184 The Pieces 7 (2/2)

”How could she do something like this? Have you talked to Lee Mu and Zao Ming? We need to get them involved and discuss whether we should call the police. In any case, we mustn't let this slide!” Joann claimed with a firm nod.

Seeing this, Sylvia sighed in relief. They had finally gotten her mother on board.

Granted that was good progress but would that really make what they needed to do next any easier?

Joann was eager to exact justice on her friend's behalf after her mind had made the turn around, however, Xiu Ling's grasp on her hand held firm. ”Joann, wait a minute. There is something else you need to know.”

The finality with which Xiu Ling said that was like a pail of cold water drenching the fire of vengeance that was starting to burn in Joann's heart. The sense of bad omen that she had before now returned with full force.

There was a part of her that wanted to stand up and run. After all, if they prefaced Qing Qing's betrayal as the lighter news, she was not sure she wanted to find out about the rest. What could be worse than that?

However, Joann was also mature enough to understand that hiding was not going to solve the problem. She might have shown some reluctance to accept the truth earlier but it did not mean that she was a runner. She just needed time to mull over the challenge to her perception that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was understandable what Joann did. She might have been a bit uncooperative at the start but Joann was not a particularly unreasonable person.

Xiu Ling stole a look at Sylvia and the latter nodded silently back.

”Joann, please understand that no matter what, we'll be here for you,” Xiu Ling said but the minute those words left her mouth, she regretted it. It made things sound so foreboding and based on the guarded expression that appeared on her best friend's face, Xiu Ling suspected it had done more harm than good.

”What do you mean, Xiu Ling?” Joann asked cautiously. She did not like the direction their conversation was going. Joann was someone who looked forward and while that also meant she often charged ahead without much thought, the positive side was that she rarely found herself being held back by uncertainty and misgiving.

In contrast, Xiu Ling was the bigger worrier of the two. Xiu Ling was more cautious in her thoughts and thus had more to consider. This also meant that she had to watch her steps often.