The Villain's Wife

"President, I heard that the Lin-Smith Construction changed their estimates last night," Mr. Han said as he pursed his lips.     

"Don't worry about it. I made some slight changes in our document too," she smiled, her eyes were scanning the people who were busily talking to one another as they waited for the result to be announced.     

The bid evaluation panel would need another three hours to half a day of deliberation before announcing the result of the final phase of the bid. After that, the winner will be announced in public and online as well. When that happens, every construction company which had ever qualified throughout the phases would be invited to a small banquet once again where snacks and cocktails would be served.     

"Everyone is already anticipating that LSC would win," Mr. Han murmured loud enough for Lily to hear.     

"Hmmm… let them anticipate," she only nodded as she recalled the things that Yang Sen told her about the Lin Family last night. According to the latter, the Lin Family were generous and upright. They have been getting all of their projects through honest hard work. A smile instantly escaped Lily's lips.     

Mr. Han could only sigh when he heard Lily's words. He caught sight of Lily's smile and Yang Mi who was sitting quietly beside Lily.     

"President Zhuo…" Lily turned towards the direction of the voice and saw a woman approaching them. Of course, it was none other than Lin Yu Yan. She held two glasses of wine in her hands and gave one to Lily. The latter accepted it and placed it on the table in front of them.     

"Miss Lin." Lily nodded. She eyed Mr. Han who took the hint and nodded before leaving. On the other hand, Yang Mi didn't make a move and was still there sitting beside Lily.     

"Are you alright? I noticed that you are alone in here so I decided to come over. I hope you don't mind." Lin Yu Yan plastered a smile on her face.     

"It's fine. I don't mind."     

"So I heard that you arrived in Hong Kong just a few months back? This made me wonder… how did you and Jingren meet?" Lin Yu Yan's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she waited for Lily to answer. "Oh… I… I don't want to sound nosy. It's just… Jingren is a very good friend and I…"     

"It's alright, Miss Lin. I get it," Lily interrupted her. "It's funny come to think of it... I thought he was my driver and asked him to drive me home."     

"…" Lin Yu Yan stared at Lily, trying to gauge if she was serious. However, Lily's face did not even twitch after saying those words. "Wow… that… what a unique way to meet."     

"Hmmm… then when he told me he is President Zhuo, we decided to get married," Lily shamelessly lied. "It was love at first sight."     

"…"     

"He said he will kill himself if I won't marry him. So I have to agree." Lily let out a dramatic sigh before she pursed her lips. "How about you, Miss Lin? I heard that your heart is already taken? Who is the lucky man?"     

"I… you don't know him," Lin Yu Yan answered as her lips curled into a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Me and him… is almost impossible. Sometimes… we can't really have everything that we want."     

"That is true."     

"I guess… I will just continue watching him from afar," Lin Yu Yan said. "This way… I won't hurt myself."     

"Smart move."     

Silence followed Lily's words as the two women fell into deep thoughts.     

"I'm sorry you have to hear me out like this," Lin Yu Yan said. "It's just that… sometimes… when you are high up in the social and economic ladder, everyone would say that you can get everything that you want, be it money, love or influence. Everything." She let out a sigh, her gaze pensive as she stared at the group of older men and women interacting just a few feet away from them.     

"Actually… I disagree with that statement. I always believe that we could have it all," Lily said. "The only thing that we should be aware of is knowing… The secret of having it all is knowing when you already do."     

Lily's statement made Lin Yu Yan stare at her for a few seconds as she tried to understand her words. Then she gave Lily a sincere smile. "I understand what you mean. But sometimes, having everything is not enough to make you happy."     

"The 'everything' that you are speaking of… is subjective, Miss Lin. You have the power to be happy regardless of what you have." For some reason, Lily recalled Zhuo Jingren's smile as she uttered those words.     

A low chuckle escaped Lin Yu Yan's mouth. "That is true… that is true." She slowly shook her head. "I envy you, President Zhuo. "     

"Why so? You are younger than me and more beautiful too. You have money and influence. Why would you envy someone like me?"     

Lin Yu Yan wanted to say that Lily had something that she would never have but she chose to maintain her silence. Life had always been unfair to everyone. She let out another sigh before she finished her red wine. "I wish you a happy marriage, President Zhuo… I truly do."     

"That is so sweet of you," Lily answered. "Thank you." Lily didn't know the motive of Lin Yu Yan, however, she could hear the latter's sincerity just from her voice alone. Still, Lily chose not to drop her guard around her.     

Lin Yu Yan gave Lily another smile before she bid Lily goodbye. The result of the bidding will be announced soon and Lin Yu Yan chose to stand behind her father during the announcement.     

"Yang Mi?" Lily's eyes were still following Lin Yu Yan as she gracefully walked towards her father.     

"President?"     

"Did you find out anything about the matter that I asked you a few days ago?" For some reason, Lily had a feeling - a weird one, something that she couldn't explain. It was as if someone or something was watching her every move, secretly. And she could not shake the feeling off.     

A while ago, when she was talking to Lin Yu Yan, her instincts told her that something didn't feel right. Was she just being paranoid?