The first person to approach the Long couple was President An.Following him was his right hand man,Alan Xu.Ryu greeted the President with a nod who returned it with a smile and jovially congratulated Alicia Long.He then proudly gestured behind him and said,"I'd like you to meet my daughter,An Jui.She had just returned after studying abroad for three years."

An Jui,who had come forward,ready to greet them with a docile and innocent face,was directly snubbed.In fact Ryu Long even ignored what President An Was saying and turning to a pa.s.sing waiter to get some water for Alicia,,after which he turned to another guest who approached him from the side.In order the President to not feel insulted,another person had already been planted who would approach the president making him distracted.As a result,An Jui was left standing alone in the middle.But these were all subtle insults and a game of mouse for all.

In actuality,An Jui's sponsor had his own agenda in getting her into the party.Tonight every person was following his own plans which meant that n.o.body could guess the outcome.

Lord Stemmings wanted to become the next president.So he decided to use the ambitious and vicious An Jui to deal with her own father by making her the killer.He had given her a small portion the poison on the ring to get it done.And once the president was dead,he would hand over the evidence pointing to her.

However Lord Stemming was also unaware of An Jui's animosity towards Alicia Long.Thus he couldn't have guessed that she planned to use the poison not on her father but on Alicia.An Jui believed that she would be able to seduce the vile Lord Stemmings and convince him she had mistakenly used the ring.

Alan Xu was here to gloat.Two years ago,Alicia long had threatened him but nothing had come out of it.Even the useless villagers had now forgotten all of it.And he was climbing the heights of success!So what if she was married to a businessman..at the end of the day once he became the son in law of the president,that si called feared Ryu Long will also have to come to him to get his many proposals approved.

The last and the final person involved in this drama was watching the entire ballroom complacently.He has the second person who was aware of everyone's agendas.After all he had his own mission.And unlikenthese people who were playing blindly,he had kept an eye in each of the p.a.w.ns as well ay son.s the king and queen.This man was Hou Ge. The wa

Hou Ge made his way to the beautiful Onita as she stood there talking to the receptionist of Lance Inc.Anybody who could have seen this man's expression would have thought that he was hunter out for prey.His eyes scanned the woman's figure through the hugging dress.

He was tempted to run his finger across her arms but sadly her protectors were too many.He would get them out of the way soon enough.

Hou Ge was actually the man behind the custody case of Alicia Dew(little cupcake).And his objective had been getting Onita.He had thought that once she was desperate,he would suggest that the two of them marry for the little child.And then Onita would have been his.But those a.s.s**** Long Brothers had come around to protect her.Hiu Ge smirked.But in the end,maybe it was a good thing.He was finally able to get rid of his father under the guise that he was the one still connected with the underworld.In reality,while Hou Ge's grandfather was trying the loose ends in the underworld,Hou he had been busy creating his own network under their noses.To protect himself,he had even killed his own brother who had discovered him.

He had planned to kill the baby as well but them Onita had caught his attention.And he had wanted her from the first sight!Finally,he reached Onita and extending his hand placed it lightly on her arm.She turned to him and he was able to look at her face.He wanted to lose himself in her eyes and never come back.But that was difficult due to Ryu and Neil Long.But tonight would be the beginning of the end and Ryu Long would lose all credibility in the country. After all the man had chosen the wrong person for entrusting security.His security guards would soon turn a blind eye to the disaster that was about to unfold.Everything was ready,only the axe was about to fall.

With a smile,he asked Onita,"How are you doing?And how is my little one doing?"As he said this and looked at her,his eyes were already back to normal as if he had never once seen her in any other way.Unaware of his cunning,Onita answered happily,"She is doing well.You must come and see her."

Seizing his chance,Hu Ge said,"No.You must bring her to see me."

Onita thought nothing of it and nodded along.But Hu Ge already started to feel antic.i.p.ation.Last time Neil Long had quickly put her out of his grasp by sending her to country A where his men had been unable to touch her.But now the lamb was back and she would walk into the wolf's den on her own.Once Onita was in his territory while the Long brothers handles the aftermath of this annual ball,he would kidnap Onita and dispose of the little baby.

Soon,it was time for the first victim and An Jui's staunchest supporter to go down.

As Alan Xu took a round of the ballroom behind the President,a few men in black came and whispered something in his ear.To anybody who would have been observing,they would have seen the panic written on his face.Before he could mutter a word,he was escorted out of a small door and directly into a van parked outside.

After being roughly pushed inside,another two officers handcuffed him and narrated his rights to him.He was then told the reason for his arrest.Attempt to murder the President,treason,fraud,spying.Basically every thing that he had done on An Jui's saying was an evidence against him.The only option he was given was to confess and name the person he was working for.After the van travelled a fair distance and stopped,a video was played.It was Alicia Long.She was dressed as she was now and said,"Alan Xu.I told you then that this was only the beginning.And I tell you now,this is your end.Your dear An Jui does not even know that you are not here anymore and neither does anyone else.There people are indeed police who have arrested you.But is the arrest official?Do they have a warrant?I don't think so.You now have two options,"Confess the truth and they will take you to rot in prison.Don't do it and you will rot six feet under.The ball is in your court.Ciao."And soon Alan Xu was locked in a cell to think about his choices.

At the same time,An Jui was being led by a waiter towards a side exit.There on the outside of the maze,stood the woman who had waited to avenge her baby and herself.Alicis stared at the woman who was following the waiter and gave a small smile.Once they reached her,the waiter bowed and moved to go back.

An Jui narrowed her eyes and stared at Alicia condescendingly while Alicia did the same.n.o.body could have guessed at the thoughts that were going on in the other's head.An Jui moved a step forward when Alicia moved a step back.This caused An Jui to stare at Alicia,puzzled.Finally An Jui broke the silence and said,"What?Are you scared Alicia that I am back?Is that why you called me here to beg me to leave you alone. But are now moving back?"She then moved her eyes to the baby b.u.mp and continued,"Or do you want me to help you get rid of the baby in your belly?The way I helped you last time?Now that I think about it,that must be the case.Otherwise,we have known each other for so long and even then you have the courage to appear in front of me in such a vulnerable state?What younhave nothing to say?

Alicia smiled and said calmly, "You are in my territory An Jui.Do you really think I am vulnerable to you?Or the poisonous ring you are wearing?And I stepped back because I am scared of you?Sigh!You are mistaken.I stepped back because I don't want you to die easily.I'll tell you what,move two steps ahead slowly and you will know what you are dealing with and who should be scared."Alicia's calm tone was more frightening that any threats and caused AN Jui to freeze in place.Seeing that she was not moving,Alicia's smile grew bigger and she stepped forward two steps.Immediately,an arrow whooshed through the air to land at An Jui's feet making her jump like a rabbit.Alicia giggled at this and said,"Now you see why I moved back.By the way,this was a warning shot,if you are not at least 2 meters away in sixty seconds,the next arrow will not miss you."An Jui was now scared and immediately stumbled away from Alicia.

But she soon had her bravado back and smiled at Alicia,"Are you trying to scare me?Such juvenile actions are not going to stop me from what I want to do.And I'd I wanted to kill you,by the time one of these arrows reach me,you will be injected with poison.But then that will implicate me and I am not foolish enough to be caught because of you."

An Jui was about to turn back when Alicia called out,"I wonder if you would be scared if I told you that your dear Alan has been arrested for conspiring against the president.And once his phone records are checked..You really have been foolish.Using your lover like this to spy on your father..tsk tsk.And now his fall is going to lead the police to you.How careless of you."

An Jui came towards Alicia angrily but stopped a few feet away when a dart hit her right on her bae arm.She tried to move her hand to take out the dart but her arms wouldn't move."

Alicia smiled and said,"Ahh..now this is the reason I invited you here.Don't worry,this dart is not very harmful.It had just paralyzed your arms for a few minutes."Alicia had been coming closer to An Jui as she said this and once near her,Alicia took her hand and with her own gloved hand took out the poisonous ring.She then moved back and stopped near the entrance of the maze,"Your arms are paralyzed not your legs.You can run inside."By the time An Jui could react,Alicia had already gone into the mase with a swish of her gowns.

A little bit inside the maze,Alicia was pulled into a small hidden opening and straight into her hubby's arms.He kissed her hard on the lips and asked,"Are you alright?"Alicia smiled and nodded while putting forward her hand with the ring.Ryu took the ring with his handkerchief and pa.s.sed it to the guard on the other side of the maze as the couple went back to the ballroom hand in hand.

They had already returned for a couple of minutes when An Jui returned.Alicia almost giggled when she saw An Jui's expression.And when the dear woman went to their next target,Alicia wanted to laugh out loud.So dumb.She shook her head mentally.Alicia had always thought that An Jui was a smart and cunning woman but the way she went straight to her sponsor the great Lord Stemming, Alicia thought that she was too foolish.But Ryu,who had been observing his wife,then came near her and whispered in her ear,"That is where you miscalculated missus.You thought that Lord Stemming was using An Jui to be the scapegoat but it is the other way round.An Jui hates her father and is using Stemming's greed for power against President An."

Alicia was shocked at this sudden turn of events and stared at her hubby. 

Actually, none of the Long's had any problems with Lord Stemming.He was actually going to suffer because of his a.s.sociation with An Jui.As long his malicious plans to kill the president were not happening at the Lance Inc.,he could do what he wanted.But the moment he tried to use party for selfish reasons,he had gotten himself a target painted on his back.

An Jui was trying very hard to maintain her look.She had never expected Alicia to know about the ring or have a plan to steal it!How?How did she know it?An Jui wanted to go and talk to the real mastermind behind everything but she dare not.n.o.body could link the two of them together and it was better to not approach him.Thinking fast,she made her way to Lord Stemming.But he was surrounded by a few people and she dare not approach him directly.No socialite would do that.So An jui stood there and waited for him to notice her.In a few minutes,Lord Stemmings approached her and with a bow offered to bring her a drink to which she readily agreed.As they walked hand in hand around the room,An Jui whispered,"The ring that you gave me to kill father has been stolen."

Lord Stemming was shocked at the way An Jui announced this and immediately looked around on case somebody had heard her.

He glared at her and said,"What is the meaning of this Ms An.I gave the ring to you as abtoken of my appreciation for your beauty.ait has nothing to do with your father."This tone of voice was a bit greasy and too sweet causing anyone who would overhear to puke.But then it sharpened,"Stolen you say?Who would dare steal your ring in a party like this?I understand that there are many poor employees of Lance Inc present,but I don't think that they would be so  bold.So Ms An, why don't you think deeply before you make claims of thievery.Let me tell you I would be very displeased if you have really lost it.And you will not like seeing me displeased. You understand what I mean,don't you?"Though Lord Stemming confessed nothing,his tone at the end had turned clealy threatening.

Two members of the national guard who had been listening in to the conversation on their headphones in the security room almost wanted to jump in joy.This was too easy!No one but the guards had known that the president was being poisoned slowly.And since all his food was always checked,it had been clear that the perpetrator was someone close who was trusted by them.They had caught Alan Xu but until now he refused to confess.Of course they had no idea or expected it was his own daughter who was feeding him slow poison.When Ryu Long had suggested his help out of the blue,they could not have imagined this result.At first they had been doubting him,since he knew such cla.s.sified information. But now,everything was clear.They now had the perpetrators and the motive.And it seemed some bad blood between Madam Long and Miss An.Anyone who would look at these guards who were staring at each other with s.h.i.+ning eyes would wonder what they were listening to and how they had heard the conversation between two people so clearly when they were on the top.The reason was simple.Every Jade bracelet and tie pin was with a small microphone and camera chip the size of a needle pin.This was the reason why every guest had to have their gift removed before leaving the ballroom.What An Jui and Lord Stemming had discussed was now recorded in the chips as well as the recording devices.The guards were about to go and arrest the people but they were stopped."What is the meaning of this?Ryu Long himself offered to help us and now you are obstructing us from getting the person."

The man who stood in front was a.s.sistant Kim and he did not move aside.Simply said,"You are mistaken,officers.He offered you a deal which you accepted. As per the deal,we will lead you to the threat but in return we need a favor.Officer,if you wish to arrest Lord Stemming, you still do not have concrete for.Ms An,her ring is missing already,so it's not like you can pon this on her when the case goes on trial.You need evidence which you don't have.So on behalf of Mr Ryu Long,let me offer you another deal.You will receive all the evidence in another hour but for the next hour,you will be turning a blind eye to what is a about to happen.I a.s.sure you that though it is unlawful it is not immoral.You have a few minutes to think it over."

The two officers looked at each other and then the immovable a.s.sistant.And decided to wait.They had no viable option.

As Hu Ge stood at the bar,Ryu and Alicia were busy taking the round of the ballroom.Many people kept approaching them,to congratulate them,offer their blessings or discuss business.Slowly,they made their way to Hu Ge sonas not to attract his attention.Once they were near enough,Hu Ge greeted them on their own.Ryu nodded politely in return and thanked him for providing security for Alicia.

Hu Ge smiled and thought to himself,"Yes,my security was good tonight.He actually wanted to see Ryu Long's face when he realized his precious wife had been killed.And by his own p.a.w.n."Yes.The last enemy in today's ball was HuGe.He had been obsessed with Onita for more than a year and done everything he could to make him look like a good man.Sigh,acting good was a difficult job.Finally the act was going to come to an end today after Alicia Long was killed and he was able to kidnap Onita.

Just as they were about to move,Ryu looked at Hu Ge in the same way and said,"By the way,I am sorry to be the one to tell you this but three of your men were injured tonight in trying to protect Alicia just now.They have saved her but themselves are seriously injured.And secondly,I have good news for you.All the goons who had been operating under your father's banner which you had been unsuccessful in capturing have been caught tonight.Congratulations.And by the way,Onita just left for country A.She sends her apologies for not being able to keep their meeting tomorrow.."

Hu Ge who had been about to take a sip of his whiskey paused and stared at Ryu Long. "He Knew!"With a nod to a stumped Hu Ge,Ryu left with his wife to meet the next guest.Hu ge looked around desperately.No!He couldn't let her slip from his hands again.He patted his inner pocket to call his people when he suddenly realized that he had surrendered the phone at the time of entrance.No!He needed to leave as soon as possible.As he was about to make his exit,he was stopped by An Jui.

Oh she dare not come in his way but he saw her panic driven face.He stopped and stared at her and she pointed to her empty finger that was supposed to have the poisonous ring to kill Alicia.The ring was missing.With her eyes she gestured towards Alicia.How had this woman been so dumb to loose such a valuable ring,he had no idea.

So,he had been discovered.After pausing for a moment,Hu Ge smiled and turned around.Onita would be back soon.After all she wouldn't miss her best friend's funeral.It was no use trying to depend on others.One more kill wouldn't make any difference to him.And since he already had the scapegoat An Jui ready,so be it.

Hu Ge stared keenly at Ryu Long until the latter was forced to look at him.As the two alpha male stared at each other,Hu Ge finally let his deadly intent show and Ryu stared back with a similar look.

Soon,the annual ball was moving towards its climax and the party started to wind down.Most of the people were drunk and had started to settle down.It was time for the last performance where a world famous russian dancers troop had been invited to perform.

The lights dimmed and soon the only light in the ballroom was focused on the stage.Hu ge had been continuously staring at where his target was standing but suddenly,when the lights were dimmed,the couple had disappeared.Another flash of light and Hu Ge saw Ryu Long and his wife going towards another exit.He followed them at a fast pace.There was one thing he wanted to know before he made the final kill.How?How did they discover him?He had laid his cards so carefully and in the end something had gone amiss.

Hu Ge followed the couple all the way to a room and stopped behind a pillar as they closed the room.He knew and understood that it could very well be a trap for him,but he believed himself to be invincible.So,knowing that he may be walking into a trap,he still chose to go inside.

Once inside,the lights which were turned dark suddenly came on and the room was flooded with light.He blinked his eyes for a minute and in that moment,he was caught.By the time his eyes adjusted,all he could see the silencers on the nozzles of the gun pointed at his head.

Hu Ge smiled at this and stared at the man sitting on the chair in front of him.Tauntingly,he said,"The mighty Ryu Long has been stopped to kill me now?If you succeed in killing me then I am going to consider myself successful.The most upstanding man will fall from grace because of me."

Ryu smirked and answered, "Sadly for you Hu Ge,my hands have already been bloodied in the past,so sadly your death is going to mean nothing to me.But I can see you are curious.And that curiosity is what lead you to follow us.You want to know how your truth was discovered.Don't you?You are dying to know where you went wrong.I could tell you but I don't think I will."

Hu Ge narrowed his eyes and coldly a.s.sessed the situation.He could see openings to escape but he wanted to kill and not escape.He needed to find a flaw in this game of chess laid by this man-Ryu Long.