Zhaohui was originally from Hong Kong, her father, Chuanli, who became Chase’s partner often funding their company on a larger scale, Chuanli was a very intelligent and wealthy business man who Chase trusted fully.
Chase originally met Zhaohui, Chuanlis only daughter through work as she would often lead meetings in her father’s absence and she would regularly ask Chase to assist her as her father had a soft spot for the young English mans energy and motivation and new ideas he brought to the company.
Chuanli didn’t fully approve of his daughter and Chase forming a relationship until he had the opportunity of getting to know Chase on a personal level and then he gave them their blessing in the hope that they would eventually marry, he couldn’t ask for a more in a son in law than Chase he was a good man who would look after his daughter.
Zhaohui had completed her education at Cambridge in England; she also graduated with masters in advanced Computing and worked for her father since she graduated in his multinational company, helping her father set up successfully and expand in the UK, she was highly proficient in English. She fell in love with the UK and expressed her longing to Chase to move there on a permanent basis, on a number of occasions, she was delighted when Chase asked her to move over there with him, she couldn’t wait to meet her new sisters to be, she heard all kinds of stories about them, she just hoped they would accept her into their family and accept her being of Chinese descent, this was her biggest fear.
♣ Chase placed a call to Destiny and Ella informing them both that Wallace was still in London and would be delighted to meet up with them all tomorrow at 10 at his London Offices. Both girls were thrilled and assured Chase they wouldn’t miss the meeting for the world as they were really excited at the prospect at legally adopting their new brother.
Chased had previously asked Wallace prior to the meeting tomorrow to look at any legality that was in place for Benjamin that may prevent adopting Benjamin and becoming his soul guardian.
Wallace assured him he would look into it and discuss his findings if any tomorrow at the meeting. For the first time in Chase’s life he felt that his father’s death had been worth something, a new brother, he wondered if they were many more surprises to come, he had a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach that something would prevent him from adopting his brother, he tried to cast it to one side but it kept coming back niggling away at him. He placed his final call for the evening to his mother who picked up on the third ring.
“Chase my dear, how lovely to hear from you, I do hope you can find the time to visit one more time before you go back to Hong Kong, you know how much I miss you sweetheart.”
In all the excitement Chase had forgotten to inform his mum about his decision to stay in the UK permanently. “Well mum , I have some news you may welcome, I’ve made a decision to stay in the UK permanently, and I am looking at properties to buy the day after tomorrow, hoping that one of them I can make into a home for me and Zhaohui. I miss you all dearly and need to be closer to you all.”
“Oh Chase this is just the most marvelous news I have heard in a long time, have you told your sisters yet?” “Yes they’re aware of my plans and are just as delighted as you I may add, much to my surprise. Have Ella or Destiny told you about Benjamin yet?”
“No dear, who’s Benjamin?”
“How about I come over now and explain. Are you and Charles home for the evening?”
“Yes sweetheart we are, nothing planned tonight except a night in front of the television.”
“Great, I’ll be over in the next half an hour or so depending on the traffic and I’ll tell you all about Benjamin.” Chase replaced the receiver grabbed his car keys and made his way once again back to his childhood home in which he missed dearly.
Jeannie informed Charles Chase was coming over and they both made a joint effort to tidy up before his arrival. Jeannie wondered up two flights of stairs and up into the attic debating to herself if now was a good time to open the large brown envelope she had picked up several weeks ago from Wallace’s London offices, the one Wilhelm had pleaded with her to pick up on the night of his death that she kept safely hidden from Charles as she didn’t want to upset him with her past. Jeannie was sincerely grieving for her first husband; he had been her childhood sweetheart, her first real love, the father to her beloved children although they were divorced for over ten years now she still harbored some deep feelings for the man who had quite literally broke her heart. She couldn’t forget the good times they shared together, the births of all their children, and a unique bond that they knew would never break, even in the event of their deaths. Curiosity led her to find out what was in the contents of the large envelope, she knew from the feel of it had to be paperwork, due to the texture and the enormous weight of the thing, but what did it contain? There was only one way to find out, she gently closed the attic doors so Charles wouldn’t hear where she was and began to open the envelope. She began to read the handwritten letter from Wilhelm addressed to her, she became chocked with grief unable to stop the tears from falling, she had to re - read the four page letter over and over again for all the information to sink in, she checked all the paper work that Wilhelm said he had enclosed was there, the birth certificate, medical reports, records and admission forms along with all the other legal documentation she would need. The realisation suddenly hit her and clarity on what she had to do become crystal clear.
She placed all the documents carefully back into the envelope and hid it back under the bed where it had been hiding all this time, shocked beyond belief with its revelations. She took her mobile out of her pocket and dialed the number Wilhelm had given to her in the letter arranging a mutual appointment that would suit both her and Felicity.
Chase arrived with a large bouquet of white roses for his mother and a box of cigars for Charles excited and in good spirits. Once explaining who Benjamin was and what Ella, Destiny and himself had planned for him in his future, the matter of legally adopting him, how wonderful he was.
Jeannie held Chases hand and wished him all the love and support in the world, trying to act surprised of Benjamin’s existence, had she not read the letter a moment ago she would have never guessed, however she needed to keep quiet in order to collect her thoughts on what she was planning to do to Felicity.
“I’d love to accompany you to Wallace’s offices tomorrow; I think what you and your sisters are doing is exceptionally noble, I want to offer my full support and help in any way I can. When do I get to meet this wonderful little boy?”
Chase was flawed by his mother’s reaction and held onto her hands tightly, Charles also wanted to meet him, Chase assured them both they would get the opportunity at the weekend as his sisters and he had arranged a weekend fishing trip up on Ilkley moor.
Chapter 16 After Chase left, Charles excused himself to go to bed as he had an early morning appointment and needed to get some sleep. Jeannie was only too happy to assist him while running his bath as this would give her ample time to get ready and meet up with Felicity at ten o clock this evening.
♣ Felicity arrived at Kennedys wine bar just before half past nine, nervous and agitated as to what Wilhelm’s ex wife wanted, she had never meet the woman before now. Felicity just wanted the documents that Jeannie mentioned were in her possession so they wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands, she knew if she didn’t get them that all her chances of becoming Benjamin’s legal guardian and mother again would be quashed and it would be pointless to pursue custody of the boy as her chances were not very good. Her attorney had assured her that she was his mother and she would stand a good chance of getting full custody of her son, despite her diagnosed schizophrenia, but Felicity wasn’t convinced, she knew it was a battle she could lose because of her medical history. She had no idea that Benjamin’s half brother and sisters were seeking to adopt him. As far as she was aware, no one was interested in the boy as they weren’t aware of his existence. She knew she had a battle on her hands already convincing the doctor
s and nurses that she could be Benjamin’s mother again as she hadn’t visited him in seven long years, the only thing she did have in her favor was the fact that she raised her daughter Bonnie with very few psychotic episodes, however without Wilhelm’s devoted help and tolerance of her illness she believed that Bonnie would have been taken from her and Wilhelm would have become Bonnies soul guardian, just allowing her to have supervised visits in the event of a divorce. She was lucky to have come this far without any complications, safe with the secret that Bonnie wasn’t Wilhelm’s child as he had a paternity test done at her time of birth, little did she know that he suspected her infidelity with the congressman. She became convinced that Wilhelm wouldn’t confide in anyone else due to the lack of shame he must of felt of not been her biological father.
Bonnie as far as Felicity was concerned was the most perfect child a mother could ask for, beautiful, petite, intelligent and a joy to be around, as opposed to Benjamin her not so perfect child who resembled a monster, she never once could accept Benjamin as her own and denied to herself she could create such a grotesque child, she denied his existence until now, forgot about him, simply pretended he didn’t exist too embarrassed and ashamed of the way he looked, she didn’t want to be associated with him in any shape or form until she found out that he had perhaps the highest inheritance of them all. She convinced herself that the money would belong to her and if she would get custody of the monster she would be more than able to afford his medical and educational needs, shipping him off to the next institution where she believed he belonged away from society hidden away from the world.
“Bartender , make me another double vodka and coke, but this time don’t be so greedy with the vodka, a lady needs her anesthetic you know!”
The bartender glanced over to where the young attractive woman was sat nodding in approval at her bitter request; he was used to dealing with awkward customers that looked down at his profession and saw him as nothing other than a slave.
“If you don’t mind bartender can you make mine the same please?” Jeannie made her way to the bar dressed elegantly in a full length black trench coat and Donna Karan pain tent leather four inch stilettos; she had taken the effort to glam herself up as she was a little nervous to come face to face with the women who stole her once faithful husband.
Fe licity wasn’t aware that Jeannie had arrived; Jeannie carried the drinks to the table where Felicity was seated, extending her right hand introducing herself forcing a tight smile. Felicity jumped out of her seat expecting the waiter, unable to take her eyes off the exceptionally beautiful woman who stood in front of her.
“I took the liberty of bringing your drink to your table; I have to say I admire your choice of drink I ordered the same.”
“Oh my God you must be Jeannie right? I wasn’t expecting you for at least another half an hour, please excuse my manners.” Felicity shook Jeannie’s hand not expecting a firm and brutal handshake. Jeannie seated herself opposite Felicity and took the envelope out of her trench coat laying it next to her on the long cushioned bench.
“Let’s pretend we are without manners tonight Felicity, I haven’t come here to expect manners, I want answers that only you can satisfy, are we clear dear?”
Felicity automatically slumped back into the bench witnessing the brown envelope.
“Is this your idea of blackmail, because I can assure you it won’t work?” “Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear on the telephone, I am here for answers and you’re here for the contents of this envelope, are we clear?”
“What is it you are so eager to know? I don’t have the whole evening to waste with petty talk, just fire away with your questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.”
“A long time ago Felicity, let me re-jog your memory, you stole my husband from me and my children, I’ll admit Wilhelm wasn’t perfect and he made many mistakes, I am in no way defending him however, I do believe you used blackmail is that correct?”
“It depends on how you define blackmail , I´d define it as persuasion if you wouldn’t mind. Why? What’s the relevance of this now? It was so many years ago, my memory isn’t what it used to be.”
“It is of no relevance now however as you’re aware I have moved on and am happily married now, but I need to hear it from your own mouth, it’s the principal you see.”
Felicity began to shuffle on the bench and waved the waiter over to hide her embarrassment as to what she’d done all those years ago, it wasn’t something she was particularly proud of and buried it years ago, forgetting that’s how she became the wife of Wilhelm.
“It wasn’t my original idea to blackmail your now ex husband, however I had very little choice in the matter, and it had been arranged prior to my knowledge.”
“Oh really, please continue I’m intrigued.” Felicity felt herself becoming a lot drunker than she hoped and her head began to spin, she confessed all to Jeannie knowing it was fruitless to argue about the past, all she wanted was the documents that were still in Jeannie’s possession.
Jeannie sat there patiently listening to Felicity’s drunken gibberish, she hadn’t expected the small white tablet to work that she popped into her drink at the bar to work as fast as it had; clearly Felicity must have had more to drink than she anticipated.
“I hear Benjamin’s doing exceptionally well in your absence. How could you abandon your own flesh and blood like that?” “You leave my son out of this; he has nothing to do with you, nothing do you hear me, I’ll not discuss my son with you, haven’t you enough to worry about with your own vile brats without shoving your nose into my business?”
“Oh dear I do believe I have hit a nerve, more vodka Felicity?” “Yeah why not, let’s make it a triple this time!”
“Waiter if you please a triple vodka and coke for my dear friend and a double for me thanks.” “You know Felicity that I am in possession of some really important documents, that of course mean nothing to me however mean a whole lot more to you, In these documents I read some disturbing things I’d like to bring to your attention, so if you’d be so kind to enlighten me on why you’d would want to strangle your own beautiful son to death and now try and gain full custody. Is it the money that motivates your greed?” “That’s none of your business no one knows about this except my doctors and my dead husband, I was sick and sought help, I knew what I did was wrong, but let me ask you have you ever created a less than perfect baby, a monster who you cannot let yourself bond with, a creature that only the devil is more than happy to create, an abomination to society and all the things wrong with it?”
Jeannie suddenly felt uncomfortable, in complete shock and disbelief, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She took a few deep breaths in order to reply, “I can’t say I have and I could never give up and disregard any of my children no matter how sick they were. Your sons not a monster only a child with a syndrome that would let him lead a relatively normal life, had you taken the time to research, he is a little person who needed his mother, just like any other child. That’s what brings here tonight, Wilhelm informed me that you would try and seek custody of Benjamin, is that right?”
“It’s none of your god dam business what I do concerning my own son, of course I’ll be fighting for custody, as I am his mother!”
“I think you’ll find it very much my business as my children are fighting to seek custody of their brother and I’ll do anything it takes to support them in their quest to adopt Benjamin as they love him and can offer him a beautiful life, a life he more than deserves, where he is loved for who he is.”
Felicity stood up outraged by what she was hearing a little unsteady on her feet.
Jeannie smiled in no way compromised by Felicity’s pointing her index finger at her ferociously. “Don’t you think your stupid vile brats have more than enough with their ridiculous amount of inheritance? How dare they try and take my son away from me as well, this is absurd, they’ll never get custody of Benjamin, I shall see to that!”
Jeannie waited for Felicity to sit back down bracing herself not to react to what she was calling her children as it would defeat the whole object of her meeting tonight. She could secretly strangle the vile woman.
“My children are not vile brats; they’re wonderful people who know all about right and wrong as they were raised with lots of love, respect and care, and as a mother I couldn’t be any prouder than what I am right now and of course I fully back their decision to adopt their brother and will do everything I can in my power to ensure that they become the legal guardians of Benjamin, that is what brings me here tonight Felicity, how much money would it take for you to be happy and not pursue custody of Benjamin that you’ve already referred to as a monster?”
Jeannie pulled out a Dictaphone out of her pocket, playing back what Felicity had said about her own son. Felicity sat speechless and couldn’t believe what she was hearing, she had been played by a better player than herself, and she hadn’t expected it.
Jeannie opened the envelope and placed the pre-nuptial agreement out and laid it on the table.
Felicity grabbed the document and began to read it.
“I take it you’re aware of this document Felicity as it has your own signature on several times towards the end?” The realisation started to sink in and Felicity automatically knew she had been framed unaware of it all those years ago in Wallace’s offices, not only had she signed a document she had no idea existed until now, she also knew her chances of getting anymore of her late husband’s money were very narrow and it was fruitless to even pursue it, the small print confirmed it.
“I’ll give you some time to think all this over Felicity, the documents are yours however rest assured I have made photocopies in the event you decide to pursue custody of Benjamin and I won’t hesitate to use them. Just let me know your price, here’s my card with my contact details, I look forward to hearing from you.
As Jeannie stood up ready to leave and shake Felicity’s hand, Felicity suddenly broke the silence. “Ten million pounds and you and your family won’t hear from me again and I’ll leave Benjamin alone, you have my word.” Jeannie pulled out her cheque book from her hand bag and wrote Felicity a cheque for ten million pounds, holding onto it for a few moments to make sure Felicity wasn’t about to change her mind.
Addicted To Greed Page 25