Michael leaned a little closer to Helena to whisper something. “Miss Wilna informed me that she is already in the lobby.”Helena gave her a quick glance and then smiled as her gaze refocused on the main stage. The grand launching of the Cyber Group's latest cell phone was greeted with much enthusiasm. In the business world that Helena had been secretly involved in during her time as Arslan's wife, Helena knew what Cyber Group was up to in terms of competing with Nakia. Although Nakia's name was well known to many people, Cyber's innovation could make them compete evenly in the market for the communication device.Business-wise, they are two big rivals whose names continue to skyrocket and have more and more loyal customers using their products. However,... if Helena didn't know how rotten Arslan's plan to bring her down was, she would have been very surprised by the launching event this afternoon.Ever since Helena arrived at this event, Arslan had looked at her intensely several time
“What did your ex- mother-in-law come and talk to you for, Helena?” asked Wilna in a whisper. She didn't want to disturb Helena's concentration, who was focused on the main stage area.“As usual, talking as if we had an overly close relationship,” Helena replied with a faint smile. “I don't know where she got the information, but she knows I'm pregnant with Arslan's child."“WHAT?!” Wilna squealed in disbelief. Her voice even made some people at other tables look at her in surprise. Wilna immediately covered her mouth while grimacing in embarrassment but then focused her attention on Helena. “You... aren't joking, are you?”“Do I look like I'm joking?” asked Helena who still had a smile on her lips. She tried to look calm even though Mirna's last words made her wary.“You have to be careful, Helena. They could do anything to get you back into that family.”Helena chuckled. “Not likely. I wouldn't want to share the same man with another woman anyway. Do they think I'll beg Arslan to co
Arslan walked around in his office. The launching event that he imagined could make his name skyrocket, and the impact that Cyber Corp could get to reap big profits ... was just destroyed. More than just destroyed, Arslan had to face many questions and demands for explanations from the many reporters who had gathered in the lobby of Intel's office.The man felt like his head was about to blow off. He had so many things on his mind and couldn't believe what happened during the event. Arslan left the event with some difficulty but was grateful to the security guards who immediately asked the reporters to give him some space.“It was only temporary,” muttered Arslan who was now starting to slow his pace. “I can't stay still.” He opened the door to his office as wide as he could. He ordered some of his staff to find out how someone else had hacked into their system.There was a strong speculation that what had happened was the work of Nakia's team. Since the arrival of their Quality Contr
Arslan can't back away from what happened. The only thing he can do now is explain. Although explanations are also of little use because what they need is a solution. But how can Arslan solve if the pressure that comes is so crushing as if there is no pause just to breathe.The man took a deep breath and tried to calm down. The five commissaires who came with cold looks and did not want to get any welcome, only glanced at Arslan's existence. Without any desire to return the greeting Arslan had just given. Also when Deny Jacob greeted them with a faint smile.Everyone looked tense and just wanted an immediate solution to what had happened today.One of them, Mr. Raymond Anderson said before closing the door to Arslan's office. “We need to talk, Arslan,” the man said in a heavy voice. “And make sure you have a reasonable answer ready for this conversation.”Arslan swallowed nervously but there was no way he could avoid it. The man nodded. He hurried to his office with hurried steps. Nor
“You should focus on your pregnancy, Tiara,” Deny Jacob said carefully. When they were on their way back to his house. Tiara was not with Arslan because her husband still had something to take care of. Actually, she didn't have that kind of heart to leave Arslan like that, but remembering the conversation on the phone with someone there, and always discussing Helena, made Tiara lose her compassion.“Yes, Pa.” Tiara nodded obediently.“Although there is something you can do, but remember one thing, Tiara. Don't be a fool for loving a man.”Tiara looked at her father. A middle-aged man who was her role model and the only family she had. She frowned slightly but began to understand the direction of the conversation and the warning. Tiara looked out the car window, her mind filled with doubts and guilt. Her father's words kept ringing in her mind. “Don't be a fool for loving a man.” Despite the urge to argue, something inside her felt that what her father said was true. She was caught up
The sound that came out of Mirna's mouth made Tiara glance over. Since a while ago, the atmosphere at the dining table had been different. But Tiara didn't care. Although there was no desire to eat the food served, her stomach needed to be filled. Last night, for the first time since she was confirmed pregnant and spent the day with her body changing, there was nothing to worry about. But last night, she felt her stomach aching, tensed, and very uncomfortable.However, there would be no complaints coming out of Tiara's mouth especially after what Arslan told her directly. With confidence, her husband said something that really set Tiara off. She gave her husband a hard slap on the face. It didn't matter if Arslan went berserk, what was clear ... Tiara left the room. Grabbing a long cardigan to warm her body from the cold air that hit.“Rani said you didn't sleep in your room?” asked Mirna with a curious look in her eyes.Arslan wasn't at the table, and Tiara didn't really care. Althou
“Is it all ready?” Helena asked for confirmation. Today was going to be a long day. The letter that his legal team sent to Intel Corp's office received a quick response. But before fulfilling the summons for further investigation, Arslan personally requested a meeting with Helena.Did Helena agree immediately? Of course not.For Helena, there was no need for a meeting between the two of them. After all, the remaining business between Helena and Arslan was only limited to a work contract. Which was actually being broken by Arslan without thinking about the risks. Making Helena suffer both material losses and wasted time.“We're ready,” Wilna said, carrying a document she had collected to prove what Arslan had been doing to Nakia, and just in case the man made an annoying excuse. “But you're sure you'll see him in person first?”Helena seemed to think for a moment and then nodded. “I met her at a café not far from the Intel Corp office. Anyway, he was just delaying his responses to Naki
They were already on their way back to office after an almost three-hour meeting to discuss Nakia's losses. Before going to judicial channels, the Intel Corp commissioners requested a meeting in person to negotiate in case they could find the best way out. At least this could reduce the level of public distrust of their performance. And one thing is certain: Intel Corp's credibility in the eyes of other business partners.If Nakia has submitted the claim file to the court, then there is no safe way out for Intel Corp. Unfortunately, what Nakia asked to be fulfilled did not get a signal of approval because they felt that Nakia was blackmailing them. In fact, from any side, the most harmed is Nakia. It seems that this is very much utilized by Intel Corp to slightly reduce their sense of responsibility.Arslan has argued several times about the program and technology he designed for Nakia, claiming to be similar to Cyber. But this time, Thomas explained in great detail what kind of cheat
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