Chapter 451 - NEGOTIATION: PART V (1/2)

It was the break of dawn when everyone was wide awake and were all in a bad mood.

”What do you mean you wish to let her return to China? Didn't we lose her there?” Elder Lord Knightley shouted at his son annoyed by his decision.

”Boy, despite how much I wish my granddaughter to be with me. I too do not wish for her to return there if I end up losing her again. It's best she stays here.” Elder Chief Zhao added.

”Rob, what are you thinking? Didn't you yourself say that you won't let her go?” Lady Zhao looked confused at his husband's decision and wished to know what the man was thinking.

”She made a promise, that she wont run away and I'll allow her to look for the person she is looking for. At the same time, she is staying in the estate, she'll have four guards following her all the time and other distant from her. If within three months she does not find any clue about this person, then she will return and will live her life here and forget all that happened in the past.”

”WHAT?”

Lord Knigthley took out a piece of paper which had Elizabeth's hand writing on it. They all look at it at the same time as Elder Lady Knightley read through it out loud.

It was late that night when Lord Knigthley agree to his daughter's request, but he asked what she'll do in return. So, she took a clear piece of paper from his father's desk and a pen and started writing a written oath.

.... I, Elizabeth Knightley, promise to follow the set rules Robert Knightley has for me. During my stay in China, I will stay in the estate and will always be surrounded by my guards. I shall not make any ideas or plan to run away nor will I try to escape without letting anyone know. If I do have plans to visit a certain place I shall inform everyone.

They all continue to read through the well detailed written oath and were all speechless by it.

..... If I do not find any clues of the people I am looking for within the set time, then I shall return home and live my life forgetting the past. I shall not look for them and all investigations being done shall be put on hold. I shall live my life with my family and follow what my family wishes for me to be.

”Darling, is this for real?” Lady Zhao looked at his husband with disbelief. Who would have thought that their daughter would go this far. Not only did she sign it but also signed it with her blood.

”Then, we have no choice, she is to go back to China with me.” Elder Chief Zhao could not believe it but must accept the situation and that is his granddaughter is to return to the place where they lost her for almost four years and the thought of that frightened him.

”You'll go along with them. I'll attend your meeting today and reschedule all your appointments this week. Help her settle down. I fear she will be surprised with all the changes back home.” Lord Knightley informs his wife who couldn't respond at all for everything has been arranged even if they disagree with everything.

In the end, the family meeting was not for them to discuss about it but for them to just be informed of his and the girl's decision. So what was the point of all of this when he had already planned everything.

.....

The sun had risen already and Elder Chief Zhao was outside waiting for the two ladies. Elizabeth was busy saying goodbye to her grandparents and Jackie.

”How could you do this to me? I mean, we only had a few hours last night.” Jackie was all in tears and hungover when Elizabeth woke her up to tell her she was leaving.

”I promise, once this is over with, I'll go on a long holiday with you.” Elizabeth said with a bright smile.

”How can you, when I'm about to get married.”

”What?” Elizabeth was shocked by the news.

”Oh, did I forget to mention last night, I'm getting married and now that you're awake I can finally get married. You don't know how long my partner has been waiting for me because of you. You...”

”Jackie, thank you, I know you'll be the most beautiful bride and even if I wasn't there, I know you'll be happy.”

”You-”

No more words were said and both girls just embraced each other.

”Now, now, you'll be late.” Elder Lord Knightley went over to embrace the girl. ”Dear, be careful and come home when things don't work out well.”

”I will.” she said, as she went over to embrace her grandmother as well.

She only needed to say farewell to one person, she went over to him and said, ”In three months, I shall be back.”

”Three months.” Lord Knightley kissed the girl on her forehead as she went ahead and got inside the car.