Stevie-Lou felt a bit out of place as she walked into the Grand Five-Star Hotels. People were clad in tuxes and dresses, unlike her who was wearing her usual tomboy clothing. She shoved the discomfort out of her mind because she was there for her job.After overhearing the announcement of Avery Dupree's fundraising Event, she stole an invitation card, assuming she'd be granted access upon her arrival. Because the event was strictly for people around Avery's wealthy circle.Stevie-Lou's target was one Bryce Canon, who was rumored to be a Con Artist but no evidence was yet provided. She wanted to have a one-on-one conversation with him because he was seen around her colleague who got murdered the following day."Sorry, miss. I can't let you in," the male usher shook his head at Stevie-Lou when she handed him her invitation card."But this is it," she frowned at him."You came to the right place at the wrong time," The usher rolled his eyes in their sockets because a queue was right beh
The fundraising event began with a charity auction where items were advertised and sold off to the highest bidder, so the accumulated money could be used to build homes and provide food for the needy."This mid-20th century Scandinavian sculpture costs $300,000," the auctioneer announced through his mic with his finger pointing at the golden brown sculpture that had a stage light reflecting on it."I'd pay $310,000," "$320,000.""$350,000!""$380,000!"Both men and women were at it, trying to see who would secure the Scandinavian sculpture at last."$800,000," Liam held up his bidder number, and silence filled everywhere. He was seated in the last row of seats with his butler beside him.Avery's lips curved upward into a smirk at this and she shifted her gaze to the auctioneer."The Scandinavian sculpture is going to our highest bidder, Liam..""I'd pay $900,000," Ted spoke up, interrupting the auctioneer before he could call Liam's last name. And heads turned in his direction. Incl
The fundraising event ended as a success and Avery was commended for a job well done. Liam was the highest bidder out of it all. Lady with an Ermine was neatly packaged and handed to him.Liam was outside with his clique when he overheard Bryce Canon making a call with his eyes fixed on Stevie-Lou who was now wearing her boots, with her hand holding her heels."We should go," Avery made to place her hand on Liam's when he shifted and walked right ahead of her. Liam met up with Stevie-Lou once more."You're here again," she was completely clueless of what was going on."Let me take you home," Liam offered. Everything about her wasn't his business because she was his cousin's fiancee but her life was in danger."I walked down here all by myself, what makes you think I cannot return that way?" Stevie persisted with this question."This is the last day you'd see me around you," Liam said, meaning every word. She was to be Ted's wife anyway. He wouldn't disguise himself as Thomas to meet
Liam arrived in Beijing mid-afternoon the following day. He hadn't slept a wink since last night. The news about the fire outbreak left him troubled throughout the whole flight. Beijing was one of the oldest cities in the world, capital and the second largest city in China. It was Liam's first time visiting and if it weren't for the horrendous experience, he wouldn't have taken that flight in the middle of the night because he was given daily feedback on the outcome of his father's business in China."Aren't you hungry, sir?" Gibson was right behind Liam, descending the airstair."No," Liam shook his head and handed his bag to his butler."But it's been fourteen hours,""I'm not hungry, Gibson," Liam had his mind elsewhere. It would be selfish of him to think about food when thirteen people lost their lives in his car brand. Liam's foot finally touched Beijing for the first time in his life.The sun was pounding with excess heat but Liam still removed his dark shades. The airport was
"Brandon Price relocated to Beijing in the early 90s. Fresh graduate from tertiary education. He already had some money because he was into real estate. Charks An was the first Chinese man he befriended, and told him about his plans to create a car brand because Charks An graduated with an Automotive Engineering degree," Sinclair made this known to Liam.Then went ahead to tell Liam how his father and Charks and plotted the whole thing because Brandon Price had the money whilst Charks An had the skill. They made their first car together and celebrated this achievement. Named the car 'Branch.''B-r-a-n' was derived from Brandon and 'c-h' was from Charks.They were at their second car project when jealousy started trooping in, of course, it was from Charks An. The young man was admired even more even though he did most of the work. So Charks An didn't want to be overthrown, he started hiring thugs to harass Brandon Price, made Brandon's life hell until Brandon found out it was him. T
"A plane flew over, spraying fuel over our company and then someone sparked a lighter and threw it on the floor, setting the entire place on fire. We not only had our building burnt down; thirteen lives were lost, sixteen were injured and we lost over a hundred brand new cars which were up for sale," Huan Lui adjusted his glasses and sighed heavily. Liam drummed his fingers on the executive wooden desk from where he was seated at the power seat. They were gathered in a small hall they had rented for a meeting upon Liam's arrival in Beijing. The meeting attendees were just nine consisting of Liam himself, Gibson, Yuxuan, Huan Lui the manager, and the remaining four employees who were unhurt."Our Chinese stockholders and investors are afraid they'll lose all of their money because rumor has been spread that we're incapable of redeeming their portion of investment," someone else spoke up, spreading copies of newspapers to everyone.Liam took a look at it and clenched his jaw because thi
The Chinese-speaking paps shifted their cameras toward Liam and took snapshots of him. They didn't know who he was yet but when they asked the crowd who was behind the food sharing, they kept pointing at him."There's something important I'd like to talk about," Liam spoke through his mic and when Huan Lui repeated this in Chinese, heads turned in Liam's direction."I am Liam Price, son of the late Brandon Price who only just arrived in Beijing yesterday," Liam removed his shades, and people were astonished to realize that it was him. Mouths parted and a few paused from eating their steamed pork buns."This was the only way to get your attention, by giving out free steamed pork buns because I am not from your country, nor do I speak your language. A complete foreigner who rushed down here when he learned his late father's business was attacked by sharks in human form, and it's currently at the brink because they want to crumple it to nothing." Liam was talking more than he had expecte
Liam went through what he considered as torture that evening. His stubble was shaved off and even his hair was slid backward with gorilla gel, so it could fit a wig. He almost gave up when the Make-up artist began with his face. She spent over two hours on him. Slapping several powders to his face, adding eyeliner, lip gloss, and even fake lashes. "Do you want to give up?" Gibson questioned, upon noticing Liam's discomfort."No," Liam knew he wouldn't give up, he was willing to stay still until the whole makeup process ended. By the time a blonde wig was settled on his head, he felt hot all over."Take a look at yourself in the mirror," the Chinese lady twirled the rotating chair and Liam saw his reflection in the mirror for the first time in two hours.His eyes were as big as saucers as he stared back at his reflection in the mirror. "I look exactly like a woman!" He exclaimed out of surprise."Not entirely, you still look manly but they'll see you as a woman because most women ar