CHAPTER ONE : IT'S ALL IN THE PAST

Xiu Ying wore her jacket and exited her office. She walked down the hall heading straight to the conference room where all the Board members were seated. All the employees of lower rank and other ranks watched Xiu Ying pass by. They knew where she was heading, and they all chattered and murmured about Xiu Ying and her desperate attitude towards finding the killer of her father.

She approached the conference room and knocked loudly on the door. She took a deep breath as she reached for the door knob, slowly turning it and opening the door. Xiu Ying looked across the room and sighted her boss. She took a deep bow. "Oh! Now, she shows us some respect" a woman sitting next to Mr. Zhao said as she smirked slightly. "Ms. Zhang, please take a seat" Mr. Zhao said as he gave Xiu Ying a warm welcoming smile. Xiu Ying quickly sat at one end of the table directly facing her boss.

The silence in the room was quite unsettling. For a few minutes the room was left silent....."Ms. Zhang I'm sure you are wondering why we summoned you here". A man who sat at the other end spoke, and his voice alone filled the whole room with chills. He glared at Xiu Ying for a while.

"..... Actually I'm not..... I'm sure you want to give me a raise of something like that.... Isn't that right, Mr. Ito?" she said, shrugging. "You are a great agent.... A wonderful partner and trainee..... The best our company has ever seen since....you know....Ms. Zhang" one of the board members said with a low tone.

"....." Mr. Zhao stayed quiet and silently observed the meeting... " What is this? Rejection? No.... it's not possible..... Are they firing me?" Xiu Ying thought to herself, she frowned heavily after hearing this..... It triggered something in Xiu Ying she didn't know what it was, but she hated it. "You have won a lot of awards..... Your record as a soldier is one of a kind," Mr. Ito said as he flipped through her profile..... he continued," You have caught a lot of criminals and brought pride to our secret organization, you carry out mission accordingly and just the way it should..... The nation as a whole has recognized you as a good soldier and the company has as well, but..... You have one passion and one drive only.... your father's death".

Xiu Ying froze after hearing this...." What is this? Why would they suddenly be mentioning his name now?" she thought to herself. She clasped her fingers tightly beneath the table as she stared at the table.

"We would love to think that you did this for the good of our country, not -

"To be honest, I don't like the way this conversation is going.... Why are you saying all this? What are you all saying? Huh?.... What? My father's death isn't enough reason for me to become a spy or a soldier?...." she said angrily cutting off one of the officials. The room was left silent for some time until Mr. Zhao spoke, "Xiu Ying! You are here to listen..... Your continuous thirst for revenge will put us in big trouble..... Your father's case was closed due to lack of evidence and a testimony of a little girl of four years couldn't be enough reason to keep the investigation going.

Xiu Ying banged her hands on the table as she shouted angrily, "Bullshit!.....". She angrily stood up to leave as she approached the door. Mr. Zhao said, "Your taste for revenge is making me reconsider whether you deserved all that glory; medals, awards, post and promotions....I'm sorry to inform you, but as of today.... You cease to be an agent here at SOC"

"What? Did I hear you correctly?"

FOUR WEEKS LATER

TORONTO, CANADA

WELL - BORN VILLA

The privacy and mystery of the exclusive residence glowed with outstanding luxury, all soft amber lights and the faint crackle of a fireplace tucked into a wall of old stone. Polished wood gleamed beneath crystal glasses, and the air carried the gentle perfume of maple, cedar, and something slow-cooked and expensive. Conversation drifted like music, low and refined, blending with the smooth hum of a jazz piano somewhere near the bar. Guests lingered at their tables, voices soft, laughter distant. The whole place felt suspended — golden light, good wine, the hum of music wrapping everything in silk. It wasn't loud, not like a club. It was intimate and the kind of music meant for people who had nowhere to be but here, now.

The staff moved with practiced grace, their footsteps muffled against the floor, their voices soft but sure. Every smile seemed measured, polite but warm, the kind of charm that came naturally in Canada, where courtesy was an art form. Outside, snow clung to the windowsills, but inside, the light held a quiet heat, wrapping every table in gold. It wasn't loud or show. it was elegance that whispered instead of bragged.

"Mr. Xue Ying!"

A man who was in his late forties' walked towards a young man who was dressed in a silvery gray suit, it was custom-made especially for him. He was very tall and elegant, and his looks aren't breathtaking, he had a scary look more like a tyrant. He's black eyes and silver hair were the most notable features, he's slim body structure gave off a weak vibe from the young man. "You didn't have to come all the way here to greet me" the young man said as he looked down at the old man. "No, no way.... You came all the way here to see me I'm truly honored". The young man responded with a chuckle, "This way, sir" the man directed towards his reserved room.

TOP FLOOR

[ Private Villa ]

The villa glowed with understated luxury — all soft amber lights and the faint crackle of a fireplace tucked into a wall of old stone. Polished wood gleamed beneath crystal glasses, and the air carried the gentle perfume of maple, cedar, and something slow-cooked. Servers dressed neatly in black and white or simple uniforms, they move quietly and respectfully, serving the young man and the old man.

THE PRIVATE DINING ROOM

"So what brings you to Toronto?" the man asked with a sign of happiness and joy in his voice. " I'm sorry if I intruded your vacation..... it's all about work for me, I hope you are enjoying your vacation Congressman Ono" he said smiling at him. " Mr. Xue Ying, you flatter me" the Congressman said while taking his seat. Mr. Xue Ying picks up his cutleries and begins to eat his served steak, the plate clatters as they both enjoy their meals. The room was filled with silence that it began to worry the Congressman. "Why is he being so quiet? What is the main reason he came all the way from China to America?" the man thought to himself. "How is your vacation going Congressman? Are you enjoying yourself?" Mr. Xue Ying voice broke the silence.

" Yes, yes sir of course I am" he answered nervously as he drank his whole glass of water...." So you got your share, huh?" Mr. Xue Ying said as he angrily banged his fork on the table.... he stared at Mr. Ono before he stood up. In fear Mr. Ono dropped his table knife and froze. " Our shipment was totally successful.... I got my share, so did you and the rest of your people but yet....". He stood before Congressman Ono and picked up the table knife...." All these Japanese officials are all the same....don't you think so, Congressman Ono?".

" Mr.... Mr... Mr. Xue Ying, I know what you are thinking... But it's not what it seems I swear to you" He stammered as he tried to explain himself..... "Failure doesn't lead to success, and it's success I need to make money and pay you..... If you can do this little task for me, then it will be your head" he said as he gave off a cold gaze. Xue Ying admired the knife and forcibly grabbed Congressman Ono hand, he smirked and said" Maybe this will teach you not to mess with my business.... Let's be clear on this, get me the President of Korea and your share will increase". He angrily presses his hand on the table, he lifted the blade slowly, not rushing, not angry. Congressman Ono trembled, his breath ragged. One word from the boss, and it was done. A sharp sound, a gasp — then nothing but the faint clatter of metal on wood.

Congressman Ono let out a loud shout and struggled as Xue Ying started cutting off his smallest finger. Xue Ying bodyguards outside increased the volume of the music player. No one apart from Mr. Ono and Mr. Xue Ying could hear his scream. After he was done , he placed the cut-off finger on his plate and said, " Fix your fuck up...or I will fuck you up" he whispered that last part into his ear. " Yes! Yes , boss I will, " Congressman Ono said, crying heavily and holding his bleeding hand.... He took a deep bow as Xue Ying left the room.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***