Meanwhile at Hou Enterprises
Thursday, continued…
After the departure of the immigration officials, Hou Yi and Anna finally took a breath of relief.
“Thank goodness that’s over,” Anna said, sinking back into her chair. “I was about ready to scream.”
Hou Yi, who had been calm and collected throughout the ordeal, moved back to his desk, opening his laptop. His eyes skimmed over a new message from his bodyguards. “Anna, we’ve received some new information,” he said, looking up from the screen. “Lawyer Mei called immigration, expressing concern that you were working illegally. It’s understandable given that she doesn’t know the full story. However, Supervisor An called Yang Lin’s personal assistant. And, well, we know she’s a spy for Yang Lin and Lu Jinhu.”
Anna thought for a moment. “I can use that when I go back to the Legal Department. We just need to figure out who else is involved.”
Hou Yi nodded. “The receptionist who was on duty when you arrived is also involved. Unlike Supervisor An, who at least tried to make her call in an area she thought wasn’t being monitored, this woman made the call right from her desk.”
Anna’s eyes narrowed. “Two down, then. Make sure she’s on reception when I arrive and leave. If she’s going to report on me every time I move around, then I’ll give her plenty to report. The fact that I’m moving around freely will drive them crazy.”
She paused, a thought forming in her mind. “We also need to deal with those documents I printed earlier.”
Hou Yi stood and collected the documents from the printer, while Anna retrieved her laptop bag and purse from Assistant Wang. The assistant, with his usual quiet professionalism, handed her a note. “Madam Hou, lunch will be delivered at 1 p.m.”
Anna looked up from the note, then glanced at the clock. “In 30 minutes. We have time to go through this,” she said, walking over to Hou Yi’s desk and setting her things down. “Let’s get started.”
The next half hour passed in a flurry of activity, with Anna explaining the contents of the documents to Hou Yi. He read through them carefully, signing them only when he was satisfied. Just before lunch was due to arrive, they wrapped up. Anna stood up and stuck her head out the door.
“Assistant Wang, could you please scan and email these to me? Then send them to ANX in Melbourne via the quickest international mail. My email is listed on the documents. Thanks.” She paused. “And if you’re here when the catering team arrives with lunch, send them in. But once you’ve dealt with these documents, please go ahead and take your lunch.”
After closing the door, Anna settled back onto the couch, but Hou Yi had already moved her laptop and handbag aside. He sat down beside her with a long sigh.
“Do you think they have someone in the catering team?” Anna asked, her curiosity piqued. “Lu Jinhu and Yang Lin have pretty much infiltrated every corner of this building.”
Hou Yi nodded. “It’s possible. They have free access to this floor, and when directed, they can enter this office without much trouble. I think we should give them something to really talk about.”
Anna raised an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”
Hou Yi stood, walked over to his jacket, and tossed it onto the floor. “To make them think they’ve caught us off-guard,” he said, untying his tie and tossing it across the room, “I’m going to partially unzip your dress and mess up your hair.” He turned to look at her, his expression mischievous. “If you’re okay with that.”
Anna smirked, understanding the plan. “I’m in.”
She reached up to undo her hair, and Hou Yi came closer to partially unzip her dress, his fingers brushing against her skin. Once done, he sat down on the couch and pulled Anna gently onto his lap, urging her to lean against him.
As the door handle turned, they both froze. Hou Yi cupped Anna’s face in his hands, making sure their wedding bands were visible, then leaned in to kiss her. Anna placed her left hand on his shoulder, making sure her wedding ring was on display, and slipped her other hand inside his shirt.
The door opened, and the catering staff entered, their eyes widening in shock when they saw the scene before them.
“Oh my God, we’re so sorry, CEO Hou!” one of them gasped, stumbling backward.
Hou Yi reluctantly pulled back from the kiss, his face still close to Anna’s. He kept her face hidden behind his own and spoke in a harsh, commanding tone. “Leave the food there. Get out, and shut the door behind you. And make sure whoever is out there knows we don’t want to be disturbed.”
The staff, thoroughly flustered, quickly set the food down and rushed out of the room, closing the door behind them.
Anna chuckled softly, looking up at Hou Yi with a smirk. “That was a little much, don’t you think?”
Hou Yi leaned back, his arms still around her. “Let them think what they want. The more we mess with their heads, the more frustrated they’ll get. And that’s exactly what we want.”
Anna couldn’t help but smile. “You’re right. It’s time to let them stew.”
As they settled into the couch, the door to the office remained shut, and for the first time in a while, they could finally relax—at least for a moment. But deep down, Anna knew that this was only the beginning. The chess game between them and their enemies was far from over.
