Iris and Jin Liwei heard what happened the next day. Ketchup informed them first thing in the morning. They were still in their bedroom, wearing pyjamas, with their twin sons.
The husband and wife looked at each other.
"This is a clear murder case," Iris said. "Someone wants to silence the curator that they even murdered an innocent nurse to use her appearance and credentials to do the deed."
Jin Liwei didn't say anything as he was busy herding their sons off the bed, but his expression showed that he, too, was shocked at what happened in Paris after they left.
"I must call Ashandra," Iris murmured. "I'm worried about her."
After only a few rings, Ashandra Knightson picked up the call. "Xiulan, have you heard what happened already?"
"Yes!" Iris replied. "I think you should leave France soon, Ashandra. What happened to your curator at the hospital ICU makes it clear that something more sinister is happening. This is not a simple case of hate crime anymore. It's a deliberate targeted murder case!"
"I know. I'm already packing."
Iris heaved a sigh of relief. "Good. I'll ask my husband to arrange one of his private jets for you."
"I won't reject your offer this time, Xiulan. I was so frightened and shaky that I could barely think straight. It's only thanks to the bodyguards you arranged for me that I managed to even function again in the first place. They're the ones who reminded me that I might be the real target. I don't know if that's true or not, but I sure as hell won't want to risk my life here in Paris. I already announced the termination of my art exhibition."
"Okay, Ashandra. Don't panic too much. If you're not sure about what to do next, just rely on the bodyguards for now. We'll figure out what to do next once you leave France."
"I'll do my best. Thank you, Xiulan."
Iris gave Ashandra a few more words of advice. After the phone call, Iris asked for her husband's help.
"No problem, love," Jin Liwei said after hearing about it. "Let me arrange the private jet now."
Iris took over changing the twins' clothes while Jin Liwei called someone on his phone to make the private flight arrangements for Ashandra Knightson.
"Done," he said after the phone call. "Someone will contact Ashandra to ask for her departure preferences."
"Thanks, darling." She stood on her tippy-toes and kissed the corner of his cheek.
He held her waist and squeezed it a little. Then he gave her luscious lips a quick peck.
"Chi chi yah yah!" (Mochi wants a kiss, too!)
Although Iris and Jin Liwei didn't understand what their son was talking about, they could guess by his actions.
Iris chuckled, instantly improving her mood. "Come, my little sweetheart. Mommy will give you a kiss."
She lifted the clingy baby and gave each of his cheeks a loud, smacking kiss. Little Mochi giggled, loving all the attention his mommy was showering on him.
Then she felt a light tug on her pyjama pants.
It was Little Matcha. "Mama, uh uh." (Mommy, I want a kiss, too.)
Of course, Iris had no reason to reject her son's request. She handed Little Mochi to her husband and lifted Little Matcha next. She also gave Little Matcha's each cheek a loud, smacking kiss.
The baby's reaction was more subdued compared to his lively elder twin brother, but there was still a clear smile on Little Matcha's face.
Afterwards, the husband and wife also freshened up and changed into appropriate day outfits. The family headed out of their bedroom for breakfast.
"Darling, I'm not comfortable staying here in France anymore," Iris said. "I'm sad that we have to cut our family trip short, but I just can't find it in myself to enjoy our next days here at the chateau after hearing what happened. I also want to meet up with Ashandra before Orchidia Germany's launch to check on her."
"Okay, love. I'll make the arrangements."
"Oh, right. I almost forgot. I also still need to meet up with Jabar and Amira before we leave to tell them my decisions regarding their proposals."
"Do you need me to join you?" Jin Liwei asked.
"Only at the meeting with the director. I can handle the meeting with the sheikha by myself."
"En."
After eating breakfast, Iris announced to Dom, the nannies, and their other staff that they would be leaving France soon ahead of schedule. Dom and the others didn't mind especially after hearing about the reason why they had to depart earlier than expected.
"Oh no!" Dom also looked worried. "Will Ashandra be fine? If she's the real target, then she shouldn't attend Orchidia Germany's launch anymore! She should lie low for a while for her own safety."
"That's what I'm thinking, too," Iris said, nodding. "She should return to Cross Academy. It should be safest there for her. I'll call her again later to tell her."
"I'll also call Sis Fei to let her know to start packing because we'll leave France soon," Dom said.
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