Chapter 83 - Her Uncle?

2 days later, 

"Are you going to be okay? The doctor said to rest for a week, dear" Sha Sha says, her brows knitting with concern as she follows Shi Lian outside the door. Shi Lian can walk properly and she had enough rest in these two days. She has piles of work to do and the upcoming opening of the new collection is the most important to her, she cannot miss it. 

"I am in good health now, mother. Don't worry" she smiles, looking over her mother from her shoulder as she steps outside. She chooses to wear shoes of lower heels because her ankle has just healed, any mistake and the bone in there will break, that's what the doctor warned her about. The black sleek car parked in front of her steps down from the small four stairs. The driver opens the door for her and before hopping inside the car, she hugs her mother. "I'll be fine. Don't stress" she assures and entangles herself from her. The driver closes the door when she is inside the car. She thinks about Gui, she hasn't seen him in two days and she does not know if her father has asked something from him or he said anything to them. Her questions will be answered on her way back home. Gui is in charge of escorting her from the office. The engine starts and the takes its pace and heads out of the gates, onto the road. 

The sun shines brightly above her as she walks to the company's front door. It suddenly makes her nervous coming to the company after two days. The guards greet her and she smiles at them before entering inside the glass door. Her eyes move around the hall, taking in the rushing of people, the greetings of the staff, and the chaos inside it. She smiles and walks forward. Nobody knows what happened to her or why she took two days' leave, except Ruxi, well she also does not know the truth. Taking the elevator car, she punches on the floor number of her office and waits as the elevator rises, making her stomach churn a little. 

As the door opens, the sight of her uncle's face comes into view. She grimaces and without saying anything to him she brushes past him. But the voice of his stops her. "Shi Lian?" His question puzzles her and she turns around to see his face. His expression is a mixed shock, anger, and confusion. What's wrong with him? 

"Yes?" she asks impatiently. 

He shoves his hand in his pants pocket and takes in a long breath before he speaks, "You are back, huh. I thought you had given up?" 

She raises her eyebrow, "Feeling upset?" 

He laughs, waving his hand in front of her, "Never."

She turns around and steps inside the elevator, pressing the floor button the door shuts and he disappears. She senses that her uncle must have known something or why would he act like that? he was shocked to see her as if he wasn't expecting her here at all and she guesses he must have known about why she was on leave. Who told her? her father? It doesn't make any sense her father would say anything to her vile uncle. Brushing the thought from her head, she continues moving to her office. Clicking on the door handle, she steps inside and the familiar smell of cherrywood welcomes her. Reaching the dark rectangular desk, she places her bag and moves around, and takes a seat on the comfy leather chair. At the moment, a knock appears on the door. "Come in!" she yells. 

Ruxi enters inside carrying the tabloid and her very charming smile. "Good morning, Charmain" she chirps. "You feeling well?" 

"A lot better now that I am here" she grins and takes the tabloid from her hand. Ruxi explains to her the schedule she has today and she listens nodding now and then. "Four meetings?" she gapes. Ruxi chuckles and nods apologetically. 

"We need to cover it up for the lost cause" Ruxi explains. Explaining everything to her, she turns on her heels and starts to leave when Shi Lian calls her. 

"How is the hall? And about the models?" she asks, resting her arms on the desk and leaning forward. 

"The hall is in progress, arrangements are made according to what you told. About the models, I still haven't got any calls" she sighs. Shi Lian is not sure if any model will be interested in working with their company, I mean, she cannot blame them too, working with a downfall company nobody wants that. Dismissing Ruxi, she turns her attention to the work she has to do. 

**

She stops when she spots her uncle to a far corner of the outside of the building. Her brows knitting together as she tries to see what he is doing there. She should mind her business but the way he is sneaking around, she needs to check what he is up to. She walks up the where he, leaving a distance so couldn't see her, and watches as he yells at someone. There is someone other than him but he cannot see his face as he is standing too behind the side. 

"All of them?" her uncle yells, raging with anger as he glares at the other man. "Not only you took double the money, but you also failed as well."

Money? What he is talking about. She inches a little closer so that she can hear him more clearly. 

"They are the best in here, huh? They got knocked out, all of them. it was an easy task but yet you failed. Loseshits!" he snarls. the man stands quietly, saying nothing. The more he yells, the more confused Shi Lian gets. His words are so confusing that she cannot reciprocate what he meant but she guesses that he must have hired the man he failed to do whatever task he ordered him to. 

"Give me back the money" he hisses but the quiet man speaks up. "Money? You told me it was advance and the money you gave was for only abducting. They did that one, so stop asking me for your damn money!"

Shi Lian can feel her heart hammering in her chest and her stomach-churning. Kidnapping? Are they talking about her? was that her uncle who told her to kidnap and kill her? she shakes her head, turning on her heels she goes back to where the car is parked. 'No, he is my uncle after all. He cannot go to that extent she tries to make herself believe that what she is thinking is true. 

"Start the car, Gui," she tells the old man and he does as her request. Shutting the car door, the car paces and leaves the company. her mind is drifting, again and again, to that conversation. She should have stayed and listened to what they were saying but what if she found whatever she thinks is true? Even though she knows her uncle is not trusted still he is a relative after all. She needs to find the truth as soon as she can. If she waits, something more dangerous will occur.