Chương 9: Chapter 9: You Won't Believe it!
**Two weeks ago**
[K Residence, KLCC]
It was a hectic week, and Bob was looking forward to a quiet weekend before his trip to Singapore. He was sitting in his study against the backdrop of the majestic Petronas Twin Towers gleaming against the evening sky when his phone buzzed.
“Hi, Marjorie. Everything okay?”
“Hi, Bob. I’ve received the report from Mr. Lee. You won’t believe it -- I’m emailing it over to you now. Call me back later.”
“Okay. Thanks, Marj.”
He grabbed his iPad, accessed his mail, and there it was. He glanced through the investigator’s report and his eyes widened with interest.
He clicked the first attachment.
*A death certificate for Cassandra Watson-Gadd? So, they stayed on in Singapore after all.*
He scanned through it and noted bits of information.
*Name and official status of person certifying cause of death: Dr. Goh Choon Teik
Informant: Ret. Capt. Ronald Watson
Address: 24A, Seletar Hill Dr., Singapore *
Then, he clicked the second attachment. And what he saw shocked him!
*What? Cassandra was married to a British expat, Thomas William Mitchell, and they had a child… My word, and it turns out she’s none other than Jacqueline Mitchell!*
Suddenly, everything seemed more complicated than it looked.
*Does grandfather even know that Cassandra had a child? How would Jacqueline react to finding out her grandmother was an illegitimate child?*
He didn’t know quite what to make of it.
*Who would’ve imagined this? What were the odds? I better let Reginald know about this. Let’s see what he thinks.*
The phone rang a couple of times before Reginald answered.
“Hello, Bob. What is it?”
“Hi, Reggie. You’re not gonna believe this. I have a copy of Cassandra Watson’s death certificate.”
“What? She’s dead?”
He sounded shocked, and it took a moment before he was able to speak again.
“Oh, God. How are we going to put it to the old man? I will say nothing for now. Let’s not rush this until we figure out the best way to tell him, Bob.”
“There’s something else, Reggie. I have also located Cassandra’s daughter.”
“What? Daughter? Are you sure?” Reginald literally shouted his reply.
Bob pulled his phone from his ear and put it on speaker mode.
“Yes, her name is Jacqueline Mitchell. And believe it or not, I’m meeting her next week for a business meeting.”
“You gotta be kidding me! Are you planning to raise this matter to her, then?” Reginald blurted.
“No, of course not. It’s pretty delicate.”
“I should imagine so. Are you investing in her company, Bob?”
“Yes, very likely. They have a good project and they’re expanding regionally. I see a good fit for one of our companies, to be honest.”
“Well, then I suggest you put business before anything else. I doubt she’ll be thrilled to know she has a dubious past.”
Bob concurred, knowing Reginald could always be depended on for an objective opinion. “I hear you,” he replied.
“Don’t worry about it for now. We’ll figure out what to say to Grandfather when you get back.”
“Yeah, agreed. But I wonder if she’s aware of the emerald necklace?” Bob asked.
“I don’t know. I’m not even sure if it truly exists.”
“You don’t?”
He heard Reginald sigh audibly over the speaker before he replied.
“Grandfather is forgetting things, and he is suffering from insomnia. The doctor is monitoring him, but I won’t be surprised if he already has dementia. Lately, he has constantly experienced anxiety attacks. So, all I’m interested in is to find a way to make this as painless for him as possible.”
“Okay, I understand, Reggie.”
“Good luck with your meeting, and contact me the moment you hear anything.”
“I will. You take care for now.”
Bob took a moment to let it sink in when he ended the call. Then he called Marjorie.
“Hi, Marj. I must say, your guy did a fantastic job!”
“Hi, Bob. I know… it’s unbelievable, isn’t it? What a small world we live in!”
“Yeah, you got that right.”
“What’s this about, Bob? Do I need to know?”
“No, Marj. I’m not sure myself, but when the time comes and you need to know, I’ll keep you posted,” he replied. “And, one more thing -- none of this will be discussed when we meet QuickMoves, okay?”
“Sure thing, Bob. I’ll see you at the air terminal on Monday. Take care now.”
“Yup, you too.”
* * *
[QuickMoves office, Republic Plaza]
It was late in the evening on a Sunday. Jackie and her team were putting the final touches to their presentations when a call came in.
She stared at her phone vibrating on her desk.
“Can I have a minute, guys?”
Henry and Daphne nodded and left the room as Jackie answered the call.
“Hello, Jackie. Can we talk?”
“Yes, Arno. A quick one. I’m in the middle of a meeting.”
“I see. You really should give yourself a break, Jackie, my dear. Anyway, let’s meet up tomorrow.”
“I’m afraid I can’t. My schedule this week is chock-a-block, Arno. I’m really sorry.”
“Do you mean to say your schedule is absolutely packed this week?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so -- working through the weekend. There’s a load we have to prepare for an important meeting on Monday.”
“It won’t take long. We can meet just for tea,” he said, his tone sounding a little anxious. “You’ll be glad to know I have put together a better deal.”
“Oh… well, that’s great. But it’ll have to be later next week. We can meet here.”
“What, your office tower?” He sounded disappointed.
“I have negotiated a better price for the necklace, and we have to make a decision soon, Jackie. I think it’s a great deal I’ve put together just for you, and it’d be a pity if it fell through.”
“I appreciate it… I’m sorry, Wednesday is the earliest I can meet. We can grab a coffee at Dimbulah, say, 11.00 am? It’s on the ground floor.”
“Well, let’s hope I can still hold on to the deal. So be it, Wednesday, then,” Arno replied curtly. He didn’t take kindly to Jackie’s rejection. Especially not after he had her moaning in his bed for hours.
When she ended the call, Jackie couldn’t help recalling that night she spent at Arno’s pad. She thought she was ready for another relationship, but she found out she wasn't. She tried to stop it before it got further, but it was too late.
He was too strong, and before she knew it, she was totally naked on his bed. She had to beg him to turn off the lights before he penetrated her and pounded relentlessly. She could barely breathe from his size and buried her face in his chest, moaning in pain until he finally finished.
She didn’t sleep a wink that night, not even daring to breathe too hard lest he awoke again. When it was 6.00 am, she slipped from under his arm, hurriedly dressed, and snuck out of the apartment. Thankfully, the lift to the lobby didn’t require a security card. She then called for a ride home.
Arno called her several times, but she just told him she wasn’t ready and needed time to think. It didn’t turn out the way she thought it would.
“Hey, Jackie. Is everything alright?” Henry popped his head through the door.
“Yes… Yes, I’m good.”
“Mm, Jackie, look... Daphne and I will wrap up the presentation for tomorrow. You should head back and get some rest.”
“No, I…”
“Go!”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks, Henry.”
She quickly turned away as her eyes teared up.
* * *
[Changi International Airport]
The next day, Bob flew in on the morning flight and Marjorie was there to pick him up.
“I met with Henry and their head of operations last week. I’m quite impressed and I think you will be, too,” Marjorie said as she turned into the East Coast Parkway. The route would take them to the QuickMoves office in Republic Plaza.
“We’ll see,” Bob replied.
Marjorie smiled. That was just the way Bob was. He meant what he said and never said more than he needed to.
* * *
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