CH 54

I am your father.

‘Are you ready?’ William Homan asked the groom.

‘I promised to marry Helen but don’t expect me to love her,’ William Reynold said.

‘You don’t need to love Helen,’ William Homan said. ‘I only need you and her to give me a grandchild.’

‘I’m not interested in being the head of the Hill Household,’ William Reynold said. ‘You should keep your promise and give me my freedom after you get your grandchild.’

‘I’ll keep my promise,’ William Homan said.

‘Why do the elders want me to marry Helen?’ William Reynold asked.

‘When Henry Charlies married Helen’s mother, she was already pregnant with Helen,’ William Homan said.

‘Are you saying Henry Charles isn’t her biological father?’ William Reynold asked.

‘Yes,’ William Homan said. ‘Helen’s biological father is George Green. The elders will acknowledge yours and Helen’s child as a legitimate heir.’

‘You want to abuse your grandchild’s power,’ William Reynold said.

‘How can you speak to your father like this?’ William Homan asked.

‘Am I wrong?’ William Reynold asked. ‘Let’s go. I don’t want to be late to the wedding and ruin your evil plans.’

At the hotel reception, Henry Charles handed Helen over to Reynold.

‘I’m giving my daughter to you,’ Henry Charles said.

‘Father, I’ll take good care of Helen,’ William Reynold said.

William Reynold held Helen’s numb hand.

‘You don’t want to marry me,’ William Reynold said.

‘You don’t want to marry me either,’ Helen said.

‘I’m still marrying you even if I don’t want to,’ William Reynold said.

‘Why?’ Helen asked.

‘Because after I get you pregnant, I’ll be free,’ William Reynold said.

‘Don’t dream about me having your baby,’ Helen said.

‘Reynold don’t be happy too soon,’ William Hill said.

‘William Hill, you traitor,’ George Green said. ‘Why did you bring your gangster friends here?’

‘Traitor?’ William Hill asked. ‘Mr Green, in your heart you know who is the real traitor and thief.’

‘Kill the traitor and the gangsters,’ George Green ordered his men.

Yue Gu Zai’s gang members took out their guns too.

At Ni Sheng’s headquarters, Zhen Zhen was in the living room worried about Yue Gu Zai and his gang members. She promised Yue Gu Zai to stay at headquarters because she was pregnant.

Bai Yu Tian’s phone in the living room rang. Zhen Zhen picked up the phone.

‘Bai fox, there are bombs at the hotel,’ Cheng Yi said. ‘We need you to come here to take my place for me to disable the bombs.’

‘Cheng Yi?’ Zhen Zhen asked.

‘Miss Zhen Zhen?’ Cheng Yi asked.

‘Bai fox left his phone here,’ Zhen Zhen said.

Cheng Yi cursed Bai Yu Tian and he hung up the phone.

Zhen Zhen heard about the bombs and she couldn’t sit still at headquarters.

At the hotel reception, George Green held Helen hostage.

‘No body move,’ George Green said. ‘I’ll shoot her if anyone moves. I’ll let her go after I escape.’

‘Even a blood thirsty tiger like you wouldn’t want to kill your own flesh and blood,’ William Reynold said.

‘What do you mean flesh and blood?’ Helen asked.

‘He is your biological father,’ William Reynold said.

Helen looked at Henry Charles.

‘Dad… is it true?’ Helen asked.

Henry Charles loved Helen’s mother, and he loved Helen like his own daughter. He never wanted Helen to be hurt by the truth. George Green used his secret to blackmail him.

Helen closed her eyes. She didn’t want to accept the truth. The man who raised and loved her for more than twenty years wasn’t her biological father. But the man who was holding her hostage was her biological father. Fate played a cruel joke on her.

George Green pulled Helen toward the hotel reception door.

‘Boss,’ Huyen Di said.

Yue Gu Zai signalled for Huyen Di not to make a move.

Cheng Yi jumped from the second floor onto George Green, and gun shots were heard.

William Reynold spotted Zhen Zhen at the door first. He ran to her, and protected her from the bullets.

‘No one move,’ William Reynold said and pointed his gun at Zhen Zhen’s head.

‘Let my wife go,’ Yue Gu Zai said.

‘I only want your beautiful wife to help me escape,’ William Reynold said.

Zhen Zhen recognised the man who was holding her hostage. William Reynold was the same Reynold who wanted to pursue her.

Reynold slowly backed out of the hotel reception with Zhen Zhen to his car. He forced her to drive while he pointed his gun to her head.

‘You lied about my parents wanting me to go on a blind date with you,’ Zhen Zhen said.

‘You’re a smart woman,’ Reynold said.

‘There is nowhere for you to hide,’ Zhen Zhen said.

‘Who said I want to hide?’ Reynold asked.

Zhen Zhen noticed Reynold’s hand on his stomach was bleeding.

‘You were shot,’ Zhen Zhen said. ‘I’ll take you to the hospital.’

‘No need,’ Reynold said. ‘It’s too late.’

Zhen Zhen stopped the car.

‘Why did you protect me and get yourself shot?’ Zhen Zhen asked.

‘Don’t cry,’ Reynold said. ‘If you cry, other people will think I’m mistreating you.’

Zhen Zhen didn’t stop crying.

‘The first time I met you, I thought you’re an interesting woman,’ Reynold said. ‘But you only focused on eating. I don’t know when I fell in love with you. The last time I saw you was at the party. You purposely stepped on my feet.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Zhen Zhen said.

Zhen Zhen helped Reynold put pressure on his stomach.

‘I only wanted to be with you one last time,’ Reynold said. ‘Your husband will be here soon.’

‘Don’t talk anymore,’ Zhen Zhen said. ‘I’ll take you back. Bai Yu Tian is a good surgeon, he’ll save you.’

Zhen Zhen didn’t want anyone to die because they saved her life.

‘I heard the leader of Ni Sheng is a good man,’ Reynold said. ‘You’re blessed to have a good husband. You and your husband will live a happy life together.’

‘Reynold…’ Zhen Zhen said.

‘I’m happy you remember my name,’ Reynold said. ‘I hope you’ll remember my name forever.’

‘I promise I won’t forget your name,’ Zhen Zhen said.

Reynold lightly kissed Zhen Zhen’s lips while she was distracted.

‘I’m sorry I’m greedy,’ Reynold said. ‘I don’t want you to forget me.’

Reynold hands were limp and he closed his eyes for the last time.

‘Reynold…’ Zhen Zhen called. ‘Wake up…’

Yue Gu Zai chased after Reynold’s car. He stopped the car when he saw Zhen Zhen stood with vacant eyes outside Reynold’s car. He immediately got out of the car and ran to her. There were blood stains on her hands.

‘Zhen Zhen,’ Yue Gu Zai called softly.

‘Gu Zai…’ Zhen Zhen called.

Zhen Zhen collapsed onto Yue Gu Zai’s chest.

‘Boss, William Reynold is dead,’ Chu Gian said.

‘I’ll let you take care of him,’ Yue Gu Zai said. ‘I’m taking Zhen Zhen back to headquarters.’

***

End of Chapter Fifty-Fou