An hour ago.

Mikael was waiting in the hall for Natalie when he received a text message from someone. It was an unknown number. He opened the message and read I.

"Your brother is alive. If you want to meet him, go to your parents house right now"

It was a simple and straightforward message. Mikael furrowed his brows and studied the message keenly. He was about to ignore it when a call came. This time it was from the person he asked to look into Thomas's accident a few months ago.

"Hello, what did you find?" Mikael asked at once.

"You were right. Your brother is alive and he is the one who saved Miss Jun that night" the private investigator said over the phone.

"Where is his current location?"

"He is meeting your mother at the family house right now. I've been watching him closely since I found him a few days ago but something doesn't add up. He seems to be looking for someone. I think he is looking for the person who tempered with his jet, causing the accident"

"Alright, thank you!" Mikael hung up and turned to see Natalie walking out of the room. She looked so beautiful.

"Did I keep you waiting for long?"

"No. Natie, do you mind going to the launching alone? I will join you later after visiting mom"

"Is something wrong with Aunt?"

"No, she asked me to pass by and check something. I promise I won't keep long"

"Mm, no problem. But, call me if anything happens"

"I will and be careful. Remember, if it's not from me..."

"Don't drink it. I know already. I'm​carrying my own water along. I won't drink anything from there"

"That's my girl. Be good and don't fall for anyone else"

"Tsk, no one is as good as you"

....

Mikael hurried into the hall and stopped abruptly at the door. He gasped when he saw the familiar figure in front of him. Their mother was buried in his arms as she wept.

When the two people heard the sound of the door, they turned and saw Mikael looking at them.

"Mikael, look, your brother is alive" Mrs. Sun said tearfully.

Thomas finally turned, facing Mikael. "Hi, my little brother" Thomas said nervously. Mikael's eyes teared up and he walked closer and pulled Thomas into a tight hug

"I always knew you were alive. I knew you couldn't die just like that" Mikael said.

Thomas smiled awkwardly and hugged him back.

"You've been around for a few weeks now, why didn't you ever show up?" Mikael asked him.

"How did you know I was here?"

"You saved Natie that night. Did you think I wouldn't know?"

"Thomas, my precious son. I thought I lost you" Mrs. Sun held his hand as they sat down.

"I'm sorry Mom. I'm sorry for not coming to you sooner. I had to find out something for myself"

"The plane crash, right? I knew it wasn't an accident'' Mikael said.

"Yes, and I've found a little bit about it but I will need to investigate more to know better"

"Who is the suspect?" Mikael asked.

"Daniel Song" Thomas said.

"What?" Mrs. Sun was shocked.

"That's Natie's stepfather. The husband of Solace Song, right?' Mikael asked further.

"You are right. I still need evidence to back my suspicion. But, today is the launching, did you leave Natalie to go there alone?'

"No, I will join her soon. I wanted to confirm that you were indeed alive"

"Go quickly. The person who tried to kidnap Natalie wasn't Mimi Song alone"

"What?"

"That day, when Natalie got into the taxi, there was another blue car following her. There was a man inside that car but because I was too focused on saving Natalie, I didn't pay attention to him that much"

"I have to go" Mikael stood up at once. "Elder brother, I hope we can meet and talk after I return"

"If this is about your marriage to Natalie, I don't mind. Go and protect your wife or I will take her away from you" Thomas said and Mikael smiled and hurried out of the house.

...

Director An looked at Natalie keenly as he sat at his table. He licked his lips. This woman was perfect. His gaze ran down from her face to her neckline down to her cleavage which showed a little skin because of the cutting of her dress.

He found himself getting hard just by looking at her. He was getting excited and his gaze darkened a little.

Natalie felt a burning gaze on her and turned in time to meet Director An's lustful gaze on her. It was like she could read his thoughts. Natalie frowned and felt disgusted by him. She turned her face when Lucy said something.

"Natalie, I can't wait for you to get on that stage" Lucy seemed even more excited and nervous than Natalie.

"I am the one going up there, why are you the one getting anxious?" Natalie chuckled and looked at the podium.

Janice Yun had just gotten on to the stage and was about to speak. Natalie casted all thoughts away and listened carefully.

"Hi everyone and thank you for coming to our launching of our newest jewelry collection. Today, I have something me and my workers have been working on for the past six months. Today, we are not only here to launch 'Shadowed Beauty' but we are also going to witness the official handing over of Janice Jewelry to my son William who has been doing a great job with it so far" Janice paused when the guests applauded her. After a minute of silence, she started speaking again.

"Before we bring out 'Shadowed Beauty', I want us to hear a little background story from the person who gave the name to our precious necklace. Miss Jun..."

Natalie stood up and bowed before walking up the stage. As she walked over, Mimi shared another meaningful gaze with Director An before saying in her mind.

"Continue to climb high, Natalie. That way when you are falling, it will be so great to watch. I will not live in your shadow anymore"

"Hi, everyone, I am Natalie Jun" Natalie introduced herself again as hrr gaze shifted to the man who had just arrived at the entrance. He looked at her with a warm gaze, making her smile.

Laura who had been sitting quietly and watching carefully followed Natalie's gaze and turned to see Mikael at the door. She smiled and stretched her hand up, drawing his attention. She had purposefully arranged for them to share the same table.

Mikael went over and sat across her but his gaze never wavered as it remained on the woman at the podium.

"I didn't think you would come again when I didn't see you" Laura said to Mikael.

"Natalie is here, I have to be here" Mikael replied casually but Laura could deduced the meaning from it.

He simply meant, wherever​ Natalie was, he was going to be there too. It convenned a lot of meaning and intimacy in it.

"Shadowed Beauty fits the necklace perfectly because it convenes how it will have to take someone with appreciation and gratitude in thier hearts to be able to see beyond the blemishes of a priceless jewelry to appreciate it. My colleagues and I, my boss, everyone at Janice had a fun time bringing it to life and I believe that whoever gets to own shadowed Beauty will be a very lucky person, thank you" Natalie bowed and turned towards William and Janice whom were standing just a distance away from her.

"Thank you, Natalie for giving my jewelry such a beautiful name and story" Janice said sincerely and hugged Natalie before she got down from the podium.

"Before we bring out the jewelry, I want everyone to get up and walk around. Make new friends. Tonight, one of the purpose of this event is to create business opportunities for our clients so have fun while we bring out'Shadowed Beauty', thank you"

William said and accompanied his mother down from the podium. Everyone started chatting and interacting with each other.

Mikael was about to stand up and go over to Natalie when Laura lifted two glasses she had taken from the waiter and spoke to Mikael.

"Mikael, have a drink. This is fruity wine, your favorite"

"Sorry, I am not drinking today because I brought my car" Mikael said and stood up at once when he noticed Director An walking towards Natalie who was sitting alone because Matt's parents had arrived and he was gone with Lucy to greet them.

"Hi, beautiful. I must say I was intrigued by your speech" Director An said as he pulled a chair right in front of Natalie to sit.

"And you are...?" Natalie asked. Her voice sounding cold and distant.

"I am Director An. A mutual friend of Alice Jun, your sister. I directed their last drama which she did with your brother in law"

Natalie's right brow lifted slightly in a cocky manner as she connected one and two together. She smiled, turned out enemies really met in a narrow road. Who would have thought the man she wanted to beat up for messing with her sister would bring himself to her?

But, it didn't seem right. They clearly didn't know each other so he had no reason for coming to chat with her. Natalie became suspicious of him.