Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 639 Commencement Of The National Congress (Part One)

A good man must be responsible above all things. Responsible men are always attractive to women. However, when facing a choice between his woman and his responsibility, a man always goes for the latter. It is ironic because it is the man's sense of responsibility that

the woman chose the man for, and in the end it is the very same thing that drove her into deep pain and depression.

*

The ever-changing, colorful lights and a serious male voice bounced off the walls of the spacious living room. "Every five years, the National Congress of Dragon Island takes place, guarded by the Long family guard squad. It is also remarkable that it always begins on time," the reporter said on the TV.

The National Congress on Dragon Island had become the talk of the town recently. Molly sat on the couch and she looked pensive, her mind blurry. She was deep in thought as the reporter droned more about the National Congress on TV. Something kept flashing across her mind but she couldn't quite place it. The harder she tried, the blurrier her mind got.

The slender iron gates of the villa came to view after she walked for a few minutes, and hurriedly went in. When she stepped inside the house, Molly had her back turned to her in one corner of the sectional couch. She was sitting in front of the TV, looking dull and glassy eyed. She didn't even hear the footsteps echoing slightly in the room.

She sneakily tiptoed around the large room, observing her surroundings. Her parents were busy in the greenhouse. Tony and Brian had left the villa early in the morning. Right now, only she, the men lurking in the yard, and Molly who was watching TV absentmindedly, were in the villa. She waited a bit to take action.

Lucy approached Molly slowly and silently, her hands clenched into fists and her eyes narrowed into slits. She held the syringe tightly on her right hand. Her eyes looked nastier as she got closer to Molly. Her heart was being consumed alive with hatred and she seethed. She couldn't help but grip the syringe tighter in her hand.

"The National Congress has been on for half an hour. As it is guarded by the Long family guard squad, we have no idea what is going on inside. Next, let's hear the expert's analysis on this Congress," the host said on TV.

The camera returned to the studio and panned to the silver-haired political analysis expert sitting by the table with the reporter. He started analyzing the political situation of Dragon Island. His words and opinions sounded factual and reasonable until he came to the replacement of the leader of the Island. He spoke, "The Long family has become smaller in this generation. Richie, the former leader of Dragon Island, is decisive. He has a son, but he isn't interested in politics. Hawk never remarried after his wife died and he doesn't have a son. On the other hand, Eric, the current leader Frank's son, has been cultivated as the only leader candidate of Dragon Island since he was born." The expert had a worried expression written across his face. "At first look, the Long family remains dominant on the Island, but in fact the politicians belong to different factions. Although most of them are in favor of the hereditary succession of power, some of them are advocates of the rotating ruling party system. It is most likely that this form of ruling system will be brought up and proposed at the Congress. Therefore, it is uncertain whether Eric would succeed his father as the new leader or not."

Molly came back to her senses when she heard what the political analyst had just said. She stared at him on the TV and frowned worriedly at his comment.

Lucy's eyes looked as if they were cat-like slits. She now stood behind the unaware Molly and lifted her hand, the sharp pointed needle of the syringe glittering menacingly in the light. She swallowed hard and with gritted teeth, raised her hand higher. "Ah!"

Molly sensed that something was off behind her and instinctively turned her head around. When the needle almost touched her skin, she pushed Lucy away and stood up in horror. She backed off a little from Lucy who was still gripping the syringe tightly. "Lucy, what are you doing?" she asked, gaping at the pointed object in Lucy's hand.

Lucy was busted but she wasn't flustered at all. Instead, she sneered, "Molly Xia, why did you get to marry Brian? You don't deserve him!" She screamed in Molly's face as she advanced towards her menacingly. The pointed needle of the syringe was dangerous in her hand.

Molly was forced to retreat. Rage and irritation filled her doe eyes as she retorted back in a fierce voice, "So what? I am still his wife."

"Huh." Lucy's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Well, your dream is over. After today, you will never be by his side again!" As soon as she finished her words, Lucy darted forward towards her.

Molly tried to dodge her attack, but Lucy grabbed her long hair and pulled it hard backward. The pain stung and rippled across Molly's head. "Ah!" she screamed. Before she could fight back, Lucy stabbed her delicate neck with the syringe.

*

In the Supreme Hall of the National Congress on Dragon Island, Frank listened to the politicians talk about the quarter reports and duly commented on them. The hall was silent after the reports. His eyes swept across the people in the room and he flatly said, "As everyone knows, I intend to leave office after this Congress, I'd like to hear your opinions on this."

Whispers filled the hall at Frank's words. People started murmuring to each other in hushed, low voices. At this moment, the Chief Commissioner got up from his seat, bowed to Frank and said, "I am in favor of Mr. Frank Long's decision."

After that more people in the room started to voice out their opinions as well and they all echoed the Chief Commissioner's sentiments.

"Alright." Frank stood up and surveyed the people in the hall. People stopped talking immediately wherever his eyes went, seemingly intimidated by his very presence. At last, his gaze landed on Eric. "According to the tradition, when I leave office the leader candidate will take over. Since my eldest brother is out of the National Congress and my second brother has no son, Eric has been the only viable leader candidate in the last 26 years." He paused and looked at the people again. "What do you think of Eric's political achievements in the past few years?" he continued.

The hall quieted down again as soon as Frank raised the question. Frank had asked the question quite calmly, even casually, as if he was making small talk with friends at a barbecue and not about a serious matter such as politics.

The Chief Commissioner stood up again. "I think Prince Eric has done a wonderful job in the last few years. As the leader candidate, he has worked hard..." The Chief Commissioner objectively gave his general opinion about Eric's political work and with a courteous nod, he added, "I think Prince Eric should take over the office and become the new leader of Dragon Island."

The people in favor of the Long family gave each other looks of approval. They all stood up after the Chief Commissioner finished speaking and said in unison, "We agree."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐