Never Judge

Ian observed theri body language as each person in the room became stiff under his cold gaze. Over the years as an assistant to the Reyes Group CEO, he had learned to command respect and fear in a room.

In the past it would be a group of businessmen that thought they could step on him since he was a lowly assistant, today it was a generations-old secret organization.

As he looked at the men, he couldn't help but feel disappointed and warry. He felt that these people could not be the true masterminds and that they were simply puppets.

"What do you plan on doing to Lucius Ting?" Ian asked as his gaze swept over them again, lingering on Mr. Nelle.

The men tried to look away, but every time they tried to discuss among themselves, Ian's gaze would turn to them and they would freeze. Something about Ian scared them, it was more than just his family's identity, it was who he had become.

"Answer me." Ian's voice boomed in the restaurant as his bodyguard and staff remained still, unflinching, as if they were used to him being this way.

This frightened Mr. Nelle and his companions even more, if this was normal, how much worse could Ian Lim get?

"We planned to use his relationship to the Chan family and the banished Mafia family to strengthen our ranks." Mr. Nelle hissed as he did not seem to want to answer Ian's question.

"Will you cooperate with me or should I leave?" Ian asked as he glared at Mr. Nelle, he didn't appreciate the attitude the man was giving him.

He was hoping they would call his bluff, as far as they knew he had nothing to lose from walking away. Even if people screamed and shouted that he was on the side of the Rajas, Cedric and his friends would never believe them.

"We will cooperate." The elder Mr. Bautista said as he held a had up to stop Mr. Nelle from arguing with Ian.

"Is that everything your plans were relying on?" Ian raised an eyebrow as he questioned the men. To his surprise it was the younger Mr. Bautista that answered him.

"It isn't or at least it wasn't. We had planned coordinated attacks on Cedric Reyes and his group, we had hoped it would cause more damage, but by the looks of things, it isn't" The younger man said with a frown.

Ian assumed that it had been his plan, and in all honesty if Ian were to admit it, it was a good plan. It had caught Cedric and his group off guard for a moment and they had managed to threaten the Reyes Group with the employees.

"You have them on the run." Ian admitted, giving them something to lift their mood before Cedric and the others crushed it completely.

Ian was hoping that after the relatives of the employees were rescued, the Rajas would come to him looking for a plan.

"Are you sure Mr. Reyes doesn't know you are lying to him?" The older Mr. Bautista asked Ian as he crossed his arms on his chest.

Ian smirked at the man, he was already anticipating this question from at least one of them and already had an answer in mind.

"If Mr. Reyes suspected me, then he would have investigated Bella's fake death." Ian said with a victorious grin. "I know you have spies around the Reyes Group, does it seem like there is a rift between the two of us?"

The old man pressed his lips into a line, most likely disappointed that Ian didn't even sweat under his questioning.

"That's enough." Mr. Chu hissed at his companion. "Why are we questioning a man that is clearly on our side?"

Mr. Nelle and the others simply nodded in agreement.

"Now, will you share your plans or at least tell me who really is in charge?" Ian went straight to the point, making Mr. Nelle turn pale while the others couldn't even look him in the eyes.

"What are you talking about? We are in charge!" Mr. Chu sounded offended that Ian had questioned his role amongst the Rajas, but Ian knew that it was all an act. They were hoping that he wouldn't dig deeper, that he wouldn't try to get to the true core.

Just as Ian was about to speak and say something, his bodyguard approached, signaling that he had something important to say.

"A moment." Ian excused himself as he went to the side to speak with the bodyguard.

"Mrs. Lim has gone into labor." The guard told Ian calmly.

"Nicole wasn't supposed to be due until next week." Ian said as he shook his head and sighed.

He would have to postpone his interrogation of these people, his wife and children would always come first.

Ian dismissed his bodyguard and told him to get the car ready before turning back to speak with his guests.

To his shock, the four men all looked like they had seen ghosts as they stared at their phones. Ian brushed off the matter as he thought of how to leave an impact as the meeting had been cut short.

"As much as I would like to stay and chat and find out what news you just received, I was informed that my wife has gone into labor. I don't need to tell you how important the next generations of Lims are." Ian said in a cold tone as he continued to look down at his guests.

Mr. Chu shifted in his seat as he glanced at his phone. Something big had happened and Ian could only hope that Cedric had gotten the relatives of the employees out.

"When you come around and decide to truly let me speak with the person pulling the strings, give me a call." Ian informed them.

They all slowly nodded, they were in too much shock and disbelief, only Bella seemed unaffected.

"Don't make me regret saving her." Ian hissed as he turned and left.

As soon as he was in the car he let his cold act drop and a worried look crossed his face.

"Get me to Saints Hospital as fast as you can." He ordered as his driver zoomed out of the seaside town, leaving the now desperate members of the Rajas in a panicked state.