Chapter 433 A friend (2)  

As soon as the door closed behind Holly, Edward swung his attention back to his chief of security and raised his brows.

"It's a golden paperweight. I had Chen from the forensics lab swipe it for fingerprints, in case it's the Yangs trying to play with us."

Edward chuckled incredulously. "The Yangs do not play like this. Those cheap blokes won't waste a dime if it won't benefit them in any way."

Apart from being criminally dangerous, the Yangs were pretty tight fisted when it came to the matter of finances.

"This is nothing to worry about Viktor, it's from a friend."

"A friend? In Shanghai?"

Edward nodded. "Before my father died, his best friend, a man named Tai Pin relocated from the country. He's back in town and wants to see me."

Viktor's face held an expression that read doubt and Edward questioned it.

"Well, sir, I don't doubt the theory of your father's friend wanting to see you..."

Edward cut into his sentence, "It's not a theory, I've been receiving such invites since I was a child."

Viktor nodded. "Indeed. Well, you're not the only one who received an invite."

"Of course I'm not the only..."

It was Viktor's turn to cut in as he revealed who in particular he was referring to when he said his boss hadn't been the only invitee.

"What?" Edward had nearly shot out of his seat, but used his palms against the edge of his desk to hold himself back.

"We have been keeping close contact with them just like you asked us to and we discovered he received an invite to the party, long before you and is already in Shanghai."

"And?"

"Well of course I didn't read any meaning into it until today when you got an invite as well."

Edward sighed as he thought on what his right hand man had just told him. Jinn Yang had been invited to the Pins party before him. Jinn Yang was already in Shanghai before him.

This came as a shock to Edward because the Yangs and The Pins didn't know each other. Well, they hadn't known each other twelve years ago when the family was relocating.

The only existing relationship, Edward could account for, between the family was mafia based and it wasn't direct. If they had known each other at all it couldn't have been on personal levels.

Even his own father hadn't been particularly close with the Yangs so when and how had the two families met?

There were so many questions to ask concerning this recent development, but Edward wasn't sure who he could ask. The only way to find out information was to hear directly from the horse's mouth.

Since he had set up a team to go after the Yangs, they had made hits on the family's drug stash, warehouses and business outfits often setting up uninvolved small gangs as the culprits.

So far, the family had no inkling as to who was really attacking them. They had innocent people locked up in their dungeon and the spies Edward had planted reported Jinn Yang blaming the attacks on their recent growth amongst the mafia.

"The little fishes want to come swim with the big fishes," Jinn had been quoted saying. "We've gained so much ground in the recent months and it doesn't sit well with them."

If not for the heavy repercussions he would face, Edward would have driven the entire kilometres to Jinn Yang's house with a Glock and put three holes in the fucker's chest.

After news of Amy's death had circulated, the man had the audacity to send condolences. Edward had had the half mind to kill his daughter, Alexa, as penance for the death of his lover but Viktor had warned him sternly against making such a bold move.

So, Edward had resorted to staging hits on his businesses. But now that he knew they were going to be in the same room, mingling amongst the same people, the temptation to end his life was coming on strong again.

"I didn't know the Pins and the Yangs were in rapport with each other," Edward revealed.

He had taken a relaxed stance with his back rested against the cushioned chair and his palms clasped together beneath his chin. "How long ago did Jinn Yang leave for Shanghai."

"About three days ago."

"And why am I just knowing about this now?" Edward was resisting the urge to tell at his employee.

He didn't need word of what they were talking about going round the company so he had to keep it cool.

"I didn't think it was relevant sir. He went under the guise of a vacation trip. It wasn't until we saw the letter..."

"Yeah, yeah, well you said that before. Goddammit Viktor!" Edward groaned and ran a hand through his hair.

"I planned on leaving for Shanghai in two days, but that would make it five days Jinn Yang has been there before me. I don't know what this dude is planning Viktor. You can't keep springing up surprises such as this."

"Yes, sir. I apologise sir."

Edward nodded and waved his hand in dismissal. "Prepare the jet, we leave tomorrow."

Viktor nodded and set to leave the office to do as he'd been instructed.

"Send Holly in for me."

His secretary was sure to be pissed when he informed her of the recent development, but Edward had decided he would compensate her somehow.

He was no monster, he recognised the effort she was putting in just to ensure the smooth running of his business. He planned on rewarding her in due time.

As he packed his journal and pens back into his briefcase, the door to his office opened and a scowling female with a tiny bun at the centre of her petite face walked into the room with the sluggish steps of someone who was considering quitting their job.

Edward refrained from saying anything to her until she was right in front of his desk.

"You called sir?"

"Have you made the calls?" He knew the answer, but he asked anyway —just to be annoying.

Holly blew out a heavy breath, "No. Sir." She emphasized each word through gritted teeth.