“I'm still wondering what Michael was really doing at Helena's side?” Tiara looked back at the file Rudi had handed her this afternoon. She was already at Jacob Group's office, not yet eager to go to Intel Corp just to find out the progress and what steps Arslan would take to deal with the problem at hand.“I can't trace further, Ms. Tiara. Only about his family background and work."Tiara rolled her eyes in annoyance. “If that's all you can find out, I already know who Michael is without your help. But why is he by Helena's side. That's a big question because no matter what, Michael is a famous doctor. He has a lot of good reputation in the medical world. And now? Always by Helena's side? Not even a husband would do that.” Tiara chuckled in disbelief. “Is he blinded by Helena? Or working as Helena's personal bodyguard? Gosh, why didn't I think of that?”The woman chuckled with satisfaction at her thoughts. Once again, s
Through the tail of his eyes, Michael noticed how Helena's expression had become quieter than before. It was different when Helena was briefing and discussing the project with Erick. Helena Edison was dedicated to the Nakia Group, but when she was faced with her own personal problems, Michael saw her as fragile. A person who needs support but is trying to stay strong. It was as if she didn't want to say that Helena could collapse at any moment.The sunglasses man suspected that this all stemmed from the phone call Helena had received that afternoon. From her father; Hanry Edison. Michael wanted to give Helena some comfort, even though he wasn't sure if his encouragement would ease the woman's anxiety. But... Michael wasn't sure if his comfort would make Helena feel comfortable or not.Meanwhile, Helena let out a long sigh as she covered part of her face with the back of her hand.“What... don't you want to see your father?” Michael asked carefully. He couldn't allow himself to see Hel
The hospital room where Helena was being treated felt increasingly empty. Helena's recovery process was painfully slow. Ever since Helena woke up and learned that she had lost her baby, something had changed about her. The smile that usually graced her face, the enthusiasm that sparked from her eyes, had now disappeared. It was replaced with a deep sadness.Perhaps because of this, Helena's recovery was not going well. Helena looked as if she had lost the meaning of life in herself. And that made her family worried. Even a psychiatric expert was asked to accompany her, but Helena seemed to be drowning in her sorrow. She didn't want to move, and she felt ... empty.How Helena wanted a pregnancy after three years. Even though her marriage failed, God gave her what she wanted. Whether as a gift to be grateful for or later it will be a boomerang, but Helena already loves her future baby. She guards it with all her heart and tries to be the best to raise her child.Unfortunately ... the ac
"Thank God Mr. Michael passed his critical period well, although it took a while," said the doctor in charge of Michael with a look of relief. “At least the follow-up observation after Mr. Michael regains his consciousness is still ongoing.”Helena let out a sigh of relief. She gently squeezed Thomas' hand on her shoulder. Thomas had arrived just as Kenneth had told him the news. He helped Helena sit in the wheelchair and escorted her to Michael's medical room. Helena also seemed enthusiastic to meet him, as if the sadness she had been feeling all afternoon had been eased by the news of Michael's awakening.They gathered right in front of the door to Michael's ward. The doctor only allowed one person to visit Michael, as his condition was still unstable. If he improved within twenty-four hours, Michael would be placed in a room next to Helena.The decision was made for the safety of both of them under the intense supervision of Tommy Andreas. Both Thomas and Hanry Edison agreed that t
News of Nakia CEO's accident was breaking fast. It also almost overshadowed the news about what happened with Intel Corp and the Cyber Group. However, the legal process continued as it was supposed to. There were no delays despite being represented by Wilna as well as Thomas, although the man only occasionally visited Nakia's office. They would not be distracted by news and Helena's condition.“Don't lose focus during the court proceedings, Wilna,” Thomas warned.Wilna rolled her eyes in annoyance. She still had a lot of files in her hands but the call from Thomas had been very distracting this whole time. And that was all Thomas said? Where was Wilna's focus except on the pile of files she would bring to the court?Even though Helena wasn't with Nakia, Wilna had full responsibility and wouldn't let Nakia miss out on a great opportunity to make Intel Corp pay for its actions.“Of course not, Mr. Thomas.” Wilna tried to speak in a normal tone. Although she repeatedly held back her anno
Before Rudi opened the door to the room where the woman who wanted to meet him was waiting, he took a deep breath. His heart was beating fast. Cold sweat had been pouring down his forehead since he entered the lobby of this building. But he couldn't run away because the woman knew how to make him fulfill her call.“Come in,” said the voice in the room after Rudi knocked on the black painted wooden door in front of him.Once again, Rudi let out a long breath. “Miss Tiara,” Rudi called, trying to be as calm as possible. The room was quite large with windows overlooking the city from the 35th floor of the Jacob Group building. Tiara Jacob stood with her back to Rudi. Staring out the window as if it was a fun thing to do. The faint afternoon sunlight reflected off her jet-black hair, adding to the woman's cold and menacing air.Rudi trembled with horror at meeting Tiara for the umpteenth time.“What else do you want from me?” Rudi asked in a trembling voice despite his efforts to remain c
The room where Helena was treated had a living room that was often used for meetings and work in between her therapy and recovery. Helena doesn't like to waste her time crying about what has happened. She had to keep moving with the flow of life.The large window near the living room was her favorite place to spend time reviewing the files Wilna had brought. Like this afternoon, Helena sat leaning back on the sofa, her face looking stern even though her body was still recovering. Her right hand was busy flipping through the documents Wilna had just handed over, while her left hand slowly adjusted the eyeglasses above her nose. Her gaze was sharp, focused, and glued to the pages she was reading.“How's the court proceedings going?” asked Helena as she adjusted her glasses.“Aren't you tired?” asked Wilna with an irritated look. Since her arrival an hour ago, Helena had not stopped checking the many files she had submitted. Wilna and Thomas' remarks about Helena focusing more on her rec
contains violent and slightly suspenseful scenes. Please understand***Rudi's eyes slowly opened. His whole body felt broken and painful even just to move his hand, he cringed in pain. His gaze immediately scanned around. Rudi just found out that he was placed in an unfamiliar room. The room was dark, leaving only very minimal lighting, damp, and filled with something quite disturbing. Whether it was because this room was long unused or deliberately left like this, Rudi didn't know.“Where am I?” he asked as he tried to sit up. It was a little difficult for him to move because his legs were bound. The smell of blood and his sticky body made him remember what happened to him. “Ugh!” He massaged his temples.Rudi remembered, while on his way out of town at night, a car made him pull over because the way he was driving was very dangerous. He forgot one thing, however; Rudi had been targeted since he exited the freeway gate from the city center.At that moment, all he knew was... he was
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