Chapter 22 - We have James

- in Shen's study -

"Uncle Sojin crossed a line father, I did what I had to."

Still no reply from Soren. He was still just looking at Shen.

Even the demon king was getting uncomfortable under the sharp glare of his father.

"Father, I don't take lives unless they try to take mine. His crime wasn't simply trying to take over Moshi Corp and gaining access to the Lim files. He tried to assassinate me using a sniper."

Shen didn't want to reveal too much about Lina's presence at Moshi Corp that day. Even though his parents adored her, he didn't want them to know that she was keeping secrets.

Lina had always been like a daughter to them, especially his mother. There was a happiness in her life that hadn't existed before.

"Do you even know your father? I built Moshi Corp before you. I don't cringe at necessary punishment."

This was true. Soren Moshi didn't grow the business to where it was before Shen took over by keeping his hands clean.

"Then what's with the glares! I know Sojin was close to your when you were young."

Soren was Sojin's elder cousin. Sojin always followed him around and worshipped him when they were growing up. But he was inherently selfish. He grew up wanting to ride on Soren's capable coattails, and then crush his son to take over Moshi Corp.

"Sojin was a freeloader, Shen. He was a poison that had to be removed completely. But he was too incapable to bring someone like James to his side and orchestrate a coup directly against you during a mere 3 month absence."

Shen thought about what his father said. He was right. There had to be someone else pulling the strings behind Sojin's actions. He was a mere puppet in someone more dangerous' schemes.

"Do you have any ideas, father? We know he was directly after our dealings with the Lim clan."

Soren thought about it for a while.

"I've gone through all the possibilities within our own executives and extended family. As far as I know, very few people were even aware of just how deep our ties run with the Lims."

Shen was thoughtful as his father spoke these words.

"Father...are you saying it's someone-"

"From the outside." Soren completed.

"This means we have a mole at Moshi Corp."

As Shen said this, the realisation sunk in. He had a rat under his nose who was silently scheming against him with someone trying to attack his Kingdom.

"Yes, this is a definitely possibility, son. You will have to investigate more thoroughly. This is the only reason I was hoping my useless cousin was still alive. He could have been interrogated."

"But we managed to get James-"

Shen was just about to explain James' capture when there was a gentle knock at the door.

"Come in"

Shen's voice was hard as steel, still reeling from the realisation that there could be a traitor in the midst.

When Lina's face appeared at the door, his eyes and tone softened instantly.

"What do you need, sweetheart?"

His smile made Lina's heart flutter.

"Mother is calling you and father downstairs to have lunch. You've been up here quite long!"

Turning to Soren, Lina sweetly chided her father-in-law.

"Father, mother says that you've been inattentive to your health lately! Come now, and eat. Shen will look after work!"

Shen was dumbstruck.

This naughty wife, she must be punished! Throwing him under the bus for the sake of his father. This is why he hated them around her.

Soren looked adoringly at this daughter and rubbed her head.

"You mustn't worry about father when you are just recovering yourself. Mother always worries too much about me - she's just nagging!"

"Fine, fine. Let's go eat."

Shen said this abruptly, walking past his wife with spoilt, childish expression on his handsome face.

Lina giggled at his behaviour. He could be so petty for someone who ruled a kingdom with an iron fist.

She sauntered up to him and looped her hands around his arm. He just harrumphed and looked away, secretly smiling to himself. He was going to milk her for all the sympathy possible for discarding him for his parents.

After a heavy lunch, everyone was exhausted. Most of all Shen who hadn't slept very well after the events of the previous night.

He just wanted to chase his parents out. There was a lot to explain to Lina now that she had entered a better frame of mind in the past few days.

He thought she was holding up pretty well, given the emotional roller coster she had been on.

"Mother, father, please go home now."

Hearing Shen's curt and dispassionate words, Lina was horrified.

"You can't say that to your parents!" she scolded him lightly.

She was sitting next to Rika who had been giving her attention non stop. Lina had been enjoying and basking in the affection.

Rika looked at Shen with a displeased glare. But she knew not to push it. He would take her away to some godforsaken place for a 'holiday' or 'business trip' if she and her husband insisted to much.

That would be too inconvenient. He was always like that even before, when Lina would spend evenings playing cards with them after dinner at the old residence. Shen was so possessive of his little angel.

"Don't worry, my dear. We will be back to see you very soon. I'll bring you more delicious food and my chicken soup to make sure you are well-fed."

Shen grimaced at his mother's implications! He fed his woman well too!

Soren nodded at his wife's side.

"You just rest well and let mother and father know first if you need anything at all. We will take care of our daughter well."

Shen felt pushed to his limits now.

He walked to the door and held it open, shamelessly giving his parents the boot.

As Lina waved goodbye to her in-laws, she knew she would have to pacify the devil who was always fawning over her, greedy for her attention.