11 May, Military Offices, City F; Unknown location City Y; Rong Family villa City K

Feeling that the call was going to get him nowhere, as he went to hang up, he heard the voice, quietly but with a resigned tone say "She is.?I was meant to head there this morning while she stayed here to finalise what we had to deal with.?However, as circ.u.mstances changed last night I needed to remain here, so she went to there to deal with the promotional event we were contracted to provide clothes for the actresses before returning.?It was only when I received an email from her that I realised she had left her phone.."

Matthew knew that he was being fed a story but disputing it would be problematic and in the current situation he had to focus on other things.?Interrupting he said "She may have been caught in the incident at the mall, so.."

Karen hearing the trailing off said "I may need to deal with things."

Matthew said, "Protect her business, and when I know something, I will let you know."

Without waiting for a response, knowing that he had done what was needed for Lexi's business he ended the call and immediately dialled Phillip.?Chester answered and said "What is it Matthew.?Phillip had a rough night and I have let him sleep."

"You can kill me later, but I need to speak to him now."

"It can wait.."

"No, it cannot.?This is business related, and it is better he hears it from me than anyone else."

"You know the boundaries.."

"Screw the boundaries at this time Chester.?I spoke with him yesterday about something and he needs to know.."

Matthew heard in the background "Master Chester, the deputy CEO is calling for Master Phillip.?He says it is urgent and asked for me to get him.?Is it OK to disturb him."

Matthew firmly said to Chester "He will be calling about the same thing I am.?Put me onto Phillip first."

"How..?"

"Chester just do it please," came Matthew's exasperated reply.

"Fine," spat Chester.?Matthew heard him call out "Tell him he is speaking to his brother and will get back to him as soon as possible."

Matthew then heard sounds as if Chester was racing to get Phillip his mobile, before hearing Chester say, "Sorry my love, Matthew is on the phone wanting to speak to you about something."

Matthew heard Phillip's somewhat groggy reply "What..?"

"Matthew wants to speak to you."

Sounds of a slight tussle could be heard before Matthew then heard Phillip say "What is it.?I was having a sleep-in.."

"Sleep in??Not what I gather.?You had a rough night last night and are getting the sleep you missed last night."

"So, it is a weekend, and I am entitled to personal time.?The company is not everything nor does it control what I do all the time."

Matthew paused before firmly saying "It will this weekend, and your husband better not blame me for this."

"Do not try and manipulate me baby brother.."

"Phillip, I need to be serious for a few minutes.?Remember the favour I asked for last night..?"

"Yes, I am assuming you received all the cooperation you needed to run your exercise.."

"I received the cooperation, but it has turned out not to be an exercise."

"What!" spat out Phillip.?"You lied to me.."

"I did not lie.?Watching the surveillance, to hone skills in different locations is something I needed to arrange for my subordinates.?Using a JL International property means that we could use a feed rather than having to be in the security room, interfering with normal business operations.?But there appears to have been an explosion at the promotional event at the Mall.?The CCTV cameras are down, not unexpected due to the explosion's shockwave, and I saw multiple people go down."

Matthew paused and could not hear anything, so he said "Phillip..?"

Shocked, Phillip said "You are not joking?"

"On something like this??I would not.?You needed to hear it as soon as possible as it.."

"Will consume me until the emergency is dealt with and then starting on the recovery.."

"Yes.?You need your phone, but can I briefly speak to Chester?"

"Asking him to watch me?"

"Something like that big brother.?Your husband loves you, and .."

"You want to stay on his good side."

A few seconds of silence ensued, and Mathew said "Chester, I better not be on speaker phone.."

Matthew heard a noise and Chester then say "You are not.?How did you know?"

"You think I am that stupid.?Keep an eye on him for me."

"You had to ask that in secrecy.?You were right I love him and will do whatever is needed to protect him."

"I know about the feelings between the two of you.?But that is not the reason.?I was speaking to; I believe Karen Lexi's Retail Director.?The two of them had to urgently go to City Y to deal with a problem in the store there.."

"The one located in the JL International complex there.?I know, because she texted Phillip for help last night and he spoke to the complex manager.?Stop trying to get me to help the two of you deal with your issues."

"Not what I was going to say.?Apparently, Karen was meant to leave City Y for a few hours to deal with LY's part in the promotion, while Lexi stayed in City Y, waiting for her to return and they both would return home.?Lexi left her phone with Karen; I do not care why and went to City F to deal with the matter.?I thought I had seen Lexi on the footage just as the blast hit and called to see if I was mistaken, but it appears I was not."

"What...?"

"I still need to confirm it was Lexi, once I know I will let you know more but I did not want you blindsided if she was hurt.?I need to go"

Before Chester could respond, Matthew hung up the phone.

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