Love Began with the First Meeting

Sally's face changed sharply.

She said, without a second thought, "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I can't help you." Then she turned around and was about to leave.

"I can give you some time to think it over," Matthew suggested slowly and lightly, while raising his eyes to look at Sally's back. "I just hope I can get your reply soon." Sally gritted her teeth and turned back. When she looked down at Matthew's cold smile, she clenched her fist tightly and then left.

"Master Matthew?" lan looked at Matthew in confusion. 'We planned to let Sally seduce Henrik, didn't we? Why is Addison now the target?' he thought in surprise.

Matthew's eyes grew darker and he said in a sibilant tone, "Sometimes, we have to be farsighted. Uncle Yates always said that my biggest shortcoming was that I was too short-sighted. I am thinking that if a gentleman, a public figure, became involved in a scandal, it would be very funny. It's a pity that Charlie and Evelyn have already gotten married. However, His Highness still has not caused any rumors. The former rulers were all involved in scandals at some stage, but His Highness's purity has made me upset." Then, he stood up and walked towards the hall, with a lustful smile on his face.

Matthew looked around first and then walked directly towards Roger. "Mr. Ji, happy birthday to you. Wish you a long life." He handed over a long red envelope which lan had passed to him. "Uncle Yates is so busy that he can't make the celebrations today. This is his gift. He asked me to convey his best wishes to you."

Roger laughed. "He is so nice." He gestured for someone to take the gift. "Tell your uncle, when he is free, he must come over to play chess with me. I'm afraid that he seems to have forgotten me after getting married."

"Yes," Matthew answered. "I'll pass along your message."

"Okay, well done." A smile spread across Roger's face. "Henrik is over there. You should catch up on old times."

"Yes," Matthew answered simply. He seemed as gentle and polite as a youth should be. He nodded in greeting to Henrik's parents and left with lan.

"What's in it?" Roger asked without changing his expression, a smile fixed in place. "Let's see what I should return to the old goat."

"Okay!" His subordinate who stood behind Roger took the envelope and opened it. When he saw the paper in it, his eyes widened as he said, "Master Roger, look!" Then he passed the paper to Roger.

Roger lowered his eyes and glanced at the document. He still smiled evenly, "He is so generous." His eyes grew dark. "I'll owe him. But how can I return this to him?" He did not seem pleased.

Since his son and daughter-in-law heard his words, they also walked forward to have a look. When they saw that it was a land ownership transfer for the new developed area on the Dragon Island, they were shocked and their eyes grew wide. It was an extremely expensive gift indeed.

The Dragon Island was not what it used to be. Through the efforts of many generations, it had grown bigger and bigger. Several years ago, Addison had suggested the development of a new area of more than ten thousand hectares in the west of the Dragon Island as a new residential district. Eco-friendly infrastructure and thousands of homes would be constructed there. To resolve ownership, the whole area was divided into twenty parts. Plots of land could be obtained via bidding. The Tang Family had obtained seven and the Ji Family, five, ranking number one and two respectively. There was some difference in the number of plots, but the overall squared areas were almost the same. What upset the Ji Family most was that the land which they had wanted most was in the pocket of Yates, the ruler of the Tang Family.

This land was in Roger's hands now.

If one gained something too easily, it would lead to suspicion and stress. Roger did not trust this gift for one second. Yates was different from the previous rulers of the Tang Family. He was gentle and graceful but also bossy. In his world, he only obeyed his own rules. Today, he had given Roger this land as a birthday gift. But it was not as simple as it looked. However, nobody could see through the cunning Yates, including Roger, despite having so much experience.

"Humph!" his daughter-in-law snorted. "He must be feeling guilty to..." She didn't finish her words, because her husband stared hard at her. Biting her lips, she did not continue. Care should always be taken of expressing opinions in public.

Roger had also cast a warning glance at her, and then gestured for his subordinate to put the paper away. No matter what Yates wanted to do, Roger had to receive this gift. If not, the public would begin to believe that the Ji Family was declining. "I'm tired. I'll go rest now. You all treat the guests." While speaking, Roger turned back and went upstairs.

The banquet continued. Almost all the local celebrities from the Dragon Island had attended. It was a good way for people to make friends, network, and develop interpersonal relationships. So those who wanted to make full use of this opportunity wouldn't leave early. Rose said with a slight frown, "Sally, you want to remain here on the Dragon Island? Are you sure?"

Sally nodded, "It should have been simple. I don't know why it has become difficult. I just wanted to know whether Little Pear lived a good life. But I seem to have underestimated the situation." Bitterness spread over Sally's face. "Whether it's true or not, Little Pear is my only family now. If she isn't healthy and happy, how can I walk away from her? And how can I leave her alone?"

Rose's face grew worried and she fretted, "How do you plan to live here?" Sally had a criminal record. It would be hard for her to earn a living on the Dragon Island. And what was more, there was a man here who she couldn't face.

Sally pursed her lips and looked meaningfully at Hotch. "So I want to ask you a big favor."

"I can give you a new identity," Hotch said calmly. "It isn't a big deal. What's in your heart matters more. It depends on your own will."

"Thank you." Sally was really grateful to him, even though Hotch had seen through her.

Hotch didn't answer, and Rose said, "We'll return to T City tomorrow. How about coming back the hotel with us? It's late now and you're alone. I'm worried."

Sally was about to say something but kept silent instead. She nodded and went to the car with them.

Hotch, as well as Chandler, was always very considerate to Rose. Sally knew that Chandler had fallen in love with Rose, but she didn't know why Hotch acted like this. There were no feelings for Rose in Hotch's eyes. Sometimes, Sally admired Rose. Numerous men chased after her, but she still kept her head.

The silent night passed and daylight came.

The Dragon Island was bounded by sea on three sides and by mountains on the other side. It had been densely developed recently, but the sea still remained clean and clear, without any pollution. It was paradise. The white beach, blue sea and clear sky all combined to create an idyllic place where people could relax and be at ease.

"Sally, if something goes wrong, just call me," Rose said, with a serious and worried face. "T City is close to the Dragon Island. I'll be the first one to come over to help you."

Sally nodded, her eyes reddening. "You're my sister. If there's something wrong, I shall tell you at once."

Rose smiled, took an envelope from her bag and passed it to Sally. "It's not much. But you must take it." "But..."

"Don't say any more. I'm your sister, remember?" Rose pressed the envelope into Sally's palm. "I'm afraid you'll feel pressured if I give you more money, so it's only enough for three months' rent, and one month's living costs. Later you should be able to rely on yourself." Sally hugged Rose tightly. Since what happened seven years ago, she had found it difficult to believe in others. Rose was always caring for her, but she couldn't trust Rose completely, yet. However, Rose's actions moved her deeply and warmed her heart from its aching depths with a warm glow. Sally knew that Rose knew her, understood her, and supported her.

"Don't cry. If you cry, I'll cry, too. I never cry!" Gently patting on Sally's back, Rose smiled. "Sally, that's not a big deal. Everything will pass. If you want to forget the past, just forget it. If you can't, you should give yourself another chance to try. Life is filled with ups and downs. If you fall down, just get up and struggle on. If you're always afraid of hurting, you will always stay in the darkness of your own personal hell. In your life, you can owe anyone but not yourself. You need to take care of yourself!"

Hotch kept silent and gazed at Rose with a deepening look. He was always wondering why this woman had put herself in the Romantic Club, but did not fit in it. Vaguely, Hotch began to understand her better from her words of advice to Sally.

Women were often weak in this world, but Rose's past had left her weaker. What she had accomplished until today was not by luck, but through her struggle and intense efforts.

Rose and Hotch had left, and Sally stayed in the hotel. Her present identity with its criminal past was not suitable for the Dragon Island which was developing quickly.

Hotch had taken steps to help her.

The next day, Sally had a new identity. She was now Sally Gu. Hotch had made her a distant member of the Gu Family! However, Sally felt alerted when Hotch told her that someone had already hidden what had happened to her seven years ago. But he did not investigate further, lest he tip someone off to her changing of her identity. If she wanted to know, he could always investigate it further.

Those seven years were the worst memories of Sally's life. She was happy that someone had hidden it away. But she didn't want to know who had done this, because she was afraid that it was Addison. If she didn't know, she could pretend to be calm. If she knew, then she couldn't pretend any more. Sally had gotten her new identity card and was granted permission of residence on the Dragon Island for three years. Walking on the familiar, yet strange streets of the Dragon Island, Sally felt at a loss.

Seven years could change one's life, as well as a city. This once familiar city had changed a lot.

The six-story building which she used to live in had become a skyscraper with a modern elevator. Similar skyscrapers had cropped up in rows like monsters, and they seemed to swallow all the people living in them.

Sally rented a house of thirty square meters in the building in which her old home had been located. It was small, but for her, who had no family, it seemed massive and empty.

"If you need something, tell me. I'll give you whatever I have." The landlord was a nice woman. "I also live in this building, on the tenth floor. I have some extra furniture in my house. I'll bring you some later."

"Thank you!" said Sally, with a big and sweet smile. The kindness of the landlord was unexpected and overwhelming.

The woman smiled, "That's okay." She looked around at the empty space. "Well, you should do some cleaning first. And if you want to buy something, you can to the market. Go along the street and then turn left. You can find anything you want there."

Sally nodded at her advice and

thanked her again. After the landlord

had left, Sally pulled up her sleeves and began to do some cleaning. She made a short list of what she

needed, and went to the marine

However, the market hadn't changed much. It had been redecorated, but was still almost exactly the same as

it had been seven years ago.

With everything else having changed, Sally could finally see something from her memories which still remained. She was so moved and felt happy at this small token of constancy. However, when the feeling passed, she recalled again what had happened in the past, and then all of her happiness disappeared and was replaced with sorrow. Sally had no time to be sad or recall the past. She had to find Little Pear as soon as possible. Whatever was going on, she couldn't cheat herself any more.

*

In the National Congress building of the Dragon Island, Addison stood in front of the huge glass window. When he looked at the people walking out and into the National Congress building, his face darkened.

"Beep!" His secretary buzzed him and announced in a sweet voice, "Your Highness, the ruler has asked that you go to his office."

"Okay!" Addison answered as he walked to the elevator and travelled to top floor.

As Eric saw Addison, he gestured for him to sit down and continued with the call which he was busy with. "Schedule a visit. Place the visit to M Country first on the itinerary. Okay, give me a detailed plan by this afternoon." Then he hung up and looked at Addison. "This visit..."

"I won't go," Addison said indifferently. "I have to pursue some cases in the National Congress."

Eric gave a small smile. "I thought

so." Members of the opposition were

always busy with their conspiracies. And the decisions reached during visits were very important because they were related to the

import-export trade of the Dragon Island. As a leader of the Dragon

Istand, Eric had to be focused on the economy. "You should visit the Tang Family more often. Yates always keeps old friendships in his mind."

Istand, Eric had to be t

Addison nodded. "I got it." Eric froze for a moment and then asked, "It's said that Yates had transferred some land to the Ji Family?" Addison nodded, confirming the rumor. "Right." Eric lay back in the office chair, and touched his chin gently. He said with a slight frown, "Alas, I shouldn't have been merciful at that time."

Hearing his words, Addison smiled. "You are still merciful now."

Eric froze, sighed, and rolled his eyes. "If so, am I going to sleep on the floor?"

Addison's smile grew bigger, and he stood up and was about to leave. "I have to go. Wish you good luck, Eric." He bowed slightly in salute, then flashed Eric with a happy look and left.

As he walked out, Wyatt headed him off and reported, "Young Master, Sally didn't leave and has stayed on the Dragon Island."

Addison frowned, and stepped onto the elevator. When he got to his office, he asked, "Have you found the reason yet?"

Wyatt's expression froze. "Young Master, in T City, you said that all things concerning Sally shouldn't be investigated."

With a tightening frown, Addison recalled what he had said that day when he had been so mad. He realized that he could not rescind the order, and sighed regretfully.

"Let her go!" Addison pinched the skin between his eyes, trying to relieve some tension. "Tell them to attend a meeting at three o'clock this afternoon. All the above ministers must attend."

"Yes," Wyatt answered. Then he looked up at Addison and asked cautiously, "Young Master, do you really not wish to take care of Sally?"

Addison's face turned black at once. "You can take care of her!"

Wyatt was frightened and said in a hurried tone, "I'll issue the notice." Then Wyatt rushed out of the office. He could not stand to face his master's rage.

Addison stared at the computer screen which was occupied with data, but he began to feel annoyed. In the end, all of the data began to resemble Sally's cold face. He sighed slightly, and realized that he didn't know when he would stop cheating himself. It was hard to learn to forget her. Perhaps even impossible?

However, keeping busy would help him forget it. The tedious meeting didn't end until seven o'clock that evening. After Addison left the meeting room at the National Congress building, the others also began to leave.

Addison drove from the National Congress to the Long Family Mansion. He had almost reached the Mansion, when his phone rang.

"Mark, help!"

When Addison put the phone to his ear, he heard a fearful cry from the other side of the line. He frowned in disbelief and said slowly, "If you still have time to shout for help, then that means that you are still not in desperate circumstances."

"Ah! It's urgent this time!" Hedy stamped her foot. "My brother is fighting against some bad people. Mark, come on, help, please!" Her voice was full of anxiety. Then she muttered, "If Charlie was here, I wouldn't have called you." Addison frowned. "Where are you now?"

"Hon Entertainment Center," Hedy said in a low

and urgent voice. 00000000000