As Yao Tan and Anna exited the restaurant, Yao Tan turned right rather than left which would have taken them back to where they had been dropped off .

Moving slowly Yao Tan spoke "Anna, I just wanted to show you a couple of things before we leave the area, so you understand some things to tell James . When the triplets were born, calling this area a dump, would have been kind . It literally was the worst area in town . As I said earlier this was the only option where I could live, work and afford to care for the children without spending hours per day travelling and wasting money better spent on the triplets . "

Pointing to a building across the street, he continued, "I was able to convince my parents to loan me enough money, at a commercial rate, to purchase a tiny one-bedroom apartment in that building . I was considering renting a two-bedroom apartment but its rental was more than what the loan repayment on the one-bedroom apartment was . "

"All it had was a small bedroom, large enough for three cots and then a bunk-bed and single bed when they were old enough along with a cupboard for their clothes . The lounge was bid enough for a sofa bed, where I slept, and a chest of draws and small cupboard for my clothes . It had a tiny kitchen, bid enough to cook in, and a cupboard in it for a was.h.i.+ng machine and dryer when I could afford to buy them . I could also fit a table and chairs for us and there was a small bathroom . "

"Any money after the loan repayment and living costs was also paid off the loan . When the triplets started school, which my parent's paid for thankfully I started to use the equity I had to buy other apartments in the area, building up a property portfolio to support the triplets should something happen to me . We remained in the neighbourhood until they were ten, and by that time I owed the building . Over the last seven years I have purchased three other building, which all generate income allowing me to repay my parents for the children's education costs and their help . "

"Why are you telling me this?" quietly asked Anna .

"Alecia took the move the hardest . Shop owners like Mama and Papa, and if I am realistic even criminals in the area as well as people in-between all fell in love with the triplets . Alecia became their little princess . Since we moved into the apartment I have made each of them come back and work in one of the shops for a couple of weeks, to learn the value of everything they have, but Alecia spends more than that here . "

"The people in the area will be here to protect the three of them . James needs to know that . By the way, the real reason I brought you here is that I wanted you to come to a meeting with some people who most would call less than savory . They, are as protective of me and the children as possible . They protected us, as they and others in the area realised quickly I was a young vulnerable single parent . A couple of them, while you and Amanda were talking to the artists messaged me . They said that they had information that I needed to know about . It made me wonder what they know . "

A few paces further along, from behind Anna heard a voice . "Tan, we thought we told you to come alone . "

"Snake, I should tell you to slither away, but this is not anyone . You know Alecia married on Friday . " As Yao Tan finished speaking a tattooed slim man, moved around in front of them .

"So you told me Bug, but why in world did you let her marry anyone?"

"Snake, she blackmailed me, so what could I do . "

"Some piece of …"

"Snake, you might want to stop . This is Alecia's sister-in-law, Anna . "

"Oops . Nice to meet you . Everyone calls me Snake . "

"Hi Snake . "

There was a few seconds pause, as if Snake was thinking or recalling something . "Hang on, you married that CEO, what is his name …"

"Snake, you are thinking of my friend Hou Yi . "

"That is right that Toff that would often come down here when you went back to school . "

"Snake, can we go somewhere to sit down?"

"Come on, follow me . " They started to walk down a narrow alley way between two buildings . The alleys twisted and turned to the point that Anna felt lost, and about ten minutes later they reached a door, which Snake opened for them .