NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11 11
"The latest report for Li Dai Lu has arrived, Sir," said Liu Wei as he handed over the report.
Wang Chao took it from him and put it to the side. "What does it say?" He asked his assistant, not bothering to read it.
"She spent $10 million on five vehicles today, two of them military grade that she has requested modifications to be completed before delivery, two other off-road vehicles, one blue and one black, and finally a recreational atv," said Liu Wei, already having memorized the information in the folder.
"10 million?" Asked Wang Chao looking up from his desk. "Did she take out a loan for it?"
"No, Sir. The dealerships for three of the vehicles requested to be paid in cash and she was fine with that."
"So why would she take out a loan for the ranch, but not the vehicles?" Wang Chao wondered out loud. The more he learned about this second-generation princess, the more he became confused. It was like she was two completely different people. One that was spoiled and never worked a day in her life and another who, clearly, had some serious plans.
Could she have been a sleeper for Blood Moon and, now that their base and operations were almost completely wiped out, she was called in to restart everything?
"Maybe the ranch is for her own use while the vehicles are meant for Blood Moon?" Said Liu Wei thoughtfully. "She could be expecting a lot of that cash back if that was the case and the government of Country M was ordering her to do these things."
"Mmmm," Wang Chao hummed. "But where could she have even been in contact with Blood Moon in the first place? Not even mentioning Country M. After her parent's death, she pretty much stayed in her apartment, going out occasionally to shop or to meet with her friends. There is nothing here to suggest that this is a recent thing."
"Maybe that is the point, Sir," said Liu Wei, following his boss' train of thought. "She is 20 years old this year, maybe they met her earlier when she was attending the parties with her parents. A 16-year-old is much easier to manipulate than a 20-year-old."
"We will have to ask her that one day. See what her excuse is and why she is so willing to betray her country," replied Wang Chao signaling Liu Wei to leave.
His assistant bowed and quickly left the office, leaving Wang Chao to his thoughts.
He picked up the file he had set aside and opened it to the first page. There was a picture of a young woman, her black hair hanging down to the small of her back and her blue eyes sparkling at whoever had taken the picture. She had to be short, but everything about her screamed of the privilege that she had growing up. Her skin was white and flawless, her nails perfectly done in a neutral color and her dress was clearly designer.
How could Blood Moon be able to approach her, and what did they tempt her with to work for them? Wang Chao guessed that the best spies were those that you never expected. But he now expected her, and he would never let her succeed with her plans, whatever they were.
------
My plan for the rest of the day was to explore my new home and come up with a name for it. As I turned off the highway and through the seemingly dense forest, I thought about what I would call it.
The trees parted and once again the absolutely stunning view of sprawling green fields and majestic mountains greeted me. I sighed, the smile on my face never leaving as I passed by the first two red barns and continued down the gravel road toward the house itself.
The first time I explored here, I wasn't able to see too much, but what I did notice was that the previous owners must have left in a hurry. I was not sure why, but they left absolutely everything from the farming equipment to the beds in each one of the rooms. Hopefully, they didn't leave any food, because it probably would be smelly by now.
I stopped the Jeep in front of the garage and just sat there for a second. It had been three lifetimes, but I finally had my own home…the thought alone gave me goosebumps. I would make this everything that I ever wanted and dreamed of, and I would make it for me alone.
Still on the high of having my own slice of land, I got out of the car and walked up the cobblestone path to the front door. There were pillars every five feet on the wrap-around deck, the look of them gave off that quintessential ranch feeling that made my smile widen. I could see myself coming out here in the morning with my cup of coffee, enjoying the air and the scenery.
But a place like this needed a name, and the word paradise screamed at me to pick it. However, I felt that that name was too overdone. Heck, even the Real Estate office that I was dealing with was called Urban Paradise. Paradise, heaven, all these names represented this stretch of land, but at the same time, they were used so much that the very words had lost their meaning.
I walked up the two steps onto the deck and placed my hand on the door, ready to open it and start my new life… was that a good name? Something to do with a fresh start? The bird, phoenix, meant rebirth, right? But that was also way overdone… I wanted something to be mine alone…
Hey, we have already covered the fact that deep inside I don't share well…
I had an idea, but I didn't think that the concept was here in this world. I took out my cell phone and looked up 'Elysian Fields'. No results. I had found something that belonged to me and me alone.
Elysian Fields was the Greek concept of heaven, a place where when heroes died and went to see Hades, they would be sent to the Elysian Fields as a reward for all their hard work and for helping people in their life. If I remember correctly, it was described as a peaceful, beautiful region with sunlight and fresh air.
That was it… This was my Elysian Fields.