The Road Forward

Jinhai drove them out of the garage and toward the city. Jinhai chose a station for the news and they rode together in silence.

She hoped things would die down today and she could actually set her phone to receive notifications.

She was thankful for the invention of voicemail transcription as it afforded her the ability to delete voicemails from her family without listening to them.

"What's wrong?" Jinhai asked her. She glanced at him before realizing she was scowling at her phone.

"Voicemails from yesterday," she answered, her tone held a hint of displeasure.

"Is it work related?" he asked her. "No, my relatives," she replied. He frowned. He knew he wasn't overly fond of them.

"That's bad?" he questioned. She smiled wryly. "Not quite, they reached out after the news broke out yesterday. I just can't stand that they pretend they're family only when it is convenient for them," she said.

"Oh, I see," he sped passed a car that was swerving unsteadily between lanes.

"Did they want something?" she shook her head in response. "Not specifically, I believe they're trying to get in my good side. But that's not going to happen. I will never forgive any of them for how they treated my family after my mother's death," Evelyn answered.

Most of her mother's family had disowned her mother when her mother refused to give them money. They had called her a gold digger, selfish, and heartless for turning her back on her own family. Nevermind the fact that they had tried to force her mother to give them money through extortion. They thought they would cause problems for her parent's marriage by spewing rumors.

Her father's side had never thought her mother was a good match for one of the riches men in the country. Because she came from a low income family, and didn't have expensive tastes. When her mother had passed neither side shed a tear.

On the day of the funeral, Evelyn recalled how none of her relatives had cared. Some had been happy that now someone else might have claim to the title of Mrs. Wei. Her relatives had acted like it was a good thing that her father was a widow and three kids were without a mother.

"Cheng's Global Corporation's stock market continue to plummet as a result of scandals surrounding the present CEO," the news anchor's voice rang through the car. Jinhai reached out to change the station but Evelyn stopped him with a touch of her hand on his.

He glanced at her but retreated his hand. When came to a stop and he looked over at her. She was looking at the radio. "The mystery woman in the video has been identified as none other than upcoming actress, Amy Bai!" the announcer continued. "It's no wonder she climbed the ranks as quickly as she did."

Evelyn heard the announcement and she felt Her heart go numb. She wasn't jealous of Amy. As far as she was concerned, Amy could have him. But to say that she felt nothing would have been a lie. Regardless of her feelings for Shawn - or lack thereof - she had still been betrayed by someone she never believed would. It was the betrayal that had hurt her.

Jinhai placed his hand on her knee, silently letting her know that he was there. She glanced at his hand and allowed herself the comfort he was offering. She leaned her head back against the headrest. The sun warmed her face and she soaked it up, drawing strength from it.

The sound of ringing brought her attention back. She dug her hand into her purse and pulled her phone out.

"Good morning, Mei Mei," Evelyn answered. Jinhai stared straight ahead and continued to drive, but he kept his hand at her knee.

"Jie Jie, are you okay?" Chloe asked after Evelyn answered the call.

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" Evelyn questioned her.

"After the video yesterday, and the things that are being said," Chloe began to answered.

"I'm okay Chloe," Evelyn assured her sister.

"Okay, but do you want to go out for lunch today?" Chloe asked.

"I'm really fine, Chloe," Evelyn said. Jinhai gave her a concerned glance before refocusing on the road.

"Okay, but I still want to have lunch," Chloe said. Evelyn closed her eyes and took a breath. She couldn't think of a good reason to turn her sister down.

"Okay, 12:30," Evelyn relented.

"Great! I'll text you the address," Chloe said before hanging up.

"You must feel so lucky that you don't have a little sister," Evelyn said, turning to him. He laughed.

"She's just worried about you," he reasoned. Evelyn sighed.

"I know, but I'm really okay," Evelyn insisted.

"You know most people that are okay, don't reiterate that every five minutes," Jinhai said. Evelyn narrowed her eyes.

"I wouldn't have to, if people didn't ask me every five minutes," there was sarcasm in her voice and he smirked.

He pulled up to the curb of Wei's World Organization and Evelyn got out. After confirming he would be back to pick her up at 6 o'clock, she closed the door and walked into the building.

Evelyn ignored the looks of surprise and the whispers about her. She walked with her head high and took the elevator with the rest of the employees. The ride was quiet and she'd rather people say things to her face than gossip behind her back.

When she reached the top floor she popped into Ben's office, only to find his office empty.

She walked down to her office and she almost sighed when she found Ben there instead of in his own office.

"You know, you have your own office," she said to him.

"Yours is nicer," he commented. Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Work hard and one day, when you grow up, it could be yours," she said with a wink. He nearly growled at her. "Anyway, what's up?" she said as she walked over to her chair after putting her things away in the closet.

"You're my mentor, how else am I going to learn," he said.

"Fine, but you don't come into this office before I do in the morning. If you do, there better be," Ben interrupted her. He held up a cup of iced coffee from that nearby cafe she liked.

"Coffee?" he finished for her. She narrowed her eyes and accepted the coffee.

She didn't say anything but she drank the coffee. After all, she wasn't going to say, "No."

Evelyn enjoyed the coffee that Ben got her as she started turning her computer on and checking her emails. She liked to get the day going by answering her emails before tackling the other things on the agenda.

Ben watched her intently and admired the speed and efficiency in which she accomplished the task. When she was all caught up, she checked the calendar.

There was a knock on the door and John came in. He took the seat opposite her and they went over the talking points of the meetings that they would be going to that morning. Evelyn braced herself for another day of people watching her and whispering behind her back.

Evelyn knew how this worked. People want to pry and were hungry for any juicy gossip about the wealthy and influential. This was the price of her birthright. She knew that the best way to handle it was head on, being transparent, and taking responsibility.

She had a job to do and she would do it well. No matter what that meant for her personally. Wei World Organization is where she learned her tricks of the trade. It was where she would always be welcome. It was the place she would never let fail.

With these thoughts in mind she stood up, held her head high, and made her way to the meeting rooms. Ben and John walked behind her, following her lead.

Ben was worried about his sister, but he knew that she would handle whatever happened. John admired his boss's character. He always had. She was tough but had a compassionate side. She was the only one that never looked down on him. She always gave him the opportunity and supported him. For that she would always have his loyalty and gratitude.

The three of them were the last to enter the room. She was here today in place of her father. The head of the other departments were there to listen to a sales pitch as well.

The room had quieted when she entered and then everyone rushed to greet her and her brother. She introduced John and they gave him a polite greeting that he returned. She took her seat at the head of the table with Ben and John on either side of her.

She gave a leveled look at the presenters. They could barely look her in the eyes. "You may begin," she said. They scrambled into positions and began their slides and speech. Evelyn leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. She held a pen poised over a pad of paper and gave them her full attention.

- - - - -

LI CORP

Jinhai parked in the underground garage and he smiled. He noticed the way Evelyn had stared at him that morning. He saw her cheeks turn scarlet and he barely refrained from kissing her.

He took his time to walk to his office. His father sat on the couch. Jinhai didn't pause and made his way over to his desk.

"Father," Jinhai acknowledged as the Li Bingwen got up and moved closer to him. "Son," his father responded.

"Why are you here?" Jinhai asked. The older man sat down in the chair in front of the desk with a stern expression. Jinhai cocked an eyebrow; waiting for his father's response.

"You released that video of Shawn Cheng," his father started. Jinhai's mouth dipped at the mention of Shawn's name.

"Is there a problem?" he asked. It was Bingwen's turn to raise an eyebrow. He was aware of his son's recent rekindling with Evelyn. He was also aware of the torch Jinhai had carried for her.

"CGC's stocks have gone down," Bingwen answered. "We're still in business with them."

"I'm aware," Jinhai said. "What are you planning?" Bingwen asked. "We're aware that CGC was on the verge of bankruptcy before Evelyn saved it," Bingwen said.

"Because now is not the time. Right now taking any immediate action will hurt Evelyn. You know I won't do that," Jinhai said.

"It won't hurt her," Bingwen said. "It had nothing to do with her."

"Yes, but when she started they still had shady dealings. I'm not going to chance them using her as a scapegoat," Jinhai answered.

"What do you intend to do," Bingwen asked. Jinhai gave a sinister smile. Many satisfying images passed through his mind. The smile was an exact replica of the smile Bingwen had when he ran the company.

The Li's built their empire through strength. They had a hand in everything. Politics, malls, hospitals, almost all the news outlets, charities, and much more.

"Son," he said trying to get the Jinhai's attention. Jinhai shifted his attention back to his father.

"How is she?" Bingwen asked. He had always admired Evelyn. He remembered her as a bubbly little girl who managed to make his mischievous son smile. She calmed down the overzealous son as well. His sons were always on their best behavior when she was around. In the business industry he admired her tenacity. The way she commanded attention on a stage, or bulldozed her way in a boardroom.

He had always thought that she would be his daughter-in-law. When she married Shawn, he had felt sorry for his son. But now things were changing.

"She's doing better than I thought," Jinhai answered. Bingwen smiled.

"When will the wedding be?" Bingwen asked. Jinhai smiled. If he had it his way he'd get the marriage certificate now.

"Don't let her go this time," he said. Jinhai scoffed.

"Do you honestly think I would?" Jinhai asked, slightly annoyed.

"You better not, or you'll answer to me," Bingwen said.

"Is that supposed to intimidate me?" Jinhai asked sounding nonchalant.

"I supposed not. But I'm sure your mother will have plenty to say. Bye now," Bingwen said with a smile as he got up to leave. Jinhai glared at his fathers back as he left the office.