58.

ROBERT'S POV. "ARGH! How could the package box not be found?!" Robert immediately snapped in annoyance after hearing Brian's words. Robert's face looked furious in the other direction for a few moments. Robert could not accept that the package box for Asleena just disappeared. Because there Robert deliberately kept many memories with Asleena. The package box must be seen and received by Asleena so that Robert can disturb Benny's feelings. "Sorry, Mr. Robert. I tried so hard to find the box but I couldn't," replied Brian who felt a bit uncomfortable. Robert turned his irritated gaze to Brian. With a snarl in his mouth, Robert strode quickly over to Brian and spontaneously slapped Brian on the cheek. The hard slap caused an echoing sound in the room as Brian's face was knocked to the side. "You're useless! Why don't you do your job properly?!" snapped Robert who railed harshly. "I pay you a lot of money, but why don't you work properly?!" Brian lowered his head and didn't dare to look Robert in the face. His hand was still holding his cheek which was red and heated from the hard slap from Robert just now. Brian knew that he would get this kind of treatment every time he failed to do Robert's orders correctly. "I really need that package box! Why can't you find it?!" Robert cursed Brian again, a frustrated and angry look on his face. Brian couldn't answer anything. He knew that even if he explained how difficult it was to find the box for Asleena, Robert wouldn't care. Brian was just trying to accept the risk he was taking for failing to carry out Robert's orders. "The package box should still be there. I can't believe that the box I sent Asleena just disappeared," Robert said in an emphasized tone. Brian was still just watching Robert with his head bowed in worry. Since yesterday Brian knew how much Robert wanted Asleena to come back to him. The reason why Robert came to New York City was so that he could meet Asleena and mend their relationship. "So what information did you get, huh?" Robert asked Brian as he folded his arms across his chest. His gaze was very sharp, even implying a threat if Brian could not answer his question. "I've been trying to find out who took the package. I watched the CCTV footage on the reception lobby floor, but the man on the footage had his back to the camera. When I asked the receptionist, she said she couldn't tell me who the package was entrusted to," Brian stammered back. Robert let out a rough sigh as he looked away. Brian's explanation caused even more anxiety in his heart. Robert seemed to have no chance of getting the box back. "Damn... that package is an important thing to disrupt their relationship," Robert replied in a low voice. Robert began to think about something else-something that had actually made him feel curious since yesterday. Ever since he saw that Asleena was in a relationship with Benny, Robert had been wondering when that relationship started. Robert wanted to ask Asleena about it. But unfortunately his focus since yesterday has been on other things. "I still can't just stop looking for ways to disrupt their relationship. Asleena can't just leave me by having a relationship with another man. I still need her by my side," Robert said. "Mr. Robert, there seems to be several people working together to protect Asleena from you. I can't be sure if the receptionist knows that you are Asleena's ex-boyfriend or not. But it looks like she's trying to protect Asleena from you." Robert's gaze moved to Brian and stared intently. Robert immediately became more curious. "Are you saying that someone ordered Asleena to be kept out of my reach?" Robert asked. Brian nodded his head. "It seems so. I can only surmise from the gestures of the receptionist of Asleena's company who seemed to be wary and suspicious of me when I arrived." Robert frowned and was silent for a moment. In that instant Robert suddenly thought of Benny. The only person who was most likely to keep Asleena out of his reach was Benny. He had just as much power as Asleena to give orders to people. Although Asleena hated him and avoided him, it seemed unlikely that she would give such orders. "What if that person had given Asleena the package box and dumped it in the middle of nowhere?" Robert wondered. "That could also be a possibility, Mr. Robert. I'm just making sure that the package box wasn't taken by Asleena's company security or Asleena's receptionist." "Then... the next person of information is Asleena's personal secretary, that damn Roger. He was also the one who tried to keep me away from Asleena," Robert replied, his tone implying great annoyance. Brian remained silent. He knew that after saying that question, Robert would give him an order. That's why Brian tried to wait for Robert's next order. "You have to find a way for me to interrogate Roger. I need to get rid of the people who are trying to keep me away from Asleena." Robert gave Brian his orders, just as his secretary had expected. "Very well, Mr. Robert," Brian replied with an obedient nod. "I've also heard that Benny has an ex-lover who is having problems with the two of them, Mr. Robert." Robert's movement as he was about to turn around to leave was halted. Robert looked at Brian and turned around. Robert looked at Brian with curiosity and interest. "Benny has an ex-girlfriend? A problem with them? What do you mean?" "Benny's ex-girlfriend once tried to separate Benny from Asleena. It seems that the business of their relationship is unfinished, just like your relationship with Asleena, Mr. Robert." Brian explained. While inquiring at the receptionist of Asleena's company, Brian overheard the conversation of the employees of Asleena's company who walked past him. They were talking about Benny and Asleena because their relationship had become public. Brian's words made Robert tug the corner of his right lip slightly, forming a lopsided smile. For some reason Robert felt that this was a good opportunity for Robert to disrupt Benny and Asleena's relationship. "I guess I'll have to meet that woman to get her to cooperate," Robert replied. "She and I should get a partner, then settle any unfinished business. Benny and Asleena shouldn't be together when there's unfinished business." After Robert said that, his small smile turned into a curved grin that implied a plan. Robert knew that he was not alone in accomplishing his plan. "What are you going to do, Mr. Robert?" Brian asked slowly. Robert immediately turned his gaze back to Brian. "I will search for that woman's whereabouts. Did you get any more details about her?" *** "Who are you?" That question was the only thing Bella asked when she saw Robert's arrival. Robert gave Bella a big smile. As if he had just seen a great hope to be able to destroy Benny and Asleena's relationship. "Are you Benny's ex-girlfriend?" Robert asked to the point. Bella frowned with a surprised expression because Robert asked her that. There was a sense of wariness implied in her facial expression. "Wait. Who are you? That's private information, how did you know?" Bella said in a tone that was full of worry. Realizing that Bella was feeling worried and wary of him made Robert arch his warm smile even wider. Robert tried not to create a situation that intimidated Bella. Because for now, Bella's comfort is very important so that she can carry out her plans smoothly. "I'm Robert, Asleena's ex-boyfriend," Robert replied as he extended his hand to Bella. "We can talk nicely. It's nice to meet you." Bella did not immediately accept Robert's hand to shake. She watched in detail for a few seconds, as if trying to read whether the person in front of her was a dangerous person or not. "What do you want from me?" asked Bella, clearly showing that she was feeling threatened. Even the grip of one of her hands on the door tightened, preparing for the man in front of her to do something. Robert noticed Bella's threatening gesture. He remained calm and looked at Bella without any sharpness. He stuffed both hands into his pants, then let out a long sigh. "I want to talk to you about something important as someone who is Asleena's former lover," Robert replied. "I want to ask you to cooperate." Bella immediately frowned. "Cooperation?" Bella asked with a sardonic laugh. "You don't even know me, we just met. What kind of cooperation are you talking about?" "We don't know each other and we just met. But we both don't like Asleena and Benny's relationship," Robert retorted, starting the provocation. Bella was now silent. "You don't want their relationship to last, do you?"