Chapter 51 - A bitter walk down memory lane.

Mr. Yang then looked unto Li Enlai, and said, "This video confirms, that the attack was a planned assault. Han Ru, and Cao Shan, however, might not have known the intent of the assailant and were without intent dragged into the plan without prior knowledge of the same. Is there someone whom you have offended in the past?"

As Mr. Li was about to reply, Mr. Chen called up from Zhuhai, and said, "We found the old records of the accidents, that took place in the year nineteen hundred and eighty, and found that Han Ru had been a witness to one of the accidents. The guy who met with the accident that day was someone by the name Gao Shing."

"It's just as I thought. Try to trace him out."

"Who is he? Do you know him?"

"He is the son-in-law of the Liu household. Let me take you all into a conference and I will explain the details of my tryst with him."

1978

After Li Enlai disconnects the call, Mr. Yang initiated the conference, and Li Enlai briefed the team on the happenings of that year, "Thirty-two years ago, on the introduction of my friend and business associate, 'Zhao Fai,' I had, for the business expansion of the Liu hotel extended a huge amount against the mortgage to their son-in-law, 'Gao Shing.' What initially seemed like a normal business transaction resulted in a fraudulent dealing by him, who had personal interests in mortgaging the property that was in the name of his spouse, the late 'Mrs. Gao Lee.'

She had married him against the wishes of her family, who were already residents of the United States of America and had a flourishing business there. They had already separated due to his wayward ways and her son was born in the US. I found out later, that she had already applied for a divorce.

1980

He was not able to pay back the loan and approached me for transferring the rights of the mansion and the hotel into my name.

I had just been married then and was interested in the expansion of the Li Empire on a global platform. As per the agreement, I discussed the feasibility of starting our hotel in that place with Chang Wei. We found, that the area had prospects of being a tourist center. Together with Chang Wei, I decided to build a five-star hotel and signed an agreement with a company for building the same. His wife was still to sign the agreement of transfer as she was in the US.

As he later came to know about our business plans, he felt a need to retain the hotel and made a fuss about the agreement. He tried convincing his wife to retain the same for the sake of their son.

I had already signed an agreement with the other party for building the hotel and would have to compensate them for breach of contract, hence, I informed him, that if they were willing to pay the compensation money along with the loan amount: I would still for the sake of the relationship, that we had with the Liu family agree to return the property document.

When I contacted the Liu patriarch, he said that he valued the life of his daughter more than the ancestral property that was the only link between his daughter and Gao Shing. He had already decided to ensure that his daughter divorced Gao Shing and resettle her. As I had several contacts across China, he requested me to find out evidence of his rumored relationship with another woman.

6th January 1980

On the day of the accident of Gao Lee and her son, Gao Shing had visited my office, and I informed him of the terms of return of the rights; I briefed him that the Liu household had declined on making the payment.

He then called up his wife from my landline phone and asked me to speak to her. As I took the call, I realized, that she was driving; I told her that we can speak when she reaches her destination as it would be risky speaking, while she was driving with a kid. He, however, persisted with the communication, and they had a heated discussion, post which, she met with an accident and her car went into the sea.

February 1980

He then tried to shift the blame onto me; he said that I was responsible for the demise of his family as I had pressurized him to get her to sign the agreement and sought compensation legally.

Fortunately, I had a call recorder in place in my office that proved my innocence. Also, with my ability and ties, I was able to find the details of his rumored relationships with other women because of which Gao Lee had initiated the divorce. I presented the evidence in court along with the details of the loan amount, and he had to forgo his rights. Moreover, the evidence I presented in court helped the Liu family rid of any claims from him as their son-in-law.

This was the complete history of what happened between me and Gao Shing."

Liqin held his forehead and added, "While we were in Zhuhai earlier, Mr. Zhao Fai had informed us, that there were rumors, that he had been missing since long ago."

Bao looked up and added, "Yes, I surely remember that statement."

Mr. Chen replied, "Let's try to trace him from the resident directory first."

Li Enlai replied, "The Liu household, will be meeting me tomorrow for transferring the property rights of their ancestral property back to them tomorrow. They were supposed to reach today early morning. The Liu patriarch had informed me on the call the other day, when I spoke to him, that he was admitted to their hospital after the accident that year. Though the fire gutted their previous hospital records, we might still get some information from their old staff. Let us wait till they arrive tomorrow."

On the morning of the seventh, the Liu household reached Shanghai. They were given a grand welcome by the Li family. It had been years since they had a family gathering like today. Diu and Enlai came home after several days of staying with Bao at the hospital.

At breakfast, Liu Ru held the hands of Enlai and asked, "How is Bao doing now?"

"He is recovering and is conscious. We did not break the news of the death of his spouse to him till now."

"When did he get married?"

"When they thought they might not survive the blizzard back then in Cervinia. We still have not discussed the details with him, for the fear of having to tell him the truth of her death. I have something important to notify you in this matter."

"What is it?"

"We found out, that the incidents had something to do with Gao Shing. Do you have any idea of his whereabouts?"

"Are you saying, that the whole assault was pre-mediated by Gao Shing?"

"I am afraid, but that's the harsh truth of the matter."

Liu Taio shook his head, turned to Li Enlai, and asked, "Am I going to be known as the son of a murderer now?"

"I will not allow any linkage with the Liu household to be leaked into the media into this matter."

"But the investigation will eventually lead into the same. There is no escaping this reality now if he is involved."

Liqin, who was sitting beside Liu Taio, looked up at him and said, "There are some things which are linked to us by our birth, and some which are in our hands to change."

Li Enlai turned to Taio and said, "Rightly said. You were silent on your family matters all the while. Let me see how this can be wrapped up without getting you guys involved."

Liqin bent forward as Taio went into deep thoughts and asked, "Is it fine if we run a paternity test with the DNA, that was collected from the nails of Esther? That way we can be sure of our suspicion."

Liu Taio nodded and replied, "We will do that right away. When will we get the results?"

Li Enlai turned around and replied, "We will get it in probably three days probably. Let me inform the team, and they will coordinate and collect it in another hour."

Liu Ru slumped into the lounge chair and informed, "Once we reach Zhuhai, I'll inform you about the details of the people whom we can get in touch with."

"That will do. Mr. Chen from the security team who is situated in Zhuhai as of now will get in touch with you. The registration of the property will be completed tomorrow. I have arranged for the same in Zhuhai. I will accompany you guys to complete the formalities."

After an hour the police officials and the team from the security came and collected the blood sample of Taio for the paternity test.

The rest of the day was spent discussing the engagement and marriage details of Taio and catching up on the happenings of each other's lives.

In the next few days, Diu and Liqin juggled their time slots to spend time with Bao to prepare him for the eventuality. They shrugged off any discussion about Ann, with the statement, that Ann's family's safety lay in keeping a distance from them until the culprit is behind bars.

During the second half of the tenth day of January, the reports of the paternity test conducted on Taio turned out positive, confirming the involvement of Gao Shing.

In the meanwhile, Chen found out the whereabouts of the erstwhile receptionist of the Zhuhai Lake hospital, who had coordinated with Liu Ru when Gao Shing had met with an accident. She informed him, that post the accident his face was badly scarred. On being shown the photo of the masked assailant retrieved from the video of Bao, she was confused and failed to confirm his identity. However, when enquired about his whereabouts, none of his earlier colleagues and friends were able to confirm the same.

The next few days went without much activity and progress. Jia, Liqin joined Li Enlai in Zhuhai to attend, and assist the engagement ceremony of Liu Taio on the thirteenth evening. Diu, however, stayed back with Bao in the hospital.

On the morning of the fourteenth Mr. Brown and his family reached the hotel. Sam welcomed them. On the instructions of Mr. Chen, Sam provided the police with their passport details which were relayed to the team for tracking down their original identities.

The security at the hotel was very high to avoid any form of further attack. Elaborate plans were made to check on Mr. Brown.

A conference room was prepared with well-hidden CCTV to monitor the reactions of the conversation, that would happen.