Just after 12:30pm on exiting their suite Hou Yi swept Anna into his arms to carry her down the stairs while calling out for someone to bring Anna's crutches down. Without pause, he walked through the lounge to the outdoor pool, and sat her down in the small dining area.

Once they were settled, cold drinks were immediately brought out to them, and Hou Yi gave orders for their light lunch. Once the staff left, Hou Yi quietly asked "How are Jodie and John settling in?"

"From what Jodie says, John is loving the job and quickly learning the language, as unlike her he studied languages at high school. From what I understand the senior people in site listened to him about his Australian experiences and are already adopting some workplace safety practices, which has made him popular with other staff members."

"Jodie, of course is loving the work even though her hours are less than what she had in Australia. She is having difficulties in learning the language, but between cla.s.ses and help people within the legal department are giving her she feels she will learn and adapt."

"You know about the confrontation at the board meeting yesterday?"

"I spoke to Dad, and had expected it was coming. The company charter, unless they are family members automatically appoints the Vice-CEO and heads of the finance and legal departments, with the balance of six staff members being appointed by staff vote. A temporary department head cannot automatically be appointed, but as we know he is too much in the pocket of the previous departmental head."

"Given the previous departmental head viewed that Hou Family members should not have a role at all in the company, Dad and I have kept him in his position to monitor him. He thought he had the opportunity to throw the family off the board, strip me of the CEO position, and alter the company charter to make all Hou Family shares worthless, no member of the Hou family eligible to work for the company, and issuing new shares that they would control the majority of."

"You are kidding me?"

"Absolutely not. Dad found out about the plan six years ago when a senior member of the legal department with a conscious told him about it. We just waited for them to be ready to move, hence we kept them in their positions. We were ready when they went and started to overplay their hands to remove Uncle Ji, Yao Tan and you as board members. Now we just have to deal with them, while ensuring they remain with the company so we can control them."

"Anna, Uncle Ji told me before heading off on his leave that he wants to retire. I know him well enough when we announce your pregnancy he will extend that for some time, but the question will be how long. He is a.s.sessing internal candidates for his position and with the three newly create Deputy Vice-CEO positions they will lessen the burdens on me."

"In the end if we have no satisfactory internal candidate we will then have to look to recruit. My other challenge will be with the board is Yao Tan has indicated that in the future he will resign as the independent board member due to the joint venture. He wants to do that in the next few weeks, but suggested that as an interim measure we appoint Amanda's father for a term of two years to find someone appropriate to take the position long-term."

Hou Yi could see the worried look on Anna's face "Anna, sweetheart, do not worry about things. You know I plan, and can outmaneuver people easily. Being ruthless in business is not always about being aggressive. I think and act strategically and can achieve my goals easily, plus I have contingencies in place if something changes from what I have planned."

Looking directly at Anna, Hou Yi paused before continuing "Now sweetheart we are getting off track why I brought you out here. Yesterday your doctor and physio contacted me and told me that your rehabilitation will be improved if you spend time if not daily every second day in a pool."

Pointing to the rooms to the side of the pool Hou Yi continued "There are some swimsuits in the change room over there, and after lunch, we can relax for a while. I will then help you into the pool, and if you are not needing me I can work on my laptop to finish the few things I need to do."

Hou Yi left Anna sitting there for a few minutes while he returned inside, coming back with his laptop and Anna's tablet. Following him out the door was the staff with their lunch, which they eat leisurely, before they changed into swimwear and waited sufficient time after lunch before Hou Yi helped Anna into the pool. Before getting into the pool, while in the pool and afterwards, Anna observed Hou Yi working diligently on his Laptop.

When he finally finished, he closed the laptop, lent over and kissed her, and said "Today has been the way to spend a lazy Sat.u.r.day."