she would retaliate. When she finally sighed in defeat, Ethan hugged her.

  “I thought you were asleep… I’m sorry…” She was startled.

  “How can I sleep when my wife is this frustrated?” He asked gently while trying to straighten the creases on her forehead. She blushed at her new status but pouted at her overthinking.

  “Look, if you’re worried about your mother…” She interrupted him. “No… I‘m not. Who said so…” She turned away from him in denial as he wrapped her in his arms.

  “Wifey… She is still your mother, and she loves you. I have a little something for you to give her if you want to see her…” He said as she turned around.

  He took a box out for her to open. She saw the glitter of the many tiny diamonds. She took it closer to the night light and saw it was a butterfly brooch. Her eyes reddened. She knew her mother loved butterflies. This was perfect.

  “How did…” Her words choke her.

  “She was my mother’s best friend. This… was my mother’s. It would be nice for your mother to keep it.” Ethan suggested as Jazzlyn hugged him and sobbed.

  “Thank you…” She mumbled as he kissed her forehead.

  “Promise me, wherever you are and whatever you do, keep me updated. I will always come and save you… I will always be by your side.” He whispered to her gently as she nodded while he coaxed her to sleep.

  Since they were scheduled to return to Melaka to help out Hilbert in a week with her first post in Ipoh, Jazzlyn decided to head back to the hospital and clear up her place a little with Ethan, who was to sign off on his exit interview.

  Before Jazzlyn could pack, she was called up to the Medical Director’s office via a phone call. Her gaze met with Ethan, who was about to enter the HR office. Jazzlyn nodded to assure him she was fine.

  She made her way to the office, and as expected, she saw her father and a few guards with him. She counted her blessings for bringing her handbag along. She had kept the brooch from last night with her. She had a feeling she might bump into the guards today and probably get a chance to see her mother again.

  “Oh, here you are, Ms. Su. Come have a seat.” Dr. Chow spoke. He was one of the longest-serving Medical Directors in the public hospital. Commonly also known as a people pleaser.

  “There’s no need for that. I’m still on leave. What is it that I need to be here for?” Jazzlyn was blunt cause she knew the tricks up her father’s sleeves.

  “Well then, as you know, Su’s hospital is recruiting and they had come to specifically ask for you.” Dr. Chow updated, but Jazzlyn kept an indifferent face.

  “I’m not interested. I have tendered with other plans in mind.” Jazzlyn swiftly rejected. Dr. Chow let out a nervous chuckle.

  “Ms. Su, you might want to reconsider. The management had decided to early release you from your duties with immediate effect.” Dr. Chow announced as Jazzlyn sighed.

  “With full severance payment?” Jazzlyn questioned Dr. Chow, who glanced at Dato Su. Dato Su waved his hand to signify he was fine with it. Jazzlyn was angry cause her father was meddling even with her meager salary.

  “You know what? It’s fine if there isn’t. I can survive anyway. It's your loss.” Jazzlyn said before dismissing herself. However, the guards at the door blocked her.

  “If you’re bringing me back to the Su’s residence, you don’t have to lift any muscles. I will just go with you.” She spoke to the guards, but her words were hinting at her father, who took the hint and stood. He nodded at the guards to escort her to their car before thanking Dr. Chow.

  She purposely walked faster and escaped in a different lift from her father. It disgusted her to be in the same space with him for too long.

  “Stop. I want to sit in a separate car from the old idiot.” She instructed the guards when she was about to ride the car. The chief guard conveyed the message to the guards by Dato Su’s side.

  Moments later, Jazzlyn was allowed to ride alone back to the Su’s residence. Though she could escape him momentarily, she knew she could not escape forever. When they arrived home, she sat at the dining hall on purpose while he sat in the living room. He knew it was her way to rebel, but he had to be patient if he wanted her to submit to his demands.

  She had noticed her mother was nowhere to be seen. She began to worry about her. Before she retaliated against her father, she sent Ethan an update that she was at the Su’s residence and trusted he would know what to do and who to find.