When they came out of the Research Institute, Natalie saw her mother waiting by the car outside.

''Mother, what are you doing here?'' Natalie was surprised to see her.

''Daniel told me you were here so I came to pick you up for our lunch date''

Daniel moved over to stand by Solace's side and placed his hand over her shoulder, pretending to be playful as he squeezed her shoulder.

''You should have told me you were coming here. I would have moved back my schedules so that we can have lunch together. I am after all, Natalie's legal guardian''

''Mr. Song likes to joke around, this is lunch date between a mother and a daughter. There is no need for third wheels'' Solace said as she also faked a smiled.

''Well, I still have something I need to attend to, so I will leave you two to it'' Daniel said and kissed Solace before going to his car.

Solace got into the driver's seat and removed her handkerchief. She wiped away the place that Daniel kissed. She felt disgusted by his kiss.

Natalie got into the car and sighed as she looked at Solace. She opened her handbag and removed a sanitized tissue. She held Solace's hand, stopping her from wiping her lips. She used to tissue and wiped it away once.

''That's enough. If you are that disgusted by him, how did you manage to sleep with him all these years?''

''We never got intimate all the years that I've been married to him. We are just a couple by name''

''You can really act. All these years, I thought that you didn't really like me. I thought that you hated me''

Solace started the car and said, ''I can't ask you to forgive me… because I do not deserve it. I am already content with the fact that my presence doesn't repulse you anymore. Asking for more for be selfishness''

''What do you want to eat? It's on me''

''Looks like you are making a lot of money now. You even want to treat me to a meal?''

''I realised I have never done anything for you. I also did neglect you all these years. Mother, if you are in some kind of danger, you have to let me know. You protected me all these years. Now, it's time for me to also protect you''

''It is the duty of a mother to protect her children. You don't have to do anything try to protect me. I can take care of myself''

….

Blah Horse Hotel.

Daniel got out of the car and walked into the hotel. When the receptionist saw him, they tried to stop him.

''Mr. Song, the CEO is not in at the moment''

Daniel stopped and asked the lady, ''is that what he told you to tell me?''

''The President is currently indisposed… President, I tried to stop him but…'' the receptionist said when she saw Connor walking to them. He was followed by two people.

Connor turned and said something to the people and they nodded before leaving. Connor then walked closer to Daniel Song.

''It's alright, go back to your post'' Connor said to the receptionist. ''Let's go to my office, Mr. Song'' Connor turned to Daniel Song.

''Are those men from Hughs Industries? Are you planning to collaborate with them after dropping me? Connor, we had a contract, you can't just cancel it unilaterally without a reason'' Daniel said when they entered into the office.

''The reason why we terminated the contract, I believe Mr. Song knows that very well too''

Daniel chuckled sarcastically and stepped closer to Connor. He leaned closer and asked, ''just for a woman? You are severing ties with me just because of a woman?''

''She is not just a woman. She is my woman''

''In this industry, you are not the only one. Connor, we've worked together for many years based on mutual trust and understanding…''

''But, you chose to break off that trust first. You shouldn't have one after my woman''

''Your woman? Kim Xia is just a small time reporter but she is rude and unruly. She thinks I am the villain and keeps getting in my business. I just wanted to teach her a little lesson''

''A little lesson? If I wasn't there, she would have gotten hurt. But, it's refreshing to see that you are not denying that you were indeed the one who tried to hurt her. Now, I am more determined to cut off all ties with you''

''Connor, don't you think that you are going far? There are a lot of women out there. if you are looking for a woman to take care of your child you can get a lot of them. What is so special about that reporter that you are willing to throw away our many years of partnership?''

''Obviously, we don't value the same things in life. business is business and my private life has always been something that I keep private but you messed with me first by going beyond business to try and harm the woman I love. Our partnership is over. I've already contacted my lawyer to send you the appropriate compensation to make up for the lose''

''You seem to have been busy lately, Connor. Are you declaring war against me? You should know what it means to have me as an enemy'' Daniel stood up and laughed.

''Actually, I knew you betrayed me a long time ago, but Connor, anyone who ever betrayed me never lived to tell the story. I hope you choose your allies and enemies well''

''Are you threatening me?''

''Daddy…'' the door opened and Karl ran inside, followed by Xia.

''My boy'' Connor walked out of his desk and squatted in front of Karl.

''He wanted to see you after I picked him from school'' Xia said and turned to look at Daniel.

''You haven't heard the last of me yet, Connor. Watch your neck, Reporter Xia''

''You…''

Connor held Xia's hand and shook his head. they watched Daniel bang the door after leaving.

''Has he finally gone crazy?'' Xia yelled.

''It's okay. He is already pissed enough with me. Ignore him''

''What happened?''

''I cut off all ties with him. he tried to harm you, I couldn't let him off''

''How did you know he was the one who tried to harm me?''

''I took a wild guess and he didn't deny it either. In any case, we don't have anything to do with him again''

''You just lost an important business partner because of me. tell me, should I look for another business partner for you?''

''You can marry my father and become my mother''

''Karl, you are so smart'' Connor kissed Karl's forehead.

''I…'' Xia blushed.

''Let's go home, I'm done here''

''Home? I'm taking Karl home; don't you have your own home?''

''We haven't even kissed since getting together. I'm dying to be with you'' Connor whispered into Xia's ears and her face turned red.

''Hooligan''

''Let's go. Karl, do you want daddy and Xia to prepare you a meal and also read you stories before you go to bed?''

''Yes, I want you and aunt… no, mommy to sleep with me tonight''

''Karl, what are you saying?'' Xia flushed.

''Aye, daddy, it seems that your game is not up. she is still hesitating''

''Don't worry, I will make sure I apt my game tonight'' Connor gave Xia a flirtatious wink.

''Let's go'' Xia turned to go and Connor trapped her by the door.

''You… what are you doing?''

''Karl, close your eyes. Daddy is going to convince mommy with actions''

''Okay'' Karl closed his eyes while smiling.

''What are you doing, Connor? This is your office, what if someone suddenly comes in?''

''No one will come in''

''Karl is here, why are you acting so shameless?''

''You've been trying to avoid me ever since the burial of Via and I asked you to take care of Karl for me. You use him as an excuse and pretended to be busy. What are you afraid of?''

''I am not afraid of anything. I just don't want to distract you when you are already so busy''

''I love been distracted by you. Tell me you don't feel this tension between us? Don't tell me you don't want me like I want you''

''Connor…''

''Tonight, I am not leaving your house. get yourself prepared'' Connor leaned closer and bit her ear and she shivered.

''That's the way to react Xia''

''Daddy, are you don't convincing mommy?'' Karl asked.

''Yes, I am done. Let's go home, Karl''

Karl opened his eyes and looked at Xia, ''daddy, did you bully mommy? Why is her face red?''

''Her face… I didn't bully her. I just…''

''Karl, let's go'' Xia hurried out of the office.

''Wait for me'' Connor said as he walked to them. Together they got into the elevator.

''Daddy, you shouldn't bully mommy'' Karl said as they got into the car.

''I promise not to bully her after tonight'' Connor said suggestively as he looked at Xia.

''You…''

''Mommy, I will protect you from daddy's bullying''