Danger

Lyca took a long time to process everything. Lying back on the bed, she calmed her breathing as she balled her hands into tight fists. She needed to forget. Staring at the white ceiling, she recalled her nightmare just now. She bit her swollen lips. This was not the first time that she had nightmares about her past. Over and over, those faces would appear in her dreams. The screaming. The massacre. The betrayal. That smile of the traitor. And her last breath in his arms.

This time, however, the dream looked too real, too intense. She wasn't able to control herself. Her grief and anger boiled like hot lava inside her. Lyca continued staring at the ceiling as memories of her past life swirled on her head. Vivid images of the arrow impaling her parents. Clear shouts of panic. The anguish, the helplessness and hopelessness. Everything was too clear, she could feel raw sadness throbbing inside her.

A dry mocking laughter escaped her lips. Since coming into this world, she has tried running away from those memories. Every time they came, she would push them out of her head and pep-talked herself into pretending it never happened. That it was over. Still, the pain was there. The undeniable scar and fear of losing her loved ones again.

She let out a loud sigh as she recalled Shen Qui's lips against hers. Her hand touched her lower lip. Closing her eyes, she recalled his hoarse voice, his eyes that were filled with regret. This kind of misunderstanding often happened in those TV series that she loved to watch. The man would start to think that the female lead hated him. While the female lead would pout in the corner waiting for him to approach her again.

And just like that, this misunderstanding would only grow bigger until an accident happened and both would realize that they actually loved each other for a long time now. Such an overused plot. She snorted and immediately decided to tell him that she was not angry the next time she saw him.

That was a fact.

Lyca wasn't angry that he kissed her to wake her up. Or that he wasn't able to withstand the temptation in front of him. In fact, she liked it. She liked his kisses, his touch.

The loud sound that came from her phone interrupted her thoughts. She immediately opened the text message from Shen Qui.

[Your father is looking for you. I am going to see Li Xian. Don't wait for me.]

"How thoughtful." She smiled and sat on her bed. After fixing herself, Lyca went out and walked towards Old Man Huang's office. She had slept for more than two hours. She wondered if those people are already done talking by now.

Just as Lyca expected, the guests already left upon arriving in the old man's office.

"I am glad that you are already here." Old Man Huang immediately started beaming. "Ah! Lyca… I was not expecting Shen Qui to actually beat them… Hahahaha…" his loud laughter echoed. The obvious glee shone on the old man's face, his eyes sparkling at his granddaughter as he rose from his seat and pulled her for an awkward hug.

"Heh… father… Lyca is not used to seeing you like this." Seeing the wry smile on Lyca's face, her father, Huang Sheng Hong immediately rescued her. "We should all calm down. " He pulled his daughter towards the empty chair. "You must be wondering what happened?"

She nodded in response, her eyes on the Old Man's wooden table, hoping to find something she could eat while talking. As if sensing her thoughts, Old Man Huang gave her some nuts. Lyca only smiled and looked at her father, waiting for him to explain everything.

"Alright… where should we start?" Huang Sheng Hong said. "We are going to sign a deal next week for the weapons. Many wanted to know the formula for the paralysing poison. Of course, we refused to give them anything."

"And the Longs?" Lyca knew that her plan was flawless. All she wanted to know was the Long Father and Son's reaction.

"What can they do about it?" Old Man Huang answered. "They came here to try and embarrass us. They wanted those people to invest in their security company. Instead, they invested in our company. I am sure that Patriarch Long must have been so angry right now."

"And the marriage alliance?" she raised an eyebrow.

"What marriage alliance?" Huang Sheng Hong beamed. "Are they really going to offer a marriage alliance after what happened?" He lifted his chin proudly.

"Then… that is good." Lyca said.

"But you and Shen Qui have to be careful from now on. The Long Founding School of Elite was founded by one of the Long Family's ancestors back then. Meaning, their influence in that place was enormous. If you want… I will withdraw your — "

"It's fine." Lyca smiled.

"Then, that is good." Old Man Huang nodded in approval. Their conversation was interrupted when someone knocked and walked inside the office.

Seeing that it was Huang Li Duo and his daughter Huang Xiaoxuan, the old man immediately motioned them to sit. He called them to talk about important stuff about the future of Huang Security right now.

Lyca only glanced at Huang Xiaoxuan before fixing his gaze towards her uncle. Based on the conversation that she overheard, Huang Li Duo was against his daughter's plan on killing Lyca. Then he thought about Huang Sheng Hong's words about Huang Li Duo being loyal to the Huang Family.

By now, Huang Li Duo should be aware of Lyca's capabilities. Meaning, he knew that with Lyca's help, the Huang Family would soon flourish. She couldn't help but wonder if Huang Li Duo would act cordially towards her now.

"Alright. Huang Xiaoxuan, Lyca… you two go outside first while I talk to your fathers. I will call for you later."

Lyca nodded and left without saying anything. Seeing this, Huang Xiaoxuan followed her out of the office.

"Surprisingly, your dog is not with you." Huang Xiaoxuan's words reached her ears. "Did you leave him somewhere?" She snickered.

Lyca only lifted an eyebrow. Does this mean that Huang Xiaoxuan was still oblivious about what happened earlier? Was it possible that her father didn't say anything to her? "Well… I was not surprised that Li Xian is not with you today." She knew that Huang Xiaoxuan was too prideful to have a bodyguard around. In her eyes, she doesn't need someone to guard her all the time.

"Li Xian is still in school. I didn't allow him to come with me. Unlike other people, I am capable of defending myself. Without my approval, he won't be able to go outside."

Lyca immediately frowned when she heard her words. "What do you mean? I thought they could leave with us?"

"Leave? Why would I want someone to follow me around? Plus… Li Xian had a challenge today, so he can't really leave. The only reason why I am here was because grandfather called for an emergency."

Lyca felt her face lost all its colours. Her heart started pounding, racing against her chests as she recalled Shen Qui's text. She stopped walking and turned towards Huang Xiaoxuan. "Keys."

"Excuse me?" Seeing the anger in Lyca's eyes, Huang Xiaoxuan instinctively took a step back, her gaze turned alert.

"I said…" Lyca's feet suddenly sprang forward; a dagger was already on her hand. "Give me your f*cking keys." She hissed as she pointed the dagger on her cousin's neck.

Huang Xiaoxuan trembled, her back was already on the wall. Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded and gave Lyca her car keys. This woman was crazy! "I will tell…" She wasn't able to finish her words when she saw Lyca already walking away from her.

After making sure that no one was around, Lyca immediately opened her phone and dialled Yi'an's number. "Yi'an…. Shen Qui is in danger. Track his phone for me."