Never Judge

Inside the hall, Ian walked around, greeted those that approached him.

As much as he hated to admit it, he didn't truly care about most of the people that came up to speak with him. He only knew their names after years or being a Reyes Group assistant, part of his job was to recognize those that the CEOs could not.

"Mr. Lim." A man approached him as he offered his hand to shake. He was a head shorter than Ian and a little bit on the heavy side.

Ian gave the man a small smile, he knew this person, of course, but it was quite odd for him to approach Ian.

"Mr. Willis." Ian greeted as enthusiastically as he could.

"I didn't think you would know who I was, Mr. Lim." Mr. Willis said as he gave Ian a slight nod.

"Mr. Willis, you might have avoided the Reyes Group, but it was my job to keep an eye on everyone." Ian said with a chuckle, keeping the conversation as light hearted as possible.

Mr. Wills' company constantly avoided clashing with the Reyes Group, it was an observation Ian had made. Many companies adopted the same strategy, not wanting to get trampled on by a giant, especially one that kept expanding like the Reyes Group.

"Do you still work for the Reyes Group, Mr. Lim?" Mr. Willis asked.

Ian knew that there were rumors circulating about his current employment status as well as his relationship with the Reyeses.

"I am working mostly on my own company Mr. Willis, so I don't think there is any harm in making new connections." Ian said as he tried to imply that he no longer directly worked with the Reyes Group.

"That's quite interesting to hear, but you and Mr. Reyes are still on good terms?" Mr. Willis asked Ian.

Ian had already started to get suspicious of Mr. Willis, most people would exchange a few words with him and not push to know more. Their main goal was often to set a meeting with either Ian or Cedric in order to push their own agenda.

"I don't think my relationship with the Reyes Family is something you should be questioning, Mr. Willis." Ian said as his eyes narrowed at the man.

"Oh, I hope I didn't offend you, Mr. Lim. I only hear rumors." Mr. Willis said as he raised his hands in the air as if to show his innocence.

"Rumors?" Ian asked, he had heard a few, but it wouldn't hurt to know more.

Ian firmly believed that knowledge was power, and being ready for all those attacks helped him prepare in advance.

"A friend of mine, he spoke to someone called Henry yesterday." At the mention of Henry's name Mr. Willis suddenly caught Ian's attention. "He said that you and Mr. Reyes were no longer on the same page."

"It depends who your friend is." Ian said as he pretended not to care.

"A man that you spoke to over the phone. He sends his regards." Mr. Willis said with a grin.

Ian didn't need to show it, Mr. Willis already knew that he had caught Ian's attention.

"What is your intention in approaching me, Mr. Willis? Is it business or is it personal?" Ian asked. He wanted to see if this man was simply playing with him or not.

"We need proof, Mr. Lim. Proof that you are to be trusted and that this isn't a trap set up by Mr. Reyes and his friends." Mr. Willis said in a low tone as he led Ian away from the main area of the hall.

"I may have something that could temporarily suffice as proof." Ian told the man as they slipped away.

Mr. Willis looked around checking to see if anyone had followed them or if they were within earshot of any of the other guests.

"This way." Ian said as he strode out of the hall and immediately turned to one of the hallways.

The walk was silent as Ian formed a plan in his head. Clearly this man was sent by the Rajas, only they knew that he had spoken to Henry last night.

When they were far enough, Ian stopped and turned to look at the man.

"Why did you approach me?" He asked Mr. Willis.

"We can't have you meeting the rest of us without some sort of proof." Mr. Willis explained to Ian.

Ian hesitated for a while before reaching into his shirt and pulling out the necklace and the ring his grandfather had given him.

"A founding ring." Mr. Willis said with a gasp as he reached out to touch it.

Ian stepped back before the man could touch the ring. He wasn't going to risk the off chance that Mr. Willis had planned to take whatever proof he had with him.

"It's a good thing I never leave home without this then." Ian said as he grinned at the man.

"Yes, sir." Mr. Willis now treated Ian differently, he seemed to have found some sort of new respect for Ian.

"I'm assuming this is enough proof for you and your friends?" Ian asked as he now had the upper hand. He quickly tucked the ring back under his shirt, wary of who might see it.

"Yes, just set the time and place and we will be there." Mr. Willis said with a nod.

Before Ian or Mr. Willis could say anything else, someone called Ian from behind.

"Lim!" Ian quickly turned to find Guan Ming running up to him, with two bodyguards trailing nearby.

"I'll be in touch." Ian said as he dismissed Mr. Willis who quickly left, not wanting to have speak to Guan Ming.

"That's odd." Guan Ming said as he stood next to Ian.

"Someone that doesn't want to meet you?" Ian laughed as he placed a hand on Guan Ming's back.

"Yeah." Guan Ming nodded.

"You came at the perfect time." Ian said as he lowered his voice, not wanting anyone to hear. "I'll explain when we get back to Mountain View."

With that he dragged Guan Ming back into the hall where the charity event was about to start.

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