Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 1402 Extra Story 5 Of Mark Like A Shadow

Time is capable of letting everything fade away, and strengthening certain types of memories. Some may say that it requires little effort to forget someone, but they still cannot do it. Some relationships may even put you right back at square one after a winding road.

*

"Is it time to go?" Henrik frowned. "It's not beginning yet. Are you kidding me?" There was tension in the air.

Addison heaved a slight sigh and shook his head. "It occurs to me that I forgot to do something important. It needs my attention right away, or it will bother me all evening."

Hearing this, Henrik felt uncertain of what he meant and frowning, he asked for confirmation, "Do you mean Sally?" The tension grew at the mention of her name. Henrik had mentioned her name with caution.

Addison didn't give any response, neither confirming nor denying it, since he was familiar with Henrik's personality. To outsiders, he was a strong man who was given to changing moods, but decisive when facing a challenge. With women, he was always the tender and engaging gentleman. Suave and attractive, while being desired by many. However, when it came to Addison... Henrik's curiosity was extremely potent and sometimes got the better of him. Of course, he may have derived that from being in the National Congress of Dragon Island.

Men were always ambitious. A man without ambition was a nobody. He had never minded that there was someone like Addison urging him to strive for the best, but that didn't mean that he would allow his own business to be exposed in front of him.

Addison fetched his suit and was about to leave. Right at this moment, there was a polite knock at the door.

"Come in!" Henrik looked upset where he was sitting behind the office desk.

The door was pushed open, and a servant came in. "Young Master, Chandler and Hotch have arrived."

"I see," Henrik acknowledged, and then prepared to go downstairs with Addison.

They were always under the spotlight. Although Addison didn't usually attract a lot of publicity, it didn't mean that no one knew him. In addition, with Henrik's public identity, anyone who was with him would become a person of interest to the mass of guests. Addison wore a poker face, perhaps being preoccupied with Sally's business, so he barely noticed the person walking towards him.

"Sally? Is that you?" Henrik was speechless.

Addison raised his eyes slowly to look at her, his face showing little change and remaining completely neutral. There were two couples who had entered the building.

First, was Hotch Gu from Gu's Corporations. With him was Rose, the top girl from the Romantic Club. Behind the two of them, was the younger son of Henrik's aunt, Chandler. Was that Sally next to him?! Addison turned his eyes to her.

Coming to a standstill, Addison could not take his eyes off of Sally, who he had not seen in a very long time. She was only ten when he had first known her. She was seventeen when she had left him. He had a lot on his plate back then, so he had mostly only seen her in her school uniform then.

However, now she was already 24, and had grown into an engaging young girl. At the moment, the strapless, pink lace costume draped about her made her the shiniest star of the occasion. In addition, her hair was a lustrous length, but refined into a graceful appearance with fine, crystal hair hoops. Her 4-inch high-heels made her almost as tall as Chandler.

She was a gorgeous vision, complete with diamond accessories and a luxurious costume. He had fantasized about all of these more than once. Especially, he had dreamed that she stood next to him, and he could officially introduce her to all the members of the Long Family.

"Addison? Addison..." Henrik called to him in a low voice, but noticed that Addison was still watching Sally in the small crowd and was completely distracted, and ignored his calls.

Addison finally broke eye-contact and went downstairs, saying, "It seems that I cannot leave."

Henrik murmured something, indicating he didn't have much to say about the matter either, and followed him downstairs.

Both of them headed towards Hotch and Chandler. Brian was mingling among the crowd, walking with a refined pace, and paying little attention to how other saw him. It was as if the crowd was invisible to him.

Hotch had never thought that he would meet Addison, so he grappled to replace a topic to discuss. In the end he managed to ask, "You haven't left?"

"I'll be leaving tomorrow," Addison answered, still absent-minded, with his eyes still lingering on Sally who was talking carefully with Rachel. "It's rare that Chandler brings any girl with him."

It was no longer a secret that Chandler was fond of Rose, but Rose just treated everyone the same, and Chandler held little significance to her. It was very common for men to have affairs, especially for those rich guys. It was also acceptable for women to do so, but when they became addicted to the intrigue and seduction, this was not a good thing. Although the rumors had gone viral since Rose's arrival here, no man had been able to win her heart because she was not a casual girl.

What Addison had said eventually drew Sally's attention, she looked at him with a vague recognition at first, trying to place him in her memories. Then she paused and stared at him reflectively. When she looked into his complicated, dark eyes, she stepped back spontaneously as her mind finally found him in her memories.

Her heels, which were too high, made her loose her balance and twist her ankle. She almost fell down.

Chandler instantly caught her and held her like a true gentleman, and asked gently, "Are you okay?"

Sally nodded to indicate that she was fine, and cast a brief glimpse at Addison. Then she heard Chandler heaving a sigh and he started complaining, "I had just said that you should not have worn such high heels, but you insisted on doing so. Just so that you could impress me." Though it sounded like a complaint, it actually showed his favor. Chances were good that they would be viewed as a couple by those who didn't know them, and Rose would soon become a thing of the past to Chandler.

Even though Rose had warned Sally in advance, she still had some difficulty in adapting to Chandler's affections. With Addison there, all that she could do was to pretend to be calm and detached. "I'm fine. I was just being careless." Hearing her explanation, Chandler nodded with an understanding smile. "Let me show you to the rest room first." After signaling to Addison and Henrik with a simple nod, he then led Sally away and they both disappeared from sight. "You know Addison?" he asked, once they were alone. Chandler had tried to ask the question in a casual way, while he was setting the juice which a waiter brought them in front of Sally. "I heard from Rose that you came here to look for someone." After a pause, he added, "When the party begins, the guests will want to have fun on their own. If you have any trouble during the party, I will help you leave. I'm quite familiar with Henrik's place."

"Thank you. You are so kind." Sally pressed her lips together nervously. When she lift the juice, she couldn't help grasping the bottle tightly with her fingers. The boldness of Chandler's gaze was intense and burned her. She tried not to squirm under his scrutiny. Chandler smiled disarmingly in response, and swiftly moved past the issue of whether Sally knew Addison, Shirley and Olivia or not. Instead, he just engaged in some small talk with her.

The party began with Henrik's quick opening speech. After that, guests started to go about their own business, eating, drinking and talking. This was how parties were held by all the established families. There were few ceremonies, and the main concerns were to meet and mingle, setting up connections and opportunities within a casual setting.

Sally was now fully aware that it would require a far greater effort for her to replace Rachel, since she had already been seen by Henrik. That was why Rose had assigned Chandler to her as client. He was a man who was completely familiar with the Ji Family, and he was able to walk around their home without needing to ask permission.

As a result of being distracted by her concern about Rachel, Sally was in a hurry, and was unaware of the pair of eyes which followed her every move as they stared intently at her.

"We have searched every corner of the house," Chandler said helplessly. "It's not likely that Henrik would hold her in the villa though."

"I don't think so." Sally sounded pretty sure, even though she couldn't figure out where her confidence came from. "When we had just arrived, Henrik looked at me with some discomfort. It appeared like he was hiding something. I think that he hosted this party just to lure me in." She had failed to take the look seriously because of the sudden appearance of Addison, but now after some consideration, Henrik's had seemed worried and strange when he first saw her.

Chandler frowned, as if he was skeptical of the point Sally was making. "Who exactly are you searching for?" As far as he knew, Henrik didn't have the habit of hiding people in his villa, because, according to him, anything that was not related to his home should not be brought there.

Sally stared at Chandler, signs of hesitation mixing on her face.

"Fine, I won't ask anymore."

"Thanks." Sally seemed to relax slightly. "You are being so nice to Rose." Her voice had an air of envy to it, and also hinted at some nameless sorrow. Once upon a time, a man had treated her in this way, too. He too had done whatever she had asked for. Even though she revealed nothing, she wondered solemnly. He could have figured out the truth, and still he tried to console her.

Once missed out on, it would be a lifelong regret.

"Does it do any good? She has always treated me as if I were invisible." Chandler became somewhat pissed off then. "If someone else could have helped you out, she definitely wouldn't have turned to me for help!"

Hearing this, Sally couldn't help bursting out in laughter. She knew it was inappropriate, but she just couldn't help it. When you were facing a decent man who was grumbling like a spoiled child, it was a challenge not to laugh. "I'm sorry, but..."

Chandler didn't care, and shook his head while looking around. "The remaining areas which we haven't checked yet are around the servants' room and around the second floor of the main villa." Once he began to analyze the situation calmly, Chandler said, "It's unlikely that he would concealed the person whom you are looking for in the servants' rooms. Added to this it would require great effort to gain access to the second floor right now."

Sally sucked on her lips and then bit down on them, her nerves almost threatened to overwhelm her. She seemed reluctant to accept the truth. She was aware that Henrik was posing an obstacle to her. Nevertheless, despite that, she wouldn't admit defeat until she had conducted a better and more in-depth search of the villa.

"I'll take you there,"

a male voice sounded from the darkness. Sally and Chandler turned and their eyes spontaneously focused on the shape of Addison slowly coming towards them out of the dim light. He walked calmly with his hands shoved into his pockets. There was something dark and deadly about him, despite the quiet pose which he maintained. He looked like Satan, the God of darkness. His eyes settled on Sally, and they contained an air of utter determination and decisiveness.

Chandler frowned. "Addison?" But Addison did not answer.

In fact Addison didn't even glance at Chandler, and with all of his attention focused on Sally, it was as if he was waiting for her to answer.

Sally gnashed her teeth secretly and after century long moment rejected him quite decisively. "No, thank you." Her words seemed detached and isolated, as if she was speaking to a stranger, and then she wrapped her hands around Chandler's arm. "Chandler, I'm tired. Let's go." Chandler looked first at Sally, and then gave Addison a negligent glance, before finally nodding. "Excuse me, Addison. We're leaving now." So he also hugged Sally and, turning their backs on Addison, they left the party.

Addison squinted at the sight of Sally leaving. The smile which had hovered on his lips was snuffed out like a candle. Instead, his lips formed a narrow line of pain. 'Sally, you owe me an explanation. I won't let you leave like this!'

"Go and check where she has been for the past seven years," Addison ordered in a detached voice.

"Yes, sir!" Wyatt responded from the darkness behind Addison. "I'll escort Young Master back first."

"I can return by myself!" Addison ended any further dispute and instead admonished him, "Go and see to it right away!" After assigning the mission, Addison moved off in the opposite direction from Sally. They were like two parallel lines which had intersected once, and then moved apart after that. Like similar poles on a magnet, they now seemed to repel each other.

Addison drove away from the villa of the Ji Family with a blast of booming music, and with a sense of discontent headed towards the Romantic Club.

When Nina saw Addison, she was taken by surprise, but she forced a welcoming smile and then accompanied him to the office. Romantic Club had been built and run as a business by Frank when he was younger. Later, after he returned home to the Long Family, he had abandoned his pride and took over the Dragon Empire Group for the sake of Richie and Shirley. The club was neither closed nor sold to someone else. The only change to the status quo was that the behind the scenes management had shifted from Frank to The Flight Media.

"Young Master," Nina said, as she was concerned about Addison's incredibly depressed face. "Why are you visiting the club tonight?"

"When did Sally came to the Romantic Club?" Addison immediately raised the question in an indifferent voice.

Nina frowned and wondered secretly, 'Why is everyone so concerned about Sally's past today? What exactly had happened last night?' If her memory was correct, Addison had come with Henrik yesterday.

"She came about a month ago," Nina answered in a wary tone.

Addison stared at Nina with his profound eyes testing her for a while. When she was at a complete loss about what to do next, he added, "Then the reason is?" The Romantic Club provided a shelter for those who had suffered a complicated past or some difficulties which they struggled to talk about.

Nina decided to cover for her, so she calmly stated, "She is looking for someone, who has something to do with Master Ji." According to Nina's analysis, since Addison had suddenly mentioned Sally, it might be faster to locate Rachel if she focused on Addison. "Do you know who this person is?" Addison lightly rapped the surface of the table with his fingers. There was a simplistic rhythm to the beat which he tapped on the table.

Nevertheless, these slight knocks completely overwhelmed Nina's heart. She was disturbed by Addison's seemingly unintentional action, and nodded after swallowing. "I have never heard about this person from Sally." After a pause, she added, "Young Master, as you know since every employee working here has a nameless past, it is impractical to dig out what happened to them one by one."

Addison remained silent for a short while, and then stood up and walked out. "Keep it a secret that I've been here," he added.

"I'll see to it, Young Master," Nina promised. As the woman in charge of the Romantic Club, she was definitely a tactful person, who understood the Long Family members' personalities well. All she had wanted was to lend Sally a helping hand, rather than set a trap for herself.

*

After Addison and Sally had left, Henrik also withdrew from the party and returned to his study with a brief greeting to Hotch.

Knock, knock!

There came a thunderous knocking on the wood paneled door. Henrik acknowledged the intrusion and Chad came in. He explained swiftly, "Young Master, Miss Ji has been crying."

Henrik's eyes grew distant and dimmed, and then he looked out through the window. He was distracted by the sight of an insect whizzing in the light of the lamp. Without seemingly much interest, he ordered, "Find a private plane and take her back to Dragon Island." Hearing this, Chad was utterly shocked. "But considering Miss Ji's status quo..."

Henrik raised his hand and immediately cut off any more of Chad's suggestions. Rising from his chair he said coldly, "I'll be back soon."

"But..." Although Chad had wished to gain some relief for Lina, he had to give up on that notion because of Henrik's threatening look and he ending up capitulating with a, "Yes, sir." So he turned around and headed back outside.

"Chad," Henrik suddenly called out again. "Lina has to make a change. She can't always act like that. It's impossible that I can look after her forever."

Chad seemed to understand his intention, but he felt helpless, too. "Yes, sir, I see." He heaved a sigh, and then left the study.

The party was still in full swing. Even though the owner was absent, the guests were still having fun on their own. As Chad went downstairs, Hotch also brought Rose back. Returning to where he lived, Chad felt sorry for Lina who was tearfully huddled in the corner of the room. "Lina, Young Master has assigned me to take you back to Dragon Island."

When she heard mention of Dragon Island, Lina began weeping and choked on her words, "No, no, no... I'm not going to go back to Dragon Island... I won't... Ah..."

Chad had no choice but to leave the shouting and ranting Lina alone. It was lucky that there was some distance between the servant's room and that of the villa owner's, so fortunately it was unlikely that the owner would hear her screams. However, her fearful look scared Chad, and he felt greatly pained at the sight of her emotional breakdown.

Lina was just 22 years old, the most beautiful age in a girl's life. Nevertheless, she had already suffered from such a huge grief. Why should she need to bear such tragedy? He could not understand why life was so cruel at times.

Lina stood up abruptly, dashed forward and, shoving Chad out of her way, she rushed from the room. He did not have time to react. She just ran madly towards the main dwelling like a woman possessed, disregarding the shouts from Chad.

However, before she reached the main building, she was stopped by the servants that Chad had called. One of them swiftly gagged her before she could scream out and attract attention. They pleaded with her, "Miss Lina, please don't do that. We'll be incriminated by what you did. You will get us into trouble!" While talking, they pulled Lina into the darkness.

Lina's voice was raw and filled with desperate fears, but the servants showed no mercy at all. They were acting with all speed, in case anyone might notice the fuss.

From a distance, a pair of eyes was watching the whole scenario that had just happened. When the servants had all vanished with Lina, the man behind the eyes commented, "Interesting..." After a pause, his lips curved into an evil smile. "I never understood before why the Ji Family had adopted the Li Family's younger daughter, but now... Now it ended up like this. I can't imagine how Sally would feel if she were informed of this." With these silent observations he turned and prepared to leave.

"Master Matthew, you don't wish to follow up on it?" the servant beside him asked.

"No," Matthew replied. "Nothing will be more engaging than that. Let's go." Suddenly he stopped walking. "If I remember correctly, Sally must have been discharged from prison recently, right?"

"Yes, Master Matthew." The servant beside him smiled, hoping there would be an interesting performance to follow.

"Fine, go contact her later." Matthew silently heaved a sigh. "Perhaps we will have the pleasure to enjoy it."

Hearing this, the man following in Matthew's steps added after a second thought, "If we take advantage of what had happened seven years ago, and seize this opportunity to strike at the Ji Family, it will be fun as well."00000