"Mother . " Ming Rus.h.i.+'s greeting sounded formal for a dialogue in their house .

Madam Ming did not look happy . She slammed her hand on the oak table .

"Who told you to get so reckless as to get yourself pregnant?!"

Ming Rus.h.i.+ s.h.i.+vered as she was shocked as to how her mother found out .

"What? You think I wouldn't know?! You imbecile!" Madam Ming threw a pen towards her daughter, losing all gracefulness as the lady of the house . "Xiu Jin will not take someone like you to be his heir!"

Madam Ming was shaking with the intense emotions . Her old, but still delicate, facial features were distorted in an ugly, menacing glare . It was as if she was going to punish a slave, not scolding her own flesh and blood .

"Mom . . . I . . . "

Ming Xiaoyu turned calm, then with a straight face, said, "Get rid of that baby . "

"No! Mom, I can't . . . I won't!"

"No one is asking for your opinion . It seems like you are more vulnerable than necessary . I believe we need to act now . XCG should be ours!"

Ming Rus.h.i.+ did not even get the last few statements as she mumbled while holding her still flat lower abdomen, "No . . . no . . . "

_____________________

"So he really survived the cliff?! Mojito, did I not tell you to make sure he's dead?" The old man looked like he could burst an artery or two as his eyes were almost popping out of their sockets .

The man who had been talking with Verdan Zhou before he was pushed off the cliff had grown a full beard and mustache . He looked down as he lamented on a failed mission .

"What? Cat got your tongue now?! Did you forget how to kill people?! Then let me remind you . . . " The old man pointed a pistol with attached silencer towards the bearded man's head .

The bearded man closed his eyes as he accepted his fate .

The trigger was pulled . The pale man standing diagonally from the bearded man fell face forward . Blood pooled from his head .

"Now you remember?" The old man had a mocking look on his face . He turned towards a bald man with a long scar traversing his cheek down to his neck . "Gin, clean this up . "

The scarred man nodded and simply took the dead body over his shoulder as if he was just taking out the trash .

The man called 'Mojito' gulped . "Will make it up to you, Chairman . " He bowed as a sign of obedience .

The old man took out a photograph from his pocket .

Mojito's eyes shook as his target turned out to be an infant .

__________________

A pair of hazel eyes surrounded by crowfeet due to aging had a glint in them .

"Looking sharp, aren't we?" Victor Zhou had a teasing smile on his face .

A pair of hazel eyes which seemed to be the younger version of the old man smiled with the nice set of teeth which goes with them .

"I'll be out to dinner . " Verdan Zhou was looking dapper in his navy blue suit, beneath which is a white s.h.i.+rt and dark gray slim tie .

"Date with your wife?" Victor continued teasing .

"It isn't until she recognizes me . " Verdan's wide grin transformed into a regretful subtle smile .

"Son, even if you don't remember the past, use every opportunity to remember new encounters with her . You . . . you had hurt her before, when you were just kids exploring romance . It took her years to forgive and forget that misunderstanding . You need to persevere to resolve this one . After all, I cannot let my heir take up another man's name . "

"Heir? You're giving ZFC to my son?!"

"Why not? You're gonna give it to him eventually as your firstborn . . . " Victor was a bit disappointed that his son was not happy about it .

Verdan curled his thin lips in contemplation . "It's not a problem, Dad, but I just wish that I was the one who will turn the company over to him . It was as if you skipped my generation for this turnover . "

"Jealous?" Victor Zhou guffawed .

Verdan Zhou laughed with his father .

When they had calmed their emotions down, Verdan adjusted his tie and coat .

"I'll go now, Dad . Can't let the wife wait . " He flashed his toothpaste commercial smile before heading for the door .

"Good luck, Son . " Victor Zhou mumbled with a gentle smile .