CHAPTER FORTY TWO

OLIVER


After a whole week of trying and failing to tear myself away from Dallas Valencia, I decided to return home. I blamed my cousin's abrupt visit for my reaction that day.

I lost control. I never lose control. I never let something as fickle as emotion control me. But that day, I felt pure rage in me for absolutely no reason.

So I tried to distance myself from Dallas. I wanted to get the shred of control back. I threw myself into work. Went on business trips I would never attend. Everyone was shocked at my sudden appearance in the company's headquarters the other day. It's no secret I enjoy working from home. But the last place I wanted to be then was my house.

I manage to last one week before I finally had enough and walked out in the middle of a meeting in DC. When they couldn't get the private jet ready on time, I took the next flight home. I flew home in business. I've never flown in anything that isn't private or first class. Then we had to deal with paparazzi, which was a hassle, but thankfully, no one touched me.

Although, I did think about the headlines on the internet the next day if someone had touched me.

THE BILLIONAIRE AND BUSINESS MOGUL, OLIVER KANG, HAD A MELTDOWN AT THE NEW YORK AIRPORT.

I imagined the horrified expression on my mum's face as she read the headlines and I almost laughed.

Tabitha was not happy about the situation and grumbled all the way back to New York. I couldn't careless about her. I just needed to see my little monkey. I couldn't wait to hold her. To touch her and enjoy how she shudders under my touch. To engrave myself into her every sense. I have officially lost it.

After I learnt about Dallas's friend's wedding from her diary, a huge part of me felt unsettled with the thought that she is worried about something I could take care of. I just can't stand the thought of a frown appearing on her pretty face. So I decided to make sure she attends her best friend's wedding.

My initial plan was to send her in my private jet, but I imagined she would say no. So I decided to act considerate and got a first class ticket for her. Now imagine my shock when she still said no despite my very considerate measure.

Okay, maybe I could have toned it down a notch, but I just can't imagine her sitting anywhere less.

The look on her face when she was trapped beneath me was priceless. I wish I had taken a picture of it and kept it forever. Or hung it in my sanctuary where I can stare at it whenever I want.

I wanted to ask the driver to turn around and take me back to the mansion, but I can't do that. Partly because there is something I need to finish in DC, and Dallas needs to get ready for Seoul. I just have to go an entire week or more without seeing her again. I tried not to think about it.

The car came to a halt at the private jet section at the airport. I boarded the plane, minutes later, we were soaring in the sky.

Few hours later, I was sitting in a conference room at Peace Hotels and Suites, a flagship property of Kang empire. I was staying there till I return to New York.

Across from me sat Tabitha, Jason Fell, COO of Kang Chemicals, and Ronan Russo, CEO of Russo pharmaceuticals, a start-up pharmaceutical industry in italy. They're looking to open up a new branch in DC, and was hoping to get investments from Kang Chemicals.

Normally, I wouldn't attend these kind of meetings. But I need to busy myself with something now that my cure is out of reach. And the word 'free time' is not in my dictionary.

"I hope you were able to take care of the urgent thing you went to New York for yesterday?" Ronan asked.

If he thinks I was going to apologize for walking out of the meeting, then he is surely mistaken. He should be grateful that I was even willing to grace him with my presence.

I couldn't place my finger on it, but something about the guy doesn't quite sit right with me. I decided to put my suspicions away and get the meeting over with.

"Yes, it has been taking care of."

He nodded. I could see the hint of annoyance in his expression. He gestured at his assistant to start the presentation. The presentation was slightly impressive, but not perfect as I would prefer. My COO seem to think otherwise. It made me wonder how many investments deal he had signed and if they all had this ridiculous presentation. The whole presentation lasted for forty five minutes.

"This is really impressive, Mr Russo." Jason said.

Ronan-shitface-Russo smirked. His gaze landed on me and he raised his eyebrow. I was right not trust him.

"Impressive," I repeated, as if tasting the word.

Ronan's smirk dissapeared as he stared at me. Jason shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"You're willing to give Kang Chemicals seventy percent of the profits, despite that Russo Pharmaceuticals is the primary developer?" I asked, my tone was laced with suspicions.

Something doesn't seem right. Ronan was willing to give up that much for just a small capital from us. His company in italy was doing great. It wouldn't affect his incomes if he opened a branch here without any investments. Yet he seem hellbent on partnering with Kang Chemicals. It seems shady.

Even Tabitha had her nose crunched up in suspicion. But my COO didn't seem to have the same thoughts. He was too excited about the gain to care about the shadiness of the deal. That explains the reason for the decline in sales at the company. I made a mental note to replace him soon.

"Well, Russo," I called with disinterest in my tone "I'm not sorry to say this, Kang Chemicals won't be investing in your little scheme."

Ronan's frown deepened as he stared at me. No, glared at me. The audacity of that man.

"But sir, it's a pretty good deal-"

"And you're fired, effective immediately." I cut him off.

Jason went stiff. Before he could recover from his shock, I was already heading out of the conference room.

"I'm sure this won't be our last encounter, Mr Kang. We will meet again." Ronan's voice halted me in my steps.

I threw him a glance over my shoulder.

"We'll see about that."

I stepped out of the conference room and headed to the elevator. I couldn't shake off Ronan's last statement. I felt that he wanted more than just an investment. I need to get to the bottom of this. It might also explain the strange happenings in the smaller establishments of the Kang Empire, namely the fashion line and the food production.

As soon as I stepped into my suite, I pulled out my phone and dialed Joe's number. He picked up after a few rings.

"The King calls. What can I do for you, Mr Kang?" Joe said from the other line.

"I need you to look into someone for me, and I need the result ASAP. His name is Ronan Russo. I'll email the rest of the details to you." I said.

"I'll start working on it immediately."

I was about to end the call when Joe said something,

"There is something you should know about, concerning the death of Mrs Gilbert."

"Make it quick, Joe. I don't have all day."

"I don't think her death was an accident." he hesitated a bit before he added, "She was murdered."

My grip on the phone tightened. I took a huge gulp.

"Are you certain about this?" I asked, my voice restrained.

"I'm very certain. Whoever did it must be very powerful enough to tie all the loose ends."

"Do you know who did it?"

"I have a few suspects but I don't have any strong evidences for now."

"Joe, I want you to drop all the cases you have at the moment and focus on this case. I'll pay you three times more."

I ended the call. The air suddenly grew thick as the news hit me. Dallas's mother was... murdered?