Their journey back to the office was uneventful. In fact, if Helena could be honest, this trip felt good. Perhaps it was because the biggest burden had been passed despite the drama. Helena could plan her life much more clearly than before.One thing was for sure, she wouldn't look away from Nakia Group. For her, Nakia is like her lifeblood. She would not waste the many things that had happened there, including the enthusiasm of the staff working under her instruction.“I've booked the restaurant,” Wilna informed as she put her tablet into her bag. “Please make sure Mr. Albert and the team come to the banquet, Helena. You have no objection to this, do you?”“Why would I have any objections?” Helena chuckled. “Their help is really reliable. And I think Mr. Tommy Andreas deserves an invite, too.”“You invited my father?” asked Michael, shifting his seat slightly. He looked at Helena quizzically.“Yes. Thanks to him, everything Tiara was hiding was uncovered in time. Although it could ha
Deny Jacob's hands were shaking. All the files Hendry had given him had left him speechless. Including how Rudi and Sean suddenly appeared at Tiara's final trial.“So... nothing can be done for Tiara?” asked Deny in a shaky voice. “At least appeal? So that her sentence can be reduced?”“You can't, Mr. Deny. Everything has been decided and the trial is reserved for Sean, Rudi, and... You.”Deny let out a long sigh. If those two names were presented in the trial, it was unlikely that he would not be implicated. It was also impossible for him not to move to protect his daughter but what power? Deny was already in the detention center before he could come up with a plan to save his daughter and granddaughter from prosecution.“Did you talk to Tiara after the verdict?”Hendry shook his head slowly. “I haven't had time to meet Miss Tiara yet. I have a lot to take care of, especially regarding the Jacob Group. As your company's legal counsel, I'm responsible for taking care of some things. I
“That's what Mr. Deny suggested, Miss Tiara,” Hendry said with a long sigh. His days behind him were really tough. Apart from having to accompany Deny Jacob to attend further hearings related to his daughter's case, Hendry has also been involved with the mass media several times. Revealing several things that he felt were sufficient to defend his client. As well as taking care of the Jacob Group so that it can continue to run.The only person who could be asked for help after all this happened was Deny Jacob's sister. She was very difficult to ask for help. It wasn't so much about getting paid for taking care of the Jacob Group, but also how Luna Jacob was approved as the temporary guardian of Andy Tan, Tiara Jacob's son.Plus Tiara and Arslan's divorce, which should have been hidden from the mass media but instead had been spread and used as material to continue to top the search rankings in many social media. Beating the political issues that were heating up, as well as some quite s
The story begins three years in the past. The moment Helena left the Edison residence and handed over the leadership of Nakia Group to Wilna, her most trusted assistant and friend.***“Are you sure?” I asked once again. I had no problem with Helena leaving Nakia for something important-continuing her graduate studies. But Helena leaving to catch the love of a man who came from an ordinary background. Oh, really. I have no problem with any man having a relationship with my best friend. It's just... to make Helena leave home and hide her identity?Isn't that too much?“Why am I not sure?” Helena smiled widely. “I don't just let Nakia out of my sight anyway.”“That's not the issue, Helena,” I said with a long sigh. "It's about you releasing Edison's status in favor of a man named Arslan Tan. Are you sure you've made sure he's a good man? Treats you well? Loves you sincerely?” I really had my doubts about this but what else could I say when Helena's eyes really radiated great love.“Take
“Looks like you're already drunk.”I looked at the person who said that nonsense sarcastically. “I'm not drunk yet,” I retorted, putting down the glass rather rudely. It was filled with vodka, which I had downed without a trace. But I wasn't satisfied yet. I don't know how long I've been in this bar, but this place is quite pleasant. It's not like a noisy bar that makes my head spin.Golden Bar is where Thomas usually goes when he has business meetings. I used to make reservations here for him. I read on some websites that Golden Bar is one of the few exclusive bars that offers a place to enjoy alcohol in a quiet atmosphere. The safety and privacy of this place is guaranteed. And because I made reservations for Thomas so often, I got a lot of vouchers. And now, I'm using those vouchers. If I used my own money, I don't know how much money I would have spent just to enjoy a glass of vodka.“You've already finished almost five glasses.”I scowled. “Who are you to tell me to stop?” I pour
“Put this on.”Ugh! This man in front of me is really annoying. Can't a day go by without a coercive tone coming out of his lips? Ever since he found me in the park, what comes out of his mouth is always in a coercive tone.Just like now. He threw me a set of his sleeping clothes. I just stared in doubt but...“Quickly shower and change your clothes.” Thomas gave an exasperated look. “You're like a dog that lost its master in the middle of the forest.”“Oh my, Mr. Thomas. I already refused your offer and could have gone home by taxi. But you forced me to follow you home, didn't you?”Thomas made no more sound except to give me a disapproving look. All I could do was walk away from him-to the bathroom. It was true what he said. I needed a shower and a change of clothes. My whole body was wet and I didn't realize I was shivering from the cold.“You use the guest room. Make yourself at home. I won't leave the room because it's so late. There are many important meetings tomorrow, right? T
They say that the best cure for a broken heart is to be busy at work, working overtime, and not remembering time except when you eat and come home and fall asleep. It seems like a good idea unless you have a family that is quite sensitive to what's going on with you.Really. It can't be ignored for too long.Maybe yesterday-when I ended up staying at my best friend's brother's house, I was able to avoid a lot of questions from Uncle Jack, Aunt Merry, and Lily too. But it's been three days and I've also made a lot of cancellations related to my wedding that will be held soon. They must be wondering what really happened to me.“Wilna.”If Aunt Merry had called me in that tone, I knew what would happen next. Interrogation. And sure enough. As I sat in the living room after dinner, after I had taken a shower and unwound a little from the many meetings and reports that had piled up at Nakia, Aunt Merry sat down beside me.She brought me a cup of lemon tea and her not-so-sweet homemade cake
“Hey, wake up!”I really wanted to throw something at this person who kept talking. It's so noisy. Even though I had just found myself sleeping in... I quickly opened my eyes as wide as I could. I just realized where I fell asleep this time.“Finally woke up too.”I heard the man beside me grumble. His hair was a bit messy, his shirt had been rolled up to my waist, and his blazer was no longer worn. I saw another appearance of Thomas Edison's figure that I think actually made his good looks go up a hundred percent.One moment.Me just complimenting him doesn't mean I have feelings for him. He's a man I'll cross off the list of men I want to be lovers, by the way. Looking at his track record as a man who has had many lovers, I'm completely distancing myself from having a special relationship with this man.“I'm sorry,” I said while bowing slightly.“No problem.” He also stretched his hand. For some reason, seeing him like this made me feel guilty. I shouldn't have fallen asleep on the
The school hall was filled with the noise of the students who were busy preparing for Olin's farewell event. That day, Olin stood in the center of the hall in his neat school uniform. Although he tried to smile, the heaviness of leaving this place was clear on his face.“Lin, are you sure you want to go?” Jihan stood beside him, her eyes glazed over. “You know we're all not willing to let you go.”Olin took a deep breath, then looked at his best friend. “Jihan, I have to go. I can't stay here.”“Why not? We can face this together. You don't have to run away from everything.”Olin smiled, but didn't answer. He knew this decision was the best for him and for his family.One by one, his friends came up to Olin, saying goodbye. Adel, Maria, and Rihanna had been crying since the beginning of the show.“We'll miss your chatty voice in class,” Adel said as she wiped away her tears.
“Dad, I need to talk,” Olin's voice was soft but full of anxiety. She stood in the doorway of her father's study. Michael, who was busy reading a document, looked at his daughter. There was something in her tone of voice that made Michael immediately close the document and wave a hand, inviting her in.“Sure, honey. What's wrong? Sit here,” he said, pointing to the chair in front of him.Olin stepped in slowly, sitting with her back straight but her face downcast. She clutched the hem of her sweater tightly, a clear sign that she was agitated.“Pa... I'm confused. I don't know where to start,” she said finally, her voice trembling.Michael smiled a little, trying to offer some comfort. “Try starting with what's bothering you, Lin. Papa is here to listen.”Olin lifted his head, looking up at his father with teary eyes. “It's about Andy, Pa. And about what Mama said yesterday at the festival.&rdqu
“Olin, what's wrong? You're not usually like this,” Jihan opened the conversation in a quiet but worried voice. They were sitting on a bench in the school garden during recess. Olin just sighed, his eyes fixed on the grass in front of him.“I'm fine, Ji,” Olin replied briefly, without turning his head.Adel, who was sitting beside him, rolled her eyes. “It's okay? Seriously, Lin? If you're okay, why do you look like you've lost something? Even your voice isn't as loud as usual.”“Yeah, Lin,” Maria added as she leaned forward, trying to find Olin's gaze. “You didn't even respond when we teased Rihana earlier. You're usually the most excited when there's something to joke about.”Rihana nodded in agreement, though she was a little disturbed by the discussion. “That's right, Lin. You didn't even laugh when I almost fell earlier. Are you sick? Or... something wrong at home?”Olin s
All the way home, Helena chose to remain silent. The atmosphere in the car was eerily quiet, filled only by the sound of tires rustling across the road. Occasionally, Olin glanced at her mother, hoping for an explanation, but Helena kept her eyes straight ahead, focused on the road stretching out in front of her.Helena was being deliberate. She knew that if this conversation took place in the car, she would not be able to convey everything calmly. The mixed feelings she had been bottling up for so long were now coming back to the surface, hitting her hard ever since that encounter at the festival.“What are you really thinking, Helena?” she muttered to herself. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, while her mind went back to the past that she wanted to forget.Helena knew the look Andy had given Olin earlier. It wasn't just a friend's look. There was something there-a feeling she recognized all too well. It made her chest tight, not because
“Olin, are you ready?” Jihan's voice broke the silence in the preparation room. She looked up at her best friend sitting at the piano, seemingly practicing the last notes.Olin let out a long breath, trying to compose himself. “Not sure, Jihan. I don't know why our homeroom teacher chose me to perform. There are many others who are better.”Jihan chuckled and sat next to him. “Olin, you're really good. They chose you because you're the best. Besides, you're not alone. We're all here to support you.”“But my family will come,” Olin rolled his eyes. “I told them that Mama was enough. If they all came, I'd be even more nervous.”“Your family is fun,” Jihan patted his shoulder. “Think of them as hard-core fans.”Meanwhile, on the main stage, Andy stood in the center of the crowd, monitoring the festival. His face serious, he occasionally spoke into a walkie-talkie to ma
“Who are you looking at, Lin?” Jihan's voice suddenly broke the silence in the cafeteria, making Olin startle and almost choke on the orange juice he had just gulped down.“Huh? Who?” Olin hurriedly turned to Jihan with a panicked face, trying to hide his nervousness.Jihan narrowed her eyes, giving Olin a probing look. “Don't pretend, I saw you just now looking at Andy from a distance. What's wrong, huh?”Olin let out a long breath, then shook his head quickly. “Nothing, Jihan. You saw it wrong.”However, Adel, who was sitting next to Jihan, immediately chimed in. “Oh? Andy? Isn't he that cold guy who rarely talks? How can you be interested, Lin?”“I'm not interested! Gosh, what's wrong with you guys?” Olin tried to deny it, even though his face was starting to turn red. He knew Jihan wouldn't let go of this topic easily.Vina, who was usually more reserved, suddenly ch
“Helena, you look a little tense,” Michael said in a soft tone as they sat in the living room after dinner. He looked at his wife, who sat staring blankly out the window, her eyes seemingly glazed over.Helena took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “I'm fine, Michael. It's just... earlier, when I met Jacob's family, I felt that there was something evocative of the past. Especially with that young man present... I feel anxious.”Michael looked at his wife with concern. “Are you feeling anxious because of him? Or is it something else?”Helena shook her head slowly. “Not because of him, Michael. It's more about the complicated past... which is long forgotten, but not completely gone. I know I've forgiven everyone, including Tiara and Arslan. But seeing their son, seeing him next to Luna... it's like I'm reminded of everything that happened.”Michael sighed and sat closer, taking Helena's hand gently. &l
“Ah, Olin, you finally came too!” Vera greeted Olin with a warm hug, her eyes shining with excitement. “Grandma's been waiting a long time.”Olin smiled and returned the hug. “Yes, Grandma, I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I had a little business earlier.”Helena, his mother, greeted Vera with a warm smile. “Thank you for inviting us, Vera. We're glad we could make it.”Meanwhile, Michael, Olin's father, who was rather quiet, just smiled and greeted Tomy who was busy in the kitchen. “Grandpa, how are you?” he said as he sat down at the dining table.“Ah, Michael! I'm fine, my son. Come, sit, sit. Lunch is ready,” Tomy said with a big smile, his eyes radiating warmth.Olin nodded, followed him into the dining room, and sat next to Vera. Vera immediately grasped his hand with great concern. “Come on, sit down first, son. I want to hear how you're doing.”Olin smil
Andy sat on the living room sofa, scrolling through his phone without really paying attention to the screen. His lips formed a small smile, recalling the moment when Olin bravely chased after his cell phone thief. The girl was completely different from his first image-there was no fear, only genuine courage.However, her smile did not go unnoticed by Luna Jacob, her grandmother who was knitting in a rocking chair not far from her. The old woman knew her grandson all too well. Andy, who was usually serious and quiet, was often seen smiling to himself these days.“What's wrong, Andy?” Luna's soft voice broke the silence.Andy looked up, a little surprised. “What, Grandma?”Luna stopped knitting, looking up at her grandson with concerned eyes. “You seem different lately. Is there something you want to tell me?”Andy smiled slightly, trying to distract her grandmother. “Nothing, Grandma. Probably just a lot on