Seno grinned. The doctor's response was completely unexpected."You know, Doc? There are two types of people who can achieve success in the blink of an eye," he said suddenly."Where is this conversation going?" Miriam stared at Seno sharply. She wasn't looking to be reprimanded. Miriam realized that her obsession with Andre had gone beyond bounds. But, she couldn't just prevent her heart's desire."I can offer advice and also... action. Which one do you choose?" Seno began to give Miriam options so she wouldn't casually join his alliance. Seno had to test her first. If Miriam passed, then, success or whatever it was would be within her grasp."Ac–action." Miriam answered hesitantly. She didn't know what Seno would offer her."You're a doctor, you know! Isn't it a problem to ally with a businessman like me? And... of course, not for free!" Seno finally began to reveal his bad intentions."What's the payment?""Your authority as one of the hospital owners and also... Lara's love rival.
Carol and James exchanged glances. However, a nod from her brother made Carol wink her eyes."Alright, Doctor. We'll entrust all of this to you.""Thank you, please don't cause any trouble. This needs to be resolved calmly, hm?" Andre said, staring straight at his two guests."Alright...."After exchanging greetings, they left the doctor's office with light steps. There was nothing more for them to worry about. "Just in case, I'll still hire our lawyer," James said before they left the hospital lobby."Alright, Brother. Do what you think is necessary. I'll monitor from Mahya's room. I'll copy the files related to this case."The two Channel Insight executives were no longer seen in the hospital area. Meanwhile, Andre was calling his old friend to collect a favor he had received.***"Bro, meet me at the club tonight.""Wow! Andre inviting to the club? What's going on?" His friend teased with his distinctive voice. Andre just smiled wryly and reluctantly responded."I'll cover all the
Carol and James exchanged glances. However, a nod from her brother made Carol wink her eyes."Alright, Doctor. We'll entrust all of this to you.""Thank you, please don't cause any trouble. This needs to be resolved calmly, hm?" Andre said, staring straight at his two guests."Alright...."After exchanging greetings, they left the doctor's office with light steps. There was nothing more for them to worry about. "Just in case, I'll still hire our lawyer," James said before they left the hospital lobby."Alright, Brother. Do what you think is necessary. I'll monitor from Mahya's room. I'll copy the files related to this case."The two Channel Insight executives were no longer seen in the hospital area. Meanwhile, Andre was calling his old friend to collect a favor he had received.***"Bro, meet me at the club tonight.""Wow! Andre inviting to the club? What's going on?" His friend teased with his distinctive voice. Andre just smiled wryly and reluctantly responded."I'll cover all the
Spending a fun night with friends meant a lot to Andre, who was busy every day. Lara's issue would certainly be his priority. Andre even exchanged schedules with another doctor to be with Riko for Lara!"Come on, stop pouting. Enjoy tonight and be happy, Bro!" Riko said, raising his glass. Andre just smiled wryly and ordered soda. "I have surgery scheduled for tomorrow, Bro! Can't afford to get drunk!""Ah! No fun!" Riko grumbled, but he still clinked his vodka glass with his friend's. "YOLO!"The atmosphere at the club was indeed lively, Andre admitted. The urge to drink alcohol was strong, but he had to be wise. Getting drunk with Riko would only cause trouble at work. Andre didn't know when he would be able to relax without worrying about his work schedule."Hey, how's your sister? Haven't heard from her lately?" Riko started a conversation. Andre just smiled, remembering her."She just got married. Probably still on her honeymoon," he replied casually."Holy shit! One less goddess
Lara widened her eyes at her friend's request. However, was Andre fit to be called that? When the hit-and-run case involving her mother still lingered in her mind."Sorry, Ndre. I want to rest," Lara redirected the conversation. She didn't want to answer Andre's questions, which seemed to expect hope for clarity in their relationship. It wasn't appropriate for them to reconnect. Their families were supposed to be enemies."Lara...." Andre seemed to understand Lara's defensive attitude. No matter how hard he tried, it seemed that Lara still believed that the Ramsey family was responsible for her mother's death. Yet, the autopsy results said otherwise."Please...." Lara now curled up and hid under her blanket. She thought, with her safety and the easing of the threat to Mahya, it should be enough evidence that Andre still valued their friendship from the past.Enough, that's all. Lara couldn't give Andre anything else, especially... if it concerned her feelings.Andre sighed deeply. He
"What?!" Seno growled when his assistant informed him of something that made his blood boil instantly. Seno's neck felt tight, but he tried to endure it. In a few minutes, Seno would be going up on stage for the launch of his new drug that he had been working on: Escitalopram.The drug was planned to be distributed massively to the public at subsidized prices considering... Seno was currently launching an action to reap unlimited profits from the side effects it would produce."Contact the Police Chief! I want to talk to him!" Seno replied gruffly before hanging up. He took a deep breath and tried to stabilize his erratic heartbeat. This time, Seno couldn't afford to lose track of Lara."What's wrong? Why do you look like that?" Olivia asked, joining him behind the stage."It's none of your business," Seno replied quickly. Lately, Seno's tension had been rising drastically. This was due to failure after failure in getting rid of Lara and Mahya. He couldn't afford to fall into the same
BUGH!“Aww!” Lara groaned as a man bumped into her.“Sorry, Miss ... here! Take this!” he said, handing her an old model phone with a note attached to it. ‘Answer this phone’. That was what the note said.“Hey! Mister! Wait!” Lara shouted at the man in the black hat who suddenly walked away. However, he ran even faster and then disappeared into the crowd. Lara stood still. Soon after, the phone rang.“Should I answer it?” Lara felt suspicious. The events that had happened to her recently made her increasingly cautious. Lara couldn't afford to be careless and endanger her life.The phone kept ringing. Lara ignored it. But seconds later, a message caught her attention. ‘Lynn, answer the phone’Lara's eyes widened. Lynn was the affectionate name her parents used. Only the three of them knew about it. Lara's heart sank. This incident felt almost like a dream.“Wh–who is this?” She wondered, but then the phone rang again. This time, Lara answered it with trembling hands. “He–hello?”“Lynn!
In that evening, Andre barely closed his eyes. He was in his apartment, but his heart and mind were still in Lara's hospital room."Sigh... Lara, how else can I bring you closer like before?" He murmured while staring at the pale blue ceiling of his room. Lara's presence was deeply etched in his heart. Andre couldn't just let it go. He wouldn't give up, especially now that Lara was no longer someone else's wife.Andre's phone vibrated. An unknown number appeared on the screen. Andre furrowed his brows in confusion, but... his intuition told him that he had to answer this call."Hello?" Andre greeted coldly. He didn't recognize the number displayed. Whose voice would greet him was still a mystery. Andre had to remain vigilant."Ndre. It's me, Lara."Instantly, Andre's heart raced faster than usual. His cold demeanor disappeared into thin air. Andre sat up straight and responded warmly to Lara's call. "Lara? Whose number is this?" Andre asked to confirm."It's someone's number that I do
Shanon still lay weakly, Mia and Tomi were already in the waiting room. The doctor still couldn't allow them to visit because they weren't family members."How's the director?" Mia asked as Darren finally emerged from the inpatient room. "She's recovering, although she's still unconscious," he said softly. His eyes looked weary, very different from when they met before this tragic incident occurred."Mia, tell me anything I might have missed," Darren asked for clues. He would soon get Ian and Miriam arrested, but Darren wanted to uncover the truth that had been hidden all this time."Ian and Miriam have been playing both of you. We only found out after catching Alice," Mia said, with Tomi nodding in agreement."Their internal lackeys are being interrogated by investigators. We've reported Ian and Miriam, but it seems they've already fled, Sir," Tomi sighed. It seemed their actions were too late. Somehow, Ian and Miriam had managed to escape so quickly."So, what did they take?""For n
"Darling!" Darren shot forward, embracing Shanon whom sprawled on the carpet. Ian and Miriam watched from behind the door. The threat wasn't over."Hand over your car keys!" Ian barked. Darren didn't even hear the thin man's shout. He was busy checking Shanon's pulse and breathing. Every vital area he could ensure to make sure Shanon was still alive."Call an ambulance!" Darren yelled while carrying Shanon in his arms."We're not your maids. Can't you see? We're the villains here." Ian scoffed, making Darren's anger reach its boiling point."What have you done to her?!""We were just playing around with her a bit. Not our fault if she struggled and ended up like that."Darren's eyes reddened. He immediately dashed towards the door to take Shanon to the nearest hospital, but Ian stopped him."Hey! You can't go anywhere!" Ian grabbed Darren's collar and pulled him back."I need to get to the hospital! Shanon is dying!""Hey, where do you think you're going? Aren't you leaving her behind
Shanon collapsed with a bloody leg. Miriam immediately grabbed her hair and dragged her out of the warehouse to get to a brighter light. Shanon's blood smelled metallic and scattered along the floor as Miriam changed the location of her torture."Let me go!!" Shanon screamed in pain. The stinging sensation and anger piled up inside her. How could she be tortured in her own home?"I already told you, didn't I? Stop acting up! It will only hurt you even more," Miriam scolded. Ian staggered behind them. After successfully removing the bloody pen, he quickly wrapped the wound with a scarf he took from the warehouse."Bastard!" he cursed, groaning in pain as the burning sensation pierced his skin. Shanon's stab wounds were deep, but he didn't have time to treat it. They needed to get that signature quickly."Get it done real quick! Sign that fucking document and we will call an ambulance to take care of you! We don't want your life. What's so hard about it?!" Ian shouted, and Shanon now tr
Shanon narrowed her eyes; she clearly recognized him. The man was ...."Ian?" Shanon's voice caught, as there was someone else standing beside Ian. The woman was very familiar to Shanon. "Miriam? So ... it's all your doing?" Shanon screamed. Angry. But Ian quickly darted towards her and hit the back of her neck.Shanon passed out.In the darkness. She could still imagine her lover's face. Darren. Oh, if only the figure welcoming her behind the darkness was her husband. Miriam would be very happy.Sadly, it's not him.Darren would never be there. Not anymore.***"Urgh...." Shanon groaned. She was awake now. It seemed she had been unconscious for several hours. Her hands couldn't move, nor could her feet. Even the sound that came out was just a whimper. She couldn't speak. Black tape bound her perfectly."You're awake, it seems," Miriam exclaimed from behind the door, which now gave Shanon some clues about her whereabouts. She was in the back warehouse, near the stairs. Why were they k
Tomi was stunned, unable to believe what he had just heard. His eyes shifted from Shanon's devastated face to Mia, who was trying to hide her anxiety."I'm sorry, Mrs. Shanon, I don't know what to say," Tomi said, his voice trembling. He had known Shanon and Darren for quite some time. Their relationship seemed strong, solid, and full of love. Even Tomi, who only interacted minimally with the couple, could feel the positive vibes of their bond."What do you think, Tomi?" Mia asked, her voice sounding fragile. She was also shocked by the news, but she didn't want to exacerbate the situation. Mia wanted to hear the legal solutions regarding this divorce lawsuit from the expert.Shanon simply bowed her head, trying to hold back the tears that kept flowing. Her heart was shattered into pieces. Shanon felt like she was in the middle of an endless storm. Problems upon problems hit her without permission. No matter how hard she tried to hold on, she wouldn't be able to push away her feelings
Shanon ended the board meeting with determined steps, albeit somewhat forced. She couldn't afford to be careless. If even one more unintentional mistake surfaced, her position would truly be in jeopardy!"Great job, Ma'am! We can call it a day." Mia said, patting her boss on the shoulder. The work hours were over, and now their relationship transcended mere colleagues; they were more like friends fighting hard to navigate the crisis in the company."Thank you, Mia. I'm really tired," Shanon replied, her face pale. Mia felt concerned, especially since she knew that Shanon's conflict wasn't just about this video issue, but also about her separation from her beloved husband."I'm sure you'll become stronger and more resilient facing all these challenges, Ma'am. Trust me, God will provide a way," Mia reassured, embracing Shanon tightly. She could feel her friend's heartache. Shanon wasn't expressive enough, and that only made Mia feel more sorry for her. If only she could cry like most wo
The scheduled press conference finally occurred. Though not in her prime state, Shanon came with her usual aura: resolute, menacing, and also captivating. Her long hair was left loose but styled with transparent pomade, giving off a sleek impression. Shanon was ready to conquer her enemies behind the mask of her firmness."Mrs. Shanon, is it true that the circulating scandalous video involves you with a male friend?" A journalist's question pierced Shanon's heart. Despite preparing herself, experiencing the sting of accusations was indeed painful."That's not true," Shanon quickly replied. She didn't appear nervous or trembling. Tomi had warned her to appear normal. This lie had to be an eternal secret for their team."What about your husband's reaction? Is he not bothered?" Another question slipped, successfully almost crumbling Shanon's attempted defense.The blonde woman fell silent for a moment. Shanon tried to gather strength, but... her tears fell unexpectedly."Ah... I'm sorry.
Shanon and Mia walked side by side to the legal office on the 10th floor. The hospital, with its 12 floors, was quite efficient, and the management offices were located on the top two floors."Mrs. Shanon! We've been waiting for your arrival," Legal Manager, Tomi Winarta, extended his hand for a handshake. Shannon accepted it gracefully, though she can no hide her vulnerability. Shannon suffered from a severe shock. She couldn't deny it."What's the situation?" the blonde-haired woman asked with a worried expression. Tomi just nodded and gestured to his assistant. Unfortunately, the assistant only shook his head, saying, "It's bad, Ma'am. Several articles related to this scandal have been released, and we've received numerous complaints from the PR team."Shanon's heart felt torn apart. She never imagined that her problems wouldn't end with the argument with Darren but would involve her ex-lover as well."I should have sensed something suspicious from Ian! Damn it!" Shannon growled an
Shanon was completely asleep and hadn't had a chance to move to the bed. The golden-haired woman could only crawl to the sofa and curl up there until the next morning.“What the–” Shanon exclaimed as a barrage of messages flooded her phone screen. All from… Ian! “What is this?” Shanon trembled after receiving an unwanted video… a video of their kiss!‘Honey, I could easily release this video to the public and ruin your reputation, but I won't do it. Last night a nasty rat has captured our intimate moment, and I've beaten him to a pulp. You know what you should do.’“Fuck!” Shanon immediately called Ian amidst the pounding headache. How could she stay calm? And… what should she do? “Ian?”“Shanon ... darling! How are you?” Ian answered with a smooth voice. Instead of feeling pressured after such an unpleasant incident, Ian seemed to be on cloud nine.“What should I do, Ian? This video must not leak anywhere!” Shanon insisted. She didn't want Darren to hate her even more, especially his