Chapter 347 - Danger Lurking

Hanxi and Isabella left for Italy and as soon as they landed, Hanxi did as Andrea instructed. He went straight to Milan Commerce bank to open a bank account. When he arrived, he was met by the bank manager, who was apparently, eagerly waiting for him thinking he was a representative of the Davies Group of Companies.

It only took him five minutes to secure his new bank account. 

The birthday gathering was happening in four days and before that time, Hanxi accompanied Isabella wherever she went. He picked her up every morning and brought her home at night. He stayed in a hotel near Isabella's home which made it convenient for him to meet her. 

Isabella's father, Stefano Ricci, had to close a joint bank account between him and his daughter in a small bank within the city as there were rumors of it closing down. Since bank insurance only covered a certain amount, it was common for many wealthy families to have several accounts from different banks. 

He asked Isabella that they go to the bank one morning to facilitate the closing of the account. 

As they stepped outside their home, Stefano asked, "Aren't you bringing along your bodyguards?"

Isabella flushed as she lowered her head before answering, "Hanxi is accompanying me, daddy."

"I see. Well, at least I get to meet him again, Bella. Let me see what this boy is made of," Stefano said before opening the door for his daughter. 

He saw Hanxi, standing in front of the car. He greeted the boy nicely and watched him open the door for him. 

"Good morning, Sir," said Hanxi. 

He saw his daughter came to greet the boy and gave a peck on his cheeks. He coughed the moment he saw Isabella being affectionate. Deep inside, however, he was relieved that she was starting to trust someone. He could only hope that Hanxi was worth it. 

Stefano never forced his daughter to involve herself with a man after her unfortunate circumstance. Even after her therapy. He knew too well that his daughter was still traumatized. 

There was a time that he witnessed her obsessing with a girl and it feared him, but he was patient with her. He asked her once what made the girl so special. He could not forget how his daughter answered back then. She said, "Daddy, she is my angel. She helped me get through my fears."

Stefano had never met this girl, but he could only assume she was a friend that talked her through her difficult time. 

When Isabella was saved from her captor, Andrea made sure that she understood not to reveal her identity. Back then, Andrea said, "If you tell anyone or describe me to anyone, those men will come after me. So I beg you, being the one who saved you today, don't ever say anything about me."

Even if at that time, Isabella in a state of despair, she understood well the dangers. She witnessed how Andrea had taken the lives of some of her kidnappers. It would not surprise her if the families of those who were taken down would try to get revenge. 

Thus, she never told a soul. She would not dare disappoint the person who freed her from the abuse. 

When the police came to question her about how she was freed, she merely said, "I was saved by an Angel."

Hanxi was behind the wheels and as he drove, Stefano asked him questions about his family, " Hanxi, may I ask why you prefer to a bodyguard over modeling? With your looks and built, you can earn more for yourself."

"Sir, I prefer a job where I can continue to improve my fighting skills. In this world we live in, there is often danger lurking around," Hanxi replied. 

Stefano already knew about Hanxi's parents and recognized it was a tragedy. At least for him, his daughter was alive, but the boy in front of him lost his family.

"I see," he simply said in response to Hanxi's reasoning. 

"Is the money you earn enough for you to keep on coming to Italy?" Stefano asked. 

"Don't worry, Sir. I am also here to help Bella promote Andres Islands. The resorts paid for my trip… and yes, my -  my skills required a very special package. I earn well for myself," Hanxi replied with hesitation.

The truth was Lu Fang paid him too much. He knew it was Andrea's doing. Thus, he tried to make up for it, spending most of his money on the twins buying them clothes, toys or just about whatever they like. Playing with them and looking after them, however, was his best payback to the couple. 

Following Hanxi's reply, Stefano was in deep thought. If Hanxi was the one his daughter preferred, and if the boy could not maintain Isabella's lifestyle, he would not mind providing for them. However, he asked himself, 'But until when? I will grow old and die. Will my daughter live well with this boy?'

Stefano tried his best not to be judgemental. He used to be one in the past, but he has been accepting of anyone who helped his daughter recover, regardless of their status. 

Up until they arrived at the bank, Stefano learned that Hanxi only had distant relatives in China but they were not close. He had an adoptive family, whom he considered his own. He also claimed to be very good in martial arts and in handling weapons. 

After pulling up at the bank's parking area, the father and daughter walked next to each other while Hanxi came behind them. They went straight to the bank manager who facilitated their transaction.

They arrived rather early, thirty minutes before the bank opened. This way, when the staff would open the vault, they need not wait much longer. 

While Isabella and Stefano were signing the papers, they heard the security groan in pain as the doors were forced open. Two of the bank's security team were shot with a silenced gun, preventing them from taking out their weapons. One was pinned down to the floor at gunpoint. 

"Don't move! We are robbing this bank! Hands were we can see them!" One mask man yelled while pointing the gun at the counter. Two other masked men followed him and also held a gun to those were already inside the bank. 

"Down on the floor! All of you down on the floor!"

Stefano was quick to grab his daughter down to the floor and Hanxi calmly did the same. He was not going to make trouble unless they try to hurt anyone at the bank. There was always that risk of harming innocent lives when retaliating.

"Put the money in the bag, now!" Instructed the leader of the group.