Johan mumbled a reply and didn’t mind it, as he said, “Just tell me about your request.”
Hansen sat down and asked in a solemn manner, “Grandpa Johan, it’s about Yadriel’s election. Do you think he’s capable of governing the Capital City?”
Hansen didn’t bring up anything else but this question.
Upon hearing this, Johan frowned, but his expression was still calm, without any trace of emotion.
“Hansen, it is not up to me to decide whether he is a suitable governor or not. The citizens will decide his fate through their votes,” Johan replied faintly before turning around to look at him and said, “Hansen, I heard that your Richards Group is in trouble now. You better tell me what happened and if there was any crime involved. If there was, then I will never let you get away with this.”
Hansen’s face fell as he heard that. He then said, “Grandpa Johan, the Richards Group has always been clean and proper. We will never involve ourselves in any illegal activity. I hope that you will believe that we’re innocent, and we will never leak any confidential information. So, I don’t think that I did anything wrong.”
“You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you? It seems like I won’t get anything out of you.” Johan had a stern expression on his face as he asked, “I heard that there are strong accusations against you, and the one who leaked the information was from your side. The higher-ups in Richards Group were the ones who broke the law. So, what else do you have to say about this?”
Hansen was shocked. He did not expect Johan to have a clear grasp of the Richards Group’s current situation already.
“Grandpa Johan, we have been framed by someone else. I’m looking for evidence, and I believe that it wouldn’t take long for me to prove myself.” Hansen immediately defended himself in an aggrieved manner.
“Alas, Hansen, I’m afraid that they might not give you the chance to look for evidence.” Johan sighed as he murmured to himself.
Hansen was dumbfounded.
After a long pause, he then said, “Grandpa Johan, I hope you can help me put a stop to Yadriel’s election. He doesn’t deserve to become the governor of Capital City.”
Johan looked solemn. He took a sip of his tea and patted Hansen on his shoulder as he said, “You’re still young. You have to be patient.”
Johan then diverted the topic and asked Hansen about Vivian’s condition. There wasn’t any opportunity for Hansen to shift the subject at all.
After chatting for a while, Johan took his leave. Before he left, he held Hansen’s hand and advised, “Young man, you should cherish your family and have faith in justice. The time will come. Be patient.”
Hansen couldn’t read through Johan’s smile at all. His gaze was as deep as the ocean, as he held onto Hansen’s hand for a while before walking out with his staff.
Hansen sent him all the way to the hotel’s entrance.
A military vehicle with a red flag pulled over by the hotel’s entrance. Hansen helped Johan to the car.
The secretary opened the door.
“Grandpa Johan, take care.” Hansen supported Johan into the car before watching him leave.
Hansen was puzzled by the meeting. He did not get any clear answer from Johan, and their conversation was never really on track. Hansen’s heart felt heavy as he thought of Yadriel.
The night gradually engulfed the apartment. The nightlife in Capital City seemed restless.
Hansen was seen pacing back and forth in his room as he drowned himself in deep thoughts.
The doorbell rang.
“Come in,” Hansen spoke in a deep voice.
Paul entered.
“Mr. Richards, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Paul said seriously, with a calm expression after coming in from the outside.
Hansen looked up and asked in a slightly surprised tone, “If you have something to say, just tell me.”
“Alright.” Paul nodded. “Mr. Richards, there’s someone else you can look for help for the matter concerning the war-torn country.”
“Who?” Hansen asked as he stood still and stared at Paul.
“Madam Lilian,” Paul replied without hesitation.
Hansen knew that he would bring up Madam Lilian. He shook his head, saying, “Paul, why would someone like Madam Lilian help me? She’s in charge of the United Nations. Why would she help me with our country’s affairs?”
Paul gave a disapproving smile.
“Mr. Richards, do you still remember what happened at the border of Tamaland that day?”
“At the border of Tamaland?” Hansen frowned and asked in confusion, “What does this have to do with that?”
“Mr. Richards, in fact, it was Madam Lilian who helped mobilize the Tamaland military that day,” Paul explained how he called Jenna to request help from Madam Lilian back then.
Hansen finally understood his words.
It was due to Madam Lilian’s request that the Tamaland military appeared just on time back then.
“Jenna was the one who put in the request to Madam Lilian?” Hansen asked, dumbfounded. He could still recall what had happened that night. He was terrified at the thought of losing Jenna. Back then, he told himself that if they managed to return safely, he would not want anything else but to spend the rest of his life with Jenna and Jerry.
“Indeed.” Paul nodded with certainty.
“Why didn’t you inform me earlier? What’s the purpose of telling me this now?” Hansen asked with a cold voice. His gaze was deep and mixed with complicated emotions.
“Mr. Richards, it was an urgent situation back then. I did not have time to talk about it, and I did forget about it later on. The situation today reminded me of it. What I want to tell you is that Madam Lilian treats Jenna very well. With how complicated things are going on in the war-torn country, I am worried about your subordinates. Of course, I’m also worried about Irvin. Yadriel’s arms trafficking deal is not that simple, as he has a wide network of connections. I’m really worried that we won’t get any evidence. Now that Yadriel is aware of our moves, he is being extra careful. Things will only become more difficult for us. We can ask for Madam Lilian’s help in this, can’t we?” Paul said as he analyzed their current situation.
Hansen understood what he meant. He was worried about Irvin. After all, Paul was Irvin’s brother. It was normal for siblings to be worried about each other.
“Paul, don’t you think that you’re thinking too much into this? Also, who do you think Madam Lilian is? She helped us back then because of Jenna. How can we ask for her help again? Also, she’s living in Europe now. What makes you think that she’ll be willing to help us?” Hansen asked with a dark expression. He had mixed feelings now that he knew Jenna was the one who requested Madam Lilian’s help back then. He couldn’t help but to picture Jenna asking for Madam Lilian’s help in the middle of the night. How much courage did Jenna gather to do that? She wasn’t someone who would casually ask for help. Jenna hadn’t asked for anyone’s help even when her father died. She quietly returned to the Richards Group as she wanted to take revenge for her father on her own. Yet, that day, Jenna went to Madam Lilian for help, for her husband’s sake. Hansen felt terrible to have thought of that.
Once was already enough. How could he ask for a second chance? Hansen immediately rejected Paul’s suggestion without a second thought.
Paul crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall and said casually, “Mr. Richards, I’m just reminding you of how much Madam Lilian favors Jenna. Don’t you think that there are other factors to this?”
Upon hearing that, Hansen was puzzled as he asked, fixing his gaze on Paul, “Paul, what are you trying to say?”
Paul pursed his lips. The smile on his face was somewhat unpredictable.
“Mr. Richards, I heard that Madam Lilian made a secret trip back to A City this time to look for her long-lost daughter.”
Hansen was shocked upon hearing that. He paused for a while before gasping. “How did you find out about this?”
Paul was still looking calm, as he smiled faintly and said with confidence, “Mr. Richards, I’m a well-known private investigator in A City. In our field, we have our own ways of finding out whatever has happened in A City. I have many informers working for me. You have to believe me.”
Hansen was startled.
“Are you saying that Jenna might be Madam Lilian’s daughter?” Hansen asked in surprise.
Hansen then was reminded of Sara’s face. He laughed in silence and shook his head as he said, “Paul, you’re too imaginative. Jenna resembles Sara so much. How couldn’t they be related at all? Even if Madam Lilian is indeed looking for her long-lost daughter, it won’t be Jenna.”
Paul remained as he leaned against the wall, shaking his head as he said, “Mr. Richards, Jenna is indeed Sara’s daughter. That’s correct. But have you ever wondered about Sara’s mother? You’re her son-in-law. Do you have any clue?”
Hansen was puzzled upon hearing that question.
Who was Sara’s mother? Hansen neither had heard anyone talking about it, nor did he ever think of asking anyone about that.
“Does this mean that Madam Lilian might be Sara’s mother?” Hansen narrowed his eyes and asked.
“I’m not sure about this yet, and I can’t confirm anything, but I do know that Madam Lilian already has her doubts. According to the information I have, Madam Lilian has already met with Sara before her departure. As for the details, you will have to ask Sara herself. I don’t know that much,” Paul replied as he had no way of explaining.
Hansen pondered in silence, but he was rapidly processing all the information he had learnt. He started to recall how fast it was for Madam Lilian to get close to Jenna at Yezon’s party that night. Madam Lilian even asked Jenna about her mother. Their interactions were natural and close. There was nothing forceful in the way they interacted with one another. Could it be that Madam Lilian was actually related to Jenna by blood?
Hansen froze in place and did not say anything for a long while.